Parcel services in Germany 2026: a ranking built on verified facts
A ranking of parcel and courier services in Germany for private senders and small online shops, built only on facts from official sources: the entry in the Bundesnetzagentur's register of postal service providers (Anbieterverzeichnis), the cheapest published retail price for sending one domestic parcel up to 2 kg (the smallest size that takes 2 kg, any channel, VAT included, no promotions) shown as a percentage of the country reference price of 3.79 EUR (the median of collected prices at launch; the original price is on each card), the company's own parcel lockers, liability or insurance included in the price, cash on delivery, sending abroad, tracking, the stated delivery time and the App Store rating. Every fact links to its source with the date we checked it. Reviews and complaint counts are not used. Compare Scores only within Germany. Score is not for sale; paid placements, if they ever appear, will be a separate labelled block.
| # | Company | Who it serves | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DPD Deutschland | 72 | Yes | 95% | Yes | 2 days | Register Lockers Insurance included in the price Sending abroad |
| 2 | Hermes | 72 | Yes | 105% | Yes | Not verified | Register Lockers Insurance included in the price Sending abroad |
| 3 | Deutsche Post / DHL | 66 | Yes | 111% | Yes | 2 days | Register Lockers Cash on delivery Sending abroad |
| 4 | GO! Express & Logistics | 57 | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | 1 days | Register Insurance included in the price Cash on delivery Sending abroad |
-
- In the register of postal operators
- Yes
- Price of a 2 kg domestic parcel, % of country reference
- 95%
- Own parcel lockers
- Yes
- Stated domestic delivery time
- 2 days
Pros
- Listed in the official register of postal operators
- Has its own network of parcel lockers
- The base price includes insurance or liability cover
- Private customers can send parcels abroad
Details Visit site ↗ 86% backed by facts
-
- In the register of postal operators
- Yes
- Price of a 2 kg domestic parcel, % of country reference
- 105%
- Own parcel lockers
- Yes
- Stated domestic delivery time
- Not verified
Pros
- Listed in the official register of postal operators
- Long track record
- Has its own network of parcel lockers
- The base price includes insurance or liability cover
Details Visit site ↗ 86% backed by facts
-
- In the register of postal operators
- Yes
- Price of a 2 kg domestic parcel, % of country reference
- 111%
- Own parcel lockers
- Yes
- Stated domestic delivery time
- 2 days
Pros
- Listed in the official register of postal operators
- Has its own network of parcel lockers
- Well-rated app
- Offers cash on delivery
Cons
- Insurance costs extra
Details Visit site ↗ 90% backed by facts
-
- In the register of postal operators
- Yes
- Price of a 2 kg domestic parcel, % of country reference
- Not verified
- Own parcel lockers
- Not verified
- Stated domestic delivery time
- 1 days
Pros
- Listed in the official register of postal operators
- Long track record
- Fast stated delivery within the country
- The base price includes insurance or liability cover
Details Visit site ↗ 61% backed by facts
Not ranked yet: not enough verified data
These services are known to us, but we haven't verified enough facts to rank them fairly.
- FedEx Deutschland (site closed to automated checks, )
- GLS Germany (site closed to automated checks, )
- UPS Deutschland (site closed to automated checks, )
Sites marked as closed refuse automated reading (403 error, captcha or a robots.txt ban). We don't bypass such protection, so we can't verify their facts and they are not ranked. This says nothing about their quality. A company can send links to its official pages to [email protected].
How we calculate the Score
25%
Reliability
Listing in the national register of postal operators kept by the regulator (or a licence number the company states) and the year the company or its national brand started.
30%
Price
The cheapest published retail price for a private customer to send one domestic parcel of up to 2 kg in the smallest standard size, through any channel (branch, locker or online), including VAT and without time-limited promotions, as a percentage of the country's reference price. The lower the price, the higher the score.
30%
Service
Own network of parcel lockers in the country, insurance or liability cover with a stated amount included in the base price, cash on delivery, sending abroad for private customers and online tracking.
15%
Speed and app
The standard domestic delivery time the carrier states for the service we priced (the upper bound, in working days) and the App Store rating of its own app.
How to choose a courier
Measure and weigh the parcel
Prices depend on weight and size, and many carriers sell fixed sizes such as S, M and L. Measure the packed parcel and check the carrier's limits before you buy a label, or you may pay a surcharge or have it refused.
Choose how to send and receive
A parcel locker or pick-up point is usually cheaper than collection from your door and delivery to the recipient's address. Ask the recipient which option suits them.
Check what cover is included
Read how much the carrier pays if the parcel is lost or damaged under the base price and how much extra insurance costs. For valuable items, declare the value and keep proof of it.
Pack the parcel properly
Use a sturdy box, fill the empty space and seal the seams. Carriers can limit their liability for damage caused by poor packing; their terms say what counts as proper packing and which items are prohibited.
Keep the receipt and tracking number
Keep the receipt or confirmation with the tracking number until the parcel has been delivered. You will need it for a claim.
Know where to complain
First send a written complaint to the carrier within the deadline in its terms. If the answer does not satisfy you, you can turn to the postal regulator or consumer protection authority of your country, and finally to court.
Frequently asked questions
Must a parcel service in Germany be registered?
Yes. Since 18 July 2024 anyone who wants to provide postal services must apply to the Bundesnetzagentur for entry in the provider register before starting. Postal services may only be provided by providers entered in this register, and a provider may hand postal services to another provider only if that one is registered too.
How do I check a parcel service in Germany?
The Bundesnetzagentur keeps a publicly accessible digital register of all postal service providers. You can search it by company name or town; each entry shows the provider number, the address and the date of entry.
Where can I complain about a lost or damaged parcel?
First try to reach an agreement with the postal company. If that fails, senders and recipients can apply to the Schlichtungsstelle Post at the Bundesnetzagentur in cases of loss, theft or damage. The procedure is free of fees and should not take longer than 90 days from receipt of the complete documents.
Must the parcel company take part, and is the proposal binding?
When a consumer applies, the postal company is obliged to take part in the conciliation. The proposal is not binding: neither side has to accept it, and the applicant can end the procedure at any time without giving reasons. The application can be refused if the amount in dispute is below 10 euros or above 2,500 euros.