Honeyfund vs Zola Registries Compared
Honeyfund vs Zola Registries Compared
TL;DR Verdict
Honeyfund offers more flexible, lower-cost cash gift options and transparent payout control. Zola is a solid choice with a broad gift marketplace, but its default cash fund model includes a 2.5% processing fee that either the guest or you absorb.
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Side-by-Side: Honeyfund and Zola Compared
| Feature | Honeyfund | Zola |
|---|---|---|
| Platform / Setup Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Cash / Honeymoon Fund Processing Fee | Fee-free options (prepaid card/gift card); PayPal/Venmo: 2.2%, Bank: 3.9% + $0.59 | 2.5% credit card fee on cash gifts |
| Who pays the fee | Couples (based on payment settings) | You can choose who pays: couple or guests |
| Payout / Transfer Time | Instant (prepaid card, gift cards) / Next Day (PayPal/Venmo) / 2-5 Days (bank) | First: up to 10 business days; next: 2–4 days |
| Gift Marketplace / Physical Gifts | Focused on cash & gift cards, links to store registries | 100k+ items, experiences, gift cards |
| Flexible Cash / Gift Combination | Yes | Yes |
| Zero-fee / No Processing Option | Yes (Wallet redeem) | Yes via Venmo (some methods) |
Guest / Donor Flow Experience
Zola Guest Flow (Cash Fund):
- Guests visit couple's registry and selects a cash fund
- Guest chooses to contribute via credit card or Venmo
- If credit card, handling fee of 2.5% is appended or absorbed
- Funds go to Zola, then couple requests transfer to bank
- First transfer delay up to 10 business days; later transfers 2–4 days
Honeyfund Guest Flow:
- Guest visits registry and gives a gift
- Gift lands in either the couple's bank account or Honeyfund Wallet
- Couple chooses redemption method (prepaid card, gift cards, PayPal, or Venmo)
- Funds are received minus third-party fees (if applicable)
- Redemption speed varies: 1 business day (PayPal/Venmo), 2–5 days (bank), Instant (gift card/prepaid)
FAQs
Q: What's the biggest difference between Honeyfund and Zola?
A: Honeyfund offers more flexibility for cash gifts, including fee-free payout options and multiple ways to redeem funds. Zola automatically adds a 2.5% fee to all cash gifts unless guests use specific methods, like Venmo. With Honeyfund, couples always see the fees upfront and can choose how to receive their funds.
Q: Does Zola take a cut of my wedding gifts?
A: Zola doesn't take a commission, but a 2.5% processing fee is applied to cash gifts, which either you or your guests must cover. Honeyfund provides fee-free options and doesn't add platform fees or commissions, so couples can receive 100% of their funds in many cases.
Q: Can I avoid cash gift fees on Zola?
A: Only if guests choose Venmo and meet specific criteria. Otherwise, a 2.5% fee is always applied. Honeyfund offers more fee-free methods (like gift cards or prepaid Mastercard), giving you more control over what you keep.
Q: Which is better for a honeymoon fund—Zola or Honeyfund?
A: Honeyfund is designed specifically for honeymoon and experience funds, with tools to add travel-related gift items, and cash out on your terms. Zola focuses more on physical gifts and store integration, though it does offer cash funds.
Q: Can I switch from Zola to Honeyfund without losing gifts?
A: Yes. You can transfer funds out of Zola and start accepting new gifts on Honeyfund immediately. Guests can be notified of the switch with a quick email or site update, and Honeyfund's setup takes just minutes.
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