Carrd vs Zenfolio: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Carrd and Zenfolio both offer unique advantages, catering to different user needs and preferences.

Carrd (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)

is ideal for users seeking a simple, affordable, and user-friendly platform for creating single-page websites. It excels in ease of use, design flexibility, and speed optimization. Carrd is perfect for personal profiles, landing pages, and small business websites, offering a variety of templates and customization options. However, it lacks robust eCommerce features and advanced user management capabilities, making it less suitable for larger projects or businesses with extensive online sales needs.
Zenfolio (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)

is tailored for professional photographers and visual artists looking to showcase and sell their work online. It offers comprehensive eCommerce capabilities, integrated marketing tools, and strong security features. Zenfolio’s platform is designed to handle the specific needs of photographers, including client proofing, secure photo storage, and customizable templates. While it may not offer the same level of design flexibility as Carrd, Zenfolio provides a more specialized solution for creative professionals.

	Overall grade: 6.1	Overall grade: 6.4
Design functionalities & templates	7.5	6.8
Ease of use	9.0	6.3
Ecommerce	3.5	6.3
Website Editors	7.0	7.6
Product testing options	6.0	8.4
Price	8.9	8.2
Hosting quality	5.0	5.7
Website speed optimization	8.2	5.2
Plugins and integrations	5.8	6.5
Marketing features	5.8	6.1
Customer support	6.2	6.7
Security	7.6	8.0
AI capabilities	0.0	2.4
User Management	4.3	2.8

Best for ecommerce

3.5

6.3

Verdict

: Carrd is suitable for basic ecommerce needs with third-party integrations, while Zenfolio offers a more comprehensive solution for photographers looking to sell their work online.

Carrd

: Carrd is a straightforward platform for creating single-page websites with basic ecommerce functionalities. It supports integrations with third-party services like Stripe and PayPal for payment processing. However, it lacks the depth and integrated tools needed for a robust ecommerce experience. When comparing Carrd vs Zenfolio, Carrd is best for those who need a simple, quick setup for selling a few products.
Zenfolio

: Zenfolio excels in providing a comprehensive ecommerce platform for photographers. It offers integrated tools for selling prints, digital downloads, and other products directly from the website. With features like multiple currency support, discount coupons, and order management, Zenfolio is a strong contender for those in the photography business looking to manage and grow their online sales.

Best for informational & business websites

7.9

6.9

Verdict

: Carrd is the superior choice for creating informational business websites due to its simplicity, ease of use, and versatile design options. Zenfolio, while strong in specific areas like photography, does not offer the same level of flexibility for general informational sites.

Carrd

: Carrd excels in creating fully responsive, single-page websites quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly interface and wide variety of templates make it ideal for personal profiles, landing pages, and small business sites. With a score of 7.9, Carrd is particularly well-suited for those who prioritize ease of use and design flexibility in their informational websites.
Zenfolio

: Zenfolio, scoring 6.9, is tailored more towards professional photographers and visual artists. It offers elegant, mobile-friendly templates and integrated e-commerce capabilities, making it a strong choice for showcasing and selling visual work. However, its specialized focus may limit its appeal for broader informational business website needs. When comparing Carrd vs Zenfolio, Carrd’s versatility and simplicity make it the better option for general informational sites.

Detailed comparison

7.5

6.8

🏆

Winner: Carrd.

Carrd offers a wider variety of templates and designs, more customization flexibility, and more creative design possibilities than Zenfolio.

Carrd is a versatile platform that 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, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Carrd Themes

On the other hand, Zenfolio offers a variety of customizable templates and features specifically tailored for photographers, with a focus on showcasing and selling their work. While it provides several customization options, including blocks for different layouts and styles, it may not offer as much versatility outside of photography-specific needs.

Zenfolio Themes

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9.0

6.3

🏆 Winner: Carrd

. Scoring a solid 9.0, Carrd stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for beginners and those seeking to create single-page websites quickly. Zenfolio, with a score of 6.3, offers a specialized platform for photographers, but it has limitations in design flexibility and might not fully cater to those seeking extensive customization. If ease of use is a priority, Carrd is the clear winner in this category.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Carrd

. While both platforms offer learning resources, Carrd goes a step further with its wide array of detailed tutorials and documentation, making it easier for users to learn and adapt.

Learn Carrd

Learn Zenfolio

3.5

6.3

Carrd, being a simple, lightweight platform for building one-page websites, does not inherently offer robust eCommerce features out of the box. For users looking to incorporate eCommerce functionalities, they would need to integrate third-party services or use external links to platforms like Etsy or Shopify. This setup can be a downside for those seeking an all-in-one solution with comprehensive eCommerce tools, inventory management, and payment processing directly within the platform.


Ecommerce themes and templates	4.5	7.0
Product page customization	3.0	7.2
Payment processing and commissions	5.0	6.5
POS capabilities	0.0	3.0
Payment gateways	5.5	6.8
Product numbers	2.0	5.0
Additional ecommerce features	3.5	6.5

Carrd ecommerce features:

Paypal and Stripe Integration
External Widgets integrations
Basic Product Listing options

Carrd.co Add a product

Zenfolio ecommerce features:

Multiple Currency Support
Discount Coupons
Order management
Gift Certificates
Tax 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, featuring designs that vary from dark themes to minimalist aesthetics. They are priced starting at $19 or $25, depending on the template, and require a Pro Standard account or higher due to the use of advanced elements and widgets.

Zenfolio, on the other hand, provides customizable website templates with integrated e-commerce features for photographers, designed to showcase and sell their work across various genres. These templates include essential online selling tools such as secure payment options, product management, and marketing integrations, making it an all-in-one platform for photographers aiming to display and market their creations effectively.

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. Users can integrate third-party services for ecommerce functionalities, but the customization possibilities for product pages would then depend on the capabilities of those external platforms.

Zenfolio, on the other hand, allows users to detail their product pages with descriptions, images, and options such as size or color. This allows for each product page to be adjusted to clearly display its unique attributes. Placing products in specific galleries or categories helps organize the site and improve navigation. The platform also supports customization in pricing and shipping settings, allowing sellers to cater to various needs effectively.

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. There’s no direct mention of Carrd charging commissions or offering POS capabilities within this documentation. For payment gateways, it specifically supports Stripe and Paypal.

Zenfolio supports Stripe and PayPal for payment processing, integrating them seamlessly into its platform designed for photographers to sell their work online. The platform charges a commerce fee of 7% per order (excluding tax and shipping) and a payment processing fee for transactions through Stripe or PayPal. While Zenfolio offers robust e-commerce functionalities for online sales, including setting up price lists for prints and digital downloads, it does not explicitly mention POS capabilities for in-person sales, suggesting its services are tailored primarily towards online transactions.

7.0

7.6

🏆

Winner: Zenfolio

. Zenfolio, with a score of 7.6, offers an intuitive, no-coding-required website builder tailored for photographers, featuring drag-and-drop customization, a wide array of templates, and a powerful Custom Layout block for personalized designs. Its integrated eCommerce capabilities enable selling both digital and physical photography products, supported by comprehensive security features for protecting photographers’ work. Additionally, Zenfolio provides tools for SEO, marketing, photo and video hosting, client booking, and management, backed by award-winning customer support.

Zenfolio editor

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.

Carrd editor

Mobile editor/app

5.5

8.5

🏆

Winner: Zenfolio

. Both Carrd and Zenfolio offer mobile editing capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. Carrd does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, however, it’s possible to edit on a mobile browser. This might be a bit inconvenient for users who prefer to make quick changes on the go.

Zenfolio, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive mobile editor app designed to provide Zenfolio account holders with the ability to manage their websites and galleries directly from their mobile devices. It includes features for receiving notifications, managing galleries, handling sales-related tasks, and showcasing photos through a client presentation mode. Additionally, the app supports uploading and editing photos, as well as accessing various tools for reports, CRM, bookings, and blog management, although some features may still necessitate desktop use for full functionality.

In summary, Zenfolio receives a higher rating due to its comprehensive mobile editor app, while Carrd’s lack of a dedicated mobile app might be a drawback for some users.

6.0

8.4

Overall Result

:

Zenfolio Wins

. Zenfolio scores 8.4 in product testing options, outperforming Carrd which scores 6.0. Zenfolio offers a longer trial period of 14 days compared to Carrd’s 7 days. Additionally, Zenfolio provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, a feature that Carrd lacks.


Free Plan	No	No
Trial Duration	7 days	14 days
Testing Premium Features	During the free trial	During the free trial
Money Back Guarantee	No	Yes (30 days)

8.9

8.2

Carrd offers more affordable pricing plans compared to Zenfolio, but Zenfolio provides more comprehensive features for professional photographers.

	Offerings	Offerings
$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-$5	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.
$5-$10	No offering at this amount.	Portfolio ($9.00/month): Basic entry-level with 15 GB photo storage, HD video, single-page website. Value for price: 6.0
$20-$30	No offering at this amount.	PortfolioPlus ($23.00/month): Balanced features with 150 GB photo storage, HD video, single-page website. Value for price: 7.5
$40+	No offering at this amount.	ProSuite ($40.00/month): Extensive features for photo and video, multi-page websites, blog, templates, and more. Value for Price: 9.0

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

5.0

5.7

🏆

Winner: Zenfolio

Zenfolio edges out Carrd with a slightly higher hosting quality score. Both platforms offer hosting services, but Zenfolio provides cloud hosting with storage ranging from 15GB to unlimited, and the possibility to manually backup website content. Carrd, on the other hand, offers shared hosting with unspecified bandwidth or storage limitations. Neither platform provides specific information about their uptime or data centers, which makes it difficult to compare them in these aspects.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes	Yes
Data Centers:	Not disclosed	Not disclosed
Type of hosting:	Shared Hosting	Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	Not disclosed	Not disclosed
Uptime Guarantee:	No	No

8.2

5.2

🏆 Winner: Carrd

Carrd outperforms Zenfolio in website speed optimization due to its use of caching and Cloudflare CDN, in addition to mobile responsive design.


Focus	Mobile responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN	Mobile responsive design
Performance Tools	Not specified	Not specified
Key Strategies	Mobile responsive design, Caching, Cloudflare CDN	Mobile responsive design
Load Times	Minimal due to simplicity of websites	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity
Page Speed Scores Range	High due to simplicity of websites	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Not disclosed	Not disclosed

Carrd, a platform for building fully responsive, single-page websites, focuses on 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.

Zenfolio, a website builder designed for professional photographers and visual artists, uses mobile responsive design as its key strategy for speed optimization. The load times and PageSpeed scores of Zenfolio websites vary depending on optimization and website complexity. Zenfolio does not provide any information on their Core Web Vitals improvements.

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5.8

6.5

🏆 Winner: Zenfolio.

Zenfolio scores 6.5, slightly higher than Carrd’s 5.8. Zenfolio offers a focused set of plugins and integrations specifically designed for photographers, including WordPress plugins for embedding photos, a Lightroom Classic plugin for direct photo uploads and management, and the ability to embed forms via services like Jotform. These features enhance the functionality of Zenfolio websites by facilitating content integration from external sources, streamlining photo management workflows, and allowing for customized user interactions through forms. Carrd, on the other hand, offers a range of plugins and extensions, including both free options and paid plugins. However, Zenfolio’s plugins and integrations significantly enhance its base functionalities, enabling advanced e-commerce capabilities, personalized customer interactions, and deeper social media engagement.

5.8

6.1

🏆

Overall Winner: Zenfolio

. Zenfolio edges out Carrd with a slightly higher marketing features score and more integrated marketing tools, especially for email marketing and analytics. Carrd, while offering similar features, relies more on third-party integrations.


SEO Tools		(limited)
Email Marketing	(through third-party integrations)
Blogging		(on higher plans)
Social Media Integration
Analytics and Reporting	(Google Analytics integration)	(basic built-in tools and Google Analytics integration)
Ads and Promotions	(through third-party integrations)

6.2

6.7

🏆 Winner: Zenfolio

. In the Carrd vs Zenfolio comparison, Zenfolio edges out Carrd with a slightly higher customer support score. Zenfolio offers a more comprehensive support system, including email support available 365 days a year, LiveChat from Monday to Thursday, and phone support for Advanced plan subscribers. Additionally, Zenfolio provides a rich Support Center with articles and video tutorials, ensuring users have access to a variety of self-help resources.

Carrd, on the other hand, provides 24/7 email support with responses typically within 24 hours. While Carrd’s support is reliable and straightforward, it lacks the variety of support channels that Zenfolio offers. This makes Zenfolio a better option for users who may need more immediate or varied support options.

7.6

8.0

🏆

Winner: Zenfolio

. Zenfolio takes the lead in security with a score of 8.0 compared to Carrd’s 7.6. Zenfolio’s commitment to data protection is evident in its strict third-party access limitations and adherence to data protection rights. It also provides SSL encryption for all its websites, watermarking to protect users’ work, password-protected galleries for controlled access, and cloud backup for additional data protection.

Although it may not offer the same level of specialized security features as Zenfolio, Carrd is committed to maintaining a secure platform for all types of websites. This includes automatic SSL for all sites and data protection measures. It collects personal information and uses cookies for data gathering and enhancing user experiences, but does not sell personal information. It also provides users with privacy choices, including opting out of marketing communications and requesting personal information modifications.

0.0

2.4


Personalized Design
SEO Optimization
Customer Behavior Analysis
Sales Predictions
Inventory Management
Content Generation

🏆 Winner: Zenfolio

. Zenfolio, with a score of 2.4, offers limited AI capabilities, specifically in the form of PhotoRefine.ai, an AI tool that assists photographers in managing their photo collections. This tool streamlines the process of sorting, grouping, and selecting photos, making it easier for photographers to prepare and sell their work online.

Carrd, on the other hand, does not have any AI capabilities. It is a simple and straightforward website builder that focuses on ease of use and functionality, rather than incorporating AI features.

4.3

2.8

🏆 Winner: Carrd

. Both Carrd and Zenfolio have limited user management capabilities, but Carrd offers slightly more flexibility.

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.
Zenfolio, on the other hand, allows only one user to edit and manage a website. This could be limiting for larger teams or projects that require collaboration.

Given the limited user management capabilities of both platforms, Carrd comes out on top with a score of 4.3, compared to Zenfolio’s 2.8.

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

31 reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

Zenfolio

3 reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

Users overwhelmingly praise Carrd 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.

Zenfolio is appreciated for its elegant and affordable site/portfolio designs, particularly for photographers looking to showcase and sell their work online. The Starter plan is praised for its value, though some users express a desire to upgrade to the Pro plan for enhanced client interaction features and customizable marketing tools. Criticisms include dissatisfaction with the platform’s handling of photo albums and a desire for more privacy and faster loading times. Overall, Zenfolio is valued for its ability to organize and share professional photographs and files, despite some navigational and performance issues.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for photographers, Carrd or Zenfolio?

Zenfolio is specifically designed for professional photographers and visual artists, offering robust ecommerce features, superior website editors, and better customer support tailored to showcasing and selling creative work online. Carrd, while versatile, is more suited for simple, single-page websites and does not offer the same level of specialized features for photographers.

Can I sell products on both Carrd and Zenfolio?

Yes, both platforms allow for ecommerce. However, Zenfolio provides a more integrated ecommerce platform with advanced features like payment processing, product management, and marketing tools, making it the superior choice for users requiring comprehensive ecommerce capabilities. Carrd offers basic ecommerce functionalities through third-party integrations, suitable for small-scale or specific ecommerce needs.

Is Carrd easier to use than Zenfolio?

Carrd is known for its simplicity and ease of use, scoring a solid 9.0 in this category. It’s ideal for beginners and those seeking to create single-page websites quickly. Zenfolio, while offering a specialized platform for photographers, has limitations in design flexibility and might not fully cater to those seeking extensive customization.

Which platform offers better value for money?

Carrd offers more affordable pricing plans, making it a cost-effective option for individuals and small businesses. Zenfolio, although more expensive, provides comprehensive features for professional photographers, including integrated ecommerce capabilities, marketing tools, and superior customer support, offering better value for users focused on photography.

How do Carrd and Zenfolio compare in terms of website speed and hosting quality?

Carrd outperforms Zenfolio in website speed optimization due to its use of caching and Cloudflare CDN. However, Zenfolio provides slightly better hosting quality with cloud hosting and the possibility to manually backup website content, compared to Carrd’s shared hosting.

Which platform has better customer support?

Zenfolio offers comprehensive customer support through email, live chat, and phone support for Advanced plan subscribers, along with a rich Support Center. Carrd provides 24/7 support via email but lacks the variety of support channels that Zenfolio offers.

Can I manage multiple users on either platform?

Both Carrd and Zenfolio have limited user management capabilities. Carrd offers slightly more flexibility with a Team feature for collaboration, while Zenfolio allows only one user to edit and manage a website, which could be limiting for larger teams or projects requiring collaboration.