Delaware is one of the most popular states for forming an LLC, thanks to its business-friendly laws, advanced privacy protections, and superior tax advantages. Every Delaware LLC will need a real U.S. street address for incorporation, as well as official correspondence (think tax filings and legal documents), so a virtual mailbox often ends up being the best solution for remote business owners.
A virtual mailbox provides you with a professional business address, allowing you to receive and manage mail from anywhere in the world in addition to incorporating your startup. It’s a must-have tool for anyone needing a reliable address without being tied to a physical location. And if you choose the right service, it can do much more than just handle your mail.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key factors to consider when choosing a virtual mailbox for your Delaware LLC, comparing the top providers so that you can find the most ideal fit for your business’s needs.
Why form an LLC in Delaware?
Delaware has long been a top choice for business owners due to its strong legal framework and favorable tax policies. The state also offers significant privacy protections (more so than any other state), allowing you to remain anonymous in public records.
Another major advantage is Delaware’s tax structure. There is no state income tax for LLCs that operate outside Delaware, and there is no sales tax. However, businesses must still meet state requirements, such as filing annual reports and paying franchise taxes—both of which require a reliable mailing address. That’s where your virtual mailbox comes in.
Comparing the best virtual mailbox services for Delaware LLCs
With so many options available, it's essential to thoroughly research providers and evaluate them based on the factors that are important to you and your business. Below is a breakdown of several top virtual mailbox services to help you make the best possible decision for your Delaware LLC.
Top virtual mailbox comparisons
For your Delaware LLC, you’ll want a real street address (not a PO box) that can be used for formation, tax filings, and other legal documents. Most virtual mailboxes come with mail scanning and forwarding capabilities, but many offer additional services like check deposit, package handling, digital and physical mail storage, and app integrations.
Here’s how the top virtual mailbox services compare in this category:
- VPM offers: A prestigious business address, plus mail scanning, forwarding, and check deposit services. All virtual mailbox plans come with unlimited digital storage and up to 60 days of free physical mail storage. You can also use Zapier to integrate your mail with over 5,000 popular apps to make managing mail even easier.
- iPostal1 offers: Mail scanning, forwarding, and package handling, but does not provide check deposit service. If you want an address to use for LLC formation, you have to pay for their middle-tier plan, which offers a virtual business address that can be used for registration.
- AnytimeMailbox offers: A professional business address, as well as mail scanning and forwarding services. Remote check deposit is offered at certain locations, but not all.
- Traveling Mailbox offers: A real street address, mail scanning and forwarding, and check deposit services in addition to unlimited digital storage. Provides the ability to integrate your mail with various apps, though the catalogue is not as comprehensive as VPM’s.
- Stable offers: A real business address, mail scanning and forwarding, check deposit service, unlimited digital storage, up to 30 days free physical mail storage, and integrations (the latter is available with a premium plan).
- PhysicalAddress.com offers: A virtual business address with mail scanning, forwarding, and check deposit services. Additionally, they offer unlimited digital mail storage and up to 90 days of physical mail storage.
- PostScanMail offers: A business address with mail scanning and forwarding services. However, as they are a more basic service, they do not offer remote check deposit or integrations, and physical mail storage is limited.
- Sasquatch offers: A virtual business address with mail scanning, forwarding, and check deposit services. Physical mail storage is available for up to 30 days. However, their platform lacks advanced integrations compared to other providers.
- The Farm Soho offers: A business address with mail scanning and forwarding services. They focus more on coworking space offerings, so typical virtual mailbox features like check deposit and digital storage options are limited.
Delaware registered agent services
Since you’ll need a registered agent for your Delaware LLC, it may be worth it to choose a virtual mailbox that provides this extra service.
Here’s how the virtual mailbox providers stack up:
- VPM offers: Free registered agent service with all virtual mailbox plans, making it a convenient one-stop shop for Delaware LLCs.
- iPostal1 offers: Some locations offer registered agent service, but at the time of publishing, none of their Delaware locations do.
- AnytimeMailbox offers: No registered agent service.
- Traveling Mailbox offers: Registered agent service is only available at their North Carolina hub.
- Stable offers: Paid registered agent service for an additional $25/month.
- PhysicalAddress.com offers: Complimentary registered agent service with all virtual mailbox plans.
- PostScanMail offers: Paid registered agent service for an additional $5/month.
- Sasquatch offers: No registered agent service.
- The Farm Soho offers: Paid registered agent services for an additional $8/month.
Virtual address coverage
To some, proximity to major cities may be important. Others might find more value in knowing an address is owned by the company itself, ensuring longevity. Regardless of where you stand, it’s good to know more about the addresses a company is providing.
See how each virtual mailbox service measures up:
- VPM offers: One address in Claymont, Delaware. VPM owns and operates all of its addresses, ensuring long-term stability.
- iPostal1 offers: 37 Delaware-based addresses. Most locations are professional retail pack and ship stores or co-working business centers located in professional office buildings.
- AnytimeMailbox offers: 15 addresses in Delaware, but like iPostal1, these are all third-party locations leased from mailbox owners and co-working spaces.
- Traveling Mailbox offers: One address in Wilmington, Delaware, which is leased from a third-party mailbox rental.
- Stable offers: A single address in Dover, Delaware, that is leased from a third-party.
- PhysicalAddress.com offers: One address in Wilmington, Delaware that is owned and operated by the company.
- PostScanMail offers: 3-Delaware based addresses: one in Dover, one in Wilmington, and one in Milton. None are owned by the company directly.
- Sasquatch offers: One location in Dover, Delaware, that is leased from a third-party.
- The Farm Soho offers: A single location in Wilmington, Delaware.
Virtual mailbox security
As a business owner, security is likely a major priority for you. You'll want to thoroughly research the security policies of your chosen virtual mailbox to ensure they have proper safeguards in place for privacy and data security when it comes to your physical and digital mail.
Let’s break down your options:
- VPM offers: Strong security measures, including SOC 2 Type II certification and HIPPA compliance, 2FA, bank-level encryption, hashed passwords, data stored on AWS, top grade surveillance at all locations, access controls (none of VPM’s locations are open to the public), and on-site mail receiving and shredding meaning no extra hands on your information.
- iPostal1 offers: Security varies by location since iPostal1 uses a network of third-party mail centers. Some locations may have strong security measures, but there is no company-wide SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance. Data security policies are not clearly outlined.
- AnytimeMailbox offers: Operates through a network of third-party mail centers, meaning security and reliability depend on the individual locations. Lacks centralized security standards such as SOC 2 compliance. No uniform data protection policy across all locations.
- Traveling Mailbox offers: Security measures like encrypted email delivery, secure cloud storage, and 2FA for account access. However, it does not have SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance. Offers in-house mail handling at its main facility but relies on third-party partners for some services.
- Stable offers: Some advanced security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and SOC 2 compliance. Premium plans provide the option to sign a BAA, making them HIPAA compliant.
- PhysicalAddress.com offers: Secure facilities and encrypted connections, but no SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance. Additionally, there are no clear details on centralized security protocols or public access restrictions.
- PostScanMail offers: Varying security protocols by location, since they use a network of third-party mail centers. While they do provide encrypted cloud storage and 2FA for login security, it does not have SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance.
- Sasquatch offers: Enhanced encryption and secure physical mail storage. No SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance.
- The Farm Soho offers: Primarily a co-working space with virtual mailbox services. Maintains SOC 2 and HIPPA compliance, but aside from that, their security policies are unclear.
Additional virtual address services
Beyond mail management, some virtual mailbox providers offer extras that can add significant value to your LLC. These features can include enterprise plans, business phone numbers, fax services, and even the ability to open merchant accounts using valid proof of address.
Here’s how the virtual mailbox services compare:
- VPM offers: A fully tailored enterprise plan for high-volume mail, as well as the opportunity to upgrade to TruLease, which allows you to rent a physical office space and get a lease agreement and utility bill for proof of address - critical tools for business verification, opening bank accounts, and using platforms like Amazon and Shopify.
- iPostal1 offers: No additional services aside from basic mail management.
- AnytimeMailbox offers: In partnership with third-parties, AnytimeMailbox offers a business formation service, as well as a service to file your BOI report.
- Traveling Mailbox offers: No additional services aside from basic mail management.
- Stable offers: Custom virtual mailbox plans for high-volume mail, but no other services designed specifically for LLCs.
- PhysicalAddress.com offers: No additional services aside from basic mail management.
- PostScanMail offers: No extra services aside from basic mail management.
- Sasquatch offers: Virtual office services that include a virtual phone line.
- The Farm Soho offers: Coworking memberships, office spaces, event venues, conference rooms, and virtual offices.
Secure your mail with a Delaware virtual mailbox today
No matter your business needs, selecting the right virtual mailbox can give you peace of mind knowing that your LLC’s mail and legal correspondence are in safe hands. Take the next step and set up your Delaware virtual mailbox now to make the leap to remote mail management so you can focus on growing your business.