Franking Machine vs Stamps: Which Is Cheaper in 2026?

on

If your business posts more than a handful of letters each week, you have probably wondered whether a franking machine beats buying stamps. This guide compares current Royal Mail stamp and Mailmark franking prices, shows what the difference means over a month, and explains when franking pays off beyond the price alone.

Stamp vs Mailmark franking prices in 2026

Royal Mail charges less for mail that is franked with a Mailmark-enabled machine than for the same item sent with a stamp. The letter and large letter rates below took effect on 7 April 2026 and, at the time of writing, are unchanged after the 5 October 2026 update.

  • 1st Class letter (up to 100g): £1.80 stamp, £1.77 franked, a saving of 3p.
  • 2nd Class letter (up to 100g): 91p stamp, 88p franked, a saving of 3p.
  • 1st Class large letter (up to 100g): £3.30 stamp, £2.86 franked, a saving of 44p.
  • 2nd Class large letter (up to 100g): £1.55 stamp, £1.52 franked, a saving of 3p.

The standout figure is the 1st Class large letter, where franking is 44p cheaper, or 13.33%. Prices can change, so always check the latest Royal Mail Mailmark franking wallchart before you budget.

What the saving looks like over a month

A 3p saving sounds small, but it scales with volume. If you send 500 standard letters a month, 3p each is £15 a month, or £180 a year. That is a modest return on its own.

Large letters change the picture. Posting 200 1st Class large letters a month saves 200 x 44p, which is £88 a month, or £1,056 a year. Businesses that regularly send brochures, contracts, statements or A4 packs in flat envelopes get the most direct price benefit. Our guide to large letter franking savings covers this in more detail.

Benefits of franking beyond the price

For many offices the time and control matter as much as the pence saved. A franking machine prints postage straight onto the envelope or onto a label, so nobody needs to lick or stick stamps, and you never run out of the right denomination.

Franking also gives you a clear record of what you spend on postage. Because you load credit onto the machine, finance teams can see exactly how much mail has gone out, rather than hunting for receipts for stamps bought at the Post Office. A professional postmark with your own return details also looks more consistent on outgoing business mail.

Running costs to factor in

An honest comparison includes the supplies a franking machine uses. You will need ink cartridges that match your model, and labels for parcels or oversized envelopes. Check that you are buying the correct franking labels for your machine, and use meter posting envelopes or other business envelopes that suit machine printing and sealing.

Add the cost of the machine itself, whether bought or leased, and any service arrangement. Divide your total monthly running cost by your monthly postage saving to see how quickly it breaks even. Low-volume senders of standard letters may find stamps simpler, while higher-volume or large letter senders usually find franking easier to justify.

A simple way to work out your break-even point

Start by counting a typical month of outgoing post, split into standard letters and large letters, and into 1st and 2nd Class. Multiply each group by the saving per item shown above, then add the totals together. This gives your monthly postage saving.

Next, list your monthly franking costs: machine rental or finance payments, any service contract, ink and labels. If the saving is higher than the costs, franking is paying for itself. If it is lower, the other benefits, such as time saved and tidier spend records, need to justify the difference. Revisit the sum each April and October, as Royal Mail reviews its prices around those times.

Remember too that franking is not limited to Royal Mail's cheapest services. You can frank Signed For and parcel items as well, so include them in your count if they are a regular part of your mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is franking cheaper than stamps?

Yes. Royal Mail's Mailmark franking rates are lower than stamp prices for letters and large letters. In 2026 a 1st Class letter costs £1.77 franked versus £1.80 with a stamp, and a 1st Class large letter costs £2.86 franked versus £3.30 with a stamp.

How much can a business save by franking large letters?

On 1st Class large letters up to 100g the saving is 44p per item, which is 13.33%. At 200 items a month that adds up to £88 a month before the cost of running the machine.

Is a franking machine worth it for a small business?

It depends on your volume and the type of mail. If you send mostly a small number of standard letters, the 3p saving per item may not outweigh the running costs. If you send regular large letters, or value the speed and spending records, franking is often worthwhile.

What supplies does a franking machine need?

Most machines need compatible ink cartridges, and many also use labels for larger items. You should also use envelopes that work well with machine printing and sealing.

Choosing what is right for your mailroom

Stamps suit very low volumes, while franking rewards businesses with regular outgoing mail, especially large letters. Work out your monthly mix of letters and large letters, apply the figures above, and weigh the saving against your running costs. When you are ready, browse our franking supplies to keep your machine stocked.