Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Carbonmade · 🧱 website builders
Carbonmade vs Publii
A desktop portfolio publisher that produces a fast static site; hosting is your problem, server maintenance is not. Here is how Publii ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Carbonmade (paid subscription) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Carbonmade vs Publii Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Carbonmade (Paid) | Publii (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | Paid tier | $0 / mo |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source GPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local (on your machine) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 7.3k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Carbonmade to Publii
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Publii has no hosted portfolio service, discovery network or portfolio-specific presentation layer; publishing and hosting are separate.
How to deploy Publii
Install the native Windows/macOS package or Linux AppImage
What it takes to run
Publishing still needs separate hosting plus SFTP, GitHub or Netlify credentials/configuration
Where your data lives
Source content and media in a user-selected local Sites Location; publishing generates static HTML, CSS and assets, with optional local backup archives
Why fork Publii instead of vibe-coding a Carbonmade clone?
The visible portfolio builder loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Carbonmade earns its keep through editor, CMS, hosting, polish, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
Carbonmade vs Publii FAQ
Is Publii a good free alternative to Carbonmade?+
Yes. Publii is a verified open-source (GPL-3.0) replacement for Carbonmade. A desktop portfolio publisher that produces a fast static site; hosting is your problem, server maintenance is not.
What is the catch when switching from Carbonmade to Publii?+
Publii has no hosted portfolio service, discovery network or portfolio-specific presentation layer; publishing and hosting are separate.
How do I install or self-host Publii instead of Carbonmade?+
Install: Install the native Windows/macOS package or Linux AppImage. Setup: Publishing still needs separate hosting plus SFTP, GitHub or Netlify credentials/configuration
