Teleflora vs 1-800-Flowers vs FTD: Which Flower Delivery Is Best? (2026)
Last updated: August 19, 2026
Quick answer: All three are legitimate florist networks with 2:00 PM same-day cutoffs. Teleflora delivers exclusively through local florists — best when presentation matters. FTD and 1-800-Flowers offer both hand-delivery and shipping for more flexibility, and 1-800-Flowers adds chocolates, gifts, and a Passport free-delivery membership. For guaranteed local hand-delivery mapped to your recipient's city, The Flowers Directory covers 34,595 U.S. cities. Full head-to-head below.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Before you choose: consider The Flowers Directory
Teleflora, 1-800-Flowers, and FTD all operate as florist networks. The Flowers Directory takes a different approach — we've individually mapped 34,595 US cities (more than any single competing network advertises in the U.S.), including 25,283 cities with mapped local florists and 29,981 cities with mapped funeral homes.
Hand-delivered by local florists who already serve your recipient's address. $19.99 flat delivery, same-day cutoff 2:00 PM. Browse arrangements →
The three biggest flower delivery services compared head-to-head. We break down pricing, delivery options, quality, and which service is best for different occasions.
Quick Comparison
| The Flowers Directory | Teleflora | 1-800-Flowers | FTD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network | 34,595 cities mapped | 10,000+ florists | Florists + warehouses | 30,000+ florists |
| Delivery | Hand-delivered only (local florists) | Hand-delivered only | Hand-delivered or shipped | Hand-delivered or shipped |
| Same-Day? | Yes (2 PM cutoff, 34,595 cities) | Yes (2 PM cutoff) | Yes (2 PM cutoff) | Yes (2 PM cutoff) |
| Starting Price | $69.95 | ~$45 | ~$40 | ~$35 |
| Delivery Fee | $19.99 | $17.99+ | $21.99 | |
| Service Fee | Included | Yes ($3–$5) | Included | |
| Subscription | No | Passport ($19.99/yr free delivery) | No | |
| Beyond Flowers | Plants only | Gifts, food, chocolates | Plants, gifts | |
| Owns ProFlowers? | No | No | Yes |
Teleflora: Best for Guaranteed Hand-Delivery
Teleflora's entire model is built around local florists. Every order is made and delivered by a florist near the recipient — nothing is ever shipped in a box. This means:
- Pro: Arrangements arrive fresh, fully assembled, in a vase
- Pro: Best reliability for same-day delivery
- Pro: Flowers look like the photos (made by skilled florists)
- Con: No shipped/budget option — always local florist pricing
- Con: Limited to flowers and plants — no gift baskets or food
Best for: Important occasions where presentation matters — funerals, anniversaries, Mother's Day
1-800-Flowers: Best for Gift Variety
1-800-Flowers is the largest flower and gift company. They offer:
- Pro: Widest selection — flowers, plants, chocolates, gift baskets, stuffed animals
- Pro: Passport membership ($19.99/yr) gets free standard delivery
- Pro: Strong same-day delivery through local florists
- Con: Hidden service fees add $3–$5 to every order
- Con: Quality inconsistency — shipped arrangements may not match photos
- Con: Most expensive when you factor in all fees
Best for: Combo gifts (flowers + chocolates), corporate gifting, occasions where you want more than just flowers
FTD: Best Value for Flexibility
FTD is the oldest flower delivery network (founded 1910). They offer both local florist delivery and shipped-from-warehouse options:
- Pro: Largest florist network (30,000+) — reaches more locations than Teleflora
- Pro: Good mid-range pricing — between ProFlowers (cheap) and 1-800-Flowers (premium)
- Pro: Owns ProFlowers — you can compare both through one company
- Con: Quality varies between florist-delivered and shipped arrangements
- Con: Higher delivery fee than competitors ($21.99)
Best for: Reliable delivery to small towns and rural areas (largest network)
Which Service Should You Choose?
| If you want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Best quality & presentation | Teleflora or The Flowers Directory |
| Lowest total cost | FTD (or ProFlowers for shipped) |
| Gifts beyond flowers | 1-800-Flowers |
| Same-day to a small town | FTD (largest network) |
| Funeral/sympathy flowers | Teleflora or The Flowers Directory |
| Mother's Day flowers | Any — order early regardless |
| Best overall value | The Flowers Directory |
Do Teleflora, 1-800-Flowers and FTD have satisfaction guarantees?
Yes. Teleflora offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, 1-800-Flowers backs orders with its Smile Guarantee and FTD covers freshness for seven days after delivery. In practice all three will redeliver or refund a failed order if you contact support promptly. Take a photo of what arrived. It is the fastest path to a resolution with any of the three.
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) |
| 1-800-Flowers | 1.7 / 5 (34,181 reviews) | A+ (accredited) | 2.52 / 5 (1,814 reviews) |
| FTD | 4.3 / 5 (6,346 reviews) | A+ (accredited) | 1.04 / 5 (205 reviews) |
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
Is FTD or 1-800-Flowers better?
FTD is generally better value — lower total cost and a larger florist network. 1-800-Flowers has a wider selection of non-flower gifts and a loyalty program. For pure flower delivery, FTD wins on price. For combo gifts, 1-800-Flowers wins on selection.
Is Teleflora more expensive than 1-800-Flowers?
Base prices are similar ($45–$50 for entry-level). Teleflora's total cost is often lower because they don't charge hidden service fees. 1-800-Flowers adds $3–$5 in service fees on top of the delivery fee, making their true cost higher than advertised.
Are FTD and ProFlowers the same company?
Yes. FTD acquired ProFlowers in 2014. They operate as separate brands — FTD focuses on local florist delivery while ProFlowers focuses on farm-direct shipped flowers. You can use whichever model suits your needs.
Which flower delivery service has the best reviews?
Teleflora consistently scores highest in customer satisfaction for arrangement quality because every order is made by a local florist. 1-800-Flowers has the most reviews overall (largest volume) but mixed ratings. FTD falls in between. For independent reviews, see our full comparison.
