Skip to main content
United Vows
Log in

The Knot alternatives for wedding vendors

The short answer

If you want to stop paying for advertising before you book, the main alternatives are pay-to-connect marketplaces like Zola and commission-only platforms like United Vows. WeddingWire is not an independent alternative: it belongs to The Knot Worldwide and sells the same WeddingPro plans. On United Vows, listing is free and you pay a 7 to 9% commission only on payments couples make you through it.

· See sources

How wedding vendors pay on each platform

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.

How wedding vendors pay on each platform
What we comparedUnited VowsThe KnotZolaWeddingWire
What couples payUnited VowsFree for couples, with no platform fees. The price a vendor quotes is the price you pay.[1]The KnotFree for couples to use its planning tools. It also sells invitations and stationery.[2]ZolaWebsite and guest list manager are free; Zola says it earns from gifts and stationery sold in its store. Custom domains start at $17.99.[3][4]WeddingWireFree for couples: planning tools, wedding website and registry.[5][6]
How vendors payUnited 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][7]The KnotAdvertising through WeddingPro: a free Basic storefront, or paid Premium plans with more placement and leads. Premium prices are not published on the plans page.[8]ZolaFree to be listed. Vendors spend credits to connect with couples who inquire, through pay-as-you-go or monthly and annual plans, and can decline a lead at no cost. Featured Spots are paid placement. Prices are not published on these pages.[9][10][11]WeddingWireAdvertising through WeddingPro: a free Basic storefront, or paid Premium plans with more placement and leads. Premium prices are not published on the plans page.[8]
Planning toolsUnited VowsA ready-made plan with tasks, timeline and reminders, a budget tracker, RSVP tracking, vendor matching and Vows Assistant for planning questions.[1]The KnotChecklist, budget tool, guest list manager, digital RSVPs and a mobile app.[2]ZolaFree guest list manager, online RSVPs with meal choices, and a seating chart tool.[3][12][13]WeddingWireChecklist, budget planner, seating chart and a mobile app for vendor messages, RSVPs and to-dos.[5]
Website and registryUnited VowsFree wedding website with sections drafted for you and online RSVPs.[1]The KnotFree wedding websites. Universal registry with its own store, synced retailer registries and cash funds. The Knot takes no percentage of cash gifts; guests paying by credit card pay a 2.5% processing fee, while Venmo is fee-free.[2][14]ZolaFree website with over 600 templates. Universal registry with gifts from any store and cash funds Zola describes as 0% fee; its help centre says a 2.5% card processing fee applies to cash gifts, paid by guests by default or by the couple if they choose.[12][15][16]WeddingWireFree customizable wedding website. The registry links gifts from other stores, existing retail registries and a honeymoon fund. Cash-gift fees are not published on the registry page.[5][6]
Vendor marketplaceUnited 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.[17][18]The KnotVendor Marketplace with about 175,000 wedding pros across the US in more than 20 categories, per The Knot.[2]ZolaA free vendor marketplace where couples discover, inquire with and book vendors, with personalized recommendations.[19]WeddingWireSearch over 158,000 local professionals with reviews, pricing and availability, per WeddingWire, which calls it the largest directory of local wedding vendors in the US.[5]
ReviewsUnited VowsVerified reviews come only from couples who booked and paid through United Vows. Nobody can buy one.[20]The KnotCouples review vendors, and vendors collect and display reviews on their storefronts. WeddingPro says The Knot and WeddingWire host more than 9 million couple reviews.[8]ZolaReviewers must be the vendor’s client or a fellow wedding professional, for an event in the last four years. To publish a listing, a vendor must request reviews from two couples and two fellow professionals.[21][22]WeddingWireOver 3 million vendor reviews, per WeddingWire. Couples' Choice Awards are determined by couple reviews.[5][23]

The Knot and WeddingWire are both part of The Knot Worldwide. Vendors advertise on both through the same WeddingPro plans.[8]

Where The Knot is still stronger for vendors

  • Audience: WeddingPro reports more than 15 million unique visitors a month across The Knot and WeddingWire.[8]
  • A far larger, long-established directory: about 175,000 wedding pros in more than 20 categories, and a brand The Knot says couples have trusted for 30 years.[2]
  • Review history: WeddingPro says The Knot and WeddingWire host more than 9 million couple reviews, so established vendors arrive with a track record.[8]

Where United Vows is different

  • Vendors pay no subscription and no lead fees. The only automatic charge is a 7 to 9% commission on payments couples make them through United Vows, and the rate drops as their booked contract value grows.[1]
  • Vendor business tools are included: proposals, contracts signed in the app, invoices, inbox, calendar, profit tracking per booking and email follow-ups.[1]
  • A verified review can only come from a couple who booked and paid through United Vows, so verified reviews cannot be bought.[20]
  • 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]
List your business freeSee vendor pricing

Questions people ask

What is a cheaper alternative to The Knot for vendors?
The Knot’s Basic storefront is free; the cost is in Premium plans, whose prices are not published. Zola lists vendors free and charges credits to connect with couples. United Vows lists free and charges 7 to 9% only of payments couples make you through it, with no subscription.
Is WeddingWire an alternative to The Knot?
Not for vendor costs. Both belong to The Knot Worldwide, and the same WeddingPro plans cover both sites.
Do I have to leave The Knot to join United Vows?
No. Listing on United Vows is free, so you can keep a storefront elsewhere and compare where your bookings come from.
What is the Founding Vendor program?
The first vendors in each category get a Founding Vendor badge and one percentage point off commission at the Starter and Established tiers, both for 3 years from approval. The cohort closes when its published cap is reached.

Keep exploring

Other comparisons

Wedding photographers by city

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. [1]United Vows: Pricing (checked October 6, 2026)
  2. [2]The Knot: The Knot FAQ (checked October 6, 2026)
  3. [3]Zola: Wedding guest list manager (checked October 6, 2026)
  4. [4]Zola: Does Zola sell custom domain names? (checked October 6, 2026)
  5. [5]WeddingWire: WeddingWire home page (checked October 6, 2026)
  6. [6]WeddingWire: WeddingWire Registry (checked October 6, 2026)
  7. [7]United Vows: Founding Vendor program (checked October 6, 2026)
  8. [8]WeddingPro (The Knot Worldwide): Advertising plans for wedding professionals (checked October 6, 2026)
  9. [9]Zola: What does it cost to be listed on Zola? (checked October 6, 2026)
  10. [10]Zola: Vendor Plans Terms and Conditions (checked October 6, 2026)
  11. [11]Zola: How does Featured Spots work? (checked October 6, 2026)
  12. [12]Zola: Free wedding websites (checked October 6, 2026)
  13. [13]Zola: Seating chart tool (checked October 6, 2026)
  14. [14]The Knot: The Knot Registry (checked October 6, 2026)
  15. [15]Zola: Wedding registry (checked October 6, 2026)
  16. [16]Zola: Who covers the 2.5% credit card processing fee for cash gifts? (checked October 6, 2026)
  17. [17]United Vows: For couples (checked October 6, 2026)
  18. [18]United Vows: How we list vendors (checked October 6, 2026)
  19. [19]Zola: What is Zola's Marketplace? (checked October 6, 2026)
  20. [20]United Vows: Home page: why join (checked October 6, 2026)
  21. [21]Zola: Who can leave a review? (checked October 6, 2026)
  22. [22]Zola: Why do I have to ask for reviews before being permitted to publish my listing? (checked October 6, 2026)
  23. [23]WeddingWire: Couples' Choice Awards (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.

The Knot alternatives for wedding vendors