Packaging Conveyors Showdown: Pallet vs. Belt vs. Flexible Chain (2026 Guide)

If you run a packaging line, you know the nightmare: one jammed transfer or a slipping belt, and your throughput for the day is ruined.

It’s not just about moving stuff from A to B anymore. In 2026, the pressure for speed is higher than ever. That’s why the debate usually lands on three specific systems: Pallet Conveyors, Belt Conveyors, and Flexible Chain Conveyors.

Pick the wrong one? You’re looking at bottlenecks and maintenance bills. Pick the right one? You get a line that runs itself.

I’m going to break down these three systems—warts and all—so you can figure out which one actually fits your floor plan.

Table of Contents

1. The Big Three: A Quick Breakdown
2. Pallet vs. Belt vs. Chain: The Real Differences
3. Comparison Table: The Cheat Sheet
4. Three Questions to Ask Before Buying
5. The Money Talk: ROI and True Costs
6. Why Engineers Are Switch to Vitrans
7. Final Verdict
8. FAQ

The Big Three: A Quick Breakdown

Let’s keep this simple. You don’t need a textbook definition; you need to know how they behave on the floor.

1. Pallet Conveyor Systems

Think of these as individual taxis for your product. The product sits on a carrier (pallet) that rides on a belt or chain.

• • The Vibe:* Precision. Control.
  • Use it for:* When a robot needs to grab a part, or you’re assembling sensitive electronics (like batteries or phones).

2. Flexible Chain Conveyors

We call these “plastic chain” conveyors. They act like a 3D train track. They can snake left, right, up, and down using a single drive motor.

• • The Vibe:* Flexibility.
  • Use it for:* Bottling lines, cosmetics, or squeezing a long line into a cramped factory.

3. Belt Conveyors

The classic flat belt. It’s a loop of fabric driven by friction. Simple, cheap, effective.

• • The Vibe:* The workhorse.
  • Use it for:* Moving boxes, bulk transport, or getting finished goods to the warehouse.

Pallet vs. Belt vs. Chain: The Real Differences

Here is where the specs matter.

Precision: Who Wins?

If you need a robot to screw a cap on a bottle or place a chip on a board, Pallet Conveyors win, hands down. Our Vitrans BC2 series, for example, locks the pallet in place with accuracy around ±0.05mm.

Belt conveyors? Forget it. Belts slip. If you need 1mm accuracy, a standard belt will frustrate you. Flexible chains are somewhere in the middle—good for flow, bad for precise stopping.

The “Spaghetti” Layout

Got a weird floor plan with columns in the way? Flexible Chain Conveyors are your best friend. You can curve them around obstacles without needing extra motors. Doing that with a Belt Conveyor is a pain—you need a separate “curve unit” for every turn, which means more motors, more wiring, and more money.

Comparison Table: The Cheat Sheet

Don’t have time to read? Here is the raw data compared to 2025 industry standards.

Three Questions to Ask Before Buying

When clients call us at Vitrans, I usually stop them from buying the most expensive option if they don’t need it. Ask yourself this:

1. “Does the product need to queue up?”

If your filler stops but the labeler keeps going, you need “accumulation” (buffering).

• Go with Pallet or Chain. They let products stack up without grinding against the belt.
• Avoid Belts. If a belt runs under a stopped box, you’ll burn the belt or damage the box bottom.

2. “Is the product unstable?”

Tall shampoo bottles tip over easily. Flexible chains (with side guides) or Pallet systems (which hold the bottle) are safe. A jerky belt conveyor will knock them over like dominos.

3. “Do you have robots?”

If a robot arm is involved, you almost certainly need a Pallet Conveyor. The robot needs the product to be in the exact same spot every time.

The Money Talk: ROI and True Costs

Let’s be real—Pallet Conveyors are expensive upfront. But cost isn’t just the sticker price.

Think about downtime.

If a PVC belt rips, you have to shut down the line, cut the belt, splice it, and wait for glue to dry. That’s hours of lost production.

If a Flexible Chain breaks, you pop out the broken plastic link and snap in a new one. You’re back up and running in 5 minutes.

At Vitrans, we see customers earn back the cost of a precision pallet system in about 8 months just from reduced scrap rates. If your conveyor isn’t damaging your product, it pays for itself.

Why Engineers Are Switching to Vitrans

Look, we know the big names like Bosch Rexroth, FlexLink, and Dorner. They make great stuff. But they also charge a premium for the logo.

At Vitrans Automation, we take a different approach.

We build systems that are dimensionally compatible with those big brands. You get the same modular aluminum profile, the same chain specs, and the same reliability, but you keep about 30-40% of your budget.

• Speed: We don’t have 12-week lead times. We usually ship modular systems in 2-3 weeks.
• Customization: We don’t just sell parts; we look at your CAD layout and tell you what will actually work.

Final Verdict

• Building a simple boxing line? Save your money. Buy a Belt Conveyor.
• Moving bottles through a tight factory? Get a Flexible Chain.
• Assembling electronics with robots? Don’t cut corners. Invest in a Pallet Conveyor.

FAQ

Q: Can I mix Vitrans parts with my existing FlexLink line?

A: Usually, yes. Our flexible chain profiles are designed to match industry standards. It’s a great way to repair or extend a line without paying OEM prices.

Q: Are pallet conveyors noisy?

A: Not anymore. Old chain systems were loud. Modern systems like our BC2 series use anti-static, low-friction materials that run very quietly.

Q: How do I get a layout design?

A: Just shoot us an email. Send us a rough sketch of your factory floor, and our team at vitrans-conveyor.com will mock up a 3D design for you.

Need to speed up your production?

Let’s talk. Whether you need a simple belt or a complex pallet loop, we can help you size it right.

Check us out at: www.vitrans-conveyor.com