PODS vs. Pack-Rat: 2025 Moving Container Comparison

With a portable moving container comes greater flexibility, control, and more money left in your pocket at the end of it all. No more matching your schedule with a full-service mover’s pickup window or rushing to return the rental truck on time. Simply pack your items, load them up, and have them delivered from point A to point B. The hardest part is choosing a portable storage container company for your move, which is why we created this guide comparing two of the most popular options on the market: PODS vs. Pack-Rat. 

PODS vs. Pack-Rat

1. Containers
2. Services
3. Availability
4. Customer Reviews and Ratings
5. Flexibility
6. Cost
7. TL;DR — PODS vs. Pack-Rat Wrap-Up

Which Is Better, PODS or Pack Rat?

The overall winner is (drumroll please) … PODS.

With a higher rating from the rating site TrustPilot, competitive pricing for local moves, and a variety of services to make the moving process both flexible and convenient, PODS is the better choice when it comes to most moves. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Read on for an in-depth comparison between the two companies.

PODS portable containers feature lightweight roll-up doors, which make it easy to access your belongings without taking up additional space in your driveway.

1. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Containers

Winner: 1-800-Pack-Rat

Container Sizes

In the industry, both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat are well regarded for having the best moving containers. Both companies offer three different sizes — small, medium, and large — with slight sizing variations. 

Container Features

Because 1-800-Pack-Rat has “all-steel” containers — meaning the frames, walls, and doors are all made completely of steel — they win the materials round. PODS storage containers are still designed for durability, but they are made with a combination of steel, wood, aluminum, and high-impact-resistant polymers.
 
That doesn’t mean PODS containers don’t come with their own benefits, though. One of the best features that comes with PODS moving containers is the lightweight roll-up doors, which make it easy to access your belongings without taking up additional space in your driveway. 1-800-Pack-Rat uses barn-style doors, which may provide more durability, but can also be more of a hassle to work with if you’re limited on space. 

With PODS City Service, the driver stays outside with your container as it’s loaded and unloaded.

2. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Services

Winner: PODS

What services can you expect to get from PODS vs. Pack-Rat? The two companies offer many similar services, but PODS is the clear winner here.

City Service

Moving to an urban area can be a daunting task — especially if you have to unlock and relock your container dozens of times while unloading (don’t want to leave your things open to theft). But with the help of PODS City Service, moving to major metros has become a lot less stressful. Drivers know local regulations so they can avoid costly tickets and they stay outside with your container as it’s loaded and unloaded, protecting your things from opportunistic thieves.

1-800-Pack-Rat doesn’t offer special moving services for city moves.

If you need help with the grunt work, both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat can refer customers to local packing and loading services, so we’ll call that a draw.

Secure Storage Centers

Whether you’re in the military, have a college student who needs storage between semesters, or need to declutter before listing your home — storage is a game-changer. The storage units PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat offer are all safe and secure, but PODS offers greater availability with 240+ secure storage facilities compared to around 65 facilities with 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Level Lifting System

PODS’ hydraulic lift system — known as PODZILLA — can handle loads of over 4,000 pounds and allows delivery drivers to easily place a PODS storage container in your driveway while keeping it level. Once your container is loaded, PODZILLA is once again used to keep the container level while loading it onto a truck, ready to be transported to either a storage facility or your new home. Keeping your container level during pickup, transit, and delivery means your things are less likely to shift and get damaged. 

Disclaimer: The PODZILLA system needs a level surface with a clearance of 12 feet wide and 15 feet high to be used effectively. That means you’ll need to make sure that your driveway is level, wide enough, and that there aren’t any vertical obstacles in the way, such as utility lines and tree branches. Once everything is in order, though, the PODZILLA system allows the delivery driver to drop off and pick up your container without having to contact you!

1-800-Pack-Rat uses a different lifting system. While their containers remain somewhat level during pickup and delivery, they do tend to tilt at times during the process, which could cause items to shift if they aren’t loaded securely enough. 

PODS has 240+ secure storage centers across 46 states, compared to 1-800-Pack-Rat’s 65+ locations across 33 states.

3. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Availability

Winner: PODS

While PODS has 240+ secure storage centers across 46 states, 1-800-Pack-Rat has 65+ storage locations across 33 states. Some rural or remote areas may not be serviced by either company. However, with fewer locations and service states, you’re more likely to run into that issue with 1-800-Pack-Rat than with PODS.

4. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Customer Reviews and Ratings

Winner: PODS

Customer satisfaction is an important representation of how well a company runs, and you’ll notice quite a big difference between the reviews reported for PODS and the reviews reported for 1-800-Pack-Rat. According to Trustpilot, PODS has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 while 1-800-Pack-Rat has a rating of 2.3 out of 5. 

5. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Flexibility

Winner: PODS

The customer is in complete control with both companies, and they get to dictate whenever a container is picked up or delivered. 1-800-Pack-Rat allows you to make certain adjustments to your order online. If your moving situation changes at all, both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat allow you to easily change service dates and locations within a certain time frame, but that time frame is what puts PODS ahead. 

Cancellation Policy

With PODS, you can cancel your order without any additional cost as long as you do so by 4 p.m. local time at least three days before the first container is scheduled to be delivered. With 1-800-Pack-Rat, any changes made within five days of the initial delivery may be subject to cancellation fees. 

Loading/Unloading

PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat both offer a monthly rental period, which allows plenty of time for loading and unloading.

PODS does not require any deposit, so you can easily pay for each stage as you go. 

6. PODS vs. Pack-Rat: Cost

Winner: Tie

When it comes down to cost, PODS storage cost is more affordable for smaller moves, but you may get a better deal with 1-800-Pack-Rat when it comes to larger long-distance moves. 1-800-Pack-Rat is better with price matching, but you can find discounts available throughout the year with both companies. 

PODS is proud to serve communities like the military. Whether you’re on active or inactive duty, service members can receive a significant discount when they move with PODS.

PODS does not require any deposit, so you can easily pay for each stage as you go. 1-800-Pack-Rat doesn’t require a deposit for short-distance moves, but you can expect to pay a $500 deposit for long-distance moves. 

Based on a cost comparison performed by Move.org in 2024, the average moving costs for PODS tend to be more affordable than 1-800-Pack-Rat for shorter moves (up to 450 miles) and much longer moves (1,850–2,050 miles). However, there appears to be a sweet spot between 1,050 miles and 1,750 miles where PackRat becomes the more affordable option. Keep in mind that the final cost is unique to each move, so it’s important to get a personalized quote — whether you choose PODS or 1-800-Pack-Rat. 

7. TL;DR — PODS vs. Pack-Rat Wrap-Up

Winner: Tie

PODS takes the cake and it’s clear to see why when comparing key aspects of PODS vs. 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Containers

• Both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat offer three different container sizes.
• 1-800-Pack-Rat’s containers are “all-steel,” meaning the frames, walls, and doors are all made completely of steel, while PODS containers are made with steel frames and a combination of wood, aluminum, and high-impact-resistant polymers.

Services

• Both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat have secure storage facilities, and offer moving services for both local and long distances. 
• PODS offers more service options than 1-800-Pack-Rat, including both its City Service and the PODZILLA level lifting system.

Availability 

• PODS has more than three times as many secure storage facilities than 1-800-Pack-Rat (240+ vs. 65+, respectively).
• PODS serves 46 states, while 1-800-Pack-Rat only serves 33.

Customer Reviews and Ratings 

• When it comes to the customer experience, according to Trustpilot reviews, PODS receives better reviews than 1-800-Pack-Rat. PODS has a rating of 4.2 out of 5, and 1-800-Pack-Rat has a rating of 2.3 out of 5.

Flexibility 

• With both companies, the customer decides when the container is picked up or delivered. 
• PODS allows you to change service dates and locations fee-free up to three days before the first delivery date, while 1-800-Pack-Rat requires five days' notice to avoid fees. 
• 1-800-Pack-Rat allows you to manage where your container is going and even change the date online.

Cost Comparison

• The cost of using PODS vs. 1-800-Pack-Rat depends on factors like how far you’re moving and the size of your household.
• For shorter moves and very long-distance moves, PODS tends to offer more affordable pricing on average. However, the average moving cost is cheaper with 1-800-Pack-Rat for moves between 1,050 and 1,750 miles.
• Both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat offer seasonal discounts and promotions throughout the year, however, PODS is known to offer better seasonal promotions overall. 

PODS offers flexibility, specialized moving and storage options, and a better customer experience — making it the clear choice when it comes to moving and storage.

Flexible Moving With PODS

With a better customer experience and an array of moving and storage options — not to mention greater flexibility and a wider service area — PODS is the clear choice when it comes to moving and storage. For a detailed quote on a local move, visit PODS.com or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.