Compare · as of Oct 2026
Be Thoughtful vs Handwrytten
Handwrytten and Be Thoughtful both send cards written in real ink with a real pen, and both mail them for you with a stamp. If you are choosing between the two, the pen is not the difference: both use pen-guided handwriting machines, so the ink on the card looks and feels the same way.
The differences are in everything around the pen. Handwrytten is a large, business-focused handwriting service with plans, mobile apps, a long list of integrations and a public API. Be Thoughtful is built for people sending a card to someone they love: it helps you write a personal letter, paints a one-of-a-kind cover from that letter, reminds you of birthdays for free and needs no account or plan to order. This page sets out both sides, as of Oct 2026, using only what each company publishes.
Side by side
| Be Thoughtful | Handwrytten | |
|---|---|---|
| Handwriting | Written in real ink with a ballpoint pen by a pen-guided handwriting machine at our handwriting fulfillment partner, in the handwriting style you pick | Written by pen-guided machines that hold real pens, in a handwriting style you choose |
| Writing the message | Tell us about the person and AI drafts a personal letter you read and edit, or write your own | Type your note, or use their AI to polish your message |
| Card covers | A small one-of-a-kind painted cover made from your letter, your own photo, or your own design | A catalog of over 100 designs, or design your own in an online card customizer |
| How you pay | Pay per card at checkout, no plan or subscription; a card starts at $8.95 and a full letter at $10.95, US stamp included | Published pay-per-card prices plus consumer and business plans; US postage is billed on top |
| Account needed | No: guest checkout, accounts are optional | Their pricing page asks you to sign up to see card details |
| Apps | Works in the browser on any phone or computer; no app to install | iPhone and Android apps |
| Business tools | Client cards, automations, a REST API and webhooks, Follow Up Boss | API on every business plan, plus Salesforce, HubSpot, Shopify, Zapier, Make and more |
| Reminders | Free birthday and special-date reminders and a calendar for your phone | Birthday card automations |
| Letters from characters | Letters from Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, with optional voice or video | Not a focus of their site |
| Where it mails | US, Canada and other countries (postage difference at cost) | US and Canada, plus a long list of other countries |
Where Be Thoughtful is better
- A personal letter, not just a typed note. You tell us who it is for and a few things about them, and the AI drafts a warm letter in plain words. You read it, change anything, or write your own instead.
- A cover nobody else has. Each card gets a small hand-drawn style painting made from your letter, so a card for your grandmother looks like it was made for her. You can also use your own photo or design.
- No plan, no account. You pay for the card you send, with the US stamp included in the price. Guest checkout works, and an account is only there if you want the extras.
- Free birthday reminders and a phone calendar. Save birthdays and anniversaries once, and we remind you ahead of time and add them to your phone’s calendar, free.
- Letters for children. Letters from Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, with an optional voice or video message the child plays from a code on the card.
- Send to a whole list in one checkout, with each letter written for its person.
Where Handwrytten is better
- Scale and integrations. Handwrytten lists connections to Salesforce, HubSpot, Shopify, Zapier, Make and several dealership and nonprofit systems, and every business plan includes API access. If your company runs on one of those, they likely plug in where we don’t.
- Mobile apps. They have iPhone and Android apps; we work in the browser only.
- A big card catalog. Over 100 ready designs, plus an online customizer for your own printed card, is a better fit if you want a classic printed design rather than a painted motif.
- Business plans with fixed rates. If you send a steady, high volume every month, their plans are built for that.
- A long track record serving companies of all sizes, with industry pages for car dealers, insurance, real estate, nonprofits and more.
Who should pick which
Pick Be Thoughtful if… you are sending to family and friends, want help writing something personal, like the idea of a cover made just for that person, or want free reminders and no subscription.
Pick Handwrytten if… you are a company that needs a specific CRM integration, a mobile app, a large printed card catalog or a monthly plan for steady high volume.
Either works if… you simply want a typed message written in real pen and mailed. The ink on the card is real in both cases.
Good to know
Both services show you the handwriting style before you order, and both mail in an envelope with a First-Class stamp. Neither is a printed font, so if a recipient runs a finger over the ink they will feel the pen.
Prices on both sites change from time to time, and Handwrytten bills US postage separately from the card. When you compare, add up the card, the stamp and any plan fee for the number of cards you really send in a year.
Questions
Sources
Checked as of Oct 2026. Services change their features and prices, so check their pages for the latest. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it.