How Cardel and Zenpage compare
Zenpage turns one Amazon link or ISBN into a finished author site. It finds the rest of your books with their covers and buy links, picks a template that suits your genre, and sets up search data, share previews, and a sitemap before you touch a setting. Ebooks, audiobooks, and signed print copies sell straight from the book page through your own Stripe account, files reach the buyer by email within seconds, and Zenpage takes no commission. Every reader confirms by email, a free first chapter can go out on signup, and the whole thing is free, built by one person who answers every message personally.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own. Cardel does not find your books from an ISBN, deliver ebook files after a sale, or charge flat shipping rates.
Where they are different
Zenpage collects readers and hands them to Mailchimp, Kit, Beehiiv, Brevo, MailerLite, or Substack, and it does not send newsletters itself. Cardel keeps the list and sends from your own domain, new posts can go to your readers by email, and Pro adds campaign workflows.
Zenpage sells files and print copies with no Zenpage fee and delivers downloads automatically. Cardel's Shop takes Stripe card payments on Pro and up with a 0.5% Cardel fee, and it leaves file delivery to you.
Zenpage's contact page shows your email address and its blog has no comments. Cardel gives readers accounts to comment and like, a private chat with you, and one Messaging Center for chat, the contact form, and mail to your domain.
Zenpage templates have fixed layouts and font pairings, with no custom pages. Cardel adds Showcase pages, a brand kit, and editing in place on the live page.
Choose Zenpage when you want a free site that sells your ebooks and signed copies directly, and you already have an email service you like.
Choose Cardel when you want the conversation as well as the sale: readers who comment, a newsletter written and answered on your own domain, bookings for readings and talks, and every message in one place.
You are the Forgemaster. Cardel is your forge. What you build is yours.
Common questions
Is Cardel a Zenpage alternative?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Zenpage when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list below shows where the two overlap and where they part.
Can I use Cardel and Zenpage together?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Zenpage for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared to Zenpage?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Zenpage sets its own prices, so check their pricing page below for current plans.
How do I switch from Zenpage to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.
Compare features
What's on Cardel and Zenpage
A check means that capability is available. Zenpage is marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Custom domainUse your own domain with HTTPS. Cardel includes the DNS records for the site and for sending and receiving email.Use your own domain with HTTPS. Cardel includes the DNS records for the site and for sending and receiving email.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Editor ModeCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
- Theme and fontsCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Brand KitCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Public content
- BlogCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Reader engagementCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
- Showcase pagesCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
- Shop pagesCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- AccessibilityWCAG 2.2 AA is a common accessibility standard. Cardel public pages are designed so readers can navigate with a keyboard, use a screen reader, and read text at a comfortable contrast.WCAG 2.2 AA is a common accessibility standard. Cardel public pages are designed so readers can navigate with a keyboard, use a screen reader, and read text at a comfortable contrast.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Audience and email
- AudienceGroups, tags, and import so you can organize contacts and bring in an existing list.Groups, tags, and import so you can organize contacts and bring in an existing list.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Email on your domainSend and receive from your custom domain, not a shared Cardel address.Send and receive from your custom domain, not a shared Cardel address.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
- Marketing emailsCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
- Campaign workflowsCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Messaging
- Messaging CenterCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsSell on your Shop pages with Stripe. Cardel takes a 0.5% application fee on those card sales. Stripe's own processing fees still apply, and you keep the rest.Sell on your Shop pages with Stripe. Cardel takes a 0.5% application fee on those card sales. Stripe's own processing fees still apply, and you keep the rest.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Orders and fulfillmentCardel: IncludedZenpage: Included
- Scheduling and bookingsLink to external scheduling available on Starter.Cardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Team
- AI AssistantCardel: IncludedZenpage: Not included
Other
- Amazon or ISBN uploadCardel: Not includedZenpage: Included
- Buy-link click statsCardel: Not includedZenpage: Included
- Download site as fileCardel: Not includedZenpage: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Cardel or Zenpage, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Cardel or Zenpage may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Cardel vs Zenpage pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Cardel
You don't pay until you publish
Build at no cost, then choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live.
Zenpage
Current plans and prices
See what Zenpage charges on their pricing page.
Forge your community
Choose Cardel
Looking for a Zenpage alternative? Bring your work to a site of your own.
Compare Cardel
See how Cardel stacks up, or explore Zenpage comparisons.
