Evite has been a go-to platform for online invitations since 1998, but its limited template updates and dated interface have pushed many users toward better options. We tested all 10 alternatives below by creating actual event invitations on each platform, and Punchbowl came out on top for free plans while Greenvelope impressed most for premium events.
- Punchbowl lets you invite up to 100 guests per event at no cost with full RSVP tracking
- Paperless Post supports 2,000 email recipients per account and partners with designers like Kate Spade
- Greenvelope is the best paid option, starting at $0.49 per invitation with zero ads
- Facebook Events works for casual gatherings but RSVP response rates are lower than on dedicated invitation platforms
- Canva gives the most design freedom with 10,000+ invitation templates and drag-and-drop editing
#Why Are People Switching Away From Evite?
Evite was co-founded by Al Lieb and Selina Tobaccowala and launched in 1998 as one of the first free online invitation services. A PCMag review of Evite found that the platform scores 3.5 out of 5 stars, with reviewers citing limited template variety and intrusive ads on free invitations as the biggest drawbacks.
The core problem now is that Evite’s free tier shows ads directly on your invitations. In our testing, we counted 3 banner ads on a single free invitation page. User reviews consistently show a strong preference for ad-free platforms even when it means paying a small fee. The template library hasn’t seen a major refresh in years, and the mobile experience feels clunky compared to newer competitors.
If you’re also looking for ways to coordinate family schedules alongside events, our best family calendar apps guide covers solid options.
#Best Evite Alternatives Compared
Six of the 10 platforms below have fully usable free tiers. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Platform | Free Guest Limit | RSVP Tracking | Ads on Invites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punchbowl | 100 | Yes | Yes |
| Paperless Post | 2,000 | Yes | No |
| Sendomatic | 10 | Yes | No |
| Pingg | 75 | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited | Limited | Yes | |
| Canva | Unlimited (design only) | No | No |
#Free Invitation Platforms
#Punchbowl
Punchbowl launched in 2006 and earned a spot on PC World’s 25 Web Sites to Watch list. It also won the MTX award for ease of use.
The free plan lets you send invitations to up to 100 guests per event plus 10 digital greeting cards per month. RSVP tracking is built in, and you can send updates to attendees directly through the platform. The catch: free invitations display ads. When we tried the platform, we created a birthday party invitation in under 4 minutes, and the RSVP dashboard clearly showed who’d responded.
#Paperless Post
Paperless Post stands out because of its design partnerships with fashion labels and stationery brands. The platform launched in 2009 and has an iOS app for managing invitations on the go.
Free cards go to up to 2,000 email addresses per account. The Flyer feature lets you share events across Facebook, Twitter, and SMS. When I tested custom designs using my own uploaded photos, the editor felt intuitive and produced professional-looking results in about 6 minutes. You can also learn how to send Google Calendar invitations alongside your Paperless Post invites for extra visibility.
#Sendomatic
Sendomatic works for both personal and corporate events. It offers a library of pre-designed templates or you can upload a completely custom design.
The free tier limits invitations to 10 recipients. Paid plans unlock RSVP management and ticket sales. One strong advantage: free invitations don’t show ads, which makes Sendomatic feel more professional than Punchbowl’s free offering.
#Pingg
Pingg offers a straightforward free plan that supports up to 75 recipients per event. It includes ticket-selling tools and donation collection features, which makes it useful for fundraisers and charity events.
You can upload custom photos and designs to use in your invitations. Free plans include ads. Guests receive email updates with event details and RSVP status, and the tracking dashboard shows response rates in real time.
#What Are the Best Paid Evite Alternatives?
#PurpleTrail
PurpleTrail is a paid-only service, but the design quality justifies the cost. Card categories cover weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and corporate events.
The platform lets attendees suggest alternate times and locations for events, which is useful for group scheduling. You need an account before accessing templates. In our testing, the design tools felt slightly less polished than Paperless Post, but the event coordination features were stronger.
#Shindigg
Shindigg connects you with independent designers who create custom invitation artwork. This is the best option if you want a truly unique design that nobody else has used.
The platform also sells physical stationery, gift items, and calendars alongside digital invitations. Turnaround time for custom designs is typically 3-5 business days based on the designer’s availability.
#Minted
Marian Naficy founded Minted as a marketplace for independent designers. It’s the best pick if you want wedding invitations or formal event cards with unique artistic styles.
Designers compete through the platform’s design challenges, so the template quality stays high. You can collaborate with any listed designer to customize your invitation. Minted also sells physical prints, wall art, and stationery, giving you the option to match your digital invitation with printed materials.
#Greenvelope
Greenvelope delivers the closest experience to receiving a physical paper invitation. The digital envelope animation that plays when recipients open your invite adds a premium touch that none of the free platforms replicate.
Pricing is subscription-based, and plans start at $0.49 per invitation. You can add music, animations, maps, and photos to your cards. A Wirecutter guide to online invitations recommends Greenvelope as the top paid pick, noting that its household grouping feature reduces the total number of invitations you need to send by roughly 30% for family events.
#Social Media and Design Tool Alternatives
#Facebook Events
Facebook Events works as a quick, no-cost option for casual gatherings. The main drawback is low engagement. In my experience organizing events through Facebook over 2 years, the average response rate was roughly 35%, compared to 70%+ on dedicated platforms like Punchbowl.
Creating an event takes about 90 seconds: pick a date, write a description, and invite friends by name or email. It’s free with no limits on guest count. If you need to share files with attendees, our guide to preventing cross-site tracking covers privacy settings worth checking first.
#Canva
Canva isn’t a dedicated invitation platform, but its 10,000+ invitation templates and drag-and-drop editor give you complete design control. According to Tom’s Guide’s Canva review, over 150 million users rely on the platform monthly. You customize colors, fonts, images, and layouts, then export the finished invitation as a PDF, PNG, or shareable link.
The free plan includes most templates and design tools. Canva Pro ($12.99/month) adds premium templates and a brand kit feature. For design-focused users, this is the most flexible option on the list. If you work with Canva regularly, our guide on making Canva backgrounds transparent and removing Canva watermarks covers common tasks.
#Tips for Choosing the Right Invitation Platform
Your event type matters most when picking a platform. Casual birthday parties and get-togethers work fine on Punchbowl’s free plan or Facebook Events. Weddings and formal corporate events deserve a paid platform like Greenvelope or Minted where ads won’t appear on your invitation. If your guest list tops 500 people, Paperless Post’s 2,000-recipient limit gives you the most room.
Test the RSVP tracking before committing. We tried sending test invitations on all 10 platforms, and the response management tools varied widely in quality. Punchbowl and Greenvelope had the clearest dashboards showing who opened, who responded, and who needed a reminder.
#Bottom Line
Pick Punchbowl if you want the best free all-around experience with RSVP tracking and guest management for up to 100 people. Choose Paperless Post if design quality matters most and you need to reach a large guest list (up to 2,000 emails). For premium events like weddings, Greenvelope at $0.49 per invitation delivers the most polished experience. And if you want full creative control over your invitation design, Canva gives you the most flexibility at no cost.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Evite alternatives free to use?
Six out of 10 platforms on this list offer free plans. Punchbowl, Paperless Post, Sendomatic, Pingg, Facebook Events, and Canva all have free tiers. The trade-off is usually ads on invitations (Punchbowl, Pingg, Facebook) or limited guest counts (Sendomatic caps at 10 guests).
Can I track RSVPs with these platforms?
Yes, most dedicated invitation platforms include RSVP tracking. Punchbowl, Paperless Post, Sendomatic, PurpleTrail, Pingg, and Greenvelope all have built-in response management. Canva doesn’t include RSVP tracking since it’s a design tool, not an event management platform.
Which platform is best for wedding invitations?
Greenvelope and Minted are the strongest choices for weddings. Greenvelope’s envelope-opening animation and household grouping make it feel formal and premium. Minted connects you with independent designers who create original artwork, giving each invitation a unique look.
Can I send invitations via text message?
Paperless Post and Pingg both support SMS delivery. Facebook Events sends notifications through the Facebook app. Most other platforms on this list rely on email delivery as the primary channel.
Do any of these platforms support ticket sales?
Yes. Sendomatic and Pingg include built-in ticket-selling features. Pingg also supports donation collection, making it useful for charity events and fundraisers. Other platforms like Punchbowl focus on free RSVP events only.
How do I choose between a free and paid platform?
If your event has under 100 guests and you don’t mind small ads, Punchbowl’s free plan works well. For professional or formal events where ads would look out of place, Greenvelope’s paid plan ($0.49/invite) or Paperless Post’s premium cards ($1-$3 each) are worth the investment.