A virtual address is an attractive solution to multiple operational challenges, especially for today’s digital and remote-first businesses.
But how much does a virtual address actually cost, and is it worth the investment?
If you’ve done a little Googling already, you know that pricing can be all over the place, as various providers offer different features and services.
Let’s look at what you can expect to get from a virtual address, the factors that lead to such a wide range of pricing, and how much you should expect to pay. We’ll also show you how to get the most out of the provider you choose.
Let’s start by defining our terms. Virtual addresses are real street addresses that businesses can use to receive and process mail somewhere other than their actual physical locations.
Virtual address providers’ services vary widely but typically include at least mail handling, mail opening and scanning, mail forwarding, online viewing, and mail consolidation.
Some providers also offer check depositing, staffed locations (with a receptionist, meeting rooms, or available physical office space), registered agent services, and more.
Business owners choose to use virtual offices and addresses for many reasons, including:
The cost of a virtual business address can be as low as $5–10 per month or as high as a couple hundred dollars per month. However, keep in mind that bottom-dollar virtual mailbox service providers typically add all sorts of volume-based and feature-based pricing.
The best virtual business address providers will be upfront about their pricing and clearly explain how the following factors will influence your final cost.
First up is the provider itself. Service quality, reputation, and pricing structures among digital mailbox providers can vary widely.
Some providers own and staff all their locations with their own employees so they can ensure a high and consistent level of service quality. Other providers simply network with existing mail centers and shipping franchises, which means the quality of one location could vary drastically from one just a few streets or miles away.
It’s a good idea to compare multiple providers in detail. Consider user reviews, available features, company reputation, and pricing structure to determine overall value, rather than just starting price.
For example, Stable is a premium provider that focuses on quality rather than quantity. With six processing centers in prestigious U.S. cities, Stable conveys quality and brand authority to every customer.
The range of services offered by a given provider can significantly affect pricing. For example, providers incur significantly higher costs when they offer staffed reception and physical meeting spaces at their virtual address locations.
In addition, they take different approaches to mail handling, scanning, forwarding, and so on, which will also affect cost.
Stable offers a wide range of reliable, consistent services, including:
Ready to compare services and features among top virtual address providers? Check out our ultimate guide to choosing the best virtual mailbox services, where we review 11 of the most popular virtual address providers.
Virtual address providers must pay for the locations they offer, one way or another. So an address in San Francisco’s business district or on Wall Street in New York is going to cost more than one in an anonymous office park in a mid-sized city.
Depending on the provider you choose, you might find variable pricing depending on the level of prestige of a given location. Some providers, such as Stable, have strategically invested in a smaller number of desirable locations, providing a higher level of brand value to every customer — without pricing surprises.
Before you sign up for a virtual address service, make sure you understand the contract terms. Some services are month-to-month, while others will lock you into longer contracts.
Of course, a longer contract might result in a lower monthly cost, but you could be stuck paying for features you don’t need.
There are also, unfortunately, a number providers that charge hidden fees. Make sure you have a clear understanding of all fees and costs before signing a contract.
A typical virtual address service can cost anywhere from $10 to $200+ per month.
Of course, that’s a frustratingly wide range, but it’s because pricing structures are different from provider to provider, as are the range of service tiers. The services themselves can be deceptively different too.
Comparing one service with another isn’t just apples vs. oranges — it’s more like apples vs. smoothies vs. fine dining. While multiple providers may claim to offer the same service, they go about it in very different ways and provide a wide range of customer experiences.
Extremely basic plans start at around $10 per month. These plans don’t allow for very much mail volume (at least, not without significant extra charges), and they’re almost always in a third-party location (like an independent mail or shipping center).
They don’t typically impart much, if any, brand prestige, as they’re often located in suburban strip malls or similar locations. They don’t exactly pass the “Google Street View” test, but they do provide the basic services that small businesses and entrepreneurs need.
Some services also offer premium locations ranging from $15 to around $40 per month, but at that price, you’re subject to the same volume limitations.
If you need access to a coworking space or an actual virtual lease, expect to pay considerably more — a minimum of $100 per month.
Other services (including Stable) take a more comprehensive approach with transparent pricing. They offer only premium locations and provide tiers of service without strict limits on mail volume.
For example, Stable’s $49/month Grow plan (half price at $24.50 for early-stage companies) includes a permanent street address and unlimited mail reception. It also gives you access to a modern online portal for viewing received and scanned mail. Optional features, like check depositing and registered agent services, are a la carte.
To sum it up, costs tend to climb based on factors like:
Now that you have a clearer understanding of how to get a virtual address and how much the service is likely to cost, it’s time to maximize the value you get out of that investment.
Start by focusing critically on what you do and don’t need from a virtual address service provider. It’s important to make sure you have every feature available that you need now (or are likely to need in the future). But it’s just as important to make sure you aren’t paying extra for features you’ll never use.
Look at your business operations. What are your current mail-handling requirements? Do you anticipate your mail volume changing significantly as you grow?
Consider also those extra services, like registered agent services. Do you need these now, or could you need them down the road? It might be wise to choose a provider that offers these as an add-on, keeping your price low until you actually need those additional services.
If you’re paying for it, and it can help your business, then make sure you’re using it.
Every virtual office plan will handle your postal mail and save you trips to the post office, UPS Store, or FedEx location. But some can save your small business unnecessary trips to the bank via automatic check deposit into your bank account.
Others offer hands-on assistance with the legal requirements of your virtual office address (like getting the change of address form right). Some also act as a mail forwarding service for every piece of mail (at notable cost to you), while other virtual office services send mail as requested to your real address.
In business, reputation is everything. So you don’t want to outsource your business address and mail handling to a company you aren’t sure you can trust to get it right.
Never choose a virtual address service until you’re firmly convinced that the provider is reputable and responsible. You need a firm that brings security, reliability, and professionalism to your business — not one that has you apologizing to clients for mistakes and missed opportunities.
So look for services with positive reviews, transparent pricing, and responsive customer support.
Take Stable as an example. Our stellar reputation and hands-on customer support virtually guarantee your experience will be stellar, and we’ve designed our service offerings to align well with a wide range of business objectives.
Choosing a respected provider like Stable for your virtual address needs can be a huge boost to both your business’s professional image and its operational efficiency.
Finding the right virtual address service for your business requires careful comparison of providers and critical evaluation of your current and future needs.
Pricing varies widely, which can make the evaluation process challenging. But once you understand the various features and service offerings that affect price, the picture becomes clearer. And of course, you can hardly put a price tag on reputation and responsive service.
Stable’s virtual address services are affordable, our services are reliable, and our reputation is unmatched.
Now is the time to make the most of your virtual address investment. Get started with Stable now!
