Comparison
Toran vs wedding planning apps vs Excel + WhatsApp
Three ways families and planners manage a wedding guest list today, compared honestly.
| Toran (self-hosted) | Cloud wedding apps | Excel + WhatsApp groups | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where guest data is stored | Your own server | The app company’s cloud | Your phone/laptop + WhatsApp |
| Pricing model | One-time | Monthly, per event or per guest | Free |
| Family-based guest list | Yes | Varies | Manual |
| RSVP per function, no login | Yes | Varies | No |
| Personalised invitation per family | Yes (image, Gujarati/Hindi) | Varies | No |
| WhatsApp sending with opt-outs | Yes (official methods) | Varies | Manual forwarding |
| Shagun / chandlo ledger | Yes | Rare | Notebook or sheet |
| Seating plan | Yes | Varies | No |
| Vendor payments & budget | Yes | Varies | Separate sheet |
| QR check-in, offline | Yes | Rare | No |
| Your brand and domain | Yes (Planner, Agency) | Rare | – |
| Keeps working if the vendor closes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Setup effort | Web installer or we install | Sign up | None |
“Varies” and “Rare” describe the category in general; individual apps differ. Check each product’s current features.
When Toran is the right choice
- You are planning a large Indian wedding with several functions and hundreds of families.
- You care about who can see guest phone numbers and shagun amounts.
- You are a planner, venue or studio that wants a branded tool for every client without a monthly bill.
- You already have, or can get, ordinary web hosting with PHP and MySQL.
When it might not be
- You want to avoid any hosting or domain at all. (We can install Toran for you, but it still runs on hosting you own.)
- You need video invitations today.
- Your wedding has 40 guests and one function; a spreadsheet may be enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toran cheaper than a wedding planning app?
Over time, usually yes: Toran is a one-time payment with no per-guest or monthly fee, and a planner can use it for every client. You do pay for your own hosting, which many families and businesses already have.
Is a self-hosted app safe?
Toran includes role checks on every page, CSRF protection, rate limits, private files behind signed links and encrypted provider keys. As with any website, keep your hosting updated and use HTTPS.
Can I move from Excel to Toran?
Yes. Import your existing .xlsx or .csv guest list; columns are matched automatically, including Hindi and Gujarati headings.
Your guests, your data, your server.
Buy once, install on your own hosting and run every wedding and event from one place.