I Didn't Set Out to Build a Linktree Alternative
Back in March 2016, I launched Carrd on Twitter — a tiny side project that could build one-page sites. No grand plan. No multi-page ambitions. Just a simple "stack of elements" you could arrange vertically and call it a day. At the time, I had no idea it would one day be called a "Linktree alternative." But here we are.
And honestly? That narrow focus is exactly why it works so well for that use case.
What's a Linktree Alternative, Really?
You know the drill: you're on Instagram, TikTok, or any bio-link-challenged platform, and you need one place to send people. Linktree became the default, but it's not the only option — and it's not always the best. A real Linktree alternative should be: fast to set up, dead-simple to customize, and free. But they could also look like you, not like a template everyone else uses.
That's where Carrd comes in.
The Product's Narrow Focus Is the Feature
Carrd does one thing: one-page sites. That's it. No blog engine, no ecommerce, no multi-page wizardry. That natural limit to its complexity keeps it Easy to use — for everyone. You don't need to learn a dashboard or wade through settings. You just pick a template (or a blank page) and start adding blocks.
This is the "site spec" I wrote for myself: a simple stack of elements — text, image, button, embed, form — arranged vertically. That's it. Simply built. And Customizable in the ways that matter: colors, fonts, spacing, backgrounds.
A Dry Run: Building a Bio Link Page in Under 5 Minutes
All looked great on paper, but how would it play out in practice? I gave myself a test: build a personal link page from scratch on Carrd. No account, no cost. I clicked "Start with a blank page." I dropped in a profile photo, wrote a line of text, added a few buttons for my links — Twitter, GitHub, my newsletter. I tweaked the colors. I previewed on my phone. Done. Total time: maybe four minutes.
Much to my surprise, the results were good. Really good: it looked clean, felt mine, and worked perfectly on mobile. And remember — it wasn't 2006. The builder itself is mobile-friendly, so I could have built the whole thing on my phone if I wanted.
Wait — It's Really Free?
Yes. You can build and publish up to three sites at no cost, with no time limit, no watermarks, and no feature gating. That alone covers a personal bio link, a resume page, and maybe a project showcase. Short of me royally screwing up, that's not changing.
If you need more — say you're a maker with five different side projects or a small business with a few landing pages — you can grab a Pro Lite plan starting at $9/year for 3 sites with no branding. That's less than a coffee per year. For 10 sites it's $14/year, and for 25 it's $29/year. But they could also just stick with free.
How Does Carrd Compare to Other Linktree Alternatives?
Other alternatives tend to add features until they become bloated. Carrd stays lean. It's not trying to be a website builder for the masses — it's the thing you grab when you need one page and you need it now. No learning curve, no endless options, no paywalls for basic customization.
Simply built. Customizable. Responsive. That's the whole pitch.
A Candid Note from the Maker
I'll be honest: when I built Carrd, I worried it was too simple. Would people want more? Would they feel limited? But every time I asked, the response was the same: "Less is more. I just need a link page that works."
So I leaned into that. The product's narrow focus became its strength. It's capable of cranking out a gorgeous site in under 5 minutes — and you can make it really your own without wrestling a bear of a tool.
FAQ
Is Carrd completely free to use?
Yes. You can build and publish up to 3 one-page sites for free — no credit card required, no time limit.
Can I use Carrd as a Linktree alternative?
Absolutely. Build a single page with your bio, links, social icons, and even a signup form — all on a custom .crd.co URL or your own domain.
Do Carrd sites work on mobile?
Yes — they're fully responsive by default, and the builder itself works on mobile too.
Can I add a mailing list signup form?
Yes, on Pro plans you can integrate with Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, beehiiv, Buttondown, EmailOctopus, and others.
How much do Pro plans cost?
Pro Lite starts at $9/year for 3 sites, Pro Lite 10 at $14/year, and Pro Lite 25 at $29/year. All remove Carrd branding and give you premium URLs.
Key Takeaways
- Carrd is a dead-simple, free one-page site builder — perfect as a Linktree alternative.
- Build a beautiful bio link page in under 5 minutes, no account needed.
- The product's narrow focus means it stays easy to use and fast to customize.
- Pro plans are absurdly affordable ($9/year) for additional sites and no branding.
- Responsive by default, mobile-friendly builder, and flexible enough for landing pages or portfolios.