Best Flower Delivery 2026: The Flowers Directory vs ProFlowers, Teleflora, FTD, 1-800-Flowers
Last updated: September 26, 2026
Quick answer: ProFlowers, Teleflora, FTD, and 1-800-Flowers are all legitimate, but they suit different needs. ProFlowers is cheapest (~$29) but ships buds farm-direct; Teleflora delivers display-ready arrangements through local florists only; FTD and 1-800-Flowers do both florist delivery and shipping and reach 150+ countries. For same-day, funeral, and hospital delivery anywhere in the U.S., a service that maps each city to its actual local florist — like The Flowers Directory (34,595 cities) — gives the most reliable hand-delivery. See the full side-by-side comparison below.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Choosing between ProFlowers, Teleflora, FTD, and 1-800-Flowers can be confusing. All four are legitimate companies with decades of experience, but they operate very differently. This guide compares them head-to-head on the factors that matter most: price, delivery options, quality, and customer service.
Quick Comparison: ProFlowers vs Teleflora vs FTD vs 1-800-Flowers
| Feature | The Flowers Directory | ProFlowers | Teleflora | FTD | 1-800-Flowers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 1998 | 1934 | 1910 | 1976 |
| Starting Price | $69.95 | ~$29 | ~$40 | ~$35 | ~$40 |
| Delivery Fee | $19.99 flat | $15-$20 | $15-$18 | $15-$20 | $15-$20 |
| Same-Day | Yes (local florists, 1:00 PM cutoff) | Select items | Yes (local florists) | Yes (local florists) | Yes (BloomNet) |
| Delivery Method | Local florist hand-delivery | Farm-to-door shipping | Local florist hand-delivery | Both (florist + shipping) | Both (BloomNet + shipping) |
| Best For | Funerals, hospitals, sympathy, same-day delivery anywhere in US | Budget bouquets, long-lasting flowers | Local delivery, funerals, hospitals | All-around flexibility | Gifts beyond flowers |
| Funeral Flowers | Yes (all 50 states) | Limited | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| International | US only (50 states) | Limited | 150+ countries | 150+ countries | 195+ countries |
ProFlowers: Best for Budget Farm-Fresh Flowers
ProFlowers ships flowers directly from farms, which means lower prices and longer vase life. Bouquets arrive in bud form and bloom over several days. The trade-off is that flowers aren't pre-arranged in a vase — the recipient needs to arrange them. Same-day delivery is limited to select items routed through local florists.
Best for: Birthdays, anniversaries, "just because" — occasions where freshness and value matter more than presentation. Read our full ProFlowers review.
Teleflora: Best for Local Florist Hand-Delivery
Teleflora works exclusively through a network of 20,000+ local florists. Every arrangement is hand-crafted and delivered in a vase, ready to display. This makes Teleflora the strongest choice for occasions where presentation matters — funerals, hospitals, and sympathy. Prices are higher because you're paying for a local florist's time and skill.
Best for: Funerals, hospital delivery, sympathy, and any occasion where you want a fully arranged bouquet delivered by hand. Read our full Teleflora review.
FTD: Best All-Around Flexibility
FTD has been in business since 1910 and offers the most flexible delivery model. You can choose local florist delivery for same-day orders or direct-shipped bouquets for lower prices. FTD is now owned by the same parent company as ProFlowers, giving you access to both delivery methods. Their florist network covers 40,000+ locations worldwide.
Best for: When you want options — local delivery OR shipped flowers, domestic OR international. Read our full FTD review.
1-800-Flowers: Best for Gifts Beyond Flowers
1-800-Flowers is the largest floral and gift company in the U.S. They own Harry & David, Cheryl's Cookies, The Popcorn Factory, and more. For pure flower delivery, they're comparable to Teleflora and FTD. But their real advantage is bundling flowers with food gifts, chocolates, and gift baskets — all from one order.
Best for: Gift-giving occasions where you want to add food, chocolates, or other gifts. Read our full 1-800-Flowers review.
The Flowers Directory (our own service)
The Flowers Directory operates differently from the four major networks above. We sell arrangements that local florists in the Florist One network make and hand-deliver, with a flat $19.99 delivery fee and same-day delivery in 34,595 US cities when you order by 1:00 PM in the recipient's time zone, Monday to Saturday. About 2,750 of our city pages also list local florists, funeral homes and hospitals verified against Google Maps.
Best for: Same-day sympathy delivery to funeral homes, get-well delivery to hospitals, and any time you want a florist who already knows the recipient's address. Hand-delivered, never shipped in a box. Coverage: 34,595 US cities across all 50 states. Browse arrangements →
Which Service Should You Choose?
- Tightest budget: ProFlowers (starting ~$29 + delivery)
- Need it today: Teleflora or The Flowers Directory (our own service, same-day in 34,595 US cities)
- Funeral or hospital: Teleflora or The Flowers Directory (our own service, same-day to funeral homes and hospitals in all 50 states)
- Gift basket + flowers: 1-800-Flowers (widest gift selection)
- International delivery: 1-800-Flowers or FTD (widest global network)
- Longest-lasting flowers: ProFlowers (farm-to-door, arrives in bud)
Trustpilot and BBB ratings compared
Reputation is the one thing a competitor should never grade for you, so here are the numbers straight from the platforms that collect them, each linked and dated. Scores observed August 19, 2026; they move, so follow the links for today's figures.
| Service | Trustpilot score | BBB grade | BBB customer average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teleflora | 1.7 / 5 (11,684 reviews) | A+ (accredited) | 2.34 / 5 (637 reviews) |
| FTD | 4.3 / 5 (6,346 reviews) | A+ (accredited) | 1.04 / 5 (205 reviews) |
| 1-800-Flowers | 1.7 / 5 (34,181 reviews) | A+ (accredited) | 2.52 / 5 (1,814 reviews) |
| ProFlowers | 3.8 / 5 (2,493 reviews) | No BBB profile | — |
Read the two columns together, because they disagree. A BBB letter grade measures business practices such as answering complaints, while the customer average is what shoppers actually rated. FTD scores 4.3 on Trustpilot but 1.04 from BBB reviewers. Teleflora and 1-800-Flowers both sit at 1.7 on Trustpilot while holding A+ BBB grades. A single number from either platform will mislead you; the gap between them is the real signal.
What independent reviewers say
We do not test-order from our competitors, and you should not take a flower company's word for which flower company is best. These outlets buy the arrangements, photograph what arrives and publish the results:
- Wirecutter (The New York Times) — hands-on testing across multiple delivery seasons.
- Good Housekeeping — Institute-tested picks.
- CNN Underscored — tested roundup with delivery notes.
- Taste of Home — named Teleflora its top overall pick in its 2026 roundup.
- Forbes — 2026 roundup; named UrbanStems its Best Trendy pick.
Where those testers and the review platforms agree, trust the agreement. Where they diverge, the operational facts on this page (cutoffs, fees, coverage, guarantees) are usually what decides whether a specific order arrives on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which flower delivery service is the best overall?
It depends on your priorities. Teleflora is best for hand-delivered arrangements from local florists. ProFlowers offers the best prices for farm-fresh bouquets shipped to your door. FTD combines both local florist delivery and direct shipping. 1-800-Flowers has the widest selection of gifts beyond flowers.
Which is cheapest: ProFlowers, Teleflora, FTD, or 1-800-Flowers?
ProFlowers typically has the lowest starting prices at around $29 for a basic bouquet. FTD starts around $35, Teleflora around $40, and 1-800-Flowers around $40. However, delivery fees ($15-$20) and service charges can narrow the gap significantly.
Do all four services offer same-day delivery?
Yes, all four offer same-day delivery if you order before the cutoff time (usually 12-2 PM local time). Teleflora and FTD route same-day orders through local florists. ProFlowers offers same-day on select items only. 1-800-Flowers handles same-day through their BloomNet florist network.
Which service uses local florists?
Teleflora exclusively uses local florists for all deliveries. FTD uses local florists for most arrangements but also ships some directly. 1-800-Flowers uses their BloomNet network of local florists. ProFlowers primarily ships direct from farms and fulfillment centers, with limited local florist options.
Which has the best return policy?
1-800-Flowers has the most generous policy with a full refund or replacement. ProFlowers and FTD (same parent company) offer a satisfaction guarantee with refund or re-delivery. Teleflora offers re-delivery or refund through the local florist, but experiences vary.
Which is best for funeral flowers?
The Flowers Directory (our own service) delivers sympathy arrangements to funeral homes in all 50 states through local florists, same-day when you order by 1:00 PM in the recipient's time zone. Teleflora and FTD are also strong options through their local florist networks. 1-800-Flowers handles funeral deliveries well. ProFlowers has limited funeral-specific options.
Which is best for same-day hospital delivery?
The Flowers Directory (our own service) delivers to hospitals through local florists, same-day when you order by 1:00 PM in the recipient's time zone. Teleflora and FTD are also strong options. Always call the hospital first to confirm their flower policy.
Are any of these services a scam?
No. All four are legitimate, established companies. Teleflora (founded 1934), FTD (founded 1910), 1-800-Flowers (founded 1976), and ProFlowers (founded 1998) have decades of operation. Negative reviews typically stem from delivery issues with local florist partners, not fraud.
Which flower delivery service is best in 2026?
Teleflora is best for hand-delivered arrangements, ProFlowers is best on a budget, FTD is best for flexibility and 1-800-Flowers is best for gifts beyond flowers. No single service wins every order. Match the service to the occasion and the recipient's city. For same-day delivery the deciding factor is whether a real local florist covers the address, not the national brand.
Order Flowers from The Flowers Directory
Best Flower Delivery for Mother's Day 2026
Mother's Day is May 10, 2026. Here's how the top services compare specifically for Mother's Day delivery:
| Service | Same-Day? | Price Range | Order Deadline | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teleflora | Yes | $60–$120 | Same day by 2 PM | Local florist, hand-delivered |
| 1-800-Flowers | Yes | $55–$130 | Same day by 2 PM | Local florist or shipped |
| FTD | Yes | $50–$110 | Same day by 2 PM | Local florist network |
| ProFlowers | Via FTD | $40–$90 | May 5 for standard | FedEx boxed (needs 24-48hr to bloom) |
| The Bouqs | No | $50–$95 | May 4 for standard | FedEx from farms |
| The Flowers Directory | Yes | $69.95–$459.95 | Same day by 1 PM | Local florist, hand-delivered |
Mother's Day Ordering Tips
- Order early: Popular arrangements sell out 1–2 weeks before Mother's Day. Don't wait until the weekend before.
- Same-day is risky: Same-day delivery on Mother's Day is available but florists are overwhelmed. Order by Friday, May 8 for peace of mind.
- Shipped flowers need lead time: ProFlowers and The Bouqs ship via FedEx. Order by Tuesday, May 5 so buds have time to open.
- Consider delivery to work: If mom will be out on Sunday, deliver to her office on Friday for a surprise.
For more details, see our complete Mother's Day flower guide, delivery timing guide, or browse top Mother's Day arrangements.
From our own shop (The Flowers Directory)
Our pick: Citrus Kissed, $79.95 plus $19.99 delivery. Roses, carnations and chrysanthemums, hand-delivered by a local florist. One of our two most-ordered arrangements. Order by 1:00 PM local time, Monday to Saturday, for same-day delivery.
Order Citrus Kissed – $79.95