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Quadient Franking Machines: 2026 Models, Prices & Reviews
If you've had a franking machine in the last fifteen years, there's a fair chance it said Neopost on the front. These days the same company trades as Quadient, and its iX series is one of the three ranges most UK businesses end up choosing between. This guide walks through each current model, what it costs to run, and who it suits.
Neopost is now Quadient
Neopost announced on 23 September 2019 that it was changing its name to Quadient, and the company says the transition was finished in 2020 (Quadient and GlobeNewswire, checked October 2026). Nothing changed about who supplies or supports your machine. Invoices, logins and support emails just carry the new name.
That matters for two reasons. First, if you search for help with an IS-series machine, you'll find answers under both names. Second, some older Neopost models were never Mailmark enabled, and since 1 January 2023 Royal Mail returns franked mail without a Mailmark barcode. If you're still running an old Neopost unit, check it's on the Mailmark list before your next mailing. Our older guides to the IS-330 and IS-350 and the IS-480 cover those machines.
The iX series compared
Quadient launched the iX range in the UK with three models, the iX-3, iX-5 and iX-7, and added the iX-1 at the bottom for very small offices. Here's how they stack up, using figures from Quadient dealers and Printweek's launch coverage (checked October 2026).
| Model | Top speed | Envelope size | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iX-1 | About 18 letters a minute | Standard letters up to C4 | Very low volume, sole traders |
| iX-3 | About 45 letters a minute | 89 x 127mm to 229 x 324mm | Small offices |
| iX-5 | 75 hand fed, about 110 with auto feed | 89 x 127mm to 229 x 324mm | Mid sized offices |
| iX-7 | Up to 175 with mixed mail feeder | Up to 254 x 330mm | Busy mailrooms |
iX-1
The baby of the range. It's small enough to sit next to a printer and it's set up through an app rather than a big menu system. At 18 letters a minute it's slow on paper, but if you post twenty letters a day you'll finish in about a minute. The catch is that extras like more departmental accounts or extra label designs can cost more, so ask what's bundled.
iX-3
The iX-3 is the one we see most often in small offices that have outgrown stamps. You get roughly 45 letters a minute and optional weighing platforms of 3kg, 5kg, 10kg or 35kg. It plugs into Quadient's S.M.A.R.T. software (shipping, mailing, accounting, reporting and tracking), which is handy if you need to recharge postage to clients or departments.
iX-5
This is where automation starts. Hand fed it runs at 75 letters a minute, and with the automatic feeder it reaches about 110. There's a differential scale option, so you can put a stack of mixed mail on the platform and the machine works out each item's postage as you lift it. It's ideal for a business that sends a few hundred items a day.
iX-7
The iX-7 is built for volume. Its mixed mail feeder hits up to 175 letters a minute, dynamic weighing runs at about 110 items a minute, and it works with weighing platforms up to 35kg. You can specify a power conveyor stacker and a second label printer. It's big, so check the footprint before anyone signs.
What Quadient machines cost to run
Quadient doesn't publish one fixed lease price because every deal depends on the term, the options and whether you're switching from a competitor. Printweek reported launch prices from £2,895 for the iX-3, £4,082 for the iX-5 and £4,480 for the iX-7, with heavily specified iX-7 set ups reaching about £14,000. Treat those as historical guide figures rather than today's quotes.
The ongoing costs you'll pay on any Quadient machine are:
- Lease or rental each month, usually over a multi year term.
- Ink cartridges. Genuine Quadient cartridges are the safe choice for Mailmark printing. See our franking ink prices guide.
- Software and meter fees, depending on your contract.
- Postage, which you top up in advance and which goes to Royal Mail at franking rates.
That last line is where the saving comes from. Here's what Royal Mail charged for Mailmark franked post from 7 April 2026, against stamps (Royal Mail Business Price Guide and stamp prices, checked October 2026):
| Item | Stamp | Franked |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Class letter | £1.80 | £1.77 |
| 2nd Class letter | 91p | 88p |
| 1st Class large letter up to 100g | £3.30 | £2.86 |
| 2nd Class large letter up to 100g | £1.55 | £1.52 |
For more detail on every price band, see our Royal Mail prices page and the full franking machine prices guide.
Contracts: what to check
Quadient contracts aren't unusual, but the usual traps apply.
Term length. Longer terms bring the monthly price down but lock you in. If your business is growing fast, a shorter term gives you a chance to upgrade.
Auto renewal. Many franking leases roll over unless you cancel in a specific window before the end. Put that date in a calendar with a reminder a month before.
Upgrades mid term. Ask whether you can move from an iX-3 to an iX-5 without paying out the rest of the first contract. Some dealers will roll it into a new deal if you ask.
Service. Find out whether repairs and replacements are covered and how quickly an engineer will come out.
Switching from an old Neopost machine
Lots of businesses come to Quadient because their old Neopost machine has reached the end of its life or its lease. If that's you, a few practical points will save you hassle.
First, use up or reclaim your postage credit. Postage you've paid for belongs to you, so ask your supplier how any balance on the old meter will be transferred or refunded before the machine is collected.
Second, check your existing contract end date. If you're still inside the term, a new Quadient deal won't automatically cancel the old one. Some dealers will settle the remaining payments as part of a switching offer, but get that in writing.
Third, think about what you actually post now, not what you posted five years ago. Many offices that needed an IS-480 in the past now send half the volume, and an iX-3 or even an iX-1 does the job for less each month.
Fourth, update your envelope artwork. Mailmark impressions look different to the old style franks, and if you add a slogan or logo to the frank, you'll need to send the artwork to Quadient again.
Supplies and support
Day to day, the thing you'll buy most often is ink. Mailmark impressions include a barcode that Royal Mail's machines need to read, so smudged or faint prints can cause problems. That's why most suppliers insist on genuine cartridges, and some contracts say so in writing. If you're thinking of using compatible ink, read the contract first.
Labels are the other regular purchase. If you frank lots of thick envelopes or small parcels, you'll go through label rolls quickly, so ask what they cost when you get your quote.
Pros and cons
What we like
- A clear ladder of models from tiny to mailroom, so it's easy to move up.
- Good accounting software for splitting costs by department.
- Wide range of weighing platform options, up to 35kg.
- Large dealer network across the UK.
What could be better
- Add ons on the entry model can push the real price up.
- The jump from iX-5 hand fed to auto feed is a big one in cost.
- Older Neopost branded machines cause confusion when you're looking for support.
Which Quadient should you choose?
Here's a rough guide based on items posted per day:
- Under 50 a day: iX-1. It's all you need.
- 50 to 200 a day: iX-3, maybe with a 5kg platform if you send small parcels.
- 200 to 500 a day: iX-5. Go auto feed only if your post comes in big batches.
- Over 500 a day: iX-7.
Before you commit, line Quadient up against Pitney Bowes and FP on the same term. Our Pitney Bowes vs Quadient comparison is a good place to start.
FAQs
Is Quadient the same company as Neopost?
Yes. Neopost changed its name to Quadient in September 2019. Your old Neopost machine is supported by Quadient.
Are all Quadient machines Mailmark compliant?
The current iX series is designed for Mailmark. Some older Neopost models weren't, and those can no longer be used for franking. Check your model number with your supplier if you're unsure.
Can I buy a Quadient machine outright?
Some dealers will sell outright, but you'll still need a postage meter account and the software that goes with it. Most businesses lease.
Who services Quadient machines?
Quadient itself and its authorised dealers. If you bought from a dealer, check whether service runs through them or the manufacturer.
Looking for a deal?
Quadient dealers compete for business, especially when you're switching from another brand. Tell us your daily post volume and we'll match you with approved suppliers so you can compare real prices. Compare franking machine quotes.
