Last updated: November 5, 2024
Evite has long been a go-to platform for digital invitations but hosts are looking for a fresh new way of inviting their guests.
There are now several exciting alternatives worth considering. I have personally tried and used Partiful, Mixily, Paperless Post, and Luma. I wrote an article on how to create an RSVP link for meetups, events, and parties using these platforms; you should probably check it out.
In this article, we’ll explore the top contenders in the world of online event planning and invitation services.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The pros and cons of 10 popular Evite alternatives
- Cost comparisons for each platform
- Key features that set each service apart
- User experience insights to help you choose the best fit for your event
Let’s dive into the world of digital invitations and discover which platform might be perfect for your next gathering!
Why you should listen to me: My name is Nick Gray, and I’m the best–selling author of the party handbook The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. I’ve hosted hundreds of parties all over the world. After making hosting a habit, I can easily host a networking event and make new friends with no sweat. I’ve been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and New York Magazine once called me a host of “culturally significant” parties.Feature Comparison
To help you make an informed decision, let’s compare some key features across these platforms:
| Feature | Evite | Partiful | Mixily | Luma | Paperless Post | Hobnob | Punchbowl | Greenvelope | RSVPify | Minted | Splash |
| Free Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Limited | No |
| Ad-Free (Free tier) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Custom Designs | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Extensive | Limited | Extensive | Extensive | Limited | Extensive | Extensive |
| RSVP Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guest Messaging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Calendar Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Events Support | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ticketing/Payment | Limited | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| AI-Assisted Planning | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Limited |
Partiful
Partiful makes event planning actually fun and simple by giving you one shareable link for your event. Your guests can RSVP with their phone numbers, making it super easy to send updates and reminders through text.
The platform lets everyone see who’s coming (if you want them to) and share photos right on your event page. You can use it for any type of event – from dinner parties to huge raves – and collect payments or important info from guests. Say goodbye to messy group chats and hello to stress-free party planning.
Pros:
- Modern, sleek design
- User-friendly interface
- Free to use
- Integrates with popular calendar apps
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Fewer features compared to some paid alternatives
Cost: Free
Nick’s note: Partiful is a newcomer that’s quickly gaining popularity, especially among younger users or Gen Z’s. Its clean, minimalist design and intuitive interface make it a breeze to create and send invitations. I wrote a review for Partiful. Read the full article here.
Mixily
Mixily offers a no-frills approach to event planning that many users find refreshing. Its simplicity makes it an excellent choice for casual gatherings and small events.
Pros:
- Simple, straightforward design
- Quick setup process
- Free for basic use
- Allows for plus-ones and group invitations
Cons:
- Limited design templates
- Some advanced features require a paid plan
Cost: Free for basic use, paid plans start at $9/month
Nick’s note: I’ve been hosting parties, networking events, and happy hours for a long time and used Mixily for those. Here are the best practices I listed down.
Luma
Luma stands out with its AI capabilities, offering suggestions and assistance throughout the event planning process. It’s a great option for those looking to add a touch of tech-savvy flair to their invitations.
Pros:
- AI-powered event planning assistance
- Beautiful, customizable designs
- Integrated ticketing and payment options
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for some users
- Higher price point for advanced features
Cost: Free for basic use, paid plans start at $19/month
Nick’s note: I agree that it’s a little more complicated to use than the first two platforms mentioned above. Read the best tips and platform review I did for Luma here.
Paperless Post
Paperless Post is known for its beautiful, designer-quality invitations. It’s an excellent choice for those who want their digital invites to have the look and feel of traditional paper invitations.
Pros:
- Wide variety of high-quality designs
- Extensive customization options
- Virtual envelope feature for a personal touch
Cons:
- Can be more expensive for larger events
- Some features require coin purchases
Cost: Free for basic use, coin packages start at $10
Nick’s note: And because it is widely used for online invitations and RSVPs, I wrote a comparison article for Evite vs Paperless Post here. Read the full article to see what I like better.
Hobnob
Hobnob caters to the on-the-go crowd with its mobile-focused approach. It’s perfect for those who prefer to manage their events primarily from their smartphones.
Pros:
- Mobile-first design
- Easy-to-use app interface
- Built-in messaging features
Cons:
- Limited web-based options
- Fewer design choices compared to some competitors
Cost: Free for basic use, premium features available for purchase
Nick’s note: After I published this article about Evite vs Hobnob, a representative from Hobnob reached out to me and shared that they’ll be releasing a desktop module. They said they’ll reach out to me once it’s ready. Maybe I’ll write a new article about it.
Punchbowl
Punchbowl offers a comprehensive suite of tools for event planning, making it a solid choice for those who want an all-in-one solution.
Pros:
- Large selection of designs
- Ad-free experience with paid plans
- Digital gift cards available
Cons:
- Free version includes ads
- Some users find the interface cluttered
Cost: Free with ads, paid plans start at $6.99/month
Nick’s note: I haven’t tried this and the rest of the platforms below yet but might be worth trying out if you’re looking for a more extensive selection of designs.
Greenvelope
Greenvelope offers event planners a fully integrated way to manage responses with options like setting RSVP deadlines, limiting guest capacity, and tracking attendance in real-time. The platform also supports customized questions for guests, enabling hosts to collect important details such as meal preferences, making it a versatile tool for managing invitations seamlessly.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly focus
- Sophisticated design options
- Detailed tracking and guest management
Cons:
- Higher price point
- No free tier available
Cost: Plans start at $39 for up to 40 invitations
Nick’s note: Greenvelope appeals to environmentally conscious hosts with its paperless approach and commitment to sustainability. It’s a great option for those willing to invest in a premium service.
RSVPify
RSVPify provides a customizable platform that simplifies online registration for any event type, from corporate gatherings to weddings. Its versatile features include secure RSVP tracking, ticketing options, guest list management, and integrated email reminders.
With RSVPify, hosts can manage multiple events within one dashboard, collect detailed attendee data, and set restrictions for invite-only access. The platform also offers seating chart tools, QR code check-ins, and support for secondary events, creating a seamless experience for both organizers and guests.
Pros:
- Robust event management tools
- Customizable RSVP questions
- Suitable for both small and large events
Cons:
- Interface can be overwhelming for simple events
- Some users find it less intuitive than other options
Cost: Free for basic use, paid plans start at $19/month
Nick’s note: RSVPify is a powerhouse for event organizers who need detailed guest information and advanced management features.
Minted
Minted is a feature of its wedding website platform, offering a streamlined way to manage guest responses with added functionality for personalization. Hosts can add custom questions for guests, like meal preferences, and set up a matching RSVP system for various events under one dashboard.
Minted also provides options for address collection and registry integration, making it easy for couples to manage logistics for multiple guests and events. While versatile, some users have noted challenges with managing multiple RSVPs within the same household and limited customization for response formatting.
Pros:
- Unique, artist-designed invitations
- High-quality printing options available
- Matching physical products (for hybrid events)
Cons:
- More expensive than many digital-only options
- Limited free designs
Cost: Digital invitations start at $35 for unlimited sends
Nick’s note: Minted is ideal for those who appreciate artisanal design and want the option to mix digital and physical invitations for their events.
Splash
Splash’s RSVP page offers a flexible and visually engaging platform designed to support events of any scale. It allows organizers to collect RSVPs through customized forms with conditional logic, control guest capacity, and enable automated confirmation emails for a seamless attendee experience.
Splash also includes features like branded event pages, customizable seating options, and integrated tracking of guest responses, making it a comprehensive tool for event planners seeking both functionality and design flexibility. This solution is widely adaptable, serving both ticketed events and simple RSVP registrations, making it versatile for different types of gatherings.
Pros:
- Powerful event marketing tools
- Suitable for large-scale and corporate events
- Extensive branding capabilities
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Overkill for small, casual gatherings
Cost: Custom pricing for enterprise clients
Nick’s note: Splash is geared towards professional event planners and large organizations, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for event marketing and management.
User Experience Insights
After analyzing user feedback and personal experiences, here are some key insights:
- Ease of Use: Partiful and Mixily consistently rank high for their intuitive interfaces, making them great choices for those who want a quick and easy invitation process.
- Design Quality: Paperless Post and Minted lead the pack in terms of design aesthetics, offering invitations that closely mimic high-end paper invitations.
- Features vs. Simplicity: While platforms like RSVPify and Splash offer the most comprehensive feature sets, many users prefer the simplicity of Partiful or Mixily for casual events.
- Mobile Experience: Hobnob and Luma stand out for their mobile-first approach, catering to users who prefer managing events on their smartphones.
- Value for Money: Mixily and Partiful offer the best free options, while Paperless Post provides a good balance of quality and affordability for those willing to purchase coins.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Evite alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and the type of event you’re planning.
Here’s a quick summary showing each platform’s strengths:
- For quick, easy, and free invitations, consider Partiful or Mixily
- If design is your top priority, look into Paperless Post or Minted
- For comprehensive event management, explore RSVPify or Splash
- Mobile-first users might prefer Hobnob or Luma
- Environmentally conscious hosts should check out Greenvelope
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your event’s size, formality, and your personal preferences.
As of Oct 2024, I still personally prefer Partiful. I’ve been using it more frequently than Mixily for my events and happy hours. It just fits the type of events I host.
Don’t be afraid to try out a few different options to find the perfect fit for your next gathering!
In my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, I provide helpful guidance on how to host a great party for any event. I wrote this book to support anyone interested in meeting new people.
When is your party? Send me an email and I will give you some bonus tips, including a pre-party checklist that you can print out. Plus, I’ll answer any question you have, free of charge. I love talking about parties, and I’m on a mission to help 500 people host their first party.
