Linktree vs Carrd: Why I Built a One-Page Link Hub

The Moment I Realized Linktree Wasn't Enough

Back in early 2021, I needed a link-in-bio for my Instagram. You know, the classic "link in bio" problem. I tried Linktree. It worked, sure. But I kept bumping into its walls. I couldn't change the font. Couldn't add a simple image without paying. The whole thing felt like a generic template everyone else was using. That bugged me. I wanted something mine.

So I went looking. And in that search, I stumbled right back into my own product, Carrd. I'll level with you. I didn't build Carrd for link-in-bio pages. I built it for anyone who needed a fast, one-page site for pretty much anything. A personal profile, a landing page, or something a bit more elaborate. But people were using it for exactly this. A simple hub for all their links. And they were getting gorgeous results in under five minutes. Much to my surprise, the results were good. Really good.

What Makes Carrd Different from Linktree?

Linktree is a link-in-bio service. You sign up, plug in your links, and pick a theme. It's fine. Easy to use, and I get why millions use it. But the product's narrow focus is on being a service, not on you owning the page. You can't add a custom domain without paying $5/month. You can't remove branding unless you pay. And the layout is fixed. You get a vertical list and that's it.

Carrd takes the opposite approach. It's a blank canvas built around a simple "stack" of elements. You want a profile photo? Drop an image element. A nice headline? Add a text block. Then underneath, stack your links. Each one a button or a text link. It takes maybe two minutes. But you could also add a video, a signup form, or even a tiny gallery. The key is that you decide, not the platform.

And the best part? It's 100% free to start. No signup needed. Just go to carrd.co/build and you're building a site in under 30 seconds. If you want to remove the "Made with Carrd" branding or use a custom domain, that's just $14/year on the Pro Lite 10 plan. Compare that to Linktree's $5/month (which is $60/year) for a custom domain and no branding. All looked great on paper, but how would it play out in practice?

A Dry Run: Building My Own All-My-Links Page

I decided to do a dry run. I opened a new Carrd, picked a basic template (the "Personal Profile" one), and swapped the placeholder content. I added my photo, a short bio, then a stack of buttons for my Twitter, GitHub, blog, and newsletter. I even fit a small signup form from MailChimp at the bottom. Linktree can't do that without a separate integration. Total time: maybe four minutes. I published it to a free .crd.co URL, no branding because I have a Pro account, but even with the free branding it looked clean.

Then I tested it on my phone. Responsive by default. I didn't have to tweak anything. The buttons were big enough to tap, the text reflowed nicely. It wasn't 2006. It looked modern and intentional. I swapped my Instagram bio link to that Carrd URL. Been using it ever since.

Why This Works: The "Does One Thing Well" Philosophy

The product's narrow focus is its superpower. Carrd is deliberately limited to one-page sites. That means I can make the builder really, really simple. No choosing between multi-page layouts or complex navigation. Just a single "stack" of elements. Image, text, button, form, etc. And you're done. That simplicity means fast performance, too. Your page loads in a blink, even with multiple links.

And because it's a one-page builder at heart, you get deep customization on the details that matter. Colors, fonts, spacing, backgrounds. You can make it feel completely different from anyone else's. Linktree gives you a few themes. Carrd gives you a whole palette.

When Should You Stick with Linktree?

Honestly? If you literally just want a quick list of links and don't care about customization, and you're okay with a monthly fee for basic features, Linktree is fine. It works. But if you want something that feels like your space, something you can tweak, brand, and own, Carrd is the better choice. Especially if you need more than just links. A bio, a contact form, an embedded video. Carrd lets you do that all on one page.

And the pricing? $14/year for 10 sites, no branding, premium URLs. That's less than three months of Linktree's Pro plan. For 25 sites it's $29/year. For 50 sites with custom domains and full SSL it's $89/year. Short of me royally screwing up, you're not going to find that value elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

• Carrd is free for basic one-page sites with branding. No signup required, build in under 30 seconds.
• Customization is wide open—change everything from fonts to background gradients, all without code.
• Responsive by default—your link hub looks great on any device, and the builder itself is mobile-friendly.
• Pricing is ridiculous—$14/year removes branding and gives you premium URLs. Linktree charges $60/year for the same.
• It's not just for links—add a signup form, a video, or a gallery. Carrd handles it all on one page.

FAQ

Can I use a custom domain with the free Carrd plan?

No. Custom domains require at least a Pro Lite 10 plan ($14/year). But the free plan gives you a .crd.co URL which is clean and functional.

How do I add my links? Is it as easy as Linktree?

Yes, even easier in some ways. In Carrd, you just add a Button element and paste your URL. You can style each button individually. It takes seconds.

Does Carrd support analytics for link clicks?

Not built-in, but you can use Google Analytics or simple trackers. Linktree offers basic analytics on paid plans, but Carrd keeps it minimal.

Is Carrd really free forever?

The free plan is free forever. You can build up to 3 sites with Carrd branding. No trial, no credit card. Pro plans start at $14/year when you're ready to upgrade.

Can I have multiple pages on Carrd?

No. Carrd is one-page only by design. That's the point. It stays simple and fast. If you need multi-page, you'd need another tool. But for a link hub, one page is perfect.