Zola bundles invitations into a larger wedding planning platform. It is free because the business model is built around registry product commissions and vendor referral fees — not the invitation itself. If you want a stripped-down invitation platform with honest pricing, a better editor, and no interest in selling you a venue, GuestCard charges from $5 per event ($10 for unlimited guests) and gets out of the way.
No upsell pressure. GuestCard's revenue is your $5–10 event fee — not commissions on gifts, venues, or vendors you book through the platform.
Works beyond weddings. Zola is built for weddings. GuestCard supports every event type.
Livestream and per-ceremony RSVP. Zola does not support either. GuestCard's Pro tier includes both.
Artist marketplace. Independent designers publish original templates on GuestCard — Zola's templates are in-house only.
Zola's invitation and website features are free, but the platform's revenue comes from registry commissions (typically 2.5–5% of purchases), venue booking referrals, and vendor marketplace fees. It is free to the couple but monetized through the wedding ecosystem around them. GuestCard charges $5–10/event transparently.
No. Zola's invitation editor is template-fill — you select a design and update the text fields. GuestCard's canvas editor lets you move elements, adjust layouts, layer images, and customize typography freely. If design control matters, GuestCard is the stronger option.
Yes. Many couples use GuestCard for the invitation and event experience, while linking to a separate registry on Zola, Amazon, or any other platform. GuestCard supports external gift registry links on the event page.
First event free. Canvas editor, RSVP tracking, schedule, livestream, and post-event photos — all in one link.
Create your first eventNo credit card required · First event always free