Comparison
STEVEN vs Zola: which one fits your wedding?
Zola is the better pick if you want a free US registry and a wedding website. STEVEN is the better pick if you want to actually run the wedding - RSVPs, seating, budget, QR check-in, and Filipino roles like sponsors and entourage - for a one-time $15.
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Feature by feature
| Feature | STEVEN | Zola |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free up to 50 guests; $15 one-time per wedding (up to 200 guests) | Free for couples (monetized through registry and vendor commissions) |
| Best for | Filipino weddings and couples planning their own event | US couples who want a registry and wedding website |
| Online RSVP collection | Shareable link, works over Messenger or SMS | Through your Zola wedding website |
| Wedding website builder | Public event + RSVP page, not a full website builder | Full website builder with templates |
| Gift registry | One of Zola's core strengths | |
| QR code guest check-in | Scan or name search at the door, live arrival counts | |
| Filipino wedding roles (ninong/ninang, sponsors, entourage) | Built into guest groups | Generic guest list categories |
| Guest photo/video sharing (Memories) | Guests upload straight from the reception | |
| Seating chart | Tied to your RSVP list, with floor-plan sketching | |
| Budget and expense tracking | Not a core feature | |
| Vendor marketplace | Track your own vendors instead | US vendors only |
| Real-time collaboration | Partner, family, and coordinator with own accounts | Shared account access |
Zola details based on publicly available information as of mid-2026. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.
Where each one wins
Pick STEVEN if…
- One-time $15 payment for your wedding - no subscription to cancel later
- Filipino wedding context built in: principal sponsors, entourage, ninong/ninang roles
- QR check-in with live arrival tracking on the wedding day itself
- Guest memories gallery - photos and videos collected from your guests
- Real-time collaboration where everyone gets their own login
Pick Zola if…
- Completely free for couples - revenue comes from the registry side
- Excellent gift registry, one of the best in the US
- Full wedding website builder with polished templates
- Large US vendor marketplace with reviews
- Established brand with paper invitations and stationery
STEVEN vs Zola, answered.
Is Zola really free?
Yes. Zola is free for couples because it earns from registry purchases and vendor bookings. STEVEN's free Starter tier covers events up to 50 guests; the $15 one-time Plus payment unlocks publishing your RSVP page and up to 200 guests.
Can I use STEVEN and Zola together?
Plenty of couples do. Use Zola for your registry and wedding website, and STEVEN for the operational side - guest list, RSVPs, seating, budget, and day-of QR check-in. They don't conflict.
Does STEVEN have a gift registry?
No. STEVEN focuses on planning and the wedding day itself - guests, RSVPs, budget, seating, check-in, and memories. If a registry matters to you, Zola or a local alternative handles that side better.
Why pay $15 when Zola is free?
You're paying for things Zola doesn't do: QR check-in at the venue, Filipino wedding roles like sponsors and entourage, guest photo collection, and collaboration where your coordinator gets their own login. If you don't need those, Zola's free tools may be enough.
Does STEVEN work for weddings outside the Philippines?
Yes. STEVEN is built Filipino-first - the guest roles and multi-venue flows assume that context - but everything works for weddings anywhere. Zola, by contrast, is heavily US-focused, especially its registry and vendor marketplace.
Still spreadsheet-curious? Read STEVEN vs spreadsheets or compare plans on the pricing page.