Format
The portfolio website builder for photographers, artists, and creative professionals.
AI-Powered Summary
Format is a portfolio website builder tailored for creative professionals such as photographers, filmmakers, illustrators, and designers. It provides 90+ customizable themes, drag-and-drop flex block layouts, hosted video, commission-free e-commerce, and client management tools including galleries, contracts, and file transfers. The platform caters to all skill levels from beginners using templates to advanced users writing custom CSS/HTML.
Key Features
What makes Format stand out
Flex Block Layouts
Drag-and-drop layout builder that lets you scale, overlap, and arrange elements freely.
90+ Design Themes
Choose from over 90 curated themes and switch anytime without losing content.
Hosted Video
Upload and play up to 120 minutes of video directly on your portfolio site.
Client Galleries
Share password-protected photo galleries with clients for review and delivery.
Commission-Free Store
Sell products, services, and digital downloads without paying any commission fees.
Custom Code Editor
Add custom CSS, HTML, or code embeds for full control over your site design.
Client Contracts
Create and send secure contracts to clients directly through the platform.
SEO Tools
Built-in search engine optimization tools to help your portfolio rank higher.
What's Great
- 90+ curated themes with thousands of design variables and no coding required
- Built-in client management with galleries, contracts, and file transfers
- Commission-free online store included in paid plans
- Hosted video support (up to 120 minutes) eliminates need for third-party hosting
- Lightroom integration for streamlined photo workflow
Things to Know
- Basic plan is very limited with only 10 pages and 70 images
- No free plan available—only a 14-day trial
- Branded email costs an additional $100/year on top of subscription
- Pro plan limits hosted video to just 15 minutes and store to 15 products
Pricing Plans
All Format pricing tiers and features
Billed annually
Basic
+18 more features
Pro
+18 more features
Pro Plus
+11 more features
Real Cost Breakdown
Hidden Costs
- Professional branded email costs an additional $100/year
- Website Build Service is a paid add-on for Basic and Pro plans
- Custom domain is free only for the first year
- Promotional discount (50% off) applies to first year only
Cost Saving Tips
- Annual billing reduces monthly cost significantly (e.g., Pro from $24/month to $12/month)
- Use promo codes PROINTRO or PROPLUSINTRO for 50% off the first year of Pro or Pro Plus
- Start with the 14-day free trial before committing
Affordable for individual creatives at $10-15/month annually, offering good value with commission-free e-commerce and client management tools included, though the Basic plan is very restrictive.
Price Comparison
Compare Format with similar tools
Best For
Photographers and visual creatives who need a professional portfolio with client tools.
Who Should NOT Use This
- Businesses needing a general-purpose website or blog — Format is specifically designed for visual portfolio showcases and lacks features like advanced blogging, multi-page business sites, or complex content management.
- E-commerce businesses with large product catalogs — The Pro plan limits the store to 15 products and the platform is portfolio-first, not a dedicated e-commerce solution like Shopify.
- Creatives who need a free portfolio indefinitely — Format has no free tier—only a 14-day trial. Alternatives like Adobe Portfolio (with CC subscription) or Behance offer free ongoing options.
- Teams or agencies needing collaborative editing — Format is built for individual creatives managing their own portfolio, not multi-user teams collaborating on shared websites.
Competitive Position
Format uniquely combines portfolio design with built-in client management tools (galleries, contracts, file transfers) and commission-free e-commerce in a single platform purpose-built for visual creatives.
When to Choose Format
- You're a photographer who needs client galleries, contracts, and file delivery in one platform
- You want a commission-free online store alongside your portfolio
- You need hosted video without relying on YouTube or Vimeo embeds
- You want Lightroom integration for a streamlined photo publishing workflow
When to Look Elsewhere
- You need a general-purpose website with advanced blogging or CMS features (choose Squarespace or WordPress)
- You're running a large e-commerce operation with hundreds of products (choose Shopify)
- You need a free portfolio solution with no time limit (choose Behance or Myportfolio)
- You need collaborative team editing on a shared site (choose Webflow or WordPress)
Strongest alternative: Squarespace
Learning Curve
Prerequisites
Common Challenges
- Choosing the right theme from 90+ options can be overwhelming
- Advanced customization with CSS/HTML requires coding knowledge
- Understanding the differences between flex blocks and standard layouts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Format
Compare Format
See how Format stacks up against alternatives
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