The best wedding planning apps of 2026, seated by what you need

Our pick for most couples is Amovera: one calm, private planner for guests, RSVPs, seating and budget, for a one-time $129. Want free? Zola (iPhone) and Joy are the best all-in-ones. You pay in marketing email and card fees instead.

Find your table: what matters most?

9 apps compared · prices and fees checked September 30, 2026 · We make Amovera. How we keep this fair.

I Most private, pay once

  • Our pick

    Guests, per-event RSVPs, seating and budget in one calm app. No ads, no vendor leads. $129 once.

    Gives upNo registry or website builder, no native app.

    $129 once

    • Unlimited guests, households and plus-ones
    • Separate RSVPs per event: welcome drinks, ceremony, brunch
    • Drag-and-drop seating that updates as RSVPs come in
    • Budget in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD or AUD, with PDF and CSV export
    • 60-day money-back guarantee
    Try Amovera

II Best free all-in-one

III Guests, RSVPs & seating

IV Registry & cash funds

V Finding vendors

VI Website & stationery

All 9 apps side by side

Amovera scores highest because it does the core planning jobs (guest list, RSVPs, seating, budget) without selling your attention. Zola, Joy and WeddingWire are free and strong, but each charges somewhere else: fees, paid unlocks or vendor leads. Scroll the table sideways on your phone.

Wedding planning apps compared: score, price and features
AppScorePriceVendor sharingGuest listOnline RSVPSeating chartBudget trackerMulti-eventWedding websiteRegistryVendor marketplaceMobile app
Amovera8.8$129 onceNoIncluded: Import from a spreadsheet or add guests manually; household/party grouping, custom groups, adult/child/infant counts, contact details, PDF guest reportsIncluded: Unique RSVP link per party, optional password, per-event RSVPs, plus-ones, dietary needs, follow-up reminder emailsIncluded: Drag-and-drop floor plan, round/square/rectangle/sweetheart tables, auto-build, linked to RSVPs, separate plan per event, printableIncluded: Categories and subcategories, planned/committed/partially paid/paid status, multiple payments per expense, due-date alerts, multi-currency (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD and more)Included: Unlimited events (ceremony, rehearsal dinner, brunch...) with own timeline, RSVPs and seating planNot available: No wedding website builder; guests get branded RSVP pages via their personal linkNot availableNot available: Deliberately none; no vendor listings or recommendationsLimited: works in mobile browser, no native app
WedSites7.1$39 onceNoPaid extra: Standard ($99) and up: unlimited guests, groups and households.Paid extra: Standard ($99) and up: online RSVP per event, custom questions, meal choices and dietary needs.Paid extra: Pro ($199): list-based drag-and-drop with named tables (no visual table shapes), colour-coded by guest group, print view and CSV export. No place or escort cards.Paid extra: Pro ($199): budget calculator with tracking and vendor payment reminders; budget export.Paid extra: Standard ($99) and up: multi-event RSVP management.Paid extra: Free to design, $39+ to publish. Drag-and-drop builder, all themes, password protection, custom domain included. Multilingual site on Pro.Limited: Links to outside registries only; no built-in registry.Not availableNot available: Web only; works in a mobile browser.
Zola6.7Free + paid extrasOn inquiryIncluded: Plus-ones, children, addresses, Contact Collector link, spreadsheet and AI import, free envelope addressing. App reviewers note only two adults per household unit.Included: Online RSVP on your wedding website, meal choices, custom questions, RSVP per event.Paid extra: Drag-and-drop tables, custom shapes, PDF/Excel export, pulls in guests from your list. Free up to 15 guests, then $14.99; help center says iOS app only.Included: Allocation suggestions based on total budget, payment reminders, contract upload.Included: Guests can RSVP to several events (rehearsal, welcome party, etc.) on your site.Included: Free templates matched to Zola stationery; animations and effects are a paid add-on. Custom domain extra.Included: Universal registry with group gifts and cash funds; 2.5% card fee on cash gifts (guest-paid by default) or zero-fee Venmo option; 20% completion discount for 6 months after the wedding.Included: US vendor directory; vendors pay Zola for leads.Limited: iOS app rated 4.9 (about 98K ratings). The Android app was shut down on January 1, 2023; Android users must use the mobile website.
Bridebook6.6FreeOn inquiryIncluded: Groups/parties, plus-ones, dietary needs, day vs evening invitations; import from Excel, Google Sheets or CSV.Included: Online RSVP via the wedding website, per event, custom questions, one guest can reply for their whole party; message guests from the inbox.Not available: No table planner; you can group guests and export the list to build a seating plan elsewhere.Included: Auto-generated budget breakdown from your total, 4 categories, estimated vs booked costs, free-text payment and deposit notes.Included: Create multiple events (engagement party, ceremony, reception) and assign guests to each.Included: Free wedding website with RSVPs, gift list and accommodation info.Limited: You can add gift list details to the wedding website; no built-in cash fund or store.Included: Large UK venue and supplier directory with filters, prices and couple reviews; also venues abroad. Paying suppliers get extra visibility.Included: iOS and Android apps, synced with the web version.
Joy6.4Free + paid extrasNoIncluded: Households/parties, named or blank plus-ones, tags (A/B list, side, custom), Contact Collector, CSV import.Included: RSVP per event, meal and dietary questions, custom questions, email reminders free (text reminders paid).Not available: No seating chart tool is listed in Joy's help center or pricing page.Limited: Joy shows a simple budget tracker (category, budgeted, actual, paid); independent comparisons call it minimal or absent, and it is not listed in Joy's help-center overview.Included: Separate RSVPs for ceremony, reception, rehearsal and other events.Included: Free themes, schedule, travel, Q&A and accommodations pages; custom domain about $19.99/year.Included: Universal registry plus Joy Shop; no Joy fee on Venmo/PayPal/Cash App cash funds; card gifts carry a guest-paid Stripe fee; 20% completion discount after the wedding.Not availableIncluded: iOS rated 4.8 (about 8.7K ratings); Android rated lower at 4.4 (about 12.4K reviews).
WeddingWire6.3FreeOn inquiryIncluded: Import contacts, group guests, sort by category, meal and dietary choices, export the list to send to your stationer.Included: RSVPs and meal selections on the wedding website sync to the guest list, per event.Included: Drag-and-drop floor plan with round or square tables plus dance floor and DJ booth, synced to the guest list, for several events; print, email or export as a chart or list.Included: Estimates category costs from your total budget, custom categories and line items, paid vs pending. Due dates, export and currencies are not mentioned.Included: Guest list and seating for rehearsal dinner, brunch and other events.Included: Free, custom URL, password protection and hiding from search, RSVP sync, registry links.Limited: Links retailer registries (e.g. Target, Amazon, Crate & Barrel) and honeymoon funds like Traveler's Joy in one place; no native cash fund found.Included: Shares the vendor network behind The Knot (WeddingPro storefronts appear on both).Included: iPhone and Android; one 2025 review says the iOS app is not formatted for iPad.
Appy Couple5.3From $12/moNoIncluded: Guest list manager with upload/export, family and couple groups, plus-ones and an address collection tool.Included: Custom RSVP forms (menu choices, travel, song requests), RSVP notifications and reminders; per-event RSVPs.Not availableNot availableIncluded: Multiple events with privacy controls, so only invited guests see e.g. the rehearsal dinner.Included: Hundreds of boutique designs, drag-and-drop editing, password protection with guest-list matching, multi-language. Custom domain about $19.99/yr extra.Limited: Registry integration/links to outside registries; no own registry.Not availableIncluded: Branded guest app (iOS and Android, free for guests) with schedule, photo sharing, guestbook, toasts and chat; hosts can edit in the app.
Minted5.2FreeNoIncluded: Guest list lives in the Minted address book; import, add manually or send an address-collection link. The same list feeds envelope printing and place cards.Included: Guests look themselves up by name and answer for their whole party; multiple-choice (e.g. entrees) and short-answer questions, required or optional.Not available: No digital seating chart tool. You can order printed seating charts and place cards.Not availableIncluded: Invite guests per event (e.g. rehearsal dinner); private events only show to invited guests.Included: Free, hundreds of artist themes, password protection and option to hide from search engines. Custom domain $15/yr.Limited: Displays links to outside retailer and cash registries; no own registry.Not availableLimited: Website is mobile-friendly. The only app is 'Minted: The Address Book' (iOS), not a wedding planning app.
The Knot4.2FreeOn inquiryIncluded: Guests organised by person and household, import from phone contacts or spreadsheets, gift tracking and thank-you tracking.Included: RSVP through the wedding website, per event, with meal choice synced back to the guest list. Several 2026 App Store reviews say custom text/email messages to guests were removed or reduced.Not available: No digital seating chart tool found in the help center (Sept 2026); The Knot sells printed seating-chart signs instead.Limited: Budget Advisor estimates local wedding costs. The old expense-tracking Budgeter was retired; saved budgets were viewable only until July 31, 2025.Included: Multiple events in the guest list with per-event RSVPs.Included: Free wedding website synced with the guest list and registry; matching designs with The Knot stationery.Included: Universal registry plus Cash Funds; The Knot takes no cut, but guests pay 2.5% on card payments.Included: About 200,000 US vendors and 14.6M reviews (company figures, Feb 2026).Included: iOS and Android; several 2026 reviews report freezes and parts of the guest list not loading in the app.

Included IncludedPaid extra Paid extraLimited LimitedNot available Not available

Filter the full comparison by feature

What “free” really costs

Free wedding apps are paid for by someone. Usually it is vendors buying your details, guests paying card fees on cash gifts, or you, when a feature turns paid halfway through. Here is what each free app says in its own policies and help pages. Tap source to see the exact wording.

The best free wedding planning apps, ranked

The bill

What “free” costs

Itemized from the apps’ own pricing and help pages

Hidden costs of free wedding planning apps
Zola seating chart, past 15 guestsiOS in-app unlock$14.99
Zola: text your whole guest listpaid upgrade$59.99+
Card fee on $2,000 of Zola cash gifts2.5%, guests pay by default$50.00
Joy: cash-fund bank transferStripe fee, per transfer$1.70
Minted custom web addressper year$15.00
The Knot vendor inquiriesyour details go to each vendoryour inbox
Totalnot $0
Example: cash-gift total is illustrative; fees are as published on September 30, 2026.

Zola

  • Cash funds paid by card carry a 2.5% processing fee, shown to guests as a 'Handling Fee' by default; couples can choose to absorb it instead. A zero-fee Venmo option exists.
  • The seating chart is only free for up to 15 guests.
  • Texting your whole guest list requires a paid upgrade.
  • Zola shares personal information with advertising partners and offers an opt-out of targeted ads and the 'sale/sharing' of your data.
    sourceAs we described above, we share your Personal Information with third-party partners who provide advertising and marketing services to us. If you would like to exercise your right to opt-out of targeted advertising, as well as the sale/sharing of your Personal Information, please visit our Privacy Center and fill out our Opt-Out Request Form.Zola Privacy Policy (last updated October 9, 2025)Checked September 30, 2026
  • Zola uses ad networks that track your activity across websites over time to show you tailored ads.
    sourceThese networks track your online activities over time by collecting information through automated means, including the use of Cookies. The ad networks use this information to show you advertisements that are tailored to your individual interests.Zola Privacy Policy (last updated October 9, 2025)Checked September 30, 2026

Bridebook

  • Bridebook promises to get express opt-in consent before sharing personal data with any other company for marketing.
    sourceWe will get your express opt-in consent before we share your personal data with any other company for marketing purposes.Bridebook Privacy Policy (last updated 16 May 2018)Checked September 30, 2026
  • Bridebook receives data from advertising networks such as the Facebook pixel.
    source(b) advertising networks such as Facebook pixel with servers based outside the EU; andBridebook Privacy Policy (last updated 16 May 2018)Checked September 30, 2026

Joy

  • Joy charges no fee on cash funds paid via Venmo, PayPal or Cash App (those platforms may charge their own, e.g. for instant transfers), but card contributions carry a Stripe processing fee paid by the guest (3.5% in Joy's August 2026 help-center example; 'subject to change').
  • A $1.70 Stripe fee applies each time you transfer a card-funded cash balance to your bank.
  • Texting guests requires Messaging Plus; you're asked to buy it when you send your first text.
  • Joy says it 'sells' some personal data, including identifiers and internet activity, as defined by California law (CCPA).
    sourceWe "sell" certain personal data to third parties, as that term is defined in the CCPA, including Personal Identifiers and Internet Activity.Joy Privacy Policy (last updated Aug 28, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026
  • Joy shares identifiers and internet activity with third-party ad networks for behavioral (targeted) advertising.
    sourceWe “share” certain personal information with third party ad networks for purposes of behavioral advertising, including Personal Identifiers and Internet Activity. This allows us to show you ads that are more relevant to you.Joy Privacy Policy (last updated Aug 28, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026

WeddingWire

  • No fees from WeddingWire itself. Cash or honeymoon funds go through linked third-party services such as Traveler's Joy, which may charge their own fees.
  • When you message a vendor, WeddingWire may pass your information and the message to that vendor so it can contact you.
    sourceWe will share your information with other individuals and services at your request. For example, if you communicate with a vendor you connect with through the Services, we may share information, as well as the contents of your message, so that the vendor may contact you pursuant to such vendor’s privacy policy and applicable legal agreements.WeddingWire Privacy Policy (effective January 10, 2025)Checked September 30, 2026
  • WeddingWire uses third-party ad technology that can show you tailored ads on other sites and apps based on your activity.
    sourceThe Services may integrate third-party advertising technologies that allow for the delivery of relevant content and advertising on the Services, as well as on other websites you visit and other applications you use. The ads may be based on various factors such as the content of the page you are visiting, your searches, demographic data, user-generated content, and other information we collect from you. These ads may be based on your current activity or your activity over time and across other websites and online services and may be tailored to your interests.WeddingWire Privacy Policy (effective January 10, 2025)Checked September 30, 2026

Minted

  • Custom domain is a recurring $15/year, not a one-time fee.
  • The website is a funnel for printed stationery: classic 7x5 invitations start around $2.34 each at a 100-card order (petite from about $2.00), before envelopes, addressing extras and shipping.
  • The $50 stationery credit only helps if you buy Minted paper goods.
  • Minted says it does not sell data for money, but some of its data disclosures may count as a 'sale' or 'sharing' under California law.
    sourceWe do not sell your personal information for monetary profit. However, we engage in certain information disclosure activities that may be considered “sales” or “sharing” under California Law.Minted Privacy Policy (last updated September 10, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026
  • Minted may disclose identifiers, purchase and browsing data to ad networks such as Facebook, including for targeted ads on other sites.
    sourceAd Networks and Affiliate Marketing – we may disclose certain categories of personal information including identifiers, commercial information, and internet or similar network activity to parties such as Facebook for these purposesMinted Privacy Policy (last updated September 10, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026

The Knot

  • Guests who pay into a Cash Fund by credit or banking card at The Knot's direct checkout pay a 2.5% processing fee; couples cannot cover it. Paying through Venmo (Venmo balance, linked bank account or linked debit card) is fee-free.
  • Printed card backs on invitations and save-the-dates cost $0.35 per card (introduced July 2025).
  • When you contact a vendor through The Knot, your information and message may be passed to that vendor so it can contact you.
    sourceWe will disclose your information to other individuals and services at your request. For example, if you communicate with a vendor you connect with through the Services, we may disclose information, as well as the contents of your message, so that the vendor may contact you pursuant to such vendor’s privacy policy and applicable legal agreements.The Knot Worldwide Privacy Policy (effective September 16, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026
  • The Knot Worldwide says some disclosures of personal data to unaffiliated third parties may count as a 'sale' under US state privacy laws.
    sourceAs explained in the “How We Disclose Your Information” section above, we sometimes disclose information to unaffiliated third parties to provide offers that we think may be of value to you. This disclosure of information may be considered a “sale” under applicable laws.The Knot Worldwide Privacy Policy (effective September 16, 2026)Checked September 30, 2026

Every app, ranked and reviewed

Ranked by our overall score. Each summary links to a full review with sources.

1

Amovera

Best for: Couples who want one calm, ad-free place for guests, RSVPs, seating and budget, especially for multi-event or multi-currency weddings, and would rather pay once than be marketed to.

8.8/10

Amovera is the pick if privacy and a fixed price matter more to you than a free tier: $129 once buys guest list, per-event RSVPs, drag-and-drop seating, a detailed budget tracker and partner collaboration with no ads or vendor spam. It is new and web-only, has no registry and no independent reviews yet, so lean on the 60-day refund to decide.

Price
$129 once
Platforms
Web
Rating
No app store ratings yet

What we like

  • One payment of $129 covers every feature for good, with a 60-day no-questions refund, so there are no upsells to budget for.
  • No vendor marketplace and no lead-sharing: signing up does not put your email or phone number in front of caterers and photographers.
  • Strong multi-event support: each event (ceremony, rehearsal dinner, brunch) gets its own RSVPs, timeline and seating plan.

Watch out for

  • No native iOS or Android app; on your phone it runs in the browser only.
  • No gift registry, so you will need a separate registry service.
  • No free tier: you pay $129 upfront and rely on the 60-day refund to try it.

We make Amovera. How we keep this fair.

2

WedSites

Best for: Organized couples who want a website, RSVPs and planning tools in one place for a single one-time payment and can live without an app.

7.1/10

WedSites is the best one-time-payment option if you want your website, guest list, RSVPs and planning tools together: $99 covers guests and RSVPs, $199 adds checklist, budget and seating. There is no free published site and no app, and hosting ends after 6 to 24 months, so check how long you need the site live before choosing a plan.

Price
$39 once
Platforms
Web
Rating
No app store ratings yet

What we like

  • One-time pricing ($39, $99 or $199) with no subscription, and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
  • The $199 Pro plan combines website, guest list, RSVPs, checklist, budget, vendors, seating and timeline in one login.
  • Multi-event RSVPs with custom questions, meal and dietary tracking on the $99 Standard plan.

Watch out for

  • You can't publish for free; RSVP needs at least the $99 plan and planning tools need $199.
  • Hosting runs out after 6, 12 or 24 months; keeping the site up costs from $5/month.
  • No iOS or Android app.
3

Zola

Best for: US couples on iPhone who want one free place for their website, registry, guest list and budget, and who plan to register for physical gifts.

6.7/10

Zola is the best free all-in-one choice for US couples on iPhone: the website, registry, guest list and budget tools work well together and cost nothing. Be ready to pay $14.99 for a seating chart over 15 guests, to pay extra for group texts, and for marketing email. There's no Android app.

Price
Free + paid extras
Platforms
Web, iOS
Rating
4.9 on Apple App Store (97,659 ratings)

What we like

  • Website, registry, guest list, budget and checklist are free and all connected in one account.
  • Guest list and RSVPs are strong: per-event RSVPs, meal choices, a Contact Collector link for addresses, and CSV/Excel export.
  • 20% completion discount on unpurchased Zola registry items for six months after the wedding.

Watch out for

  • No Android app since January 2023, so Android couples plan in the mobile browser.
  • The seating chart is free only up to 15 guests ($14.99 to unlock) and, per Zola's help center, iOS-only.
  • Texting your whole guest list is a paid upgrade ($59.99–$79.99 in-app).
4

Bridebook

Best for: UK couples who want a free all-in-one planner built around finding and booking a venue and suppliers.

6.6/10

Bridebook is the best free all-in-one pick for UK couples whose biggest job is finding a venue and suppliers: the directory, checklist, budget, guest list, RSVPs and website cost nothing. The trade-off is that suppliers pay for visibility, there is no seating chart, and some users report slowness and disruptive redesigns. Outside the UK, its directory is much less useful.

Price
Free
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Rating
4.8 on App Store (10,139 ratings)

What we like

  • Completely free for couples: every planning tool, including the wedding website and RSVPs, costs nothing.
  • The UK venue and supplier directory is the main draw, with filters, prices and couple reviews; Bridebook says 1.9 million+ weddings have been planned on it.
  • Guest tools cover the UK basics well: day vs evening invites, plus-ones, dietary needs, per-event RSVPs and custom RSVP questions.

Watch out for

  • No seating chart tool; you export the guest list and do the table plan elsewhere.
  • Paid supplier promotion shapes what you see, and some couples feel the app is built to collect their details for suppliers.
  • Deposit tracking is a free-text notes field, not proper payment schedules or due-date reminders.
5

Joy

Best for: Couples who mainly want a free wedding website with strong RSVPs and a cash fund without Joy fees, planning together with a partner or family.

6.4/10

Joy is the best free choice if your priorities are the wedding website, RSVPs and a cash fund: guest tools are excellent and Joy charges no fees on Venmo/PayPal/Cash App gifts. It isn't a full planner. There's no seating chart or checklist, the budget tool is thin, and texting and premium designs cost extra.

Price
Free + paid extras
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Rating
4.4 on Google Play (12,400 ratings)

What we like

  • Website, guest list, RSVPs, digital invites and registry are free, with unlimited guests.
  • RSVP tools are among the best in the category: households, plus-ones, per-event RSVPs, meal and custom questions.
  • Joy charges no fee on cash funds paid via Venmo, PayPal or Cash App (the platforms may charge for instant transfers).

Watch out for

  • No seating chart and no planning checklist, so you'll need another tool for those.
  • Budget tracking is basic at best.
  • Card contributions to cash funds add a Stripe fee for guests (3.5% in Joy's own example) and $1.70 per bank transfer for you.
6

WeddingWire

Best for: Couples who want a free, all-in-one planner with a real seating chart and budget tracker, plus a large US vendor directory.

6.3/10

WeddingWire is the stronger planning toolkit of the two Knot Worldwide brands. Everything is free, the seating chart is real, the budget tracker works and you can link a partner account. The trade-offs are the same as The Knot's: vendor inquiries feed a lead-selling business, data is shared across the group and with ad partners, and vendors rate the company badly.

Price
Free
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Rating
4.8 on Apple App Store (45,890 ratings)

What we like

  • Every planning tool is free, with no paid tier and no couple-side fees.
  • A proper drag-and-drop seating chart with table shapes and floor elements, synced to RSVPs, for several events.
  • Budget planner tracks paid vs pending and pulls in vendor prices from the Vendor Manager.

Watch out for

  • Messaging vendors shares your details, and the app nudges you to message similar vendors in bulk, which leads to more follow-up.
  • The privacy policy allows sharing within the company group, with marketing partners and with ad technology providers unless you opt out.
  • No native cash fund; registry is mostly linking to other stores.
7

Appy Couple

Best for: Couples with multi-day or destination weddings who want a guest app with private events, schedules and photo sharing.

5.3/10

Appy Couple is the best choice if you want a real guest app for a multi-event or destination wedding, with private invites per event and shared photos. At $99/year (or $12/month) plus about $19.99/year for a domain, it costs more than free website builders and has no planning tools, so it only pays off if your guests will actually use the app.

Price
From $12/mo
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Rating
4.8 on Apple App Store (6,166 ratings)

What we like

  • One subscription ($99/year or $12/month) covers the website, a branded guest app and digital invitations.
  • The guest app is rated 4.8/5 from 6,100+ ratings on the US App Store and is free for guests.
  • Private multi-event invites: guests only see and RSVP to the events they are invited to.

Watch out for

  • It is a subscription; a long engagement on the monthly plan costs more than the $99 annual plan, and the domain is another ~$19.99/year.
  • No seating chart, budget, checklist or vendor tools.
  • Many guests never download the app, which undercuts the main reason to pay.
8

Minted

Best for: Design-focused couples who plan to buy printed invitations and want a free, matching wedding website with solid RSVPs.

5.2/10

Minted is the best pick if you want a free wedding website that matches your printed invitations; the site, RSVPs and multi-event invites cost nothing and a real domain is $15/year. It has no seating, budget or checklist tools, so pair it with a separate planner, and budget for stationery, which is where Minted earns its money.

Price
Free
Platforms
Web
Rating
4.4 on Apple App Store (2,636 ratings)

What we like

  • The website is free, including RSVP, guest list, multi-event invites and password protection.
  • A real custom domain costs $15/year, cheaper than most competitors' domain add-ons.
  • Site, save the dates, invitations and thank-you cards can share one artist design, and you can switch designs without losing entered info.

Watch out for

  • No seating chart, budget, checklist or vendor tools: it is a website and stationery shop, not a planner.
  • Printed stationery is the real cost; classic invitations start around $2.34 each at 100 cards before extras.
  • Minted's Trustpilot score is 2.5/5 across 2,300+ reviews, mostly about late shipping, print errors and slow support on stationery orders.
9

The Knot

Best for: Couples in the US who mainly want to find and compare local vendors and are happy to use a free website, registry and guest list in the same place.

4.2/10

The Knot is the best choice if finding US vendors is your main job: its marketplace is the biggest, and the website, guest list and registry are free. As a planning tool it has fallen behind. It dropped its expense tracker in 2025 and has no seating chart or partner accounts, and every inquiry feeds a lead-driven vendor business. Use it for discovery and the website, and plan the rest somewhere else.

Price
Free
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Rating
4.9 on Apple App Store (221,658 ratings)

What we like

  • Everything is free for couples: guest list, website with RSVPs, checklist, registry and vendor search.
  • Largest US vendor marketplace, with about 200,000 vendors and 14.6M reviews to compare.
  • Guest list groups people into households and handles RSVPs and meal choices for several events.

Watch out for

  • No real budget tracker since mid-2025: Budget Advisor estimates costs but doesn't track what you've paid.
  • No digital seating chart tool.
  • No partner accounts: the help center suggests sharing one login.

The setup we'd use ourselves

Plan in Amovera: guest list, RSVPs per event, seating and budget, private and paid once. Open a free Zola or Joy registry for gifts and cash funds. You keep the registry perks without handing your whole guest list to a vendor marketplace.

How we score

Every app is scored 0 to 10 on the same eight criteria, from its pricing pages, help center, privacy policy, app store ratings and what couples report on Reddit and review sites. Prices and fees were last checked on September 30, 2026.

  1. Price & transparency15%
  2. Privacy & vendor spam20%
  3. Guest list & RSVP15%
  4. Seating chart10%
  5. Budget tracker10%
  6. Collaboration10%
  7. Export & data ownership10%
  8. Ease of use10%

Read the full method

How we compared 9 wedding planning apps (36 seconds, no sound)
Read the transcript

We score every app on the same eight criteria: privacy and vendor spam (20%), price and transparency (15%), guest list and RSVP (15%), and seating chart, budget tracker, collaboration, export and data ownership, and ease of use (10% each). Overall scores: Amovera 8.8, WedSites 7.1, Zola 6.7, Bridebook 6.6, Joy 6.4, WeddingWire 6.3, Appy Couple 5.3, Minted 5.2, The Knot 4.2. Free apps are paid for somewhere else: Zola's seating chart past 15 guests costs $14.99, texting your guest list $59.99 and up, card gifts carry a 2.5% fee; Joy charges $1.70 per bank transfer; a Minted custom web address is $15 a year; The Knot passes your details to every vendor you contact. Find your table: most private and pay once, Amovera; best free all-in-one, Zola and Joy; best free seating chart, WeddingWire; finding vendors, The Knot and Bridebook.

Questions couples ask

What is the best wedding planning app in 2026?

For most couples who want one private place for guests, RSVPs, seating and budget, we pick Amovera ($129 once, no ads, no vendor leads). If you need everything free, Zola is the best free all-in-one on iPhone and Joy has the friendliest free website and RSVP flow.

What is the best free wedding planning app?

Zola, if you use an iPhone and want a registry: website, guest list, budget and checklist are free. Joy, if you mainly need a beautiful website and RSVPs (and use Android). WeddingWire has the best free seating chart. All three make money from vendors, registries or ads, so expect marketing email. See the best free wedding planning apps.

Are The Knot and WeddingWire the same company?

Yes. Both are owned by The Knot Worldwide. Each has its own privacy policy, and both allow sharing your details within the company group, with vendors you contact, and with partners for marketing. See our The Knot and WeddingWire reviews.

How do I avoid vendor spam when planning a wedding?

Reddit's most repeated tip is a separate wedding email address that both partners can read. Beyond that: only send vendor inquiries you mean, check marketing settings on day one, and use a planner that does not sell leads. Amovera, Joy, Minted and WedSites do not pass your details to vendors; The Knot, WeddingWire, Zola and Bridebook do when you contact vendors through them.

Is it worth paying for a wedding planning app?

It is worth it when the free apps' business model costs you more than the price: card fees on cash gifts, paid unlocks like Zola's $14.99 seating chart, and hours of marketing email. The average US wedding costs about $34,000 and hires 13 vendors (The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study), so a $129 tool is under 0.4% of the budget.

What do people on Reddit recommend for wedding planning?

Reddit threads in r/weddingplanning mostly land on a hybrid: Google Sheets for the budget and master guest list, plus Zola or Joy for the website and RSVPs, and WeddingWire's free tool for seating. The biggest complaints are vendor spam after signing up, RSVPs going missing, and paid unlocks found halfway through.

Which wedding app is best for a multi-day or destination wedding?

Pick an app with separate RSVPs per event. Amovera gives every event its own guest list, RSVPs and seating plan. Zola and Joy also support per-event RSVPs on your website. 37% of couples host at least one extra event, according to Zola's 2026 First Look Report.

Can I use more than one wedding app?

Yes, and many couples do. A common honest setup: plan in one private app (guests, seating, budget), and use Zola or Joy only for the registry. That keeps the free registry perks without handing your whole guest list to a marketplace.