Rental vs purchase
Small business franking machines can be rented from a modest weekly amount. Larger mailroom systems with folder-inserters or high-volume feeders cost significantly more.
Purchasing outright removes rental payments but requires upfront capital and full responsibility for servicing.
What sits on top of the machine cost
Consumables — ink cartridges and franking labels.
Servicing and maintenance contracts.
Royal Mail postage itself, billed against your franking account.
Optional Mailmark connectivity and software.
How to compare franking machine quotes
Ask each supplier for total monthly cost including servicing and expected consumable use.
Confirm rental term and any renewal price uplift.
Check whether Mailmark, weighing accuracy and connectivity are included.
Typical UK franking cost components
| Cost | Rental | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Machine | Monthly rental | One-off capital outlay |
| Servicing | Often included | Separate annual contract |
| Ink & labels | Charged as used | Charged as used |
| Postage | Billed by Royal Mail account | Billed by Royal Mail account |
| Mailmark | Usually included on modern machines | Depends on machine |
What to ask suppliers
- What is the machine rental or purchase price?
- What do ink cartridges and franking labels cost?
- What is included in the servicing contract?
- Are there connectivity or software fees?
- How does postage compare with 1st and 2nd class stamps for our mail mix?
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
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