Short answer: You can save between 4 and 6 cents, or more, per First-Class letter. You also gain savings from reduced labor, fewer mistakes, as well as fewer trips to your post office.
Many businesses look for ways to lower their mailing costs. A great option is to get a postage meter, as metered mail costs less than stamps.
Why postage meters save money
A standard comparison shows that metered mail is cheaper per mail piece and results in more predictable mailing costs.
Discounts on First-Class Mail
Postage meter users receive USPS discounts on First-Class Mail that lower the cost per letter compared to stamps. These discounts can add up quickly for businesses sending a large volume of letters.
Lower labor and time costs
With a postage meter it becomes easier to weigh and stamp, it also becomes faster. Postage meters reduce processing time from minutes to seconds. Businesses that manually stamp 200 to 500 envelopes regularly can easily save hours each week.
Fewer errors and access to commercial rates
Meters print precise postage, preventing overstamping (and understamping!). They also track costs and may unlock business or bulk rates that are simply unavailable with stamps.
How the savings add up
The table below features a comparison between stamps and metered mail, using the 2025 USPS rates. You can estimate potential savings based on your mail volume.
Letters per month | Stamp cost ($0.78) | Metered cost ( $0.74) | Monthly savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $390.00 | $370.00 | $20.00 |
| 1,000 | $780.00 | $740.00 | $40.00 |
| 2,000 | $1,560.00 | $1,480.00 | $80.00 |
| 5,000 | $3,900.00 | $3,700.00 | $200.00 |
Based on USPS 2025 First-Class Mail single-piece 1 oz letter rates: Actual savings may vary by mail class and weight.
What affects your postage meter savings
Several factors influence total savings:
- Monthly mailing volume: The more you mail, the more you save per piece.
- Mail classes used: First-Class, flats, and marketing mail have different rate structures.
- Eligibility for commercial or bulk rates: Metered mail can provide extra savings that stamps do not.
- Time spent preparing mail: Labor saved from weighing, stamping, and avoiding post office trips has real value.
- Meter model and lease cost: Different machines have different automation levels and fees.
What postage meters cost
Most businesses look at the lease fee, supplies, and the rate difference between stamps and metered mail. In the United States, postage meters must be leased, and monthly fees vary by model and mailing volume. Typical costs include the lease, ink or labels, and postage refills. These costs give you a baseline for comparing the meter expense to your monthly savings.
Even with these costs, most organizations see a positive return because postage discounts and time savings quickly outweigh the investment.
Break-even example
A business mailing 1,000 letters a month saves about $40 in postage and still comes out ahead after the $25 meter lease. With weekly time savings, total annual savings often exceed $1,200.
Who benefits most from using a postage meter
You will save the most if your business:
- Sends 250 or more letters per month
- Wants more accurate cost tracking
- Wants to reduce post office trips
- Wants access to USPS discounted rates
- Sends invoices, statements, or bulk mail regularly
Even small offices with steady outgoing mail can benefit.
How to calculate your postage meter savings
To estimate your savings:
- Multiply your monthly mail volume by the current stamp rate.
- Multiply the same volume by the metered rate.
- Subtract the totals to determine your postage savings.
- Subtract your meter lease cost.
- Add any labor time saved from preparing mail faster and avoiding post office trips.
This simple method helps businesses estimate real postage meter savings.
Conclusion
A postage meter can save your business money through lower postage rates, quicker processing, and reduced labor. The more you mail, the more you save, often hundreds or thousands a year. Quadient makes it easy to get started and compare costs across models.
Learn more about Quadient postage meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I save on every letter?
Yes. Quadient meters qualify for USPS metered-mail discounts on standard First-Class letters.
What mailing volume makes a meter worth it?
Generally, 250–500 or more pieces per month is enough to break even.
Does a postage meter save time and money?
Yes. Meters remove the need for manual stamping, weighing, and most post office trips.
Are there extra costs besides postage?
Yes. Costs can include the meter lease, ink, labels, and postage refills. Most businesses recover these costs through discounts and efficiency gains.
How fast does a meter pay for itself?
Most organizations see a return in six to twelve months, depending on volume.