Which of the following methods provides an alternative to using physical stamps for postage?

Using online postal service applications represents a modern and efficient alternative to physical stamps for postage. These applications enable users to purchase and print postage online, which can save time and enhance convenience, as individuals can handle shipping and mailing tasks from home or their office without needing to visit a post office.

Online postal service applications also offer various features, such as tracking shipments, selecting mailing options, and handling international postage, which cater to both personal and business needs. This method eliminates the hassle of finding and affixing physical stamps, allowing users to streamline their mailing processes.

The other options do not serve as viable postal postage alternatives. Long-distance calls pertain to communication and have no relevance to mailing items. Check payments typically refer to settling financial transactions rather than facilitating the sending of physical mail. Delivery receipts are a form of confirmation that an item has been delivered and do not pertain to the postage process itself.