HTMLPub vs Carrd
Carrd is great for simple visual pages. But if you are a developer or indie hacker who needs full code access, API integration, and AI-powered page generation, HTMLPub is the Carrd alternative built for you. Here is the full breakdown.
HTMLPub vs Carrd compared
Side-by-side comparison across the features that matter most for AI-generated pages and landing pages.
| Feature | HTMLPub | Carrd |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free / $10/mo | $19/year (Pro Lite) |
| AI Page Generation | ✓ Yes (Claude) | ✗ No |
| Edit HTML/CSS Directly | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (template only) |
| API Access | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| MCP Integration | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Custom Domains | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (Pro only) |
| Forms | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (limited on free) |
| Analytics | ✓ Built-in | Third-party only |
| E-commerce | ✓ Yes | Basic (Pro only) |
The full breakdown
How HTMLPub and Carrd each handle the things that matter most for publishing pages in 2026.
HTMLPub is built for one job: publish AI-generated HTML pages instantly, with zero friction. You paste your code (or push via API or MCP), and a live URL appears in seconds. There is no editor to learn, no template to fight with, and no limitations on what HTML, CSS, or JavaScript you can use. Your AI generates the page exactly as it should look - and HTMLPub hosts it exactly as written, preserving every meta tag, structured data block, Open Graph tag, and custom script you included. For teams using Claude, ChatGPT, or any AI that writes HTML, this is the fastest path from conversation to live page.
✓ Strengths
- + Publishes raw HTML/CSS/JS exactly as written
- + Native MCP server for Claude and other AI tools
- + Full SEO control - all meta tags preserved
- + No account needed to publish (free tier)
- + API access on all paid plans
- + Structured data and Open Graph preserved
× Limitations
- - No visual editor - you need to provide HTML
- - Paid plan required for permanent hosting
- - Not ideal for non-technical users who cannot write HTML
Carrd is a beautifully minimal one-page site builder with a visual editor. It is genuinely excellent for what it is designed for: simple personal pages, link-in-bio pages, portfolios, and small landing pages built with templates. The $19/year pricing is nearly unbeatable for a hosted page with a custom domain. The limitation is that Carrd is a closed editor - you cannot paste arbitrary HTML and publish it. You work within Carrd’s component system. For AI-generated HTML pages, structured data, or anything that requires real code control, Carrd is not the right tool.
✓ Strengths
- + Extremely affordable ($19/year for Pro Lite)
- + Beautiful, minimal visual editor
- + Great for simple one-page personal sites
- + Fast to set up with templates
× Limitations
- - Cannot publish raw HTML/CSS/JS code
- - Limited SEO controls, no structured data
- - No AI or MCP integration
- - Very limited multi-page support
- - No custom scripts on free/basic plans
Which should you choose?
It depends entirely on how you are creating your pages. Here is the simple answer.
Choose HTMLPub if…
- You use AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) to generate HTML pages
- You need full HTML/CSS/JS control over your published pages
- SEO, structured data, and meta tags matter to you
- You want to publish via MCP from inside your AI conversation
- You are building landing pages, product pages, or microsites
- You need custom scripts like analytics or tracking pixels
Choose Carrd if…
- You want a simple personal page or link-in-bio site
- You prefer a visual editor with no code required
- Budget is the top priority ($19/year is hard to beat)
- You are building a basic portfolio or personal bio page
- You do not need AI integration or code-level customization
Carrd vs HTMLPub pricing
Carrd is known for low annual pricing, but the tiers come with trade-offs. Here is how the costs actually compare.
Carrd offers three Pro tiers: Pro Lite ($19/year) gives you custom domains and removes Carrd branding. Pro Standard ($29/year) adds forms, widgets, and Google Analytics. Pro Plus ($49/year) unlocks more sites and embeds. However, none of these tiers include API access, AI generation, or direct HTML/CSS editing.
HTMLPub starts with a generous free tier (no account needed, 5 pages, 7-day expiry). The Starter plan ($10/month) includes 50 pages, custom slugs, custom domains, API access, and 20,000 AI credits. The Pro plan ($25/month) adds 250 pages, 5 custom domains, analytics heatmaps, and 60,000 AI credits.
The hidden cost with Carrd is what you cannot do: no API means no automation, no AI generation means manual page creation, and no code access means you are locked into templates. For developers and indie hackers shipping fast, HTMLPub's monthly pricing pays for itself in time saved.
How to switch from Carrd
Moving from Carrd to HTMLPub is straightforward. Here is a quick guide.
1. Export your content. Carrd does not offer a native HTML export, but you can copy your text, images, and structure from the Carrd editor. Alternatively, use your browser’s “Save Page As” to grab a snapshot of your live Carrd page.
2. Recreate with AI. Paste your content into Claude or ChatGPT and ask it to generate a clean HTML page. Describe your design preferences and the AI will produce production-ready HTML/CSS in seconds.
3. Publish on HTMLPub. Paste the generated HTML into HTMLPub (or use the API/MCP to publish directly from your AI conversation). Your page is live instantly with full code control, SEO meta tags preserved, and no template limitations.
4. Connect your domain. If you had a custom domain on Carrd, point it to HTMLPub instead. Update your DNS records and HTMLPub handles SSL automatically.
Common questions
What is the difference between HTMLPub and Carrd?
HTMLPub is designed to publish raw AI-generated HTML pages instantly. Carrd is a visual drag-and-drop one-page site builder. HTMLPub gives you complete code control; Carrd keeps you inside its visual editor. They solve different problems.
Which is cheaper, HTMLPub or Carrd?
Carrd’s Pro plans start at $19/year (Pro Lite), going up to $49/year (Pro Plus). HTMLPub starts at $10/month. However, HTMLPub is free to try with no account required, and its pricing includes full HTML hosting, API access, AI credits, and MCP integration that Carrd does not offer at any price.
Can I publish AI-generated HTML on Carrd?
Not directly. Carrd’s closed editor does not let you paste arbitrary HTML/CSS as a full page. HTMLPub is built specifically for this use case.
Which is better for SEO?
HTMLPub is significantly better for SEO. It preserves all meta tags, Open Graph data, structured data, and canonical URLs exactly as your AI wrote them. Carrd has limited SEO controls and no support for custom structured data.
Does HTMLPub work with Claude or ChatGPT?
Yes. HTMLPub has a native MCP server that lets Claude publish pages autonomously without leaving the chat. Carrd has no AI or MCP integration.
When should I choose Carrd over HTMLPub?
Carrd is the better choice for simple visual personal pages, link-in-bio sites, and portfolios built with a drag-and-drop editor - especially if budget is the top priority. If you are working with AI-generated HTML, HTMLPub wins.
Can I migrate from Carrd to HTMLPub?
Yes. Export your Carrd page content (copy text and images, or save the page from your browser), then use Claude or ChatGPT to recreate it as clean HTML. Publish on HTMLPub in seconds with full code control, API access, and better SEO. You can also point your existing custom domain to HTMLPub.
Does HTMLPub have an API?
Yes. HTMLPub provides a full REST API on all paid plans for creating, updating, and managing pages programmatically. It also offers an MCP server so AI tools like Claude can publish pages directly from a conversation. Carrd does not offer API access on any plan.
Publish your AI-generated pages in seconds
No account needed. Paste your HTML and get a live URL instantly. The fastest way to publish AI-generated pages.