Format Reviewed by Vetteroo review

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What it is

Portfolio website builder

Best for

Photographers and artists who need a portfolio site

Price

From $10 a month billed annually

Prices checked

October 28, 2026

We researched Format's official pricing page, help-desk articles on plans, renewals and cancellation, plus independent coverage. We haven't used Format ourselves, so this is a research-based review, not a hands-on test.

Who it’s best for

• Photographers, artists and designers who want a polished portfolio site fast.
• Working photographers who want client galleries, proofing, contracts and a small store in the same place.
• Lightroom users who want to publish straight from their workflow.

Who should skip it

• Probably not the best fit for a blog-first site or a large online store.

How it works day to day

This part draws on Format’s own product pages, help center and documentation, read October 28, 2026 (listed under Sources). We haven’t used Format ourselves.

Day to day, you add new work to your portfolio, share password-protected galleries with clients for proofing, send contracts, and sell prints or products through the built-in store.

Key features in use

• Portfolio themes and a drag-and-drop layout tool (Flex Block).
• Client galleries with proofing and file transfers.
• Contracts and a light client manager (Pro and up).
• Commission-free store.
• Hosted video (Pro and up).
• Lightroom integration.
• Custom CSS and HTML on Pro and Pro Plus.

Setup and learning curve

You start a 14-day trial without a card, pick a theme, upload your work and connect or buy a domain. Format says no coding is needed.

Integrations

Format integrates with Lightroom and offers Google Workspace email through Format if Format manages your domain.

Support

Human support seven days a week by live chat and email, plus a help desk. Pro Plus gets priority support.

Real-world use cases

• A wedding photographer shares proofing galleries with couples.
• An illustrator sells prints through the built-in store.
• A designer launches a portfolio site in a day.

What it costs

Prices checked October 28, 2026, from Format’s own pricing page unless noted. Prices change often, so check the official page before you buy.

• Basic: $10 a month billed annually (shown as $14 a month on monthly billing). 10 pages, 70 images, 3 client galleries, 2 GB file transfers.
• Pro: $12 a month billed annually, the current first-year promo (as of October 28, 2026). Renews at the regular $17 a month billed annually ($204 a year); $24 a month on monthly billing. Unlimited pages, 1,500 images, 100 GB, 15 minutes of video, a 15-product store, 50 client galleries, contracts.
• Pro Plus: $15 a month billed annually, the current first-year promo (as of October 28, 2026). Renews at the regular $26 a month billed annually ($312 a year); $36 a month on monthly billing. Unlimited images, 1 TB, 120 minutes of video, up to 1,000 products, 250 client galleries, priority support.
• The promo is listed as a limited-time offer of up to 50% off annual plans. Format says discounts apply to the first year only, and the plan renews at the regular annual price.
• Custom domain free for the first year on annual Pro and Pro Plus, then $30 a year. Google Workspace email through Format is $100 a year.
• 14-day free trial, no card. Prices in US dollars; some US states and Canada are charged tax. Format doesn't refund the current period when you cancel.

What we like

• Built for portfolios, with designer themes that put images first.
• Client galleries, proofing, file transfers and contracts are built in.
• Commission-free online store.
• Low first-year prices: $10 a month for Basic, and $12 to $15 a month for Pro and Pro Plus during the current promo (billed annually).
• Human support seven days a week by chat and email, according to Format.
• 14-day free trial, no card needed.

What to watch for

• The $12 and $15 Pro and Pro Plus prices are a first-year promo (as of October 28, 2026). They renew at the regular $17 and $26 a month billed annually ($204 and $312 a year).
• Format doesn't refund the current period when you cancel.
• Basic is tight: 10 pages and 70 images.
• Blogging and e-commerce are simpler than general website builders.

The fine print

• Format says any discounted plan covers the first year only and renews at the current full-year price.
• Plans renew automatically. Cancel before the renewal date to avoid the next charge. Format doesn't refund the current period when you cancel.
• The custom domain is free for the first year on annual Pro and Pro Plus, then $30 a year.
• Tax is charged in some places, including Canada and New York, Massachusetts, Washington and Pennsylvania.
• Format is part of Zenfolio Inc., which processes payments through Stripe.

The main alternative: Squarespace Reviewed by Vetteroo

Squarespace is a polished general website builder with designer templates and built-in selling. It costs more than Format but is built for broader sites, including blogs and bigger stores.

What it costs: Basic $19/mo billed annually; 14-day trial, checked October 26, 2026

Read our full Squarespace review

Pick Format Reviewed by Vetteroo if you…

• are a photographer or artist and your site is mainly a portfolio.
• want client galleries, proofing and contracts in the same tool.
• want the lowest first-year price for a professional-looking portfolio.

Pick SquarespaceReviewed by Vetteroo if you…

• need a full business site, a blog or a bigger store, not just a portfolio.
• want a large choice of templates beyond photography.
• are fine paying more for a general-purpose builder.

Our take

Format is a strong, fairly priced choice for photographers and artists who mainly need a beautiful portfolio plus client galleries, proofing and a small store. Budget for the regular renewal price ($17 or $26 a month billed annually), since today's Pro and Pro Plus prices are a first-year promo, and Format doesn't refund the current period when you cancel. If you need a broader business site, Squarespace costs more but does more.

Side by side

From our company records. Check the official pages for current prices.

What we checked

• Format's pricing page and plan details, read October 28, 2026
• Format help-desk articles on choosing a plan (discount and renewal terms) and canceling (no refunds), read October 28, 2026
• Independent coverage: Forbes Advisor (photographer website builders) and First Site Guide's Format review, used for context
• Squarespace's details: from our existing company record and review, not re-checked on October 28, 2026

Sources

• Format pricing
• Format help: choosing a plan
• Format help: canceling
• Forbes Advisor: website builders for photographers
• First Site Guide: Format review
• Squarespace pricing

Visit Format’s official site →

How we review

We read the company's own terms, test the sign-up or booking steps where we can, and compare it with alternatives. A commission never changes what we write. Read our disclosure.