Joy says its websites, planning tools and registry are free; some invitation and save-the-date designs are paid.

Can I find and book vendors on Joy?

Joy’s pages we checked do not publish a vendor marketplace. On United Vows, couples are matched with vendors on style, budget and location, and sign and pay them through Stripe in the app.

Which has the better cash registry?

Joy publishes a zero-fee cash registry that connects Venmo, PayPal and Cash App. This comparison does not cover United Vows cash gifts, so start with Joy’s page if cash gifts matter most to you.

United Vows vs Joy

The short answer

Both are free for couples. Joy is a strong choice for the guest side: a free website with hundreds of templates, RSVPs, a guest list manager and a universal registry with cash gifts through Venmo, PayPal and Cash App. Joy does not publish a vendor marketplace; United Vows adds vendor matching, contracts and payments to vendors, and verified reviews from couples who booked.

Last checked October 6, 2026 · See sources

United Vows and Joy, side by side

Facts about other companies come from their own pages and carry a numbered source. Where a company does not publish something, the cell says so.

United Vows and Joy, side by side
What we compared	United Vows	Joy
What couples pay	United VowsFree for couples, with no platform fees. The price a vendor quotes is the price you pay.^[1]	JoyWebsites, planning tools and registry are free. Some invitation and save-the-date designs are paid.^[2]
How vendors pay	United VowsFree to list. No subscription, no lead fees, no annual contract. Commission of 9%, 8% or 7% on payments couples make the vendor through United Vows; the rate falls as booked contract value grows. Founding Vendors get one point off at the first two tiers for 3 years.^[1]^[3]	JoyNot published
Planning tools	United VowsA ready-made plan with tasks, timeline and reminders, a budget tracker, RSVP tracking, vendor matching and Vows Assistant for planning questions.^[1]	JoyGuest list manager to collect addresses, import guests, send messages and track RSVPs.^[4]
Website and registry	United VowsFree wedding website with sections drafted for you and online RSVPs.^[1]	JoyFree website with hundreds of templates; custom domains can be bought through Joy. Universal registry. Joy says it takes no fee on cash gifts and connects Venmo, PayPal and Cash App so guests can give without a transaction fee.^[5]^[2]^[6]
Vendor marketplace	United VowsVendor directory with matches scored on style, budget and location. Listings show whether a vendor is verified; many start from public business data until the owner claims them. Couples sign and pay vendors through Stripe in the app.^[7]^[8]	JoyNot published
Reviews	United VowsVerified reviews come only from couples who booked and paid through United Vows. Nobody can buy one.^[9]	JoyNot published

Where Joy is stronger

Website depth: hundreds of free templates, online RSVPs, travel tools and a guest list manager, and Joy says over 2 million couples love it.^[5]
Cash gifts: Joy says it takes no fee and connects Venmo, PayPal and Cash App so guests can give without a transaction fee.^[6]
Guest communication: collect addresses, import lists, message guests and track RSVPs, plus a companion app for guests on the go.^[4]^[2]

Where United Vows is different

Couples are matched with vendors on style, budget and location. Sponsored placement is not available at launch; when it opens, every sponsored slot will be labeled.^[1]
Couples sign and pay their vendors through Stripe inside United Vows, next to their budget and checklist.^[7]
A verified review can only come from a couple who booked and paid through United Vows, so verified reviews cannot be bought.^[9]
Couples pay no platform fee. The commission comes from the vendor’s side, so the vendor’s quote is the couple’s total.^[1]

Start planning free United Vows for couples

Questions people ask

Is Joy free?: Joy says its websites, planning tools and registry are free; some invitation and save-the-date designs are paid.
Can I find and book vendors on Joy?: Joy’s pages we checked do not publish a vendor marketplace. On United Vows, couples are matched with vendors on style, budget and location, and sign and pay them through Stripe in the app.
Which has the better cash registry?: Joy publishes a zero-fee cash registry that connects Venmo, PayPal and Cash App. This comparison does not cover United Vows cash gifts, so start with Joy’s page if cash gifts matter most to you.

Sources

Every fact about another company comes from that company’s own website, read on the date shown. Prices and policies change. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it: support@unitedvows.com

[1]United Vows: Pricing (checked October 6, 2026)
[2]Joy: Joy FAQ (checked October 6, 2026)
[3]United Vows: Founding Vendor program (checked October 6, 2026)
[4]Joy: Wedding guest list manager (checked October 6, 2026)
[5]Joy: Free wedding websites (checked October 6, 2026)
[6]Joy: Zero-fee cash wedding registry (checked October 6, 2026)
[7]United Vows: For couples (checked October 6, 2026)
[8]United Vows: How we list vendors (checked October 6, 2026)
[9]United Vows: Home page: why join (checked October 6, 2026)

The Knot, WeddingWire, WeddingPro, Zola and Joy are trademarks of their owners. United Vows is not affiliated with them. This page compares published pricing and features, not the quality of any company’s service.