A courier company
Owns or leases the network: pickup boys, vans, hubs, line-haul trucks and delivery staff. It controls delivery quality directly but needs heavy investment and years to build coverage.
A courier aggregator
Owns no network. It contracts with several courier companies and sells their services through its own platform, adding service, convenience and choice. It needs much less capital, but its quality depends on the couriers it picks and how well it handles problems.
Side by side
- Start-up cost: high for a courier company, low for an aggregator
- Coverage: limited to its own network vs the combined reach of every courier connected
- Pricing: one rate card vs the best rate per lane
- Control over delivery: direct vs through courier partners
- What wins customers: network quality vs service, price and software
Frequently asked questions
Can a courier franchise become an aggregator?
Yes, and it's a common path: keep your franchise, add accounts with other couriers, and give customers one panel for all of them.