Quadient vs FP: Which Franking Machine Is Better In 2026?

Quadient and FP are two of the four manufacturers approved to supply Mailmark franking machines in the UK. Quadient is the French company you may still think of as Neopost. FP is German, short for Francotyp-Postalia. Both sell through their own teams and through dealers, and both have a range that runs from a tiny desk machine to a full mailroom setup.

So which is better? It depends on what you post and how you like to work. Here's how they compare.

The ranges side by side

Size	Quadient	FP
Very low volume	iX-1 (about 18 letters a minute)	PostBase Vision 3S (about 30 letters a minute, 2kg scale)
Small to mid office	iX-3 (about 45 letters a minute)	PostBase Vision 5S (about 50 letters a minute, 5kg scale)
Busy office	iX-5 (75 a minute hand fed, about 110 with auto feed)	PostBase Vision 7A (about 75 a minute, differential weighing)
Mailroom	iX-7 (up to 175 a minute with mixed mail feeder)	PostBase Vision 9A (up to 120 a minute, dynamic weighing)

Specs from manufacturer and dealer spec sheets, checked October 2026.

Small offices

At the bottom of the range, the Quadient iX-1 is the slower machine at about 18 letters a minute. That sounds like a problem until you remember most small firms post fewer than 30 items a day. At that level, speed isn't something you'll notice.

The FP PostBase Vision 3S is quicker at about 30 letters a minute and has a 2kg scale, with dealers suggesting it for up to around 200 items a day. Its weak spot is a 5mm thickness limit, so padded envelopes need a label.

If you're a sole trader or a small practice, either is fine. If your post volume is likely to grow, the Vision 3S gives you more headroom. See our home business franking machines guide for more small office picks.

Mid volume offices

The Quadient iX-3 and the FP PostBase Vision 5S are the machines most dealers will suggest for a typical office. The iX-3 runs at about 45 letters a minute and can take weighing platforms up to 35kg. The Vision 5S is quoted at about 50 a minute, with a 5kg built in scale, an 8mm thickness limit and automatic label dispensing.

The difference that matters most here is how they handle parcels. If you send occasional heavier packets, the iX-3's large platform options are a plus. If you mostly send letters and small packets, the Vision 5S's built in scale and auto labels make day to day franking quicker.

Busy offices and mixed mail

Mixed mail is where these two really split. The FP PostBase Vision 7A uses differential weighing. You put a stack of mixed items on the scale, lift each one off, and the machine works out the weight of each. For an office with lots of different sized envelopes, that's a big time saver.

The Quadient iX-5 is faster, at 75 letters a minute hand fed and about 110 with its automatic feeder. If your post is mostly similar items in big batches, that speed pays off. If it's a jumble of sizes, differential weighing can matter more than raw speed.

Mailrooms

At the top end, the Quadient iX-7 is the speed king, quoted at up to 175 letters a minute with its mixed mail feeder and dynamic weighing at about 110 a minute. The FP Vision 9A tops out at up to 120 a minute with a stacker included.

For a council, college or central mailroom posting thousands of items a day, the iX-7's speed is hard to argue with. For a large office posting 800 to 1,500 items a day, the Vision 9A is usually enough.

Software and accounts

Quadient's S.M.A.R.T. mailing software is strong on cost centre accounting and reporting. If you need to split postage across departments, clients or matters, that's useful. Solicitors and accountants often rate it for that reason.

FP's online tools are simpler. They cover postage downloads, rate updates and basic reporting without much fuss. If you just want to frank mail and see what you've spent, simple is good.

Postage and contracts

Postage prices are the same whichever machine you use. Royal Mail sets them. From 7 April 2026, a 1st Class letter is £1.77 franked and a 2nd Class letter is 88p franked (Royal Mail Business Price Guide).

That leaves the lease, ink, software and service as the real differences. Ask both suppliers for a written quote covering the full term, the notice period for cancelling, whether the lease auto renews and whether servicing is included. Our franking machine rental guide covers the trade offs between renting and leasing.

Which should you pick?

Pick Quadient if:

• You need strong cost centre reporting.
• You post large batches of similar items and want speed.
• You're replacing an older Neopost machine and your staff know the layout. See our Neopost page.

Pick FP if:

• You post lots of mixed sizes and want differential weighing without a mailroom price.
• You want a simple machine with easy online tools.
• You like the idea of a clear upgrade path from the Vision 3S to the 9A.

Verdict

For speed and reporting, Quadient leads. For mixed mail at a sensible size, FP's Vision 7A is hard to beat. Get quotes from both for the same spec and term, and compare the total cost rather than the monthly figure. Read our full Quadient guide and the FP franking machines overview for more.

FAQs

Is Quadient the same as Neopost?

Yes. Neopost changed its name to Quadient in 2019 and completed the switch in 2020.

Do both brands support Mailmark?

Yes. All current models from both brands are Mailmark ready, which Royal Mail has required for franked mail since 1 January 2023.

Which is easier to use?

Both are straightforward. FP's touchscreen machines are often described as easier for occasional users.

Get quotes

The best way to get a fair price is to make both brands compete for your business. Compare franking machine prices.