Final verdict
Carrd and IONOS offer distinct advantages depending on the user’s needs, with IONOS slightly leading in overall score.
-
Carrd (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)
excels in simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for individuals and small businesses looking to create single-page websites quickly and efficiently. It shines in design flexibility and affordability, offering a straightforward platform for users with basic website needs. However, it falls short in ecommerce capabilities and advanced features compared to IONOS. -
IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)
stands out for its comprehensive range of features, including robust ecommerce tools, a variety of plugins and integrations, and effective marketing features. It offers a more versatile platform suitable for users seeking to build more complex websites with additional functionalities. Despite its higher learning curve, IONOS provides reliable hosting services and better customer support, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to scale.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.5 |
7.2 |
|
Ease of use |
9.0 |
7.8 |
|
Ecommerce |
3.5 |
7.1 |
|
Website Editors |
7.0 |
7.8 |
|
Product testing options |
6.0 |
6.5 |
|
Price |
8.9 |
7.8 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
8.8 |
|
Website speed optimization |
8.2 |
7.2 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
6.5 |
|
Marketing features |
5.8 |
7.5 |
|
Customer support |
6.2 |
7.3 |
|
Security |
7.6 |
7.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.2 |
|
User Management |
4.3 |
3.1 |
| Overall |
6.1 |
6.9 |
Best for ecommerce
3.5
7.1
Verdict
: For users seeking to build an ecommerce platform, IONOS offers a more robust set of features compared to Carrd, making it the better choice for those with more complex ecommerce needs.
-
Carrd
: Best suited for simple, one-page websites, Carrd offers basic ecommerce functionalities primarily through third-party integrations. It’s an affordable option for individuals or small businesses looking to sell a limited number of products online with minimal setup. -
IONOS
: With a higher ecommerce score and comprehensive features like store management, marketing tools, and a variety of payment and shipping options, IONOS stands out as the superior choice for businesses looking to establish or expand their online store. Its platform caters to a wide range of ecommerce needs, from product and inventory management to advanced payment processing.
Best for informational & business websites
7.9
7.4
Verdict
: Carrd edges out IONOS for informational business websites, thanks to its superior ease of use and design flexibility tailored for simple, effective single-page sites.
-
Carrd
: Excelling in simplicity and user-friendliness, Carrd is the ideal choice for creating single-page websites. Its focus on ease of use, combined with a variety of templates and customization options, makes it perfect for personal profiles, portfolios, and small business landing pages. Carrd’s approach to website building is particularly suited for users looking for a straightforward platform to quickly establish an online presence. -
IONOS
: While IONOS offers a robust platform with a wide range of features and customizable templates, it is slightly less suited for purely informational sites compared to Carrd. IONOS shines in scenarios where a more complex website structure or ecommerce functionalities are required, making it a versatile choice for businesses looking to expand beyond basic informational content.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.5
7.2
🏆
Winner: Carrd.
Carrd offers a higher degree of customization flexibility and creative design possibilities compared to IONOS, making it the preferred choice for users who want to create unique and personalized websites.
Carrd offers a wide variety of templates and designs, catering to different needs and preferences. Users can choose from a broad selection of themes, ranging from simple and minimalist to complex and dynamic layouts. Carrd makes it easy for users to customize templates, allowing for a high degree of personalization and creativity in creating unique websites.
On the other hand, IONOS offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder. With over 200 templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are categorized into different industries and styles, making it easy for users to find the perfect design for their website.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
9.0
7.8
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Scoring a solid 9.0, Carrd stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, making it exceptionally easy for beginners to create single-page websites quickly. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, but Carrd’s streamlined and accessible experience for users of all skill levels gives it the edge in this category.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Both platforms offer learning resources, but Carrd’s resources are more accessible and designed to help users get started and make the most out of its features.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
3.5
7.1
When it comes to ecommerce, IONOS outperforms Carrd with a score of 7.1 compared to Carrd’s 3.5. IONOS offers a more comprehensive set of ecommerce features, including store management, marketing tools, payment and shipping options, and products and inventory management. Carrd, on the other hand, is primarily designed for building one-page websites and does not inherently offer robust ecommerce features. Users looking to incorporate ecommerce functionalities would need to integrate third-party services or use external links to platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.5 |
6.5 |
|
Product page customization |
3.0 |
6.8 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
5.0 |
7.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
5.5 |
|
Payment gateways |
5.5 |
7.2 |
|
Product numbers |
2.0 |
6.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
6.3 |
Carrd ecommerce features:
- Paypal and Stripe Integration
- External Widgets integrations
- Basic Product Listing options
IONOS ecommerce features:
- Store Management
- Marketing Tools
- Payment and Shipping options
- Products and Inventory management
Ecommerce themes & templates
Carrd provides a selection of 14 e-commerce templates aimed at users looking to quickly launch online stores for products ranging from e-books to physical goods. These templates are crafted with a focus on simplicity and conversion optimization. On the other hand, IONOS offers a variety of ecommerce themes and templates designed to help businesses set up their online stores efficiently and effectively. Their online store builder is tailored to support a range of ecommerce needs, from selling on social media platforms to managing a scalable ecommerce website without any coding or design skills required.
Product page customization
Carrd offers a streamlined approach to ecommerce product page customization, primarily through integrations with third-party platforms such as Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, and Gumroad. Users can create product pages within Carrd by adding product details like name, description, image, and price, and then integrate a checkout button using Carrd’s Widget element for platforms like Stripe. In contrast, Ionos website builder provides users with the ability to extensively customize product pages. This includes the flexibility to adjust the design and layout, ensuring that product images, descriptions, and specifications are displayed according to individual preferences. Additionally, Ionos allows for the setup and management of product options and variations, such as size and color, enabling customers to select their preferred version of a product.
Payment processing
Carrd allows for payment-enabled forms for Pro Plus users or higher, integrating with Stripe Checkout for payment processing. This setup enables creating forms for various transactions like order forms or paid email lists. The process requires setting up the payment through Stripe, either via a preconfigured price or a custom price, and entering Stripe API keys. For payment gateways, it specifically supports Stripe and Paypal. On the other hand, IONOS supports a wide variety of third-party payment processors for its website builder, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without charging direct fees for payment processing. Users can choose from an extensive list of payment options to suit their business needs and customer preferences, enhancing the flexibility and security of online transactions.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
7.0
7.8
🏆
Winner: IONOS
. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, provides an intuitive website builder equipped with AI assistance, designed for users to quickly create professional-looking websites without needing coding skills. This platform offers customizable templates, AI-generated content, and is optimized for mobile use, ensuring a responsive design across all devices. With features that cater to both basic and advanced website needs, including eCommerce capabilities, IONOS aims to simplify the web creation process.
Carrd’s website builder editor, scoring 7.0, is designed for simplicity and efficiency, catering primarily to users looking to create single-page websites. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows for easy drag-and-drop functionality, enabling users to add, customize, and position elements such as text, images, buttons, and forms with minimal effort. The editor also provides a range of pre-designed templates and responsive design options, ensuring that websites look professional and work seamlessly across various devices. Additionally, Carrd includes basic SEO tools and integration capabilities with external services, making it a versatile choice for personal projects, portfolios, and small business landing pages.
Mobile editor/app
5.5
4.5
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Neither Carrd nor IONOS offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, both platforms allow for editing on mobile browsers. Carrd, with its focus on simplicity and ease of use, provides a better mobile editing experience, as reflected in its higher mobile editor score. IONOS, while also offering mobile browser editing, falls slightly behind Carrd in terms of user experience and functionality.
Therefore, for users who prioritize mobile editing, Carrd may be the more suitable choice.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
6.0
6.5
Overall Result
:
IONOS Wins
. IONOS scores slightly higher than Carrd with a score of 6.5 compared to Carrd’s 6.0. IONOS offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, during which users can test premium features. Carrd, on the other hand, offers a 7-day free trial where users can test premium features, but does not offer a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | No |
|
Trial Duration |
7 days |
30 days (money-back guarantee) |
|
Testing Premium Features |
During free trial |
During 30-day refundable period |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No |
Yes (30 days) |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
8.9
7.8
Carrd offers more affordable pricing plans compared to IONOS, but IONOS provides a wider range of features and functionalities.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$0-$1 |
Pro Lite ($0.75/month): Basic features suitable for simple, personal websites. Up to 3 1-page websites. Value for price: 6.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$1-$3 |
Pro Standard ($1.58/month): Offers more features and flexibility, ideal for professional profiles and small projects. Up to 10 1-page websites. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$3-$10 |
Pro Plus ($4.08/month): Enhanced features for more complex sites, including additional customization options. Up to 25 1-page websites. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$10-$15 |
No offering at this amount. |
Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. Value for price: 5.0 |
|
$15-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
Plus ($18/month): Enhanced with 50GB space, 200 pages, custom HTML, SiteAnalytics, online booking, AI Text Generator & AI Text Improver, AI SEO Text Generator Value for price: 7.5 |
|
$30+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Pro ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for Price: 9.0 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
5.0
8.8
🏆
Winner: IONOS
IONOS offers a diverse range of hosting services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with features like daily backups, and unlimited traffic. It also boasts a 99.99% uptime guarantee and has 7 data centers in the EU and USA. Carrd, on the other hand, offers shared hosting integrated with its website-building platform, but does not provide specific information on bandwidth or storage limitations, and does not have an uptime guarantee or disclose information about its data centers.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, shared hosting integrated with its website-building platform |
Yes, diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting |
|
Data Centers: |
Not publicly disclosed |
Total of 7 data centers in EU(Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA(Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS) |
|
Type of hosting: |
Shared Hosting |
Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting |
|
Uptime: |
Not provided |
99.99% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
Yes, 99.99% |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
8.2
7.2
🏆 Winner: Carrd
Both Carrd and IONOS prioritize website performance and page speed, with Carrd focusing on mobile responsive design, caching, and Cloudflare CDN, and IONOS emphasizing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, and CDN. However, Carrd gets a slight edge when it comes to website speed optimization.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Mobile responsive design, caching, Cloudflare CDN |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, CDN |
|
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Google PageSpeed Insights Integration |
|
Key Strategies |
Mobile responsive design, caching, Cloudflare CDN |
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, CDN |
|
Load Times |
Minimal due to simplicity of websites |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and user’s location |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Expected to be high due to simplicity of websites |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and user’s location |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
No information disclosed |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Carrd, a platform for building fully responsive, single-page websites, prioritizes mobile responsive design, caching, and Cloudflare CDN for speed optimization. Given the simplicity of websites built with Carrd, load times are expected to be minimal, and page speed scores are expected to be high. However, Carrd does not disclose any information related to Core Web Vitals improvements.
IONOS, on the other hand, emphasizes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, and CDN for speed optimization. Both load times and Page speed scores vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location. IONOS places emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements for Core Web Vitals.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
5.8
6.5
🏆 Winner: IONOS.
With a score of 6.5, IONOS offers a wider range of plugins and extensions compared to Carrd, which scores 5.8. IONOS’s plugins enhance the functionality of the website by adding features such as ecommerce capabilities, social media integration, SEO optimization, and contact forms.
On the other hand, Carrd offers a range of plugins and extensions, including both free and paid options, that enable functionalities beyond its base features. However, the number of plugins and the extent of functionalities they offer are not as extensive as IONOS.
Marketing Features
Marketing featuresAssesses tools and options available for marketing.Score Components:
- SEO tools (40%): Effectiveness of SEO features.
- Marketing automation (30%): Availability and quality of marketing tools.
- Social Media integration (20%): Ease and depth of social media connectivity.
- Email marketing (10%): Quality and usability of email marketing tools.
5.8
7.5
🏆
Overall Winner: IONOS
. IONOS stands out for its more comprehensive marketing tools, especially in email marketing, blogging, and ad campaign management. Carrd, while offering a simpler and more streamlined approach, relies heavily on third-party integrations for its marketing features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
Yes, through third party integrations |
|
|
Blogging |
Yes, with third party integrations |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Yes |
Yes, with direct sales on Facebook and Instagram |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Yes, Carrd allows integration with Google Analytics |
Yes, with built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Yes, through third party integrations |
Yes, with Google Ads and promotional tools |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
6.2
7.3
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS takes the lead in this category with a customer support score of 7.3. IONOS provides 24/7 customer support with contact numbers for immediate assistance, ensuring that users can reach out for help whenever needed.
On the other hand, Carrd also offers 24/7 support via email, typically replying within 24 hours. However, it falls behind IONOS with a customer support score of 6.2. Neither Carrd nor IONOS provide enterprise support as they don’t have enterprise plans.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
7.6
7.5
🏆
Winner: Carrd
. Carrd’s security measures are straightforward and user-friendly, automatically enabling SSL for all sites, including custom domains and subdomains. This ensures data security and encryption, safeguarding websites against unauthorized access and hacking. Carrd’s commitment to security aligns with standards observed by leading website builders.
IONOS, on the other hand, provides robust data storage and protection measures, including end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication. It offers guidance on staying updated with security patches, conducting backups, securing logins, and implementing HTTPS and SSL certificates. Despite these comprehensive measures, IONOS falls slightly short of Carrd in the security score.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
0.0
7.2
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Personalized Design |
|
AI offers personalized design recommendations |
|
SEO Optimization |
|
AI-guided SEO advice for optimal content placement and structure |
|
Content Generation |
|
AI assistance in creating and optimizing site content |
🏆 Winner: IONOS
. IONOS’s AI capabilities are highly user-friendly and innovative. It excels in offering personalized website design suggestions, content
optimization, and streamlined site setup processes. IONOS’s AI also assists in providing SEO recommendations and
layout adjustments based on user behavior.
Carrd, with a score of 0.0, does not utilize AI to enhance the website building experience. Its features focus on simplicity and ease of use, making it a good choice for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence quickly and efficiently. However, it lacks the advanced AI capabilities offered by IONOS.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
4.3
3.1
🏆 Winner: Carrd
. Both Carrd and IONOS allow multiple users to edit a website, but neither provides detailed information about user roles and permissions.
- Carrd is primarily designed for individual use or small teams, with each account managing its own sites. The platform introduced a Team feature to allow multiple users to collaborate, but traditionally, Carrd sites are managed by a single account holder with full control. The specifics of access levels and permissions for collaborators, if available, are less detailed but generally include editing capabilities.
- Ionos website builder permits multiple users for website editing. However, there is no mention of user roles and permissions, nor is there information about limitations on the number of users allowed to edit a website.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
Carrd users overwhelmingly praise the platform for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer support, and attractive templates, making website creation effortless and enjoyable. The drag-and-drop builder, affordability, and mobile-friendly designs are highlighted as significant benefits. However, some users express limitations, such as the inability to create multi-page websites or a desire for more design options. Overall, Carrd is praised for its affordability, ease of use, and suitability for creating quick, simple webpages.
IONOS, primarily a hosting provider that also offers a website builder, receives mixed reviews. While praised for its great packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals, some users encounter issues with backend functionality and find customer service representatives too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for creating single-page websites, Carrd or IONOS?
Can I use Carrd or IONOS for ecommerce?
How do Carrd and IONOS compare in terms of design flexibility and customization?
Which platform offers better customer support, Carrd or IONOS?
Are there any AI capabilities in Carrd or IONOS?
Which platform is more affordable, Carrd or IONOS?
How do Carrd and IONOS perform in terms of website speed and optimization?
Can I manage multiple users with Carrd or IONOS?
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