How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Evite is the best free starting point for casual parties, with paid Premium removing ads for larger guest lists.
- Greenvelope offers the most predictable formal invitation pricing, with a flat per mailing model and no coins.
- Punchbowl suits family parties, with character designs and a subscription for frequent hosts.
- Partiful and Joy are strong free options for casual and wedding events respectively, with different limits.
- RSVPify is the pick when an invitation is really an event registration, with ticketing and check in tools.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Evite | casual parties on a budget | Free | Yes |
 Greenvelope | formal ad free invitations | $19 per mailing | Free trial |
 Punchbowl | family parties and characters | $2.99 per month | Free trial |
 RSVPify | corporate and large events | $39 per month | Yes |
 Canva | designing your own invitation art | Free | Yes |
 Greetings Island | free DIY invites and cards | Free | Yes |
 Partiful | free casual party invites | Free | Yes |
 Joy | free wedding websites and invites | Free | Yes |
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The best Paperless Post alternatives
#1Evite
Best for: casual parties on a budget4.2/5 on
G2 (89 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit evite.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Evite is the default free alternative for birthdays, showers and casual gatherings. You can send a free invitation to a large guest list, track RSVPs, send reminders and collect messages, all without buying coins or a subscription. That simplicity is why Evite remains popular even as Paperless Post focuses on premium design.
The trade is ads. Free invitations display ads and gifting suggestions to guests, and removing them requires Premium, which recent summaries price by guest count, from $17.99 for up to 12 guests to $99.99 for up to 750, or Evite Pro at $249.99 per year for frequent hosts. For a casual party, free Evite is usually enough. For a formal event where ads would feel out of place, Greenvelope or Paperless Post style premium design fits better.
What we like- Free invitations for up to 750 guests
- Easy RSVP tracking
- Premium removes ads by guest count
Watch out for- Free invitations show ads and gifting suggestions
- Premium pricing rises with guest list size
Starting price$19 per mailing
Free planFree trial
Greenvelope is the formal alternative that most closely matches Paperless Post on elegance, without its coin system. Pricing is flat per mailing, starting at $19 for 20 guests and scaling in increments, with every design feature included. Guests open an animated envelope, see no ads, and can RSVP, choose meal preferences and receive reminders, which suits weddings and formal celebrations.
A trial lets you test with up to 10 recipients, but there is no free tier for a full event, so a single wedding suite with save the dates, invitations and thank yous will cost several mailings. For one important event, that predictability is worth it. For frequent casual parties, Evite or Partiful will be cheaper.
What we like- Flat per mailing pricing with no coins
- Animated envelope opening
- No ads for guests
Watch out for- No ongoing free tier beyond a small trial
- Per mailing cost adds up for many events
Starting price$2.99 per month
Free planFree trial
Punchbowl is the family party specialist. Its licensed character designs, from popular childrens brands, make kids birthday invitations feel special in a way generic templates do not, and built in tools for RSVPs, potluck sign ups and gift registries cover the practical side of a party. Recent summaries list Punchbowl from $2.99 per month billed yearly for its main plans, with higher tiers for larger guest lists.
That subscription model is the catch for a one off host. A single birthday may cost more in subscription terms than a one off Evite Premium event, though frequent hosts save over a year. If you host kids parties regularly, Punchbowl is an easy win. If you host once a year, compare a single Evite Premium event first.
What we like- Licensed character designs kids recognize
- RSVP and potluck tools
- Subscription suits frequent hosts
Watch out for- Subscription model can cost more for a single event
- Formal wedding designs are thinner than Greenvelope
#4RSVPify
Best for: corporate and large events4.8/5 on
G2 (88 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rsvpify.com
Starting price$39 per month
Free planYes
RSVPify is less an invitation designer and more an event platform. It builds event websites, handles multi guest RSVPs, collects custom answers, sells tickets where needed and provides check in tools on the day. That depth suits corporate events, galas, conferences and large weddings where an invitation is only the first step.
For a simple party, RSVPify feels heavy and its $39 per month starting point, from recent summaries, is higher than a one off invitation. The free tier covers up to 100 guests for basic events, which lets you test it, but larger or more complex events need a paid plan. Choose RSVPify when logistics matter as much as design, and choose Evite or Greenvelope when design matters most.
What we like- Event websites, ticketing and check in
- Custom forms and sub events
- Good for corporate and nonprofit events
Watch out for- Overkill for a simple birthday
- Paid plans needed for larger guest lists and advanced features
#5Canva
Best for: designing your own invitation art4.7/5 on
G2 (7,678 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit canva.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Canva is the design first alternative. If you want a completely custom invitation, with your own photos, fonts and layout, Canva gives you more creative control than any invitation platform, and its free plan covers most basic design needs. You can download a finished invitation as an image or PDF and send it by email, text or social media.
What Canva lacks is event management. There is no RSVP tracking, guest list messaging or reminder system built in, so you must handle replies manually or pair Canva with a form tool. That makes Canva best for hosts who care most about the look and are happy to manage RSVPs separately, or for printed invitations where digital tracking is not needed.
What we like- Huge template library and design freedom
- Free plan for basic design
- Easy download and sharing
Watch out for- No built in RSVP tracking or guest management
- You must send the design yourself
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Greetings Island is a straightforward free option for DIY hosts. It offers invitations, greeting cards and announcements for birthdays, weddings, holidays and more, with simple editing for text, colours and photos. You can send digitally or print at home, which suits last minute invitations and thank you cards.
Design polish is less consistent than Greenvelope or Paperless Post, and some premium templates and features require a paid membership. For a casual event on a tight budget, Greetings Island is a practical pick. For a formal wedding suite, a dedicated invitation platform will look more refined and handle guest management better.
What we like- Free invitations and cards for many occasions
- Simple customization
- Printable and digital options
Watch out for- Design quality varies by template
- Premium membership needed for some features and downloads
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Partiful has become a favourite for casual, text first parties, especially among younger hosts. Invitations are free, guests RSVP easily from a phone, and the social, playful design suits birthdays, housewarmings and casual gatherings better than a formal stationery look. There are no coins or per guest fees for basic use, which removes the pricing confusion that frustrates Paperless Post switchers.
Formal events are not its strength. Wedding suites, multi event management and detailed guest messaging are thinner than Greenvelope, Joy or RSVPify, so a formal wedding needs a different tool. For a casual party where speed and cost matter most, Partiful is one of the best free choices available.
What we like- Genuinely free for casual parties
- Easy text based invites
- Fun, social RSVP experience
Watch out for- Less suited to formal weddings
- Design and guest management tools are simpler than RSVPify
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Joy, formerly Withjoy, is the free wedding alternative. Couples build a wedding website, add digital invitations, manage RSVPs and link registries, all without coins or per guest fees. That all in one free model is a major draw for couples who do not want to pay per guest for a large wedding list.
The main limit is structure. Joy allows one event per website, so managing a ceremony, rehearsal dinner and brunch as separate RSVP events requires separate websites, which some couples find fiddly. For a single main wedding event, Joy is excellent and free. For a multi event wedding weekend, RSVPify or Greenvelope may handle the complexity more smoothly.
What we like- Free wedding website and digital invitations
- Registry and guest tools in one place
- No per guest fees
Watch out for- One event per website limit
- Multi event complexity requires separate websites
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation and public reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit and app stores, focusing on invitation design, guest management, RSVP tracking, ads, pricing model and event type fit. We did not claim hands on testing. Prices are from vendor pages and recent comparisons, and per guest or per mailing costs should be checked for your exact guest count.
Matching price model to event type
Paperless Post pricing frustrates many hosts because coins, guest counts and add ons interact. The alternatives here simplify that choice by model. Free with ads suits casual parties. Flat per mailing suits formal events where you want a fixed cost. Subscription suits frequent hosts. Free wedding platforms suit a single wedding event.
Before you choose, count your guests, events and sends. A save the date, invitation and reminder are separate sends on coin and per mailing platforms, so multiply accordingly. Check whether guests need an account, whether reminders are included, and whether you can export your guest list if you switch later. A beautiful invitation that guests cannot open on their phone is worse than a simple one that arrives cleanly.
Design quality is only half the job. The other half is the guest experience after the invitation arrives, and that is where many hosts lose people. Test the invitation on an older phone and a slow connection, since not every guest has a new device, and make the RSVP button obvious without scrolling. Add the venue address, parking notes, and dress code on the same page as the reply form, so guests do not need to hunt through old messages. A simple invitation that works everywhere beats a beautiful one that confuses half the list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Paperless Post alternative?
Evite and Partiful are the best free options for casual parties, while Joy is best free for weddings. Evite free invitations show ads, while Partiful is free for basic casual use.
Which alternative is cheapest for a wedding?
Joy is free for a single wedding website and invitations, while Greenvelope charges per mailing from $19. Paperless Post style premium designs can cost $60 to $140 for 100 guests depending on customization.
Does Greenvelope show ads to guests?
No. Greenvelope invitations are ad free, with an animated envelope opening and full RSVP tools included in the per mailing price.
Can I track RSVPs without Paperless Post?
Yes. Evite, Greenvelope, Punchbowl, RSVPify, Partiful and Joy all offer RSVP tracking, with reminders and guest messaging varying by plan.
Is Canva a good invitation alternative?
Canva is excellent for designing a custom invitation, but it does not track RSVPs or manage guests. Pair it with a form or use an invitation platform if guest management matters.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.evite.com
- https://www.greenvelope.com
- https://www.punchbowl.com
- https://rsvpify.com
- https://www.canva.com
- https://www.greetingsisland.com
- https://www.partiful.com
- https://withjoy.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.