A Kudoboard alternative built around video
Kudoboard and Joycards both help a group celebrate someone, but they work differently. Kudoboard is an online board of posts. Joycards is a group video card where every message is a short video. Here's a fair look at both so you can choose.
At a glance
| Feature | Joycards | Kudoboard |
|---|---|---|
| Format | A group video card. Each person records or uploads a short video and the recipient watches them play one after the other. | An online board where contributors post messages, photos, GIFs and videos. Boards can also be played as a slideshow. |
| Video messages | Every message is a video, on every plan, including the free plan. | Video posts are listed from the Premium Board and up. |
| Free option | Yes. The Starter plan is free: 4 videos of up to 40 seconds each. | Paid boards start at $6.99 (Lite Board, up to 20 posts). |
| Single card prices (USD) | Free, $12.99, $24.99 or $49 per card. One-off payment, no subscription. | $6.99 (Lite), $9.99 (Premium, up to 100 posts), $19.99 (Milestone, unlimited posts). |
| Group size | Up to 50 videos on the Joyful plan, with extra videos at 70 cents each. Contact Joycards for larger groups. | 20 posts (Lite), 100 posts (Premium) or unlimited posts (Milestone). |
| Editing or design | None. No backgrounds, designs or music to choose. It's all about the message. | Contributors create posts on a shared board. |
| Keepsakes and gifts | Digital. The card creator and recipient can download all the videos at any time. | Printed book or poster options, plus a collection pot for gift cards. |
| Workplace plans | Pay per card. Used by people, and some of the largest companies, around the world. | Business plans from $299 a year, with Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations on Pro and HRIS on Enterprise. |
Information about other products is taken from their own websites (kudoboard.com and kudoboard.com/pricing) and was checked in October 2026. Prices and features change, so check their sites for the latest details.
The main difference: a board of posts vs a card of videos
A Kudoboard is a shared page that people add posts to. Posts can be written messages, photos, GIFs or, on Premium boards and up, videos. It's a flexible format that works well when most people want to write a few lines.
A Joycard is made entirely of video messages. The recipient presses play, sits back and watches each person speak to them, one video after another. Each video is kept separately, so they can pick their favorites and watch them again and again. If you want the recipient to see faces and hear voices, that's what Joycards is built for.
When Kudoboard may be the better fit
Choose Kudoboard if most of your group would rather write than record, if you want a printed book or poster afterwards, or if you'd like to collect money for a gift card alongside the card.
Kudoboard also offers company-wide plans with integrations for Slack, Microsoft Teams and HR systems, which suits organizations running an ongoing recognition program.
When Joycards may be the better fit
Choose Joycards if you want a heartfelt video keepsake: a farewell card where the whole team says goodbye on camera, a birthday card with family from around the world, or a retirement card they'll rewatch for years.
Small cards are free, larger cards are a one-off payment per card, and there's nothing to design or edit. Everyone records their video, you send the card, and the recipient keeps the videos. See the full details on our pricing page.
How to make a Joycard
Sign up for free and record your own video, or upload one from your device. Invite friends, family or coworkers to add their videos. When everyone has contributed, send the card to the recipient. See how it works.
Get started free
Start making your video card today. It’s quick & free to get started and is probably the easiest group video maker to use.
FAQs
Is Joycards a good Kudoboard alternative?
If you want every message to be a video, yes. Joycards is a group video card, so the recipient sees and hears each person. If your group mostly wants to write messages, add photos and GIFs, or collect money for a gift card, Kudoboard's board format may suit you better.
Is Joycards free?
Joycards has a free Starter plan with 4 videos of up to 40 seconds each. Larger cards are a one-off payment of $12.99, $24.99 or $49. Visit our pricing page for all the details.
Do I need a subscription to use Joycards?
No. You pay once per card, or nothing at all for a small card on the free plan. There is no lock in and no ongoing cost.
How many people can contribute to a Joycard?
On the Joyful plan up to 50 people can contribute a video, and the card creator can upload 3 of their own videos. Additional videos are 70 cents each, and you can contact Joycards about cards that need more than 50 contributors.
Can the recipient keep the videos?
Yes. The card creator and the recipient can download all of their Joycard videos at any time.