Rates and data last verified 2 July 2026 by the ExpertSure editorial team. Sources are listed in the methodology below the calculator.
This calculator estimates stamp postage against Mailmark franking plus a preset monthly rental. It covers standard letters and large letters up to 100g, using one postage class at a time. Rental is only part of the cost: add consumables, servicing and other charges from your quote before deciding.
For example, 200 standard letters per month at a 3p postage saving save £72 a year before rental. With the calculator’s £25 monthly rental assumption, the result is a £228 annual loss before other costs. Mail type matters more than a general promise of annual savings.
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How to Use This Calculator
Enter the number of letters you send per month. Use the volume for the postage class you want to compare.
Select one of the four letter classes. Large-letter prices shown apply up to 100g. The calculator does not price parcels or combine different postage classes into one result.
Choose a rental tier: basic £25, mid-range £40 or high volume £65 per month. These are calculator assumptions, not supplier quotes. Compare the result with your actual rental and other costs.
Review the annual comparison and monthly break-even volume. Negative savings mean the selected rental exceeds the modelled postage saving. Treat the result as an estimate, not a guaranteed saving.
The four letter categories used here save 3p per item, except 1st Class large letters up to 100g, which save 44p. Those are postage savings before rental and other charges.
Franking Machine vs Stamp Prices: 2026/27 Comparison
Royal Mail’s current Mailmark franking rates are £1.77 for 1st Class (vs £1.80 stamp) and 88p for 2nd Class (vs 91p stamp). Large letter discounts are more substantial: £2.86 franked vs £3.30 stamped for 1st Class Large, saving 44p per item.
These discounts apply because Royal Mail offers Mailmark account holders preferential rates versus over-the-counter stamp prices. Franking machines access these rates automatically through a connected Royal Mail meter account.
How Many Letters Do You Need to Send to Justify a Franking Machine?
The break-even point depends heavily on what you send. For standard letters alone, the 3p saving means you would need to send over 800 letters per month to cover a £25/month machine rental – making franking impractical for standard mail only. For large letters, the picture is very different.
The break-even calculation is straightforward: divide the monthly machine rental by the saving per letter.
- 1st Class Large Letter (basic machine £25/mo): £25 ÷ 44p saving = 57 large letters/month to break even
- 2nd Class Large Letter (basic machine £25/mo): £25 ÷ 3p saving = 834 large letters/month – rarely worth it since the April 2026 rate change
- Standard letters only (basic machine £25/mo): £25 ÷ 3p saving = 834 letters/month – rarely worth it for standard mail alone
Most businesses send a mix of standard and large letters. A business sending 100 large letters and 200 standard letters per month would save around £50/month in postage on 1st Class – enough to cover a basic machine rental with savings left over.
Types of Franking Machine: Rental, Lease, and Purchase
Ask suppliers for a written rental or purchase quote and compare the full contract cost. The presets in this calculator are illustrative assumptions, not guaranteed market prices. See our franking machine costs guide for the charges to include.
Compare machine throughput, weighing capacity, number of users and support against your actual mail requirements. Ask the supplier to confirm current Royal Mail approval and how postage-rate updates are handled.
Alternatives to Franking Machines
Compare online postage with stamps and franking using the current price for each service, size and weight you send. Do not assume online prices equal Mailmark franking rates. Include any printing, labels, account fees and equipment costs in the comparison.
- Franking saves 3p per standard letter and up to 44p per large letter - April 2026 Mailmark rates versus over-the-counter stamp prices
- 57 large 1st Class letters per month covers a basic machine - the £25 monthly rental divided by the 44p per-item discount is the break-even volume
- Standard-letter-only mail rarely breaks even - the 3p discount means roughly 834 letters per month just to cover a £25 basic rental
- Compare the complete quote - rental presets are assumptions; include consumables, servicing and other account charges.
- Mixed senders do best - 100 large plus 200 standard letters per month saves about £50 in monthly 1st Class postage, covering rental with room to spare
Franking vs Stamps Savings: Common Volumes
The table shows annual savings from franking versus buying stamps at common posting volumes, using Royal Mail Mailmark rates effective 7 April 2026.
| Mail Type & Volume | Stamp Cost/yr | Franking Cost/yr | Rental Cost/yr | Net Saving/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200/mo standard (2nd class) | £2,184 | £2,112 | £300 | £-228 |
| 200/mo standard (1st class) | £4,320 | £4,248 | £300 | £-228 |
| 200/mo large (1st class) | £7,920 | £6,864 | £300 | £756 |
| 200/mo large (2nd class) | £3,720 | £3,648 | £300 | £-228 |
| 500/mo mixed* | £9,096 | £8,424 | £360 | £312 |
| 1,000/mo mixed* | £18,192 | £16,848 | £360 | £984 |
*Mixed = 60% standard 2nd class, 20% large 1st class, 20% large 2nd class. This table is a separate worked example with rental assumed at £25/month or £30/month for 500+ volumes; the calculator above uses different presets. Source: Royal Mail Mailmark price guide, effective 7 April 2026.
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