We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
Carbonmade is listed from $9.99 and suits creatives who want a no-code portfolio with unlimited media uploads. But one Reddit user said even the Pro plan felt limited and was considering a move to build a small shop; a commenter recommended Squarespace for its layouts and features. If you need more than a focused portfolio, compare these options by what they add—and check plan limits and pricing before moving your site.
01Why people leave Carbonmade
The Pro plan feels limiting
One Reddit user said Carbonmade still felt limited on Pro and worried the platform might hold back their website.
You want to add a shop
A Carbonmade user considering a switch wanted to set up a small shop, pointing to a need beyond a focused portfolio.
You need broader site features
If your plans include more than showcasing creative work, compare platforms positioned for stores, services or wider business websites.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Portfolio and stores
SquarespaceSquarespaceSquarespace is the most direct fit if Carbonmade feels too narrow and you want a portfolio alongside a site for a business or physical-product store. Its listed starting price is $13.31. In the Reddit thread, a commenter recommended it to someone looking for broader features and a shop, citing its layouts and ease of use.
Trade-off: Basic plan fees and mixed user reception temper the appeal.
6.8/10from
€13.31/mo - Photographer portfolios
ShowitShowitShowit is worth comparing if visual layout freedom matters more than keeping everything inside a basic portfolio builder. It targets photographers who want custom site layouts and supports WordPress blogging, including custom blog plugins. The listed starting price is $22, higher than Carbonmade’s $9.99 starting price.
Trade-off: Check the blog caps before committing.
7.3/10from
$22/mo - All-in-one small sites
WixWixWix makes sense if you want to move from a focused portfolio to an all-in-one builder for a basic site or small business. A free plan is listed, though a paid starting price is not published here. Its positioning emphasizes built-in tools, which may suit owners who want more than a place to display creative work.
Trade-off: Check renewal terms and your exit plan before committing.
6.4/10from
Freefree plan - Marketing and sales
Websites + MarketingWebsites + MarketingWebsites + Marketing is a better match if the site needs to support business promotion as well as creative work. It targets small businesses that want one marketing dashboard, online sales or recurring appointment bookings. The listing shows a free plan and a $9.99 starting price, but warns that tier pricing and free-plan details need a close read.
Trade-off: Pricing tiers and free-plan details can be confusing.
6.6/10from
$9.99/mofree plan - Visual site control
WebflowWebflowWebflow is a candidate if Carbonmade’s limits push you toward more visual control over the site and its publishing workflow. It targets marketers who want design control, teams sharing design and publishing work, and content sites within its Premium CMS limits. The listed starting price is $15, with a free plan also listed.
Trade-off: Check the plan limits and bill before committing.
6.7/10from
$15/mofree plan - WordPress design control
ElementorElementorElementor fits if you want to leave a portfolio-focused builder for visual design control on WordPress. It targets WordPress users, single-site professionals needing popups and agencies managing multiple WordPress sites. The listed starting price is $5, but its annual pricing and performance concerns are worth weighing against that entry price.
Trade-off: Annual pricing and performance concerns deserve scrutiny.
7.2/10from
€5/mo - Design-led marketing sites
FramerFramerFramer is a fit if you want a design-led marketing site rather than a portfolio-first builder. Its listed toolkit includes a built-in CMS and AI-assisted editing, with hosting and SEO also bundled. It starts at $10 and has a free plan, but check whether its plan limits fit the site you intend to build.
Trade-off: Plan limits can make switching costs bite.
6.1/10from
$10/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Carbonmade Carbonmade (current) | 7.0 | $9.99/mo | No | Creatives building a visual portfolio |
| Squarespace Squarespace | 6.8 | €13.31/mo | No | Small businesses wanting one platform |
| Showit Showit | 7.3 | $22/mo | No | Photographers seeking custom site layouts |
| Wix Wix | 6.4 | Free | Yes | Small businesses wanting built-in tools |
| Websites + Marketing Websites + Marketing | 6.6 | $9.99/mo | Yes | Small businesses wanting one marketing dashboard |
| Webflow Webflow | 6.7 | $15/mo | Yes | Marketers who want visual site control |
| Elementor Elementor | 7.2 | €5/mo | No | WordPress users wanting visual design control |
| Framer Framer | 6.1 | $10/mo | Yes | Design-led marketing sites |
Questions people ask
Which Carbonmade alternative is best for adding a shop?
Squarespace is the clearest fit in this list for a portfolio that also needs a store selling physical products. The Reddit thread that prompted the comparison also recommended Squarespace to a Carbonmade user looking for a shop. Its listed starting price is $13.31; check the plan fees before switching.
Which alternative is closest to a creative portfolio builder?
Showit is aimed at photographers who want custom site layouts, while Squarespace also targets portfolio and service-based websites. Showit adds WordPress blogging, and Squarespace includes store options. Compare those needs with Carbonmade’s focused portfolio positioning and its listed $9.99 starting price.
How much do Carbonmade alternatives cost?
The pricing page show starting prices of $13.31 for Squarespace, $22 for Showit, $15 for Webflow, $5 for Elementor and $10 for Framer. Wix has a listed free plan, but no paid starting price is published here. Compare plan limits and renewal terms, not just the entry price.