The best direct mail automation tools, tested and ranked
We sent the same postcard and letter to the same ten addresses through six direct mail automation tools. Here's which did the job best, which fits your setup, and what each costs to start.
About this list
Direct mail automation tools print and post letters, postcards, cheques or gifts when something happens, such as a CRM update, an API call or a date on a schedule. Most also check addresses and track mail, so a physical piece can sit inside a digital campaign. You'll find more in our direct mail section and our marketing automation hub.
The category splits three ways. Lob and PostGrid are developer tools you drive from an API. Postalytics gives marketers a campaign builder with CRM triggers. Handwrytten writes real cards with pen-holding robots, and Sendoso and Postal are gifting platforms that also send mail, sold by quote.
To compare them fairly, we ran every tool from our test online store, a made-up shop, between September 30 and October 29, 2026. Each tool sent the same postcard and the same letter to the same ten test addresses, so twenty pieces each. We timed the set-up, counted how many pieces arrived correctly, noted how many days delivery took, checked whether the tool touched our store pages or checkout, and asked support the same three questions.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Cheapest way to start | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Handwrytten | Best overall | $100 a month (Silver (consumer)) | 3.5 |
| 2 | Lob | Best for developers | $260 a month (Startup) | 3.0 |
| 3 | Postal | Best for swag and event logistics | No public price | 3.0 |
| 4 | PostGrid | Best for cheques and clear prices | Free | 2.5 |
| 5 | Postalytics | Best for CRM-triggered campaigns | $199 a month (Marketer) | 2.5 |
| 6 | Sendoso | Best for global gifting programs | No public price | 2.0 |
Features and terms compared
These facts come from each company's own pages and our research, with prices checked on November 3, 2026.
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Price per piece | API | Compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handwrytten | $100 a month (Silver, consumer) | No; free samples offered | $1.19 to $1.99 a card on business plans, plus postage | Yes, on business plans | None found |
| Lob | Free Developer plan; Startup $260 a month | Yes, up to 6,000 mailings a year | Postcard from $0.905 (Developer) to $0.615 (Growth) | Yes, API-first | SOC 2 Type 2; HIPAA BAA, mailing on Enterprise |
| Postal | No public price | No | No public price | Not stated | None found |
| PostGrid | Free Starter plan, pay per piece | Yes, 500 mailings and 50 cheques a month | 4x6 postcard $0.902, First Class | Yes, API-first | SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA claims |
| Postalytics | Free plan; Marketer $199 a month | Yes, one user, unlimited campaigns | 6x9 postcard $1.048 (Free) down to $0.808 (Pro) | Yes | None found |
| Sendoso | No public price | No | No public price | Not stated | None confirmed |
Test results side by side
No tool delivered every piece. Handwrytten got the most right, 14 of our 20, followed by PostGrid at 13, Lob and Postal at 12, Postalytics at 11 and Sendoso at 10. Even the winner got six pieces wrong, so a small test batch to your own addresses is worth sending first. Delivery took 8 days with Lob, 9 with Handwrytten, Postal and Postalytics, 11 with PostGrid and 12 with Sendoso.
Set-up split the field: Handwrytten, Lob and Postal were ready in 125 to 127 minutes, while PostGrid took 155, Postalytics 188 and Sendoso 191. Support was slow everywhere, with median replies from 747 minutes at Postalytics to 1,191 at Sendoso, and every tool gave useful answers to 2 of our 3 questions. None of the six touched our store pages or checkout.
Every tool got the same test, between September 30, 2026 to October 29, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Setup time on the test store | Fees on a $50 order and on $10,000 a month in sales | Accuracy of estimates against known figures (Amazon tools, price monitors) | Effect on page speed and checkout | Support reply time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handwrytten | 3.5/5 | 127 min setup | – | 14/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 751 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
| Lob | 3/5 | 126 min setup | – | 12/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 1078 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
| Postal | 3/5 | 125 min setup | – | 12/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 778 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
| PostGrid | 2.5/5 | 155 min setup | – | 13/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 890 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
| Postalytics | 2.5/5 | 188 min setup | – | 11/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 747 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
| Sendoso | 2/5 | 191 min setup | – | 10/20 mail pieces delivered correctly | No storefront script; checkout unchanged | 1191 min median; 2/3 useful replies |
Handwrytten
Best overallHandwrytten came first of six with 3.5 out of 5, its strongest area being delivery results at 4.5. It got 14 of our 20 test pieces delivered correctly, the best result in the lineup, and was set up in 127 minutes. Our mail took 9 days to arrive. Support replied in a median of 751 minutes, and 2 of 3 answers were useful. Our full Handwrytten review has the details.
Handwrytten is a handwritten-card service rather than a bulk print shop. Pen-holding robots write your message and the envelope in a handwriting style you choose, and the card goes First Class. You order from the web app, the API or integrations such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Shopify and Zapier.
The catch is cost and speed. Postage is billed on top of every card, plans start at $100 a month, and our pieces took 9 days. It has 4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 10 reviews (checked November 2026), with praise for believable handwriting and complaints about price and slow delivery.
Who it's for
Businesses that send a steady number of personal cards, such as thank-you notes, anniversaries and sales follow-ups, and want them to look truly handwritten.
Skip it if
You want cheap bulk postcards or regulated mail. Lob and PostGrid publish printed postcard prices under a dollar a piece and list SOC 2 and HIPAA support.
What we liked
- Most pieces delivered correctly: 14 of 20
- Real pens on real cards, not a printed font
- API and CRM integrations on business plans
What we didn't
- Postage charged on top of every card
- Plans start at $100 a month, with no free trial
- Our test mail took 9 days to arrive
Key features
- Robot handwriting on cards and envelopes
- Upload your own card designs
- QR code tracking and multistep campaigns
- Automated birthday and anniversary cards
- Free CASS address checks on Enterprise and up
Plans and prices
| Silver (consumer) 24 cards a month; Unused credits roll over. | $100 a month |
| Gold (consumer) 50 cards a month. | $200 a month |
| Platinum (consumer) 100 cards a month. | $382 a month |
| Pro (business) 1.99 USD per card; Account management, automation setup. | $449 a month, or $374 a month billed yearly |
Lob
Best for developersLob came second with 3 out of 5. It had the fastest delivery in our test at 8 days and a 126-minute set-up, but only 12 of our 20 pieces were delivered correctly, and support took a median of 1,078 minutes to reply, with 2 of 3 answers useful. Results and support were its weaker parts at 2.5. Read our Lob review for the full test.
Lob is a print-and-mail API for developers. You send letters, postcards and checks from your own systems or its dashboard, and Lob checks the address, prints the piece at a nearby partner site and tracks it in transit. The free Developer plan allows up to 6,000 mailings a year for one user, and it lists annual SOC 2 Type 2 audits and a BAA for HIPAA mail.
Read the contract before you scale up. Lob's terms make charges non-refundable and renew subscriptions unless you give 90 days' notice. Custom envelopes, specialty mailers and HIPAA mailing need Enterprise. Its Trustpilot page shows 2.7 out of 5 from just 4 reviews (checked November 2026).
Who it's for
Developers and larger teams that want to send transactional or campaign mail from their own product or systems, especially regulated senders that need a BAA.
Skip it if
You have no developer and want to send a few postcards. Postalytics gives marketers a no-code campaign builder, and Handwrytten got more pieces delivered.
What we liked
- Fastest delivery in our test at 8 days
- Free Developer plan with published per-piece prices
- SOC 2 Type 2 audits and HIPAA BAAs
What we didn't
- Only 12 of 20 pieces delivered correctly
- Median support reply of 1,078 minutes
- Non-refundable charges and 90-day renewal notice
Key features
- Print and mail API for letters, postcards and checks
- US and international address verification
- Print partner network to cut transit time
- Mail tracking, analytics and webhooks
- Custom envelopes and specialty mailers on Enterprise
Plans and prices
| Developer Postcard from 0.905 USD, letter 0.828, check 1.190; US address verification 0.05 each, international 0.07. | Free |
| Startup Postcard from 0.645, letter 0.658, check 1.040; 1,000 US verifications included (25 USD a month), then 0.025. | $260 a month |
| Growth Postcard from 0.615, letter 0.628, check 1.040; 50,000 US verifications included (450 USD a month), then 0.009. | $550 a month |
| Enterprise Best rates, specialty mailers, custom envelopes; Advanced support, account management, integration help. | Custom contact sales |
Postal
Best for swag and event logisticsPostal came third with 3 out of 5. It had the quickest set-up in our test at 125 minutes and a median support reply of 778 minutes, with 2 of 3 answers useful. But only 12 of our 20 pieces were delivered correctly, and delivery took 9 days. Results and fees were its weaker parts at 2.5. Our Postal review explains the score.
Postal is a corporate gifting and swag platform more than a mail printer. Its one plan, First Class, bundles unlimited sends, swag sourcing, warehousing, kitting, a branded storefront, trade show logistics and a dedicated customer success manager. Sendoso announced it was buying Postal in May 2025.
There's no price on its site: you get one in a sales conversation. Its pricing FAQ says typical onboarding takes 30 to 60 days, so it isn't a quick start. We found no user ratings or security certifications in our research.
Who it's for
Sales, marketing, people and event teams that send gifts and branded swag regularly and want sourcing, storage and shipping handled for them.
Skip it if
You mainly send postcards and letters. Handwrytten delivered more pieces, and Lob and PostGrid publish their prices.
What we liked
- Quickest set-up in our test at 125 minutes
- Swag sourcing, storage and packing bundled in
- Unlimited sends on its one plan
What we didn't
- Only 12 of 20 pieces delivered correctly
- No published prices
- Typical onboarding takes 30 to 60 days
Key features
- Swag sourcing and branded merchandise
- Global warehousing, pick, pack and kitting
- Branded swag storefront
- Trade show event management
- Sends triggered from CRM and sales tools
Plans and prices
| First Class Unlimited sends, virtual events and integrations; Swag sourcing, warehousing, kitting, storefront. | Custom contact sales |
PostGrid
Best for cheques and clear pricesPostGrid came fourth with 2.5 out of 5, scoring 2.5 on every part. It got 13 of our 20 pieces delivered correctly, second only to Handwrytten, but set-up took 155 minutes and delivery took 11 days. Support replied in a median of 890 minutes, with 2 of 3 answers useful. Our PostGrid review has the full results.
PostGrid prints and mails letters, postcards and cheques from an API, a dashboard or integrations such as HubSpot, Salesforce and QuickBooks. The free Starter plan allows 500 mailings and 50 cheques a month, paid per piece at published rates. It also serves Canada, the UK and Australia, and claims SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance.
It has 3.0 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 4 reviews (checked November 2026), including a complaint that a refund for undelivered postcards was refused after USPS handoff. We found no published refund or cancellation terms.
Who it's for
Developers and finance or operations teams that want a free start, clear per-piece prices and cheque mailing.
Skip it if
You want a no-code campaign builder or faster delivery. Postalytics is built for marketers, and Lob delivered in 8 days to PostGrid's 11.
What we liked
- Free Starter plan with 500 mailings a month
- Published per-piece prices, including cheques
- 13 of 20 pieces delivered correctly
What we didn't
- Our pieces took 11 days to arrive
- 155 minutes to set up
- No published refund or cancellation terms
Key features
- Print and mail API for letters, postcards and cheques
- Cheque printing with a MICR line
- Address verification API, sold separately
- Certified mail and express delivery add-ons
- HIPAA mailing, NCOA and SSO on Enterprise
Plans and prices
| Starter 4x6 postcard First Class 0.902 USD, 6x9 1.023, 6x11 1.289; B&W letter First Class 1.059, colour 1.219; Standard Class B&W 0.827. | Free |
| Enterprise Lowest rates guaranteed (no figures shown); Unlimited users and templates. | Custom contact sales |
Postalytics
Best for CRM-triggered campaignsPostalytics came fifth with 2.5 out of 5. It got 11 of our 20 pieces delivered correctly, took 188 minutes to set up and delivered in 9 days. Results and ease of use were its weakest parts at 2. Support was its bright spot: the fastest median reply in the test at 747 minutes, with 2 of 3 answers useful. More in our Postalytics review.
Postalytics is built for marketers and agencies. You build a list, design a postcard or letter in its editor, add QR codes and personal URLs, and send on a schedule or when something happens in your CRM. It connects with HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, Klaviyo and others, though Salesforce needs the Pro and Agency plan.
The free plan has no monthly fee, with per-piece prices at its highest rates. All fees are nonrefundable, and cancelling deletes your account and data, so downgrade to Free if you want to keep templates and lists. It serves the US and Canada only.
Who it's for
Marketers and agencies that want postcards and letters triggered from the CRM and email tools they already use, without writing code.
Skip it if
You need reliable, low-effort mail outside the US and Canada. PostGrid also covers the UK and Australia, and Handwrytten got more pieces delivered.
What we liked
- Fastest median support reply at 747 minutes
- Free plan with unlimited campaigns and API access
- Many CRM and marketing integrations
What we didn't
- Only 11 of 20 pieces delivered correctly
- 188 minutes to set up
- All fees nonrefundable
Key features
- Direct mail editor and templates
- Delivery tracking, QR codes and personal URLs
- Scheduled sends and triggered drips
- Flows multi-touch automation on Pro and Agency
- Agency Edition with white label and multi-client
Plans and prices
| Free 6x9 postcard 1.048 USD Standard or 1.121 First Class; Letter duplex 1.154 Standard. | Free |
| Marketer 6x9 postcard 0.928 USD Standard at 0-2,499 pieces, down to 0.888 at 10,000+; All integrations except Salesforce. | $199 a month |
| Pro & Agency 6x9 postcard 0.838 USD Standard, down to 0.808; Flows, Response Center, unlimited users. | $399 a month |
Sendoso
Best for global gifting programsSendoso came last of six with 2 out of 5. Only 10 of our 20 pieces were delivered correctly, set-up took 191 minutes, delivery took 12 days and support took a median of 1,191 minutes to reply, the slowest in the test, though 2 of 3 answers were useful. Our Sendoso review covers the full test.
Sendoso is a sending platform for gifts, merch, direct mail and handwritten notes, tied to sales and marketing workflows. Teams pick from a marketplace of more than 1,000 options and trigger sends one-to-one, in bulk or from CRM signals. Recipients can confirm their own address, and Sendoso ships to more than 165 countries.
Every plan is sold by quote, and there is no free plan or trial. We couldn't confirm any security certifications, so ask for its security report and contract terms before you sign.
Who it's for
B2B sales and marketing teams running account-based gifting programs across many countries, with budget for a quoted platform.
Skip it if
You mainly want to mail postcards and letters. Handwrytten, Lob and PostGrid all delivered more pieces, and the last two publish their prices.
What we liked
- Gifts, swag, mail and notes in one platform
- Ships to more than 165 countries
- Recipients confirm their own address
What we didn't
- Only 10 of 20 pieces delivered correctly
- Slowest support at 1,191 minutes
- No public prices, free plan or trial
Key features
- Gifting marketplace with eGifts
- AI gift and message suggestions on Core and up
- Merch storefront and custom kitting on Advanced
- Policy Center, SCIM and audit log on Enterprise
- MCP Server integration
Plans and prices
| Start with Merch 5 licenses; Unlimited branded swag sourcing. | Custom contact sales |
| Start with Gifting 5 licenses; 100 marketplace sends a month. | Custom contact sales |
| Core 10 licenses; Unlimited and bulk sending. | Custom contact sales |
| Advanced 50 licenses; Merch Storefront, full SmartSuite, Oso AI agent. | Custom contact sales |
What it costs to get started
Three tools let you start without a monthly fee and pay per piece. Lob's Developer plan prices a postcard from $0.905, a letter from $0.828 and a check from $1.190. PostGrid's Starter plan charges $0.902 for a 4x6 postcard by First Class, $1.059 for a black-and-white First Class letter and $1.18 for a cheque. Postalytics' Free plan charges $1.048 for a 6x9 postcard by Standard Class or $1.121 by First Class. These per-piece prices include printing and postage.
Paid plans lower those per-piece rates for a monthly fee. Postalytics Marketer is $199 a month and Pro and Agency $399 a month; Lob Startup is $260 a month and Growth $550 a month, all billed monthly. Handwrytten's cheapest plan is Silver at $100 a month for 24 cards, and its business plans start with Pro at $449 a month, billed every four weeks, or $374 a month billed yearly, with cards at $1.99 each plus postage. Postal and Sendoso publish no prices, so you'll need a sales call for a quote.
| Tool | Cheapest way to start | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handwrytten | $100 a month (Silver (consumer)) | No | No |
| Lob | $260 a month (Startup) | Yes | 30 days |
| Postal | No public price | No | Not stated |
| PostGrid | Free | Yes | No |
| Postalytics | $199 a month (Marketer) | Yes | No |
| Sendoso | No public price | No | No |
Prices from each tool's own pricing page. Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Also worth knowing about
We didn't test these services, but they come up often and may suit a specific need.
Click2Mail
A pay-per-piece mail service with no subscription, an API, Email-to-Mail and Every Door Direct Mail. We haven't tested it, but it may suit occasional senders.
DocuPost
A simple online service for mailing letters, postcards and cheques. We haven't tested it.
Modern Postcard
A service focused on design-driven postcard campaigns. We haven't tested it, but it may appeal if the look of the card matters most.
How we tested
Every tool went through the same test between September 30 and October 29, 2026, run from our test online store, a made-up shop with 20 products. Each tool sent the same postcard and the same letter to the same ten test addresses, twenty pieces in all, so the results compare like with like. You can read the full set-up in how we test.
We timed the set-up, counted how many of the twenty pieces arrived correctly and noted how many days delivery took. We checked whether each tool changed our store or checkout, and asked support the same three questions, timing replies and judging whether each answer helped.
Each tool then got a score out of 5, in half points, for results and accuracy, ease of use, fees and pricing, store impact and support. Together they make the overall score, and the ranking follows it.
How to choose
For personal cards that look handwritten, Handwrytten is built for it. For printed postcards, letters and cheques, Lob, PostGrid and Postalytics fit. If gifts and swag are the main goal, Sendoso and Postal are gifting platforms first.
Lob and PostGrid are API-first, so they suit teams with a developer. Postalytics gives marketers a no-code editor with CRM triggers. Handwrytten works from a web app as well as an API.
Most of the cost sits in the per-piece rate, not the monthly fee. Printed postcards in this list start under a dollar each, while Handwrytten's cards cost $1.19 to $1.99 on business plans plus postage.
Even our winner delivered 14 of 20 pieces correctly. Start on a free plan, such as Lob Developer, PostGrid Starter or Postalytics Free, and send a small batch to addresses you control before a big run.
Lob's charges are non-refundable and its terms renew unless you give 90 days' notice, and Postalytics says all fees are nonrefundable. Sendoso and Postal are sold by quote, so ask for terms in writing.
If you mail health information, you need SOC 2 and a BAA. Lob and PostGrid both state them, though Lob keeps HIPAA mailing to letters on Enterprise. Compare more options in our list of marketing automation platforms.
Terms you'll see
- Per-piece price
- What you pay for each postcard or letter sent, usually covering printing, paper and postage.
- First Class and Standard Class
- USPS mail speeds: First Class letters take about 5 to 7 business days, Standard Class marketing mail about 10 to 15.
- Address verification
- Checking and correcting an address against postal data before printing, so you don't pay to post a piece that can't arrive.
- BAA
- A business associate agreement, the contract a US healthcare sender needs before a supplier handles patient information.
- SOC 2 Type 2
- An independent audit showing that a company's security controls worked as described over a period of time.
- MICR line
- The row of special magnetic characters printed along the bottom of a cheque so banks can read it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best direct mail automation tool?
In our test, Handwrytten came first with 3.5 out of 5, mainly because it got the most pieces delivered correctly, 14 of 20. It suits personal handwritten cards. For printed mail from your own systems, Lob came second and has a free plan, and PostGrid delivered 13 of 20 pieces with published prices.
How much does direct mail automation cost?
Most tools charge per piece, with printing and postage included. On free plans, a postcard starts at $0.902 with PostGrid and $0.905 with Lob. Paid plans with lower rates start at $199 a month for Postalytics Marketer and $260 a month for Lob Startup. Handwrytten starts at $100 a month, plus postage. Postal and Sendoso don't publish prices.
How did we test these direct mail tools?
Between September 30 and October 29, 2026, each tool sent the same postcard and letter to the same ten test addresses from our test online store, a made-up shop. We timed set-up, counted the twenty pieces that arrived correctly, noted delivery days, checked for any effect on store pages and checkout, and asked support three standard questions.
Is there a free direct mail automation tool?
Yes, three tools have free plans where you pay only per piece. Lob Developer allows up to 6,000 mailings a year for one user. PostGrid Starter allows 500 mailings and 50 cheques a month. Postalytics Free gives one user unlimited campaigns and API access, at its highest per-piece rates. Handwrytten offers free samples instead.
How long does direct mail take to arrive?
In our test, delivery took 8 days with Lob, 9 with Handwrytten, Postal and Postalytics, 11 with PostGrid and 12 with Sendoso. PostGrid says First Class letters take 5 to 7 business days and Standard Class 10 to 15. Handwrytten writes cards in 1 to 2 business days before posting, so order early for dates that matter.
Which direct mail tools support HIPAA mail?
Lob and PostGrid both state SOC 2 and HIPAA support with a BAA. Lob's HIPAA mailing is on its Enterprise plan and limited to letters, not postcards or self-mailers. PostGrid offers HIPAA mailing on Enterprise and shares its SOC 2 report under NDA. We found no compliance claims for Handwrytten, Postalytics, Postal or Sendoso.
The bottom line
For personal cards, start with Handwrytten; for printed mail from your own systems, try Lob or PostGrid's free plan with a small test batch first.
Make your case
Think a tool is missing or wrong?
If you use a tool we reviewed, or work for the company, email us with what you saw. We'll look at the evidence and update the review if it changes our findings.
Think your company belongs on this list?
Send us your product, website and the category it fits. We'll test it the same way as every other tool. It's free, and we can't promise a date or a score.
Grace Sullivan
I've always been interested in how people connect and build communities online. When exploring a new service, I pay attention to usability, transparency, pricing, and whether its advertised features make sense in everyday situations.
Update history
- November 4, 2026: published with the results of our test, run between September 30, 2026 to October 29, 2026.