Softwr

Web Development · head to head

Carrd vs HTMX

Carrd logo

Carrd

Web Development

Ultra-affordable one-page site builder.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HTMX logo

HTMX

Web Development

Lightweight JavaScript library enabling AJAX, WebSockets, and server-sent events in HTML

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Carrd free tier strictly limited to 3 sites; any additional sites require upgrading to Pro; HTMX best suited for server-rendered architectures, not pure client-side SPAs

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Carrd and HTMX actually diverge.

Attributes where Carrd and HTMX differ
AttributeCarrdHTMX
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Web Development).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Carrd

Nothing recorded that HTMX does not also cover.

Only in HTMX

  • AJAX requests
  • HTTP verb support
  • DOM targeting
  • Swap strategies
  • WebSocket support
  • Server-sent events
  • Out-of-band updates

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Carrd

  • Indie makers and solopreneurs building personal portfolios or landing pagesnot HTMX
  • Small business owners requiring minimal online presence at low costnot HTMX
  • Link-in-bio alternatives for social media profiles and contact pagesnot HTMX
  • Email capture pages for newsletters or lead magnetsnot HTMX
  • Cost-conscious teams requiring a cheap website alternative to Webflow or Squarespacenot HTMX

HTMX

  • Building interactive applications without JavaScript framework complexitynot Carrd
  • Server-rendered applications requiring dynamic updatesnot Carrd
  • Adding interactivity to existing server-side applicationsnot Carrd
  • Hypermedia-driven applications using HTML-first approachesnot Carrd

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Carrd

  • Free tier strictly limited to 3 sites; any additional sites require upgrading to Pro
  • Pro plan includes Carrd branding removal but still lacks advanced features (e-commerce, multi-step funnels, complex forms)
  • Single-page design only; does not support multi-page websites or complex site structures
  • Limited template library compared to competitors like Leadpages or Unbounce
  • Annual payment required for Pro tier; no monthly payment option
  • No native A/B testing, analytics dashboard or conversion optimisation tools built-in

HTMX

  • Best suited for server-rendered architectures, not pure client-side SPAs
  • Limited client-side state management capabilities compared to frameworks
  • Smaller ecosystem with fewer third-party libraries and tools
  • Learning curve for developers from JavaScript framework backgrounds

Pricing, plan by plan

Carrd

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 sites
    • Responsive design
    • Templates and blank pages
  • Pro$19/year
    • Unlimited sites
    • Custom domain with SSL
    • Contact forms

HTMX

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HTMX review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Carrd if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
Carrd review

Choose HTMX if

  • You need ajax requests.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want http verb support.
HTMX review

Questions people ask

Is Carrd or HTMX better?
Neither clearly leads. Carrd starts at Free and HTMX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Carrd or HTMX?
Carrd starts at Free and HTMX at Free.
Does Carrd or HTMX run on more platforms?
Carrd runs on Web, Mobile. HTMX runs on Web.
Can I use Carrd for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Carrd best used for?
Carrd is most often used for indie makers and solopreneurs building personal portfolios or landing pages, small business owners requiring minimal online presence at low cost, link-in-bio alternatives for social media profiles and contact pages, email capture pages for newsletters or lead magnets. Of those, indie makers and solopreneurs building personal portfolios or landing pages and small business owners requiring minimal online presence at low cost are not what HTMX is typically brought in for.
What can Carrd do that HTMX cannot?
HTMX covers AJAX requests, HTTP verb support, DOM targeting, Swap strategies.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Carrd: How much does Carrd cost?

Carrd is free for up to 3 sites. The Pro plan costs $19/year and enables unlimited sites with custom domains, forms and integrations.

Source
HTMX: How big is the HTMX JavaScript library?

HTMX is only 16 kilobytes minified and gzipped with zero external dependencies.

Source
Carrd: Can I use Carrd for e-commerce?

Carrd's Pro plan supports payment forms with Stripe integration, but it is not a full e-commerce platform. Single-product sales or payment collection is possible, but inventory management and complex product catalogs are not supported.

Source
HTMX: Can HTMX work with JSON APIs?

While HTMX is optimized for HTML responses, it can work with JSON through additional configuration and response handling.

Source
Carrd: Can I create multi-page websites with Carrd?

No. Carrd is designed for single-page sites only. For multi-page websites, you would need to use a full website builder like Webflow or Squarespace.

Source
HTMX: Does HTMX support real-time features like WebSockets?

Yes, HTMX includes support for WebSockets and server-sent events for real-time bidirectional communication.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Carrd

More on HTMX

Keep looking

Other head to heads