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Paperless Post vs. CinematicCard

What’s the difference?

A CinematicCard is a greeting card made from your own memories.

A regular card is something you pick.
A CinematicCard is made from your memories.

Paperless Post is known for designed online invitations and cards, paid for with Coins, with RSVP tracking for events.

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Your first CinematicCard is free · No account needed

Paperless Post card editor with an uploaded photo on a card and envelope
Paperless Post A designed online card
An opened CinematicCard showing a photo of an older couple embracing beneath a personal message
CinematicCard Made from your memories

See how each one is made

How a Paperless Post card is made

You choose a Card or Flyer design, sign in, customize it — including uploading a photo — and send it using Coins.

Paperless Post Full-Page Photo card design with a Customize button Paperless Post sign in or create account window Paperless Post editor placing an uploaded photo on the card front Paperless Post editor customizing a Mother’s Day brunch invitation Paperless Post event receipt showing a total cost of 5 Coins Paperless Post page listing Coin packs for purchase

Screenshots of paperlesspost.com captured in spring 2026; the site may have changed since.

And a CinematicCard

How a CinematicCard is made

It starts on your phone, with the moments you already have. The hardest part is choosing them — after that, creating the card takes less than a minute.

CinematicCard builder with eight photos chosen from a phone above the card preview CinematicCard form with the name Mom, a personal message and a music choice CinematicCard preview of a sealed Mother’s Day card for Mom, from Sam An opened CinematicCard showing a photo of an older couple embracing beneath a personal message CinematicCard cash gift options for Venmo, PayPal and Cash App beside the card An opened CinematicCard showing a photo of a mother and young child in a flower field

The fundamental difference

What is the card made from?

Paperless Post

The card comes first

  1. Choose a Card or Flyer design
  2. Customize it, add a photo
  3. Send it by email, text or link
CinematicCard

The memories come first

  1. Choose your memories
  2. Add your words, music or voice
  3. Create your CinematicCard
  4. Relive them together

Paperless Post cards are beautifully designed, and you can upload your own photo or design. But they start with the design — the look of the card comes first, then your details.

A CinematicCard starts with the moments already on your phone. You choose the ones that matter, and those memories become the card, played with your words and your music or voice.

Why it matters

Don’t let your memories get lost in your phone.

We take thousands of photos because the moments matter. Then most of them disappear into the camera roll. A CinematicCard gives the ones that mean the most a reason to come back.

Those memories aren’t just added to the card. They are the card.

Relive your most precious memories with the people who matter most — and be the one who made someone feel remembered.

An opened CinematicCard showing a photo of a mother and young child in a flower field

What you can create

What goes into a CinematicCard

  • Up to 20 momentsThe photos on your phone that bring a memory back.
  • Your wordsTheir name, your message, your sign-off.
  • Your musicA soundtrack for the occasion, or your own song.
  • Your own voiceA voice message you recorded on your phone.
  • An optional giftCash inside the card, with the Signature card.
  • A cinematic presentationYour memories play one by one, as the card.

Send it to one person, a group, or many people at once. Your first CinematicCard is free.

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Real reactions

What happens when the memories come back

Thank-you notes from people who received a CinematicCard, shared with us and quoted as written.

“Your Father’s Day Cinematic Card was so unique, special and beautiful. It meant so much to me; personal, touching, heartfelt and emotional. Yes, I did cry seeing photos of me with you and your sister as kids! As you grow older, it’s all about memories, and the animated Cinematic Card captured them exquisitely. Thank you!”

— Dad

“I feel so loved and grateful to be the mum to such a big hearted and sweet sweet guy. Those photos are so special reminding me of how I have loved nothing more than being with you and watching you grow. You are an amazing son and I love you very much and am super proud of you. Thank you angel boy for everything xx”

— Mum

The details

Paperless Post and CinematicCard, side by side

Paperless Post vs. CinematicCard comparison
 CinematicCardPaperless Post
Starting pointYour own memories: the photos on your phone, your music or voice, your messageA Card or Flyer design from its collection, or one you upload
Your photosUp to 20, played as a cinematic slideshowUpload your own design image; add a video section (paid)
SoundA soundtrack, or your own audio file (WAV, MP3 or MP4) — a song or a voice messageAn optional video block with sound (paid)
PricingFirst card free, then from $3.99 per card; no subscriptionFree designs for up to 50 people; paid designs 2–8 Coins per person; annual Pro subscription
Best known forPersonal greeting cards made from your memoriesInvitations with RSVP, delivery and open tracking
DeliveryA link by text or any messaging app, or email; scheduling availableEmail, text (US/Canada) or shareable link; scheduling

Paperless Post details checked against their own websites and help centers in September 2026. Features and prices can change.

Sources

CinematicCard details are from CinematicCard.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between Paperless Post and CinematicCard?
Paperless Post Cards and Flyers start with a design from its collection, and invitations can track RSVPs. A CinematicCard is a greeting card made from your own memories: up to 20 photos from your phone play as a cinematic slideshow with music or your own voice, and your message.
How does Paperless Post pricing compare with CinematicCard?
According to Paperless Post’s Help Center, free designs can be sent to up to 50 people without Coins, and paid designs cost 2, 5 or 8 Coins per person. Your first CinematicCard is free; after that cards start at $3.99 each, with no subscription.
Which is better for a party invitation?
For inviting a group and tracking RSVPs, Paperless Post is designed around that. CinematicCard is built for personal greeting cards made from your memories, and also offers separate event invitations with RSVPs.
Can I add my own song or a voice message to a CinematicCard?
Yes. Pick a soundtrack for your theme, or upload your own audio file (WAV, MP3 or MP4) — a song that means something, or a voice message you recorded on your phone.
Do they need an app to open a CinematicCard?
No. The card opens in any browser from the link you send.

Your memories are already on your phone.

Choose the ones that matter and turn them into a card. Your first CinematicCard is free.

Preview For FREE