Is Paperless Post Free? Coins, Pricing and Real Costs (2026)
Only partly.Paperless Post's basic Flyer format is free, but its Cards — the designs most people go there for — run on a coin system: you buy coins, then spend them on every guest you send to. Invite 50 people and you are looking at roughly $15–$50, and you pay again for the next event. Below: how the coins actually work, what a real guest list costs, and how a flat one-time price compares.
The pricing difference — in plain numbers
InvitiApp
$0
To get started — free up to 10 views.
No coin system. Paid plan for larger events.
Paperless Post
$15–$50+
For a typical 50-person event.
Coin system — charged per send.
Quick verdict
Choose InvitiApp if...
- ✓ You want to start free without buying coins or credits
- ✓ Your guests are on WhatsApp or mobile messaging
- ✓ You need a shareable link, not email delivery
- ✓ You want to customize colors, music, and maps in one place
Choose Paperless Post if...
- ✓ You want a luxury, editorial design aesthetic
- ✓ Your event is formal and guests expect email invitations
- ✓ Detailed open/read receipts are important to you
- ✓ Budget is not a concern for your invitation
InvitiApp vs Paperless Post — feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | InvitiApp | Paperless Post |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅Free up to 10 views | ⚠️Free Flyers only — Cards need coins |
| Pricing model | ⚠️Paid plan beyond 10 views | ❌Coin system — charged per send |
| Built-in RSVP | ✅One-tap for guests | ✅Yes, email-based |
| Shareable link | ✅Works on WhatsApp, SMS, anywhere | ❌Email delivery only |
| WhatsApp-first sharing | ✅Built for mobile messaging | ❌Email-focused platform |
| Real-time guest list | ✅Confirmed, declined, pending | ✅Yes, with open/read receipts |
| Google Maps button | ✅Embedded in invitation | ❌Address shown as text |
| Background music | ✅Included | ❌Not available |
| Color customization | ✅Texts, buttons, accent color | ⚠️Limited to template options |
| Edit after sending | ✅Guests see updates automatically | ⚠️Limited post-send editing |
| No app for guests | ✅Opens in browser | ✅Browser accessible |
| Cost for 50 guests | ⚠️Free plan covers 10 views; paid plan for more | ❌$15–$50+ via coin system |
✅ Fully supported · ⚠️ Partial or limited · ❌ Not available
InvitiApp
Best ValueInvitiApp is mobile-first and built for how people actually share invitations today. You get a shareable link, built-in RSVP, Google Maps, background music, and full color customization — without a coin system. The free plan covers up to 10 views.
Pros
- ✓Free plan available — no credit card, no coin system required to start
- ✓Shareable link works on WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, anywhere
- ✓Google Maps button embedded directly in the invitation
- ✓Background music and animations included
- ✓Customize invitation colors — texts, buttons, and accent color
- ✓Real-time RSVP dashboard for all guests
- ✓Edit event details after sending — guests see the update automatically
- ✓Guests open in browser, no account needed
- ✓Templates for all event types — not just formal occasions
Cons
- ✗Free plan covers up to 10 invitation views — paid plan needed for larger events
- ✗Less editorial/luxury aesthetic than Paperless Post's premium designs
- ✗No physical print option
- ✗Smaller template catalog for very formal events like black-tie galas
Our verdict
For most events — birthdays, baby showers, weddings, corporate gatherings — InvitiApp delivers what you need without a coin system. It is free for the first 10 guest views, which handles smaller events; larger ones need a one-time payment per invitation, never a subscription. If your guests are on mobile and you want WhatsApp sharing with color customization, InvitiApp is the stronger fit.
Paperless Post
Most Design-ForwardPaperless Post's templates are genuinely stunning — editorial-quality designs that feel like real stationery brought to life digitally. The trade-off is the coin pricing model, which can get expensive for larger events.
Pros
- ✓Stunning, editorial-quality design templates
- ✓Detailed open and read receipts
- ✓RSVP collection and guest management
- ✓Very polished, premium feel
- ✓Physical card option available
Cons
- ✗Pay-per-send coin system — costs add up fast with large guest lists
- ✗Free tier limited to basic Flyers — premium Cards always cost coins
- ✗Email-only delivery — not built for WhatsApp or group chats
- ✗No shareable link for mobile sharing
- ✗No Google Maps integration
- ✗No background music
- ✗Expensive for casual events like birthday parties
Our verdict
Paperless Post is the right choice if you're planning a high-end formal event where design is paramount and budget isn't a constraint. For casual to mid-range events, InvitiApp gives you a comparable experience — with mobile sharing, color customization, and a free plan to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paperless Post free?
Only partly. Paperless Post's basic Flyer format is free to send, but Cards — the premium designs the platform is known for — run on a coin system. You buy coins up front and spend them per recipient, so the cost scales with your guest list and you pay again for every new event. If what you need is a free invitation with RSVP tracking and no per-guest charge, InvitiApp is free to start and then a single flat price, no coins involved.
Do you have to pay for Paperless Post?
For Flyers, no. For Cards, yes — coins are required, and you spend them every time you send. There is no way to send a premium Card to a full guest list without buying coins, and unused coins do not turn back into money.
How much do Paperless Post coins cost?
Coins are sold in packs, and each Card costs a set number of coins per recipient — 2 coins on the Basic level, 5 on Premium and 8 on All-Access. In practice a 50-guest event lands somewhere around $15–$50 depending on the design you pick. The important part is the model, not the exact number: the more people you invite, the more you pay, and the meter resets for your next event.
How does Paperless Post pricing work?
Paperless Post uses a coin system. You buy coins and spend them per recipient, every time you send. A Basic design costs 2 coins per recipient, Premium 5 and All-Access 8; a fully dressed invitation with add-ons runs about 6. For a guest list of 50, that lands between roughly $15 and $50 depending on the design. InvitiApp has a free plan for up to 10 views, then moves to a paid plan — but there's no per-send coin cost.
Is InvitiApp as beautiful as Paperless Post?
InvitiApp focuses on mobile-first, animated digital invitations with templates for all event types — and now lets you customize colors, texts, buttons, and accent color to match your style. Paperless Post has a more editorial, print-inspired aesthetic. If you want animated, interactive invitations optimized for WhatsApp, InvitiApp is the better fit. If you want a luxury paper-like digital card, Paperless Post excels.
Can I use InvitiApp without spending any money?
Yes, up to a point. InvitiApp is free for its first 10 invitation views, with no credit card to get started; past that a one-time payment per invitation unlocks it — bigger guest lists mean that single payment, never a plan or a subscription. Paperless Post does have a free level — Flyers, plus the Card designs marked Free, for up to 50 recipients — but the premium Cards it is known for cost coins per recipient.
Does InvitiApp work for weddings like Paperless Post?
Yes. InvitiApp has wedding templates with elegant designs, RSVP tracking, and guest management — plus color customization to personalize every detail. The difference is that InvitiApp sends guests a shareable link they can open on their phone, while Paperless Post sends email invitations.
What happens if I need to change the event details after sending?
With InvitiApp, you edit the invitation and every guest automatically sees the updated details — because it's a live webpage. With Paperless Post, you may need to resend, which could cost additional coins.
Which is better for a birthday party — InvitiApp or Paperless Post?
InvitiApp is a strong choice for birthday parties, especially if guests are on WhatsApp. It is free for the first 10 guest views, which works for smaller gatherings; larger ones need a one-time payment per invitation, never a subscription. Paperless Post charges per invitation sent, which adds up quickly, and it's designed more for formal occasions.
Can I change the colors of my invitation on InvitiApp?
Yes. InvitiApp lets you customize the colors of your invitation — texts, buttons, and accent color — directly from the editor. This makes it easy to match your event's palette without starting from scratch.
How InvitiApp works — in 4 steps
Pick a template
Choose from designs built for your event type. Every template is mobile-ready and polished.
Add your details
Name, date, time, venue — fill in the form. Your venue becomes a Google Maps button automatically.
Publish and get your link
One click and your invitation is live at a unique URL you can share anywhere.
Share and track RSVPs
Paste the link in WhatsApp. Guests confirm with one tap. You watch the guest list fill up in real time.
Try the free Paperless Post alternative
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