Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Carrd · 🧱 website builders
Carrd vs Silex
A visual one-page builder that exports plain HTML and costs nothing; publishing begins with a GitLab login. Here is how Silex ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Carrd ($1.58/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Carrd vs Silex Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Carrd (Paid) | Silex (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $1.58 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $19 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $19) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $95 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $95) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $190 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $190) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 2.9k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Carrd to Silex
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Silex creates more publishing and layout work than Carrd's extremely simple one-page workflow.
How to deploy Silex
Use the hosted editor with a GitLab login, install the desktop alpha, or run the official Docker setup
What it takes to run
The stable hosted route starts with a GitLab account; the desktop build is still labelled alpha
Where your data lives
Project JSON and assets in GitLab, FTP or local storage; publishing produces ordinary static HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Why fork Silex instead of vibe-coding a Carrd clone?
A one-page static site generator with forms and custom domains is absolutely vibecodable; Carrd's price is so low that DIY only makes sense for control or learning.
Carrd vs Silex FAQ
Is Silex a good free alternative to Carrd?+
Yes. Silex is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0+) replacement for Carrd. A visual one-page builder that exports plain HTML and costs nothing; publishing begins with a GitLab login.
What is the catch when switching from Carrd to Silex?+
Silex creates more publishing and layout work than Carrd's extremely simple one-page workflow.
How much do you save switching from Carrd to Silex?+
Carrd costs $1.58/mo ($19/yr) per seat, whereas Silex is $0/mo. Switching saves $19/yr for a solo user, $95/yr for a 5-person team, and $190/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Silex instead of Carrd?+
Install: Use the hosted editor with a GitLab login, install the desktop alpha, or run the official Docker setup. Setup: The stable hosted route starts with a GitLab account; the desktop build is still labelled alpha
