Sometimes you need to send a birthday card to someone, but you've waited until the last minute and now you're scrambling. Other times you're on a budget and you didn't realize how much birthday cards cost, or you didn't realize how long it would take you to send a birthday card by mail.

How are you going to show your appreciation for someone's birthday if you have no card on hand? Through ecards or services that allow you to send a happy birthday song via text.

Here are the best free birthday gram apps or websites with free trial options to wish someone a happy birthday.

1. BirthdayDialer.com

singing birthday telegrams by phone

If you are looking for a special way to wish someone "Happy Birthday" check out BirthdayDialer.com. It allows you to send a cool singing birthday. While we have written about why unlisted phone numbers can be seen as scam calls, if you're on familiar terms with the person you're sending the call to, this might be an option.

BirthdayDialer allows you to send birthday songs to a cell phone for free. To send a birthday song to a cell phone, go to the website, choose the song you want to hear, then type in your friend's phone number and name. Hit send.

Please note:

  • The greeting that you send will have a short ad from BirthdayDialer's sponsors.
  • There's an option to remove ads and customize messages by buying tokens.

While the messages from BirthdayDialer can be sent anywhere around the globe, the free version is limited to the US and Canada only.

2. 123Cards

123cards Birthday Ecards

Another option for sending birthday greetings online is through 123Cards, which gives you the ability to send a birthday "gram" free of charge if you use the seven-day free trial.

The trial is especially useful if you only want to send a single card, or if you're not sure about the quality of 123Cards' products.

Along with an easy-to-navigate website and a free trial option, 123Cards has a varied pricing plan for individual products. You can choose a premium option for a single large ecard with zero adds, or a smaller free option that has ads included.

123Card' card categories range from humorous to romantic and are appropriate for all ages.

Please note:

  • If you want the recipient of your ecard to open the card multiple times, you'll need a premium ecard.
  • If you think your recipient will only open the card once, then a free happy birthday gram that expires after a certain number of days is fine.
  • However, if you're on a free plan---and you go to check out a card---you might see a sign that says you can't use that card. This is because the card is part of the premium collection, and only available to premium members.
  • If you're on a paid membership, there are no per-card charges. The ecards do not expire.

3. Smilebox

Free Birthday Ecards Smilebox

Smilebox is a slick, easy-to-use website that allows you to create free birthday cards for your family and friends. Its selling point is that it provides its users with customizable templates to create cards that are unique.

To make a card, pick a design and upload a photo to your card if you want. Change the fonts, colors, or music, then save the design. You can then share the card either by email or social media.

The only downside to this service? While free, there is no open trial. You'll have to create an account to even try the service out.

4. American Greetings Ecards

American Greetings Free Ecards

American Greetings is another birthday ecard site that sports a slick design and an easy-to-use interface. Like the other happy birthday gram and ecard options on this list, they offer you a free trial before signing you up for the full subscription.

American Greetings' card themes range from humorous to religious. If you're curious about member benefits, you can read up on them in depth through that link. Essentially the membership option has several different tiers, and you can pay either yearly or monthly.

5. Open Me

Create Free Ecards Open Me

Open Me is a website that offers adorable free ecards that you can customize for the birthdays of friends and family. The website works in a similar manner to Smilebox, and it's just simple to use.

After you choose a card, you can adjust the text or put pictures on it, then send the card out via email. You have to register for a membership, but membership is free. If you're a member, you can send however many cards you want.

When sending happy birthday grams, you can send them via Facebook or email. You can also delete existing custom cards that are in your library, or put your own photos on a blank card if you want.

Make sure you own the copyright to the images you're using, however. Open Me specifically states in plain text that they take no responsibility for copyright violations.

6. Greetings Island

Greetings Island Birthday Card Maker

Greetings Island is a great website where you can print cards or send free ecards for upcoming birthdays.

Each card can be personalized with a basic template, and once complete, Greetings Island allows you to send these cards through email, Facebook, or WhatsApp. If you want to print the card from your home printer, Greetings Island lets you download the file to your computer.

To add to this good news, the site promises there are no hidden membership fees. You just have to make sure these cards you're making are for personal use.

Send a Happy Birthday Song to a Cell Phone, Free!

While ecards and birthday messages sent over the phone are not always ideal---depending on who you're sending the card to---they can definitely help you if you need a cheap, fast card for free. If you'd like to do more than send a card, check out these websites to celebrate your loved one's birthday online.

Do you have so many birthdays to keep track of that you're struggling to send cards or happy birthday dialers, even with these online options? Here's how to sync Facebook and Google Calendars so you never forget a birthday.