Cheapest Pickup and Delivery Service Singapore 2025
Sending a parcel in Singapore shouldn’t cost as much as a nice lunch. But with so many courier services advertising low rates, figuring out which one actually saves you money can feel like a second job. This article compares the cheapest pickup and delivery services in Singapore—Lalamove, GrabExpress, Ninja Van, and uParcel—using real pricing data, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Lowest starting price: $4 (Lalamove) ·
Most affordable same-day delivery: $5 (uParcel) ·
Number of major courier services: 10+ ·
Average delivery fee range: $5–$15 ·
Top-rated cheap courier: Pickupp with 50% first order discount
Quick snapshot
- Lalamove on-demand delivery starts from S$10 according to Lalamove Singapore (official pricing)
- uParcel 3-day delivery starts from S$4.50 flat per uParcel Singapore (transparent rates)
- GrabExpress beta pricing was S$6 per delivery plus S$1 per km per The Straits Times (Singapore news)
- Which service is cheapest overall depends on distance, time of day, and parcel size
- Exact dynamic pricing for GrabExpress currently varies by demand
- Lalamove introduced a S$0.50 flat fee per order from 16 December 2024 per Lalamove Singapore (pricing policy)
- GrabExpress trial launch in Singapore began in 2021 per The Straits Times (Lalamove Singapore (pricing policy))
- Pickupp offers 50% off first orders, making it a strong contender for new users
- Ninja Van continues to expand its Ninja Flexi pickup and drop-off network
| Feature | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest per km | Lalamove (~S$0.50/km) | Seedly (Singapore finance blog) |
| Lowest base fare | Lalamove (S$4 on some routes, S$10 official starting price) | Lalamove Singapore |
| Fastest same-day delivery | uParcel (within 3 hours option) | EasyParcel (aggregator) |
| Best for documents | GrabExpress or Lalamove (small envelope) | Mothership (Singapore news) |
| Most user-friendly app | Lalamove | User reviews |
| Pickupp first order discount | 50% off | Service promotion |
Which is the cheapest courier service in Singapore?
Comparing Lalamove, GrabExpress, Ninja Van, and uParcel
- Lalamove — On-demand personal delivery starts from S$10 as listed on Lalamove’s official site. Short-distance bike trips can be as low as S$4, but the rate table on the app often shows higher. A flat fee of S$0.50 per order applies since December 2024 per Lalamove pricing page.
- GrabExpress — Launched in 2021 with S$6 base + S$1/km per The Straits Times. Current dynamic pricing often means higher costs for peak hours.
- Ninja Van (Ninja Flexi) — Scheduled pickup and drop-off. Estimated base around S$5, but no official published rate sheet. Flexible timing appeals to regular users.
- uParcel — Transparent flat rates: 3-day delivery from S$4.50, same-day at S$10.99 per EasyParcel listing. Heavier parcels (10 kg) cost S$28 on uParcel’s own rate page.
Price comparison table
Four services, one pattern: Lalamove wins on short distance base fares, uParcel excels on flat-rate simplicity for heavier parcels.
| Service | Base Price | Extra Stop Fee | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lalamove | From S$10 (bike) / S$4 estimated short distance | S$3 per stop (bike), S$5 (car) | Immediate pickup, short distance |
| GrabExpress | From S$6 (beta) – dynamic | N/A (single drop) | Reliable tracking, integrated app |
| Ninja Van (Flexi) | ~S$5 estimated | Varies | Scheduled pickup/drop-off |
| uParcel | From S$4.50 (3-day) / S$10.99 (same-day) | N/A | Flat-rate heavy parcels |
User reviews and ratings
User feedback on Google Play and consumer forums highlights a consistent trade-off: Lalamove is praised for speed and low cost on short trips, but surcharges for stairs and extra stops can catch you off guard. uParcel earns points for transparent pricing.
The cheapest service for a document envelope (likely Lalamove or GrabExpress) is not the cheapest for a 10 kg box (uParcel wins there). The best pick depends entirely on what you’re sending.
The pattern: no single courier is cheapest for every job. Base fares are the headline, but stop fees, stair charges, and peak surcharges are where the bill grows.
How much is Lalamove delivery in Singapore?
Lalamove pricing structure
- Personal delivery starts at S$10 per Lalamove personal page.
- Vehicle pricing shows a flat fee of S$0.50 per order from 16 Dec 2024 per Lalamove vehicle pricing.
- Stair access charge: S$10 per flight per helper per same source.
- Refrigerated add-on: S$80.
Factors affecting cost: distance, vehicle type, time of day
- Distance: base fare rises with km. Seedly reported S$0.30/km for bikes, S$0.40/km for cars.
- Vehicle type: bike cheapest, then car, van, lorry. Extra stop fees escalate: van S$8 per stop, lorry S$17–$20.
- Time of day: peak hours may apply surge multipliers not published.
Example delivery costs for common routes
Based on Seedly’s comparison: a 5 km bike delivery might cost around S$13, while a car delivery over the same route would be S$18. Adding a second stop adds S$3 (bike) or S$5 (car).
For a common route like city centre to HDB estate, Lalamove bike likely remains cheapest — but only if you can avoid stairs and extra stops.
The catch: Lalamove’s low headline fare works best for simple, one-drop, ground-floor deliveries. Add complexity and the price climbs fast.
What is the alternative to Grab Express in Singapore?
Top alternatives: Lalamove, Pickupp, uParcel, Ninja Van
- Lalamove — Cheaper than GrabExpress for short trips. Base fare often S$4–S$6 vs Grab’s S$6+.
- Pickupp — Offers 50% discount for first orders; base fares competitive.
- uParcel — Transparent S$4.50 flat for 3-day delivery; no dynamic pricing surprises.
- Ninja Van — Good for scheduled, regular deliveries.
Comparison of features and pricing
When comparing alternatives, the biggest differentiator is pricing transparency. uParcel lists flat rates for all weight bands. Lalamove shows base fees but adds surcharges. GrabExpress uses opaque dynamic pricing.
Which is cheaper than GrabExpress?
- Lalamove is consistently cheaper than GrabExpress for distances under 10 km per user reviews and rate data.
- uParcel’s same-day at S$10.99 (0-1 kg) undercuts GrabExpress’s typical S$12–S$15 range for similar speed.
- Pickupp with first order discount can be the absolute cheapest for a single trial.
GrabExpress offers tighter tracking and reliability, which may matter more than a few dollars for time-sensitive documents. Cheap is not always the same as reliable.
The implication: if low cost is your priority, Lalamove or uParcel offer better value than GrabExpress. But Grab retains an edge in user experience and accountability.
How to use Lalamove pickup?
Step-by-step guide to booking a Lalamove pickup
- Download the Lalamove app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account and enter your pickup address and drop-off destination.
- Choose your vehicle type: bicycle (cheapest), car, van, or lorry.
- Review the estimated fare — note the S$0.50 flat fee and any stop charges.
- Confirm the order and track your driver in real time via the app.
Tips for getting the cheapest delivery
- Select the “economy” vehicle option (bicycle) if your parcel fits.
- Avoid peak hours (lunch rush, evening 6-8 PM) when dynamic pricing may be higher.
- Minimize extra stops — each adds S$3 (bike) or more.
- If your parcel is heavy or bulky, compare with uParcel flat rate before booking.
Tracking your parcel in real time
Lalamove provides live GPS tracking of the driver from pickup to drop-off. Notifications are sent at each stage.
For first-time users, Lalamove’s app is intuitive, but the final bill can exceed the estimate if you add stairs or extra stops. Check the vehicle pricing details beforehand.
The trade-off: booking Lalamove is quick and cheap for simple deliveries, but the add-on fees mean you should review the full rate card before confirming.
Is it cheaper to use Grab in Singapore?
GrabExpress pricing vs. competitors
- GrabExpress beta pricing was S$6 base + S$1/km per The Straits Times.
- Mothership’s 2021 coverage listed rates: S$5.30 for 0–5 km, S$7.30 for 5–10 km, S$10.30 for 10–20 km per Mothership.
- Current pricing is dynamic — often higher than these static figures at peak times.
When to use Grab vs. Lalamove or uParcel
- Use GrabExpress when you need integrated ride and parcel tracking in one app, or when sending small documents with high reliability.
- Use Lalamove for short, simple deliveries where every dollar counts.
- Use uParcel for heavier parcels or when you want a fixed price upfront.
Cost comparison for common delivery routes
For a 5 km envelope delivery: Lalamove bike ~S$13, GrabExpress ~S$6–S$8 (if base applies), uParcel ~S$10.99 same-day. But Grab’s dynamic pricing can push that to S$12 during demand.
GrabExpress can be cheaper than Lalamove for very short distances if no surge applies, but Lalamove wins for longer routes because its per-km fee is lower.
The pattern: Grab is not universally cheaper. For cost certainty, uParcel’s flat rates are better. For short off-peak trips, Lalamove still leads.
For more price comparisons in Singapore, see our guide on Coolie Ticket Booking Singapore: Compare Prices & Cinemas and Best Budget Travel Destinations 2026: Cheap & Safe Places to Go.
Upsides
- Low entry prices (Lalamove from S$4)
- Multiple vehicle options suit different parcel sizes
- Real-time tracking across most services
- Discounts and promotions (Pickupp 50% off)
- Convenient app-based booking
Downsides
- Extra fees for stairs, stops, and peak hours can inflate cost
- No single “cheapest” service fits all needs
- Dynamic pricing (GrabExpress) creates uncertainty
- Heavy/bulky items incur high surcharges
- Some services lack published rate tables
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Lalamove on-demand delivery starts from S$10 per official site (Lalamove Singapore).
- Lalamove charges a S$0.50 flat fee per order from 16 Dec 2024 (Lalamove vehicle pricing).
- uParcel 3-day delivery from S$4.50 (uParcel Singapore).
- GrabExpress beta was S$6 + S$1/km (The Straits Times).
- uParcel same-day delivery for 0-1 kg: S$10.99 (EasyParcel).
What’s unclear
- Which service offers the absolute lowest overall cost for a given route — it varies by distance, weight, and time of day.
- GrabExpress current real-time pricing is not published; only beta data is available.
- Ninja Van’s exact pricing for scheduled pickup is not listed publicly.
“Lalamove is the cheapest for short distances. I use it for documents all the time.”
— User review on Google Play
“From base price $5 for immediate delivery, prices vary by time of day, distance, and delivery type.”
— uParcel blog
uparcel.sg, vulcanpost.com, thesmartlocal.com, lalamove.com, facebook.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send a parcel in Singapore?
The answer depends on parcel size and delivery speed. For small documents, Lalamove bike (around S$4) or uParcel 3-day (S$4.50) are cheapest. For same-day heavies, uParcel flat rates often beat competitors.
Can I use Lalamove for same-day delivery?
Yes — Lalamove offers on-demand same-day delivery. The app connects you to nearby drivers for immediate pickup.
Does GrabExpress offer real-time tracking?
Yes, GrabExpress includes live tracking through the Grab app, with notifications at pickup and drop-off.
How much does Ninja Van charge for a small parcel?
Ninja Van (Ninja Flexi) pricing is not publicly itemised, but user reports suggest around S$5 for a standard small parcel.
Is Pickupp reliable for business deliveries?
Pickupp offers scheduled and on-demand deliveries with real-time tracking; first-time users get 50% off, making it a low-risk trial.
What is the cheapest courier for documents?
Lalamove bike delivery is typically cheapest for documents under 1 kg, starting around S$4 on short routes.
Do I need to pay extra for doorstep pickup?
Most services include doorstep pickup in the base fare, but Lalamove charges S$10 per flight of stairs if the driver must climb.
How do I compare courier prices in Singapore?
Check the official pricing pages of Lalamove, uParcel, and GrabExpress, or use comparison tools like EasyParcel to see side-by-side rates.
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