PlanSeats Free
$0/month
- 1 event, up to 20 guests
- Up to 4 tables
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Guest management
- PNG/CSV export
- No credit card needed
Keep Zola for your website and registry. Bring your Zola guest list to PlanSeats and seat everyone on a plan of your actual room.
No credit card · Works with your Zola guest list
It depends on how much your room matters. If you keep everything in Zola and only need names at round or rectangular tables, Zola's built-in chart is enough. If you need your real room to scale, your venue's floor plan, or a view link your caterer can open without an account, PlanSeats is the better pick. Plus is $8.99 a month, and your Zola list imports as a file.
Zola exports your guest list as a spreadsheet. PlanSeats imports it and matches the columns for you.
Draw your venue to scale or upload its floor plan, then place tables where they really go.
Share a view link your caterer and coordinator can open without making an account anywhere.
Zola is a full wedding suite. PlanSeats does one job, seating, and works with whichever suite you use. It is independent and not part of any wedding marketplace.
Zola's seating chart reads your Zola guest list directly, which is handy if you keep everything in Zola. PlanSeats takes the same list as a file: export it from Zola, import it here, and your groups and meal choices come with it.
The biggest difference is the room. Zola lets you place round or rectangular tables and add spaces like a dance floor or a bar. PlanSeats lets you draw your venue to scale or upload the venue's own floor plan, so the chart you hand your caterer matches the room they will set.
PlanSeats can also seat guests for you. Auto-seat keeps groups together, follows rules like "keep these two apart", and shows you a preview before anything moves.
PlanSeats is independent. It is not owned by a registry or a vendor marketplace, so it works the same whether you plan with Zola, The Knot, Joy or a spreadsheet.
See how PlanSeats stacks up against Zola Seating Chart on the features that matter most.
| Feature | PlanSeats | Zola |
|---|---|---|
| Starting pricePlanSeats has a free plan for one event with up to 20 guests and 4 tables. Zola's seating chart is part of a Zola wedding account. | Free plan (20 guests) | With a Zola account |
| Uses your Zola guest listZola reads its own guest list directly. PlanSeats imports the spreadsheet Zola exports. | Import the file | Yes |
| Works with any registry or websitePlanSeats does not care where your registry or website lives. Zola's seating chart works inside a Zola account. | Yes | No |
| Drag-and-drop tablesBoth let you drag tables and guests into place. | Yes | Yes |
| Floor plan to scalePlanSeats draws your room in real feet, or traces the venue's floor plan. Zola places tables and spaces like a dance floor or bar. | Yes | Tables and spaces |
| Separate ceremony and reception plansBoth handle more than one layout for the same wedding. | Yes | Yes |
| Meal and dietary tagsBoth track meal choices and dietary needs per guest. | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-seat with rulesPlanSeats seats guests from your groups and rules and shows a preview first. Zola's seating chart has you place guests yourself. | Plus | No |
| View link for vendorsPlanSeats shares a live link anyone can open. Zola shares a print-ready PDF. | Yes | |
| PDF and image exportBoth export a chart you can print. | Yes | Yes |
| Native phone appPlanSeats runs in any phone or tablet browser. Zola also has an iOS app. | Web, works on phones | iOS |
Transparent pricing so you know exactly what you're getting.
$0/month
$8.99/month
Included (with a Zola account)
See the specific scenarios where PlanSeats outshines Zola.
Columns, a stage, a long head table: draw it to scale or trace the venue's plan, and seat guests where the tables really stand.
Auto-seat keeps groups together and follows your rules, so a 150-guest chart takes minutes instead of an evening.
Send the caterer and coordinator a link to the live chart. They see every change without making an account.
Rehearsal dinners, galas, birthdays and work events seat the same way.
In Zola, open your guest list and choose Export. Then import that file into PlanSeats. The import matches Zola's column names for you, and columns PlanSeats does not use, like mailing addresses, are skipped.
In October 2026 The Knot Worldwide agreed to buy Zola, and Zola is expected to keep running as its own brand. PlanSeats is independent and not part of either company. Your Zola guest list export works with PlanSeats either way.
Yes. Zola's seating chart works inside a Zola wedding account and reads your Zola guest list. PlanSeats is a separate tool built only for seating, with a floor plan to scale and auto-seat.
Yes. Most couples keep Zola for the website, RSVPs and registry, and use PlanSeats for the seating chart.
Yes. PlanSeats makes a view link anyone can open: your caterer, venue coordinator or planner does not need an account.
Yes. The free plan covers one event with up to 20 guests and 4 tables, with no credit card. Plus is $8.99/month for unlimited guests and tables.
Add your tables, import your guests, and share the chart with your partner, planner or venue.
Free plan for your first event, no credit card.