The debate is as old as remote work itself: should your team use physical planning poker cards or a digital tool?
The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. Physical cards create a tactile, focused experience. Digital tools scale effortlessly for distributed teams and offer automatic tracking. Neither is objectively better—they solve different problems.
Here's how to decide which works for your team (or whether to use both).
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Aspect | Digital | Physical | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Instant. Share a link. | 1-2 minutes to distribute cards | DIGITAL |
| Remote Teams | Built for it | Impossible without camera tricks | DIGITAL |
| Tactile Experience | None | Satisfying to flip cards | PHYSICAL |
| Cost | Free to $30/mo | $8-20 for card decks | TIE |
| Learning Curve | Minimal (if UI is good) | Zero. Everyone gets cards. | PHYSICAL |
| Reveal Speed | Instant, simultaneous | Can be chaotic with large teams | DIGITAL |
| Anchoring Risk | Low (true simultaneous reveal) | Higher (someone always flips first) | DIGITAL |
| Team Bonding | Transactional | More social, physical presence | PHYSICAL |
| Data Tracking | Automatic history and analytics | Manual recording required | DIGITAL |
| Multitasking Prevention | Hard to enforce focus | Physical cards demand attention | PHYSICAL |
| Customization | Instant scale switching | Stuck with printed values | DIGITAL |
| No Tech Failures | Wifi drops, browser crashes | Bulletproof (until you lose cards) | PHYSICAL |
Score: Digital wins on scalability and features. Physical wins on focus and simplicity. Your context determines the right choice.
Digital Tools
Pros
- +Works seamlessly for remote and hybrid teams
- +No anchoring bias—true simultaneous reveals
- +Automatic tracking of estimates and history
- +Switch between Fibonacci, T-shirt, custom scales instantly
- +Spectator mode for stakeholders
- +Integrates with Jira, GitHub, etc. (some tools)
- +QR code room sharing
- +No setup required, share a link
Cons
- −Requires stable internet connection
- −Another tab to manage during meetings
- −Easy to multitask and lose focus
- −Less tactile, less memorable
- −Some tools have clunky UIs
- −Privacy concerns with certain platforms
- −Screen fatigue in all-day remote sessions
Physical Cards
Pros
- +Tactile and engaging
- +Forces focus—can't multitask with cards in hand
- +No tech dependencies or wifi issues
- +Better for team bonding and in-person energy
- +Simple, intuitive, zero learning curve
- +Physical ritual builds team culture
- +Great for co-located teams
Cons
- −Impossible for remote or hybrid teams
- −Someone always reveals their card first (anchoring)
- −Have to manually record estimates
- −Costs money upfront ($8-20 per deck)
- −Can lose or damage cards
- −Stuck with one scale (usually Fibonacci)
- −Slower for large teams (coordinating reveals)
When to Use Each
Fully Remote Team
Physical cards don't work over Zoom. Use a tool designed for distributed teams.
Hybrid Team (Some Remote)
Don't create two-tier experiences. Everyone uses the same tool.
Fully Co-located Team
Either works. Use physical if you value tactile engagement. Digital if you want data.
First Time Running Planning Poker
Simpler onboarding. No tool to learn. Just cards and conversation.
Large Team (10+ people)
Physical reveals get messy. Digital tools scale better.
Team That Multitasks Constantly
Cards in hand force attention. Digital tools invite laptop distractions.
Need Historical Data
Automatic tracking beats manual spreadsheets.
Budget is Zero
Free tools exist. Physical cards cost $8-20.
Hybrid Approaches
You don't have to pick one forever. Many teams use both strategically:
Physical Cards + Digital Recording
How: Use physical cards for voting, but log estimates in a digital tool for tracking.
Best for: Co-located teams who want the best of both worlds
Digital Tool + In-Person Session
How: Gather in a room, but everyone uses the digital tool on their phones.
Best for: Teams who want automatic data but also value in-person energy
Physical for Workshops, Digital for Sprints
How: Use physical cards during kickoffs or quarterly planning. Digital for routine sprint planning.
Best for: Teams with predictable rhythms
Let the Team Choose
How: Keep both options available. Team decides per session based on who's attending.
Best for: Flexible teams with varying attendance
Practical Recommendations
Start with Digital if:
- • Any part of your team is remote
- • You have more than 8 people in sessions
- • You want automatic estimate tracking
- • Your budget is zero
Start with Physical if:
- • Your entire team is always co-located
- • Focus and engagement are bigger problems than process
- • You're introducing planning poker for the first time
- • Your team culture values tactile rituals
Keep Both Options if:
- • Team composition changes (some sessions remote, some in-person)
- • You run different types of planning (sprint vs quarterly)
- • You want maximum flexibility
The Bottom Line
The best tool is the one your team will actually use. If you're remote or hybrid, digital is non-negotiable. If you're fully co-located, physical cards offer focus and simplicity that digital tools can't match.
Don't overthink it. Pick one, try it for two sprints, and adjust if it's not working. The method matters more than the medium.
Try Digital Planning Poker
See for yourself. No signup, no credit card. Just a link and your team.
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