Top Five Moving Companies. One honest comparison.
We dug through BBB records, verified customer reviews, pricing data, and coverage maps for the five biggest full-service van lines in America — so you can pick the right one in minutes, not weeks.
How the top 5 movers stack up
A side-by-side look at pricing, ratings, and coverage — pulled from BBB profiles, Move.org, Forbes Home, and MoveBuddha research current as of July 2026.
| Company | Best For | Founded | BBB Rating | Customer Rating | Avg. Cost, 3BR Cross-Country | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AVAllied Van Lines |
Best Overall | 1928 | A+ | 4.9/5 (Move.org) | $4,500 – $7,000 | 50 states + 130 countries |
UVUnited Van Lines |
Best Included Protection | 1928 | A+ | 4.5/5 (Move.org) | $8,000 – $10,000 | 46 states + 150 countries |
NANorth American Van Lines |
Best À La Carte & Global | 1933 | A+ | 3.5/5 (Move.org) | $4,500 – $7,000 | 50 states + 180 countries |
NVNational Van Lines |
Best for Specialty Items | ~1930s | Accredited | Strong in-home service scores | Custom walkthrough quote | 44 states |
ASAll My Sons |
Best for Local Moves | Franchise model | Accredited | 4.2/5 (Forbes Home) | $3,000 – $7,300 (650 mi) | 35 states + DC |
Which mover wins which category
No single company is best at everything. Here's who leads where it matters most.
Allied Van Lines
Flat-rate pricing, no deposit, and the highest customer satisfaction score of the group.
United Van Lines
Full-value protection built into every quote — most competitors charge extra for it.
North American Van Lines
Pay only for the services you actually need, with GPS-tracked shipments in 180+ countries.
National Van Lines
Go-to choice for pianos, antiques, and government or military relocations.
All My Sons
Budget-friendly local pricing with 0% interest financing for up to 12 months.
Full company profiles
Pricing ranges, coverage, and the honest pros and cons behind each rating.
Allied Van Lines
Nearly a century in business, Allied edges out every competitor here on customer satisfaction. Its flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing model removes a lot of the guesswork that makes moving stressful, and its hybrid fleet-plus-agent network keeps availability high nationwide.
Strengths
- Flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing with no deposit
- Highest customer rating of the five movers compared
- 24-hour delivery window notifications
- Extensive climate-controlled storage network
Trade-offs
- Customer service limited to weekday business hours
- Few discounts or promotions offered
- No published cancellation policy
United Van Lines
United has been the largest van line by volume for over three decades, and it's the only company in this comparison that bundles full-value protection into every quote at no extra charge. That single detail can offset its higher average price tag on big cross-country moves.
Strengths
- Full-value protection included — most rivals charge extra
- No deposit and free cancellation
- Specialized tech & electronics setup services
- Three clear, customizable service packages
Trade-offs
- Highest average price for a cross-country move in this group
- No instant online quotes
- Service quality can vary by local agent
North American Van Lines
North American pioneered satellite shipment tracking and interactive driver training, and today it offers one of the most flexible à la carte pricing structures of any major van line — pay only for packing, loading, or assembly if you actually need it. Its international network is the largest of the five.
Strengths
- À la carte services — pay only for what you use
- Largest international footprint (180+ countries)
- 24/7 support and satellite shipment tracking
- 90+ years of moving industry innovation
Trade-offs
- Lower average customer review scores than Allied or United
- No discounts or price matching
- Most complaints trace to third-party agents, not corporate
National Van Lines
National has quietly built a near-century-long reputation for handling the moves other companies dread — pianos, pool tables, fine art, and sensitive government or military relocations. It operates as a licensed broker with a vetted partner network, which enables flexible, last-minute bookings but means crew quality can vary by partner.
Strengths
- Deep expertise with fragile and specialty items
- Extensive government and military relocation experience
- No deposit required for most moves
- Binding estimates follow an in-home walkthrough for accuracy
Trade-offs
- Operates as a broker, so crew quality varies by partner
- No long-term storage option
- Doesn't serve 6 states, including Hawaii
All My Sons Moving & Storage
The newest name on this list, All My Sons has grown fast on the strength of competitive local pricing and interest-free financing. It's a strong pick for in-state or regional moves on a budget, though its footprint doesn't yet reach every state or offer international relocations.
Strengths
- Competitive, budget-friendly local move pricing
- 0% interest financing for up to 12 months
- Specialty shipping for pianos, art, and antiques
- $75 military discount
Trade-offs
- No international moves or U.S. territories
- Only available in 35 states
- Some reports of final bills exceeding initial quotes
How we compared these movers
Every rating on this page is built from the same four-part framework, applied consistently across all five companies.
Reputation & Trust
BBB accreditation status, letter grades, and FMCSA complaint history for each carrier's operating authority.
Verified Reviews
Aggregated customer ratings from Move.org, Forbes Home, Trustpilot, and BBB customer review boards.
Pricing Transparency
Whether quotes are binding or non-binding, deposit requirements, and typical cost ranges for comparable moves.
Services & Coverage
State and international coverage, specialty item handling, storage options, and protection plans offered.
Frequently asked questions
Which moving company is cheapest overall?
For a typical 3-bedroom cross-country move, Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines post the lowest average ranges ($4,500–$7,000) among the full-service national carriers compared here. All My Sons is generally the most affordable option for shorter, local moves, with local jobs averaging around $1,600.
Which company is best for a long-distance move?
United Van Lines and Allied Van Lines both maintain 500+ agent networks and strong nationwide coverage, making them reliable choices for long-distance and cross-country relocations. North American Van Lines is the strongest option if your move is international.
Do any of these movers require a deposit?
No — United Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and National Van Lines all advertise no-deposit booking for most moves. All My Sons does require a deposit but states it offers free cancellation with appropriate notice.
What's the difference between a moving broker and a carrier?
A carrier (like Allied, United, or North American) owns trucks and/or operates its own agent network to move your belongings directly. A broker (like National Van Lines) arranges your move through a vetted network of partner carriers — useful for flexible scheduling, but it means the crew that shows up may be a third party rather than the brand you booked.
How is "Full Value Protection" different from basic liability coverage?
Basic (released value) liability typically reimburses at a flat rate per pound — often $0.30–$0.60 — regardless of an item's actual worth. Full-value protection reimburses for the item's replacement value or repair cost. United Van Lines includes full-value protection in every quote at no added charge; most competitors offer it as a paid upgrade.
Should I get quotes from more than one company?
Yes. Moving costs can vary significantly by season, distance, home size, and the specific agent or franchise handling your move. We recommend requesting binding, in-home or virtual estimates from at least three companies before booking.