Lob
Lob is an automated direct mail platform that enables you to send personalized physical mail, verify addresses, and track delivery with the same ease as sending digital emails.
Postal
Postal is an offline engagement platform that helps you automate the sending of personalized gifts, direct mail, and branded swag to drive better response rates and build stronger business relationships.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lob | Postal |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lob.com | postal.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Luis Obispo, USA |
Overview
Lob
Lob transforms how you handle physical mail by bringing the speed and automation of digital tools to the offline world. You can automate the entire lifecycle of direct mail—from creation and printing to mailing and tracking—using a single platform. This eliminates manual coordination with print shops and mail houses, allowing you to trigger personalized postcards, letters, and checks directly from your existing CRM or tech stack.
You can also ensure your data is accurate with built-in address verification that cleanses and formats global addresses in real-time. Whether you are a developer looking for robust APIs or a marketer needing a dashboard to launch retention campaigns, Lob helps you scale your physical outreach while maintaining full visibility into delivery status and campaign performance.
Postal
Postal is an offline engagement platform designed to help you break through the digital noise by sending physical items as easily as you send emails. You can manage your entire direct mail, corporate gifting, and branded swag strategy from a single interface. By integrating physical touchpoints into your existing sales and marketing stacks, you create memorable experiences that help book more meetings and close deals faster.
The platform provides a global marketplace where you can source everything from local treats to high-end electronics. You can automate gift-sending based on CRM triggers, track the ROI of every package sent, and manage your inventory in real-time. It is built for sales, marketing, and customer success teams at mid-market and enterprise companies who want to scale their personalized outreach without the manual logistics headache.
Overview
Lob Features
- Direct Mail API Connect your existing software to automate the sending of personalized letters, postcards, and checks with simple code.
- Address Verification Verify and standardize US and international addresses instantly to reduce return-to-sender mail and save on postage costs.
- Campaign Analytics Track your mail pieces in real-time with per-piece tracking so you know exactly when your customers receive them.
- HTML Templating Create dynamic mail designs using HTML and CSS to personalize every piece of mail for your specific recipients.
- Automated Checks Send secure, compliant checks to vendors or customers automatically without ever touching a printer or an envelope.
- Global Delivery Reach customers in over 190 countries using a distributed print network that ensures fast and reliable local delivery.
Postal Features
- Global Marketplace. Browse thousands of curated items including perishable goods, gift cards, and premium branded merchandise from vendors worldwide.
- Automated Direct Mail. Trigger physical mailers and gifts automatically based on specific actions your prospects take within your CRM or marketing tools.
- Branded Swag Management. Store your custom branded gear in Postal warehouses and ship items individually to employees or prospects whenever you need them.
- Postal Anywhere. Send gifts directly from your browser, email inbox, or LinkedIn profile using a simple Chrome extension for instant outreach.
- Concierge Services. Work with dedicated experts to source custom items, build unique kits, and manage complex high-volume gifting campaigns.
- ROI Reporting. Track exactly how your offline spend converts into pipeline and revenue with detailed analytics and CRM attribution.
Pricing Comparison
Lob Pricing
- Access to all APIs
- Test environment
- Up to 300 address verifications
- Standard delivery speeds
- Community support access
- Everything in Developer, plus:
- Pay-as-you-go per piece
- Unlimited address verifications
- Access to HTML templates
- Standard tracking and analytics
- Email support
Postal Pricing
Pros & Cons
Lob
Pros
- Automates tedious manual printing and mailing tasks
- Excellent API documentation makes integration very straightforward
- Real-time tracking provides digital-level visibility for mail
- Address verification significantly reduces wasted postage costs
Cons
- Monthly platform fees can be high for small teams
- HTML template rendering can sometimes be finicky
- Customer support response times vary on lower tiers
Postal
Pros
- Extensive marketplace with high-quality local gift options
- Deep integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot workflows
- Saves hours of manual packing and shipping time
- Easy for sales reps to send gifts quickly
- Excellent tracking for delivery and gift redemption
Cons
- Platform interface can feel slow during high-volume periods
- International shipping costs and taxes can be high
- Learning curve for setting up complex automated triggers