Choosing between Birchbox and Ipsy depends on your budget and beauty preferences. Both services deliver beauty products, but their plans, prices, and product sizes differ.
Birchbox focuses on customizable beauty boxes with a mix of sample and full-size products. Meanwhile, Ipsy offers affordable samples and separate plans with full-size products.
If you are comparing these services before subscribing, this guide covers their main differences. You’ll learn about pricing, product selection, customization, and overall value.
Birchbox vs Ipsy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Birchbox | Ipsy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $25/month | $15/month |
| Monthly products | 5–6 | 5 |
| Full-size products | 1 included | Available with Extra |
| Sample products | Yes | Yes |
| Customization | Every box | Selected products |
| Premium plan | Signature | Extra |
| Premium price | $50 every two months | $32/month |
| Product categories | Makeup, skincare, wellness | Makeup, skincare, haircare |
Prices are in USD before applicable taxes. Shipping charges may also apply.
What Is Birchbox?
Birchbox is a beauty subscription service that helps customers discover makeup, skincare, and wellness products.
To personalize your experience, you complete a beauty profile and share your preferences. After that, you can choose products for your boxes or let Birchbox make selections. Its main subscription, Birchbox Monthly, includes five to six products. Each box contains one full-size item and a mix of sample and travel-size products.
For customers who prefer larger products, Birchbox also offers Signature. This premium subscription arrives every other month with four full-size beauty products.
Overall, Birchbox suits people who enjoy trying different beauty brands without purchasing every product separately.
What Is Ipsy?
Ipsy is a personalized beauty subscription service. It uses a Beauty Quiz to understand your preferences and recommend products. Members can share their interests in makeup, skincare, haircare, and beauty brands. Based on these answers, Ipsy personalizes monthly selections.
The service offers two main monthly plans:
- IPSY Original: Five deluxe-size beauty samples.
- IPSY Extra: Five full-size beauty products.
In addition, Ipsy offers IPSY Ultimate, a quarterly upgrade with eight full-size products. Therefore, Ipsy suits people who enjoy discovering beauty products and want options for different budgets.
Birchbox vs Ipsy: Pricing and Plans
Price is one of the main differences between these subscriptions. Ipsy has a lower starting price, while Birchbox offers different prepaid options.
Birchbox Pricing
| Plan | Price | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $25/month | 5–6 products |
| 3-Month Prepaid | $72 | 3 monthly boxes |
| 12-Month Prepaid | $264 | 12 monthly boxes |
| Signature | $50 every two months | 4 full-size products |
| 3 Signature Boxes | $144 | 3 premium boxes |
| 6 Signature Boxes | $264 | 6 premium boxes |
The annual Monthly plan costs $22 per box instead of $25.
However, prepaid plans have their own renewal and refund conditions. Check these terms before purchasing.
Ipsy Pricing
| Plan | Price | Products |
|---|---|---|
| IPSY Original | $15/month | 5 deluxe-size samples |
| IPSY Extra | $32/month | 5 full-size products |
| IPSY Ultimate | $65/quarter | 8 full-size products |
Ipsy charges $1.99 shipping on regular monthly and quarterly shipments in the United States. However, annual plan shipping terms differ.
IPSY Ultimate is a quarterly upgrade to an active Original or Extra membership. In other words, it is not a separate standalone subscription.
Which is cheaper?
Ipsy wins on starting price. Its Original plan costs $15 per month, compared with Birchbox Monthly at $25.
Product Sizes and Selection
Product size matters when comparing beauty subscriptions. Smaller samples help you test products, while full-size items generally last longer.
Birchbox
Meanwhile, Signature offers four full-size products every other month. Members can customize three products, while the Birchbox product team selects the remaining item.
Ipsy
For shoppers who prefer larger products, IPSY Extra provides five full-size items each month.
Which offers larger products?
Ipsy Extra provides five full-size products every month. By comparison, Birchbox Signature offers four full-size products every other month.
Birchbox vs Ipsy: Customization
Customization helps you receive products that match your interests. Both services offer ways to personalize your beauty box, although their options differ.
Birchbox Customization
Birchbox lets members customize every box. You can select products from the available monthly options or let the service choose for you.
Ipsy Customization
Ipsy uses a Beauty Quiz to learn about your beauty preferences. Your answers help guide the products selected for your subscription.
IPSY Original lets you choose one product each month. Meanwhile, IPSY Extra allows you to choose three products from its available selection.
Birchbox vs Ipsy: Pros and Cons
Birchbox Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes five to six products in every Monthly box. | Has a higher starting price than IPSY Original. |
| Provides one full-size product in each Monthly box. | Signature boxes arrive every other month. |
| Offers customization for every box. | |
| Prepaid plans offer lower prices per box. | |
| Signature includes four full-size products. |
Ipsy Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a lower starting monthly price. | Original mainly includes sample-size products. |
| Includes five products in the Original plan. | Extra costs more than Original. |
| Extra provides five full-size products. | |
| Beauty Quiz helps personalize product selections. |
Which Beauty Box Should You Choose?
Both services have different advantages. Therefore, your beauty habits and budget should guide your decision.
Choose Birchbox if:
- You want a mix of sample and full-size products.
- You enjoy customizing every box.
- You prefer exploring skincare and beauty brands.
- You like prepaid subscription options.
Choose Ipsy if:
- You want a lower starting price.
- You enjoy trying different makeup products.
Final Verdict: Birchbox or Ipsy?
So, which beauty box is better?
Ipsy is the better starting option for budget-conscious shoppers. Its Original plan costs $15 per month and includes five deluxe-size products.
On the other hand, Birchbox is a good alternative for people who want more control over their boxes. Its Monthly plan includes five to six products, with one full-size item. If you prefer full-size products, compare Birchbox Signature with IPSY Extra. Signature costs $50 every two months, while Extra costs $32 monthly.
Before subscribing, check the latest plans, shipping charges, and cancellation terms on each service’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birchbox cheaper than Ipsy?
No. IPSY Original starts at $15 per month, while Birchbox Monthly costs $25.
Does Birchbox include full-size products?
Yes. Every Birchbox Monthly box includes one full-size product. In addition, Birchbox Signature includes four full-size products every other month.
Does Ipsy offer full-size beauty products?
Yes. IPSY Extra includes five full-size products every month. Meanwhile, IPSY Ultimate offers eight full-size products through its quarterly upgrade.
Can you customize Birchbox and Ipsy?
Yes. Birchbox lets members customize every box. By comparison, Ipsy allows product selection through its monthly membership options.
Is Ipsy worth it for beginners?
IPSY Original can be a good starting point. For $15 per month, it provides five deluxe-size beauty samples. This makes it easier to try different products without choosing a more expensive plan.
Can you cancel a Birchbox or Ipsy subscription?
Both services allow members to cancel their subscriptions.
Final Verdict
Birchbox is better for subscribers who want more full-size products and flexible prepaid plans. Ipsy is a better choice for those who prefer a lower monthly starting price.
Ultimately, choose Birchbox for product size and Ipsy for affordability.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Subscription prices, product selections, and plan details may change. Always check the official Birchbox and Ipsy websites for the latest information before subscribing.
