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Linktree vs Carrd: Which Link-in-Bio Tool is Better?

Compare Linktree vs Carrd costs, features, and custom domains. Plus why Shopify merchants should skip both and use a checkout-connected page.

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Linktree vs Carrd: Which Link-in-Bio Tool is Better?
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You're comparing Linktree and Carrd because you know you need a link-in-bio solution. The real questions running through your head are probably more like:
  • How do I turn this single Instagram link into actual revenue?
  • Do I want a simple button list or something that feels like a real website?
  • How much control do I actually need over branding and tracking?
  • Can I sell directly without getting eaten alive by fees?
  • Will I still be happy with this choice six months from now?
That last question matters more than most people admit.
Pick wrong, and you'll be rebuilding your bio page while trying to redirect traffic and salvage whatever SEO you've built up.
So let's cut through the noise. This isn't about which tool is "better." It's about which one fits the actual work you need your link in bio to do.

Should I Choose Linktree or Carrd? (Quick Answer)

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Choose Linktree if you want…

  • The fastest possible setup for a working link hub (add links, drop in some embeds, generate a QR code, you're done).
  • Built-in creator monetization like selling digital products, courses, or using their affiliate-style Shop feature (though availability varies by country).
  • Native analytics without having to configure Google Analytics yourself.
  • Social management tools like post scheduling and automated Instagram replies (on Pro and up).

Choose Carrd if you want…

  • A real one-page website (not just a vertical list of buttons) with serious design control.
  • Your own custom domain (Carrd Pro Standard and Plus support publishing to domains you own, with SSL included).
  • Website-level capabilities like custom meta tags, GA integration, embeds, forms, and on Pro Plus you even get downloadable site source code.
  • Significantly lower annual cost for what ends up being a polished, branded presence.

If you're a Shopify seller, stop and read this

Linktree and Carrd are both great at routing traffic. But if your primary goal is selling products, you need to think differently about the tap-to-checkout path.
A Shopify-native shoppable storefront (like LinkShop) is built for exactly this job: product browsing + cart behavior + checkout, all happening directly from your bio link experience. It's managed from your Shopify admin, syncs with your catalog, and doesn't charge you per-transaction fees.

What's the Difference Between Linktree and Carrd?

Think of it this way:
Linktree is a link hub + creator toolkit. It's optimized for fast publishing, built-in analytics, and native "creator economy" features (scheduling, automations, monetization tools).
Carrd is a one-page website builder. It's optimized for design control, ownership (your own domain), and the flexibility to embed whatever tech stack you want.
Pick the wrong category and you'll feel the friction immediately.
Want a branded mini-site that feels like your brand? Linktree can start to feel constraining pretty fast.
Want instant analytics and creator monetization without wiring up a dozen tools? Carrd can feel like "great, now I have to build the whole integration layer myself."
Fair question.
Platforms are loosening the "one link only" rule in some places. Threads started allowing up to five links in profiles back in May 2025.
And mainstream website builders are shipping their own bio-link features now. Hostinger added a link-in-bio builder to its website product in October 2025.
But here's why link-in-bio pages still matter:
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→ You get one canonical destination you control across every platform (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, podcast show notes, QR codes on physical products, email signatures, all of it).
→ Campaign agility is real. You can swap your top CTA without updating ten different profiles.
→ Tracking and consistency become possible. UTMs, pixels, analytics are especially valuable when a piece of content goes viral and you actually want to know what happens next.
So yes. Most creators and brands still benefit from having one "bio home" they own.

How Much Do Linktree and Carrd Cost? (Pricing Comparison)

Linktree pricing (as shown on their pricing page, accessed Dec 8, 2025)

Plan
Monthly
Annual
Key Feature Unlock
Free
$0
$0
Basic hub with Linktree branding
Starter
$5/month
$4/month (billed yearly)
Collect subscribers, basic customization
Pro
$9/month
$7.50/month (billed yearly)
Email integrations, comprehensive analytics, 7-day trial
Premium
$24/month
$19.50/month (billed yearly)
Advanced features, priority support
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Important: If you use Linktree's "Earn" features (selling digital products, courses), you'll pay platform transaction fees on top of Stripe's processing fees. According to Linktree's help center (updated "over 2 months ago," accessed Dec 8, 2025):
  • Free plan: 12% platform fee + Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 per purchase
  • Starter/Pro plans: 9% platform fee + Stripe 2.9% + $0.30
  • Premium plan: 0% platform fee + Stripe 2.9% + $0.30
And not all monetization features are available everywhere. Some Earn features are limited to specific countries, and certain partner earnings features are US-only.

Carrd pricing (from Carrd's documentation, accessed Dec 8, 2025)

Plan
Annual Cost
What You Get
Basic (Free)
$0
Build up to 3 sites with core features
Pro Lite
$9/year
More sites, more features
Pro Standard
$19/year
Custom domains, forms, widgets, embeds, analytics
Pro Plus
$49/year
Everything + advanced settings, downloadable source
Carrd isn't "charging you per sale" because it's a site builder, not a commerce platform. Your costs come from whatever you embed (Stripe, PayPal, Gumroad, etc.) and standard payment processing.

Bottom line on pricing

  • Linktree is a monthly SaaS. You're paying for "done-for-you" features and integrations.
  • Carrd is a low-cost annual builder. You're paying for control, and you assemble your own stack.

Can You Use a Custom Domain with Linktree or Carrd?

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Linktree: you can't replace linktr.ee/username with your own domain

Linktree's help center states it doesn't offer the option to use a custom domain to replace the linktr.ee URL (article updated "over a year ago," accessed Dec 8, 2025).
You can redirect a domain you own to your Linktree page. But that's not the same as hosting on your domain. You're still building equity on Linktree's URL structure, not yours.

Carrd: custom domains are a core feature (Pro Standard and up)

Carrd Pro Standard allows publishing to custom domains you own, with SSL via Let's Encrypt included.
Pro Plus adds even more control: canonical URL settings, redirects, and the ability to edit site files like robots.txt and ads.txt.

Why this matters

If you're building a brand (not just a personal creator page), domain ownership is one of the strongest "future-proofing" moves you can make.

For Shopify sellers using LinkShop

Your bio page lives at yourstore.com/a/linkshop, right on your actual Shopify domain. You're building equity on your own URL from day one.

Linktree vs Carrd: Feature Comparison (What Actually Matters)

1) Speed to launch

Tool
Time to Live
Best For
Linktree
10 minutes
Need something live NOW
Carrd
60-120 minutes
Building a branded asset for years
LinkShop
15-30 minutes
Shopify merchants wanting shoppable storefront
Linktree: Fastest path to "live." Start free, add links and embeds, hit publish. You're done.
Carrd: Still quick, but you're building a page. Layout, spacing, sections, mobile view require some time.
If you need something live in 10 minutes: Linktree wins.
If you can invest 60-120 minutes to build a branded asset you'll keep for years: Carrd wins.

2) Design control (how "on-brand" can you get?)

  • Linktree: Themes + block styles + "highlighted links." Pro unlocks more personalization (logo, full-screen visuals, custom design styles).
  • Carrd: Full layout control. Start from templates or blank canvas. Embeds, custom styles, and on Pro Plus you get advanced settings for attributes, styles, and JS events.
If your brand is design-led (fashion, beauty, creative services): Carrd usually feels better.
If you just need clean and functional fast: Linktree is fine.

3) Analytics and measurement (what you can actually improve)

  • Linktree: Built-in "essential" analytics on Free; "comprehensive analytics" on Pro.
  • Carrd: Add Google Analytics on Pro Standard/Plus, plus custom meta tags for tracking.
Reality check:
If you don't look at analytics weekly, you don't need advanced analytics.
If you do optimize weekly, you'll appreciate the flexibility of GA on a custom domain and the ability to track anything you want.

4) Lead capture and email integrations

  • Linktree: Starter includes collecting and managing subscribers; Pro adds email integrations (Mailchimp, Google Sheets, Kit, Klaviyo).
  • Carrd: Pro Standard supports forms and signup forms with integrations like Mailchimp, Kit, ActiveCampaign, EmailOctopus, and more.
Difference in feel:
Linktree's integrations feel "native." You toggle them on and they just work.
Carrd's approach is "wire it however you want." More flexible, slightly more setup.

5) Monetization and selling (this is where it gets interesting)

This is where you need to be brutally honest about what you actually sell and where your revenue comes from.

If you sell digital products (ebooks, downloads, courses):

  • Linktree can sell digital products and courses inside its ecosystem, but fees apply depending on your plan, plus Stripe's processing fees.
  • Availability depends on country and feature type. Some Earn features are US-only; digital products are available in specific supported countries.
  • Carrd can embed Stripe, PayPal, Gumroad. On Pro Plus you can incorporate Stripe Checkout into advanced forms.

If you sell physical products:

  • Linktree's "Shop" is positioned around affiliate-style storefront earning commission. Some partner earnings features are US-only.
  • Carrd typically works as a product teaser page that clicks out to your actual store/checkout.

If you're running Shopify:

The most valuable move isn't picking between Linktree and Carrd. It's reducing the social → product page → cart → checkout path.
LinkShop turns your bio link into a shoppable Shopify storefront:
  • Browse products directly in the bio page (no hunting)
  • Add to cart in-page (no navigation friction)
  • Checkout through native Shopify (no external platform fees)
  • $15/month flat pricing (no per-transaction cuts)
  • Integrates with your Shopify catalog, inventory, and discounts automatically
(Shopify App Store)

6) Automation and growth tools (Linktree's "new" category)

Linktree is clearly pushing beyond link-in-bio into "manage and grow your social presence." Pro includes:
  • Social media scheduling
  • Automated Instagram replies
  • Link shortener that auto-adds UTMs
Carrd doesn't compete here because it's not trying to be a social management platform. It's a page builder.
If your bottleneck is "I can't keep up with content and DMs": Linktree is built for that workflow.
If your bottleneck is "my page doesn't feel like my brand" or "I want my own domain": Carrd is built for that.

7) Team workflows

  • Linktree Premium mentions optional add-on team tools (collaboration workflows) and enterprise options for managing multiple Linktrees at scale.
  • Carrd supports sharing access and transferring sites. Pro plans include sharing and site transfer features.
If you're a brand with approvals and multiple stakeholders, Linktree's positioning is more "team-ready." Carrd is more "lightweight collaboration."

How to Choose Between Linktree and Carrd (Decision Framework)

Here's a simple way to choose that avoids getting distracted by shiny features.
Your Primary Bio Job
Best Tool
Why
Route attention (content, podcast, newsletter)
Linktree
Fast setup, built-in tools
Capture leads without technical setup
Linktree
Native integrations
Establish brand trust (custom domain)
Carrd
Own your URL equity
Run campaigns (hero offer, conversion focus)
Carrd
Full design control
Sell products (reduce clicks to checkout)
LinkShop
Native Shopify storefront
Turn bio into storefront (not just directory)
LinkShop
In-page cart + checkout

Choose Linktree if your bio job is primarily:

→ Route attention (content, podcast episodes, newsletter, social profiles)
→ Capture leads fast without technical setup
→ Use built-in creator tools (scheduling, auto-replies, basic monetization)

Choose Carrd if your bio job is primarily:

→ Establish brand trust (custom domain, website feel, design control)
→ Run campaigns (one hero offer with supporting sections, embedded forms, conversion-focused layout)
→ Own the asset (downloadable source on Pro Plus; canonical URL settings; custom redirects)

Choose a Shopify-native storefront (like LinkShop) if your bio job is primarily:

→ Sell products (reduce clicks between social tap and checkout completion)
→ Keep everything in Shopify (catalog, inventory, discounts, checkout all in one system)
→ Turn the bio link into a storefront, not just a directory of buttons
These are proven page architectures. The tools differ, but the psychology is universal: clarity, trust, and one primary call-to-action that's impossible to miss.

Playbook A: Creator / influencer (affiliate + content)

Above the fold:
  • One sentence describing who you help or what you post
  • One primary CTA (e.g., "Start here" or "Shop my favorites")
  • Social proof (if credible): press logo, follower milestone, testimonial
Below the fold (3-5 "shelves," not 20 random links):
  1. Top offer or current campaign
  1. Free value (lead magnet, guide, resource)
  1. Most-watched or most-valuable content
  1. Shop / affiliate recommendations
  1. Contact or business inquiries
Tool fit:
  • Linktree if you want built-in monetization tools and the ability to make quick edits.
  • Carrd if you want a true branded "creator site" on your own domain.

Playbook B: Service business (coaches, freelancers, agencies)

Above the fold:
  • One clear promise + niche ("I help X achieve Y")
  • Primary CTA: "Book a call" (or "Get a quote")
  • Secondary CTA: "See work" or "Case studies"
Middle:
  • Three bullet proof points (results, differentiator, method)
  • Short testimonials (specific results, not generic praise)
Bottom:
  • FAQ section + contact form (Carrd) or subscriber capture (Linktree)
Tool fit:
  • Linktree if you want fast setup and lead capture tools built in.
  • Carrd if you want a true professional landing page on your domain.

Playbook C: Ecommerce brand (the "stop sending people to a menu" model)

Above the fold:
  • New drop or best-seller hero image
  • "Shop the drop" CTA
Middle:
  • Best sellers (3-6 items with images)
  • UGC / customer reviews / "as seen on" logos
  • Email capture ("Get 10% off your first order")
Bottom:
  • Support + shipping + returns shortcuts
Tool fit:
  • Carrd can do this beautifully, but it still routes visitors out to your store/checkout.
  • LinkShop is built for this specific job: your bio link is your storefront, with browse + cart + checkout all integrated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Linktree vs Carrd

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Can Carrd replace Linktree?

Yes, if what you want is a branded one-page site and you're comfortable building it yourself.
Carrd is explicitly positioned as a simple, responsive one-page site builder. Pro plans add custom domains, forms, widgets, embeds, analytics, and more.
The trade-off: Carrd requires more setup. Linktree is "add links, you're done."

Can Linktree use a custom domain?

No, not as a replacement for the linktr.ee/username URL (per Linktree's help center).
You can redirect a domain you own to your Linktree page, but that's different from actually publishing on your domain. You're still building link equity on Linktree's infrastructure.

Does Linktree take a cut of sales?

For Linktree's Earn features (digital products, courses), Linktree's help center describes transaction fees that vary by plan, plus Stripe processing fees on every purchase.
Free plan users pay the highest platform fee (12%). Premium users pay 0% platform fee but still pay Stripe's standard processing costs.

Are Linktree's monetization features available everywhere?

No. Linktree's help center notes that some Earn features are available only in selected countries, and some partner earnings features (like certain Shop integrations) are US-only.
Always check current availability for your country before committing to a paid plan based on monetization features.
It helps, but it doesn't replace the value of having one controlled destination with consistent structure, tracking, and campaign flexibility.
Threads adding up to five links is a good example of the market shifting, not disappearing. You still benefit from having one canonical "bio home."

Why choose LinkShop over Linktree or Carrd if I'm on Shopify?

Linktree and Carrd are routers. They send people elsewhere.
LinkShop is a storefront. Customers browse, add to cart, and checkout, all from the bio link experience.
Key differences:
→ Native Shopify integration (catalog, inventory, discounts sync automatically)
→ In-page cart (no "leave to find the product" friction)
→ Shopify's native checkout (no external platform taking a cut)
→ Lives at yourstore.com/a/linkshop (your domain, not a third-party URL)
→ $15/month flat with no per-transaction fees
(Shopify App Store)
If your Instagram traffic isn't converting, the fix often isn't a prettier list of links. It's a shorter path to cart.

Does LinkShop work with Shopify Starter plan?

Yes. This is actually one of the smartest stacks for digital product sellers.
External guides specifically recommend LinkShop for Shopify Starter ($5/month) use cases because:
  • Starter plan gives you checkout but no full storefront
  • LinkShop becomes your customer-facing storefront
  • You get a complete digital product business with social funnel at minimal cost
The recommended stack: Shopify Starter + LinkShop + Fileflare (for digital downloads). Total cost: around $20-25/month for a full digital commerce system.

Can I use LinkShop and keep my Linktree?

Technically, yes. But it's usually redundant.
If you're using LinkShop as your shoppable storefront for product traffic, you could still use Linktree for routing to content, newsletter, podcast, etc.
But most Shopify sellers find that once LinkShop is live, they don't need the separate hub. You can add link buttons alongside products in LinkShop.

Linktree vs Carrd: Final Verdict

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  • If you want speed + built-in creator tools + native social management features, pick Linktree.
  • If you want brand control + your own domain + a real mini-website you own, pick Carrd.
  • If you're on Shopify and your goal is revenue (not just routing traffic), use a Shopify-native approach like LinkShop to turn your bio link into an actual storefront.
The right answer depends on what job your link in bio needs to do. A link hub, a branded page, or a checkout-connected storefront. They're solving different problems.
Pick the one that matches your actual workflow, not the one with the longest feature list.
Looking to maximize your link-in-bio strategy? Check out these helpful guides:

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