Budget Vs Uhaul Reviews – Which is the Cheapest and Best Moving Truck Rental?

Are you looking to clear out your apartment and relocate to a new part of the city, and really desire some fresh Budget vs Uhaul rental comparison?

And in addition to compare Uhaul vs Budget moving truck rental prices, you also wants to inquire which one offer overall best services and deals.

Overall, they have almost the same service quality, with only slight variations. In this guide, we’ll be succinctly discussing why Budget U haul, that is, Budget moving services and U-Haul rental – trucks & storage; their main offers, similarities, as well as Uhaul vs Budget differences.

Budget Vs Uhaul Main Offers

While both Budget U haul companies tend to provide nearly the same standard of service, the ways they go about it are quite different, hence the need for this Uhaul vs Budget comparison.

Budget main offers

U-Haul main offers

Uhaul Vs Budget Similarities

Budget and U haul share several similarities, such as moving assistance, long-distance rentals, great insurance coverage options, etc. As a way of information, let me fill you in quickly before jumping to the Budget U haul differences.

• Offer local and long-distance rentals

Typically speaking, a local move is considered to be under 100 miles while a long-distance move is anything more than 100 miles. Also, long-distance moves are often referred to as one-way moves. The reason is simple; because you usually return the rental truck to a different location other than where you rented it.

In the same vein, local moves are also referred to as round-trip moves.  And as you might have guessed, it’s because you return the rental truck to the same location you got it. Budget and U-Haul have rental trucks of various sizes available for both moves.

In this way, they both stand head above local moves-only competitors like Enterprise and Home Depot (unless in a few locations where they partner with Penske). 

• Both have poor customer feedback

Even a cursory glance through forums like Yelp and Google Reviews will reveal that both Budget and U-Haul received terrible reviews. The average rating for both of them, no matter where you look, tends to be 1.3 star.

From this number, it’s safe to assume that both provide customers with similar levels of satisfaction, which is to stay not very good. Customers generally complain about different things. A common one is no guarantee of reservations by both companies, complaints are higher for U-Haul. For Budget, unclean and malfunctioning complaints top the chart. 

• Moving assistance services

The whole point of renting a moving truck in the first place is to do it (packing, loading, and unloading) yourself, thereby cutting costs.

But doing it alone can be one hell of a burden. You don’t necessarily have to go full DIY. You can always hire assistance for aspects that might be too daunting to pull off alone. 

Budget and U-Haul offer help services to help you with everything save for driving. Naturally, these services incur additional costs. Factors like location and duration determine the exact pricing of the help.  

• Both offer good coverage options

First of all, moving coverage is optional. However, it’s recommended that you purchase as much as you can afford to protect your properties, truck, and yourself.

This is where Budget and U-Haul come in handy. They both offer comprehensive coverage options. 

Note: Always refer to your rental agreement to understand the complete information seeing as both coverage options have their respective exclusions and limitations. 

Budget U haul Moving Truck Rental Differences

Now that we are done with Budget U haul similarities, let’s talk about the various things that differentiate them, including pricing, extra services, truck sizes, and availability. 

• Budget is better for local moves

Throughout the truck rental industry, Budget categorically has the best deal for local moves. On average, U-Haul’s local prices are about $10 more than Budget’s.

Moreover, Budget doesn’t charge as much as U-Haul does for mileage. This means that you can travel farther and complete more trips to and fro driving a Budget truck. 

• U-Haul is better for long-distance moves

Alternatively, U-Haul outperforms Budget price-wise in just about every scenario that’s not a local move.  Something to note here, however, is to always get a quote from both companies before you rent irrespective of how far you are moving. 

• Budget offers better discounts 

Budget is the clear winner when it comes to discounts as they have deals for different groups from the United States military personnel to AARP to students. 

• U-Haul has more truck options

U-Haul has more truck sizes than Budget does. 

U-Haul truck size

1. Cargo van
2. Pickup truck
3. 10 foot truck to fit small loads
4. 15-foot box truck
5. 17-foot box truck
6. 20-foot box truck
7. 26-foot box truck

Budget truck sizes

1. Cargo van
2. Pickup truck
3. 12-foot box truck
4. 16-foot box truck
5. 26-foot box truck.

• U-Haul has more range

Thanks to its 21,000 locations scattered between the United States and Canada, U-Haul offers a wider range of availability than Budget which operates a measly 1,600 locations only in the United States. 

• Budget has a more responsive customer service 

While both companies receive nearly the same level of complaints, Budget tends to be more responsive and proactive about solving them. U-Haul, not so much. 

Hired assistance

Both companies offer the option but go about it a little differently.  Budget partners with HireAHelper. U-Haul, on the other hand, operates a marketplace that services moving assistance needs. 

Various local labor companies compete to get hired. So, you get to handpick the company that eventually helps you move. 

Coverage plan

Budget offers five coverage options to protect you in the event of unfortunate circumstances ranging from something as mild as locking your keys in the truck to a more serious case of getting in an accident. 

U-Haul, on the other hand, has four coverage options, which protect you in case of water damage, burglary, or accidents.   

FAQ about Uhaul vs Budget!

Is Budget truck rental cheaper than Uhaul?

It depends. Budgets are generally cheaper than Uhaul for local moves, they have the cheapest in the whole moving industry. It’s not the same for long-distance moves. 

Why is Budget truck rental cheaper than Uhaul?

Budget charges are cheaper than half of what is charged by U-Haul for mileage, so you can drive long-distance and make several trips back and forth in a Budget moving truck while you still save money. Local moving prices at Budget are the cheapest in the moving truck rental industry.

Why is U-Haul more expensive than Budget

Because Budget is set up to be pocket-friendly, especially for long-distance moves. 

Which is cheaper: U-Haul, Penske, or Budget?

Generally, Penske’s local moves are slightly costlier than U-Haul’s but almost always cheaper than Budget’s. Penske’s long-distance prices are also higher. Note that this is just a general estimation obtained from a series of quotes. 

Does Budget Truck Rental accept Debit Cards?

Yes, they do. If you choose it as a mode of payment, you must be present with the credit/debit card at the time of rental. 

Summary of Uhaul vs Budget!

As I believe you have seen, Budget vs Uhaul are both fine truck rental companies with peculiar challenges and unique solutions.

The information in this Uhaul vs Budget guide will, no doubt, help you choose whichever is best for you. Lastly, always take quotes from both Budget U haul, and do some due diligence before going with the most suitable.