These pods I use are soft, like two circular layers of coffee filter with the actual coffee in between the layers. They are about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of Keurig K-cups, but if you drink 6 or 8 cups of coffee a day, they would get expensive. I order them from coffeehouseexpress.com; they have about the best prices I've seen. The tiny little coffee maker I have at home that uses these pods is a Cuisinart, and I have a Hamilton Beach model at work. The Cuisinart makes better coffee.
Remember the old brand "Eight O'Clock" coffee that the A&P grocery stores used to sell? Eight O'Clock makes K-cups, and their Dark Italian Roast is some kinda wonderful. But you know, it makes a difference when you drink coffee black - bitterness becomes a real issue - and I cannot get a cup of Starbucks down to save my life. Likewise McDonald's, lord have mercy, that is some awful coffee.