WordPress vs Carrd: COMPARE Website Builders (Ultimate Guide)

In this comprehensive beginner’s guide, I’ll compare two popular website builders: WordPress vs Carrd.

I will explain the features, pros, cons, and benefits, to help you make an informed decision based on your needs when comparing the two website builders.

Based on my 17+ years of experience building websites, using WordPress, Carrd.co, and other website builders.

WordPress vs Carrd: Simplified Side-by-side Comparison Table

Remember, this table provides a simplified overview. Your final decision should be based on your specific needs and priorities.

WordPress + DreamHost ➞ WordPress hosting at DreamHost makes it easy to build and manage a website, whether you’re starting a blog, running a small business, or getting into e-commerce. This is the web host I use and recommend for building WordPress websites.

WordPress Pros & Cons

WordPress Pros

1. Customization: Extensive theme and plugin options allow for highly customized websites.
2. Scalability: Suitable for small blogs to large e-commerce sites, accommodating business growth.
3. Functionality: Vast plugin ecosystem offers diverse features like e-commerce, forums, SEO optimization, and more.
4. SEO Power: SEO plugins like Yoast help improve search engine rankings and visibility.
5. Community Support: Large community offers abundant resources, forums, and tutorials for problem-solving.
6. Multilingual: Offers plugins for creating multilingual websites.
7. Content Variety: Supports diverse content types, including blogs, portfolios, e-commerce, and more.
8. Data Portability: Easier to export and migrate content to other platforms.

WordPress Cons

1. Learning Curve: Requires time to learn due to its complex features and settings.
2. Maintenance: Needs regular updates for security, plugins, and themes, which can be overwhelming.
3. Hosting and Domain: Requires separate hosting and domain setup, potentially confusing for beginners.
4. Security Risks: Vulnerabilities can arise from poorly coded plugins/themes, requiring security measures.
5. Cost: Premium themes, plugins, hosting, and maintenance costs can add up.
6. Overkill for Simple Sites: Can be overly complex for simple one-page websites.
7. Bloat: Excessive plugins and features can lead to a bloated website, affecting performance.

Carrd Pros & Cons

Carrd Pros

1. Simplicity: Extremely user-friendly with a minimal learning curve, ideal for beginners.
2. Quick Setup: Pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop editor enable fast website creation.
3. Affordability: Generally more affordable due to its simplicity and streamlined features.
4. Design Focus: Limited options encourage a focus on minimalist design and visual appeal.
5. Hosting Simplified: Simplifies hosting and domain setup for newcomers.
6. Security: Simplified structure can lead to fewer security concerns for basic websites.
7. Mobile Responsive: Prioritizes mobile responsiveness, ensuring a good user experience.

Read Related: Carrd Tutorial: How To Make a Carrd Website

Carrd Cons

1. Limited Customization: Offers less flexibility compared to WordPress for advanced customization.
2. Scalability Constraints: Not suitable for complex websites or those with plans for significant growth.
3. Feature Limitation: Limited e-commerce and advanced functionality options.
4. SEO Limitations: Basic SEO capabilities, potentially less effective for competitive strategies.
5. One-Page Focus: Best for simple one-page websites, not ideal for content-heavy projects.
6. Data Portability: Might have limited options for exporting content to other platforms.
7. Community Size: Smaller community means fewer third-party resources and support options.

In the end, your choice between WordPress and Carrd depends on your specific needs, technical proficiency, and the complexity of your project.

Consider the pros and cons to determine which platform aligns better with your goals and limitations.

Cost and Pricing – WordPress vs Carrd

WordPress Costs

WordPress hosting costs vary by web host.

(Image below) is an example of hosting costs for WordPress on Dreamhost. Other popular WordPress web hosts are Namecheap, Cloudways, Kinsta…

WordPress Cost Structure:

• Software: WordPress itself is open-source and free to use.
• Hosting: You’ll need to pay for web hosting, which can range from a few dollars per month for shared hosting to higher costs for managed hosting or dedicated servers.
• Domain: You’ll need to purchase a domain name separately, usually around $10 to $20 per year.
• Themes and Plugins: While free themes and plugins are available, premium themes can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 or more. Some premium plugins might have yearly subscription fees.
• Maintenance: Regular updates and potential security measures might incur additional costs, especially if you hire professionals for these tasks.

Total Costs: The total cost for a WordPress website can vary widely, but for a basic website, you might expect to spend around $100 to $300 per year for hosting, domain, and basic plugins/themes.

Carrd Pricing

Carrd Cost Structure:

• Free Plan: Carrd offers a free plan with Carrd branding, limited features, and a carrd.co subdomain. Try Carrd Free →
• Paid Plans: Carrd offers paid plans with varying features and custom domain options. These plans range from $9 to $99 per year, depending on the plan’s features and limitations.

Total Costs: For a Carrd website, the cost can be as low as $0 if you’re okay with the limitations of the free plan. Paid plans range from $9 to $99 per year, making Carrd one of the more affordable options.

WordPress vs Carrd – Costs & Pricing Explained

• WordPress: The costs of a WordPress website can add up due to separate expenses for hosting, domain, premium themes, and plugins. However, the flexibility and potential for advanced features justify the expenses, especially for businesses with growth plans.
• Carrd: Carrd’s pricing is straightforward, with affordable options for custom domains and additional features. It’s an excellent choice for individuals, small projects, or those on a tight budget. The simplicity of pricing eliminates surprises and makes it accessible to beginners.

Remember, while these cost breakdowns provide a general idea, the actual costs can vary based on your specific needs, choices, and any additional services you might require. It’s important to consider both your budget and the value each platform brings to determine the best fit for your website.

21 Things to Consider When Choosing Between WordPress and Carrd

1. Ease of Use
   • WordPress:
     • Offers a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features.
     • Requires domain and hosting setup.
     • Provides flexibility but demands more technical know-how.
   • Carrd:
     • Extremely user-friendly, ideal for beginners.
     • Offers pre-designed templates for quick setup.
     • No need for external hosting, simplifying the process.
       
       
2. Flexibility and Customization
   • WordPress:
     • Vast array of plugins and themes for customization.
     • Complete control over design and functionality.
     • Suitable for complex websites with unique needs.
   • Carrd:
     • Limited customization options compared to WordPress.
     • Designed for simple, one-page websites.
     • Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for basic adjustments.
       
       
3. Features
   • WordPress:
     • Rich plugin ecosystem enables various functionalities.
     • Supports e-commerce, blogs, forums, and more.
     • SEO optimization with plugins like Yoast SEO.
   • Carrd:
     • Basic features cater to minimalistic websites.
     • Limited e-commerce and advanced functionalities.
     • SEO capabilities are simpler.
       
       
4. Scalability
   • WordPress:
     • Highly scalable for both small and large websites.
     • Can handle increased traffic and complex content.
     • Ideal for businesses planning significant growth.
   • Carrd:
     • Limited scalability due to its one-page nature.
     • Best suited for personal portfolios or small projects.
       
       
5. Cost Considerations
   • WordPress:
     • Free to install but requires domain and hosting (costs involved).
     • Premium themes and plugins can add up.
     • Additional expenses for security and maintenance.
   • Carrd:
     • Offers free version with Carrd branding.
     • Paid plans available for custom domains and features.
     • Generally more affordable due to its simplicity.
       
       
6. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
   • WordPress:
     • Offers powerful SEO plugins for comprehensive optimization.
     • Better control over metadata, keywords, and content structure.
     • Can achieve higher search engine rankings with proper setup.
   • Carrd:
     • Limited SEO options compared to WordPress.
     • Basic metadata and description control.
     • Might not be as effective for competitive SEO strategies.
       
       
7. Community and Support
   • WordPress:
     • Huge community with extensive documentation.
     • Numerous forums, tutorials, and resources available.
     • Quick solutions to common problems.
   • Carrd:
     • Smaller community compared to WordPress.
     • Support mainly through official channels and documentation.
     • Limited third-party resources.
       
       
8. Security
   • WordPress:
     • Prone to security vulnerabilities if not properly maintained.
     • Requires regular updates and security plugins.
     • Vulnerabilities can arise from poorly coded plugins/themes.
   • Carrd:
     • Simplified structure can lead to fewer security concerns.
     • Less potential for third-party plugin vulnerabilities.
     • Generally more secure for simple websites.
       
       
9. Content Type and Structure:
   • WordPress: Ideal for content-heavy websites, blogs, news portals, and e-commerce sites.
   • Carrd: Suited for simple, one-page websites like personal portfolios, event pages, and landing pages.
     
     
10. Learning Curve:
    • WordPress: Requires more time to learn due to its extensive features and settings.
    • Carrd: Minimal learning curve; beginners can quickly grasp the drag-and-drop interface.
      
      
11. Hosting and Domain:
    • WordPress: Requires separate hosting and domain setup, which might be confusing for beginners.
    • Carrd: Simplifies hosting and domain setup, making it easier for those new to website creation.
      
      
12. Design Consistency:
    • WordPress: Offers greater design flexibility but might require additional effort to maintain a consistent look across all pages.
    • Carrd: Limited design options can help maintain a cohesive visual style.
      
      
13. Future Growth:
    • WordPress: Suitable for businesses with future expansion plans and evolving website needs.
    • Carrd: Best for projects unlikely to require extensive expansion in the future.
      
      
14. E-commerce:
    • WordPress: Supports robust e-commerce solutions with plugins like WooCommerce.
    • Carrd: Offers limited e-commerce capabilities, mainly for selling a few products.
      
      
15. Updates and Maintenance:
    • WordPress: Requires regular updates for plugins, themes, and core software to ensure security and functionality.
    • Carrd: Simplifies maintenance but might not offer as many advanced features that require updates.
      
      
16. Backup and Restoration:
    • WordPress: Offers plugins and tools for creating backups and restoring content in case of data loss.
    • Carrd: Might lack advanced backup and restoration options.
      
      
17. Data Portability:
    • WordPress: Provides greater control over exporting and migrating your content to other platforms.
    • Carrd: Limited options for exporting content, potentially causing difficulties if you wish to switch platforms later.
      
      
18. Multilingual Support:
    • WordPress: Offers plugins and features to easily create multilingual websites.
    • Carrd: Limited multilingual capabilities, potentially requiring more manual effort.
      
      
19. Collaboration:
    • WordPress: Supports multiple user roles and collaboration features, making it suitable for team-based websites.
    • Carrd: Generally better for individual projects due to its simpler structure.
      
      
20. Time to Launch:
    • WordPress: Longer setup time due to more extensive customization options.
    • Carrd: Can be launched quickly due to its pre-designed templates and user-friendly interface.
      
      
21. Mobile Responsiveness:
    • Both platforms prioritize mobile responsiveness, but the effectiveness might vary based on chosen themes/templates.
      

Summary – 21 Things to Consider

Remember, the best choice depends on your specific goals, technical comfort level, and the nature of your project.

Why Use WordPress:

• Extensive customization and advanced features.
• Scalability for growing businesses.
• Powerful SEO capabilities.

Why Use Carrd:

• Quick and easy setup for simple websites.
• Minimalistic design and user-friendly interface.
• Affordable options for personal projects.

Evaluate these factors to determine whether WordPress or Carrd aligns better with your needs as a beginner.

👍 Recommendation: Which Platform is Best to Build a Website?

Both WordPress and Carrd have their strengths and weaknesses.

Your choice depends on the complexity of your project, your technical expertise, and your budget. Consider your specific needs and goals before making a decision.

Choose WordPress If:

• You want a highly customized website with advanced features and functionalities.
• Your website is content-heavy, such as blogs, news portals, or e-commerce stores.
• You’re willing to invest time in learning the platform’s complex settings and features.
• Scalability is a priority, and you envision significant growth for your business or project.
• SEO is crucial, and you want the flexibility to optimize your content for better search engine rankings.
• You’re comfortable with managing regular updates, maintenance, and security measures.
• You have a budget for premium themes, plugins, hosting, and potential developer assistance.

Choose Carrd If:

• You’re a beginner looking for a simple and user-friendly platform to create a quick website.
• Your project is small-scale, such as a personal portfolio, event page, or landing page.
• You prefer a minimalist design approach and want to focus on visual aesthetics.
• Quick setup is essential, and you want to avoid the complexities of domain and hosting setup.
• Your budget is limited, and you’re looking for an affordable solution.
• You don’t require advanced features or complex functionalities for your website.
• You’re not planning significant future expansion and need a straightforward solution.

Ultimately, your choice between WordPress and Carrd depends on your project’s complexity, your technical proficiency, your goals, and your budget.

Consider the platform that aligns best with your specific needs and priorities to create a successful and effective website.

Craig Leontowicz

Web designer and developer. I love building high-converting 1-page website templates for Carrd. I’ve been featured on: Behance, Canva, Search Engine Journal, CBC, CTV and more…