3 ways FedEx, UPS competitors are leveling up in 2026. Seeking refuge from the delivery giants' rising prices, many shippers are mulling alternatives. Can better features and coverage make the trend stick? Published Feb. 26, 2026 More favorable rates are a key reason parcel shippers tap into alternative delivery providers, but robust and reliable services get them to stay over the long haul, according to carrier executives. That's why smaller parcel carriers seeking to attract more customers and wrest volume away from FedEx and UPS want to grow their capabilities, on-time reliability and coverage areas in 2026, rather than resting on their low-cost reputation. Shippers are taking notice. While cost is an important driver for eyewear maker and distributor EssilorLuxottica, it's not the only priority. "I would not be here next year if I go to my CEO or COO and say, 'Look, I saved $1 per delivery and we are [not going] to meet the customer expectation,'" SVP of North America distribution planning and logistics Massimo Sapone said. Sapone's comments came during a session at Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas, in which he detailed the company's partnership with parcel carrier Veho. As the alternative carrier market looks to build upon heightened customer interest, Supply Chain Dive spoke with delivery providers at Manifest 2026 to learn how they aim to gain and sustain new business in a crowded market this year. Here are three ways FedEx and UPS competitors - including Veho, UniUni, Better Trucks and Gofo - are upping their game. 1. Launching new features. To keep up with the industry giants, alternative carriers are bolstering their capabilities to offer services that either match or provide a niche apart from FedEx and UPS. Maersk E-Commerce - a parcel delivery service from the ocean shipping giant - recently launched a customer portal enabling clients to monitor carrier performance in real time, according to Sam Coiro, head of Maersk E-Commerce, North America. More new capabilities are around the corner: the service plans to launch a picture proof of delivery feature and push notification tracking for shipments this quarter, followed by weekend delivery capabilities in Q2, Coiro said in an interview. From a shipping feature standpoint, Maersk E-Commerce is "almost there," but the delivery solution is already building momentum in part due to its connection to Maersk's network and end-to-end supply chain capabilities, Coiro said. "As opposed to you having to go to multiple vendors, multiple contracts, multiple points of failure, you can do it in one house," Coiro said. Other delivery providers are tapping into artificial intelligence to expand their capabilities. Earlier this month, Veho unveiled its FlexSave delivery option for its Ground Plus and Premium Economy service. The service, which uses Veho's MaestroAI technology platform to optimize parcel movements, enables shippers to exchange day-certain delivery dates for cost savings on slightly broader delivery windows. "It will be within three days," CEO and co-founder Itamar Zur said of FlexSave's delivery window on a Manifest panel. "Most of your customers will still get the stuff delivered on the first day, but there's a chance that they will get it delivered in the second or third day." New parcel carrier capabilities confirmed in 2026. | Delivery provider | Capability | | Better Trucks | Delivery coverage expansion in the southeastern U.S., per EVP Josh Fredman. | | Dragonfly | Launched a new cross-border delivery offering from the U.S. to Canada through a partnership with Straightship. | | Gofo | Delivery coverage expansion from over 70% of U.S. population to around 82% by the end of the summer. | | Jitsu | Launched a regional hub in Reno, Nevada, which connects the delivery provider's entire West Coast network. | | Maersk E-Commerce | Picture proof of delivery feature and push notification tracking coming in Q1. Weekend delivery capabilities in Q2. | | OnTrac | Integrated its full delivery network with end-to-end shipping platform ShipStation. | | SpeedX | Will launch an integration with post-purchase platform Narvar providing greater shipping visibility and real-time tracking updates for customers. | | United Delivery Service | Launched 3POD, an AI-assisted multi-image proof of delivery capability that's integrated into the carrier's tracking platform. | | UniUni | Improved monitoring of driver activity to help strengthen package placement and picture proof of delivery quality. | | Veho | Launched FlexSave, which provides cost savings in exchange for broader delivery windows, and has expanded into several new markets. | 2. Expanding delivery coverage. Emerging providers are shaking off the regional parcel carrier label, with many having grown to offer delivery to the majority of U.S. addresses. Further expansions are en route in 2026, as shippers weigh options beyond national carriers in pursuit of robust, flexible and more cost-effective coverage. "If you look at the market, there's an evolving and growing kind of position around not relying exclusively on purple, brown and USPS," Vincent D'Amato, Gofo's chief sales officer for the U.S., said, referring to FedEx and UPS' primary colors. Gofo, a parcel carrier which recently acquired logistics provider Cirro E-Commerce, currently reaches over 70% of the U.S. population and covers more than 8,500 ZIP codes after growing its network footprint. But the company isn't done. By the end of the summer, Gofo plans to have expanded to roughly 82% of the population and around 12,000 ZIP codes, D'Amato said. The company is also focusing on launching new facility access points in its network where shippers can inject volume.

Veho, an e-commerce delivery platform, has expanded its network to 66 markets nationwide, now reaching 144 million Americans or 42% of the US population. The company has grown its coverage by 50% year-over-year, adding markets in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles and other cities. Veho has opened two new regional hubs in Phoenix and Ontario, California, spanning over 150,000 square feet near major transport terminals. The expansion enables next-day delivery across much of the Southwest and coast-to-coast delivery in as little as two days by air. The company has created over 1,000 roles for independent contractor drivers and operations personnel. Over the past year, Veho tripled new client launches and doubled parcel volume, maintaining a 4.9 out of 5 customer satisfaction score whilst delivering 35% cost savings for e-commerce brands.

Veho has launched FlexSave, a new delivery option that reduces shipping costs for e-commerce brands whilst maintaining customer experience. The service replaces day-certain delivery dates with broader delivery windows, enabling more efficient operations and cost savings. FlexSave is powered by MaestroAI, Veho's AI orchestration platform that optimises parcel movement through real-time prioritisation decisions based on service-level requirements. This contrasts with traditional carriers' first-in, first-out operations, resulting in higher asset utilisation and lower delivery costs. The service addresses rising carrier rates, which increase approximately 6% annually, whilst preserving features like proactive updates, live support and photo confirmation. FlexSave will be available to qualifying shippers in Q1 2026, with broader availability later in the year. Veho currently operates in 60 markets covering 128 million Americans.