MPA EDDM Tool vs USPS EDDM Online: Which Route Planner Should You Use?

When planning an Every Door Direct Mail campaign, you have two main options for selecting carrier routes: MPA's free EDDM tool or USPS EDDM Online. Both let you choose routes and calculate postage, but they serve different needs.

Here's a direct comparison to help you decide which tool is right for your campaign.

Time test: We timed both tools starting from a fresh browser. MPA: ZIP code entered and routes visible in 8 seconds. USPS: Account creation plus login took 2 minutes 47 seconds before seeing any routes. If you value speed, the difference is significant.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When to Use MPA's EDDM Tool

MPA's EDDM route planner is designed for speed and simplicity. Choose it when:

• You want to start immediately - No account creation means you can see routes in seconds
• You're exploring EDDM for the first time - Get quick cost estimates without commitment
• Geographic targeting is your priority - You know the areas you want to reach
• You want integrated printing - Submit route selections directly for a quote
• You're on mobile - MPA's tool works well on phones and tablets

Example use case: A local pizzeria wants to mail 5,000 menus to homes within 3 miles. They don't need income filters - they just want every household nearby. MPA's tool lets them select routes and get a quote in under 5 minutes.

Try MPA's EDDM Tool (No Login) →

When to Use USPS EDDM Online

USPS EDDM Online offers more granular control. Choose it when:

• Demographic targeting is essential - Filter by household income, age ranges, or size
• You need official USPS data - Direct access to the source database
• You want to save campaigns - Return to previous route selections
• You're using your own printer - USPS is vendor-neutral
• You need detailed route statistics - More data points per route

Example use case: A financial advisor wants to target households with income over $100K within specific ZIP codes. USPS EDDM Online's demographic filters let them exclude routes that don't match their ideal customer profile.

What About Postage Costs?

Here's something important: EDDM postage costs are the same regardless of which tool you use.

Both MPA and USPS use the same USPS EDDM postage rates (approximately $0.26 per piece for Retail). The tool you choose doesn't affect postage - it only affects how you plan your routes.

The cost difference comes from printing. MPA bundles printing with route selection, while USPS requires you to find a printer separately. For more details, see our EDDM cost guide.

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Many marketers use MPA's tool for quick exploration and USPS for final demographic refinement. There's no rule saying you must choose one.

A practical workflow:

1. Use MPA's tool to quickly identify promising ZIP codes and get ballpark costs
2. If demographic filtering is needed, verify selections in USPS EDDM Online
3. Return to MPA to submit your final routes for an integrated print + mail quote

The Bottom Line

Choose MPA's EDDM tool if you value speed, simplicity, and integrated printing. It's the fastest way to go from "I want to try EDDM" to "I have a quote."

Choose USPS EDDM Online if demographic filtering is essential to your campaign strategy and you don't mind creating an account.

Either way, both tools use the same USPS route data and postage rates. The difference is in the user experience, not the underlying EDDM service. If you want a hands-off experience, check out our complete EDDM mailing services where we handle everything from printing to postal delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MPA's EDDM tool really free?

Yes. MPA's EDDM route planner is completely free to use with no login required. You only pay when you submit a quote for printing and mailing services.

Can I use MPA's EDDM tool with USPS postage?

Yes. All EDDM campaigns use USPS postage regardless of which planning tool you use. MPA handles the USPS postage as part of your campaign - the tool just makes planning faster.

Which tool has better demographic data?

USPS EDDM Online offers more detailed demographic filtering including age ranges, household income, and household size. MPA's tool focuses on speed and simplicity with basic household and business counts.

Do I need to create an account for either tool?

MPA's EDDM tool requires no login. USPS EDDM Online requires creating a USPS.com Business account before you can select routes.