Format review
Updated October 17, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
Format is a website builder known for portfolio sites for creative professionals, pairing 90 plus themes with client galleries and online selling tools. It suits photographers, designers and other visual makers who want custom layouts, video hosting and multilingual reach without coding.
Key facts
- Best for
- Creative professionals building visual portfolio websites
- Templates
- 90 (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Builder type
- Site, Store (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Audience
- Beginners
- Pricing model
- Free trial
- Official website
- format.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- Offers more than 90 themes that keep content when switched
- Provides drag and drop layouts with scale and overlap controls
- Includes branded client galleries with file transfers and contracts
- Supports code embeds plus custom CSS and HTML editing
Cons
- Limits direct video hosting to 120 minutes of playback
- Multilingual sites need integration with a translation tool
- Focuses on portfolio sites, so non visual projects have fewer options
Who it suits
- Photographers and filmmakers presenting visual work
- Designers and illustrators needing custom layouts
- Creative sellers offering services and downloads
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams seeking broad non portfolio business sites
What it does well
Format centers on portfolio websites that present images, video and custom pages without coding. It offers more than 90 themes with flexible drag and drop layouts, snap grids and overlap controls, plus custom pages with distinct galleries, colors and text formatting. You can start from ready made templates and then refine every detail with advanced settings, code embeds and custom CSS and HTML. Branding options include curated fonts and uploads from outside font libraries. Business tools cover branded client galleries, file transfers and contracts alongside proofing and delivery, plus a store for products, services and digital downloads. The system also supports direct video uploads, multilingual integration and editable page titles and meta descriptions.
Creative fields served
Portfolio sites built with the builder suit a range of visual fields, including art, architecture, design and illustration, fashion, film and photography. Member work from these areas shows how different layouts can carry very different kinds of images and moving pictures. Flex block tools let a designer place images, text, dividers and buttons on a snap grid, which helps a layout reflect the character of each body of work. Orders for products and digital downloads can be fulfilled by the business running the portfolio across the world.
Our full take
Website builder for creative professionals to present their work with portfolio sites, client proofing and online selling.
How Format compares
8.5 vs 9.2
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Frequently asked questions
What does Format make?+
Format makes online portfolio websites for creative professionals. The sites showcase work, support client proofing and delivery, and include a store for products, services and digital downloads. Layouts and pages can be built without coding.
What design choices does Format offer?+
The builder offers more than 90 themes with thousands of design variables and flexible layouts. You can drag and drop elements, scale and overlap blocks, and build custom pages with distinct galleries, colors and text. Themes can be changed without losing content, and code embeds allow further control.
Who uses Format portfolios?+
Creative professionals across art, architecture, design, illustration, fashion, film and photography use the platform. The tools support beginners who want ready made templates and experienced designers who want advanced settings. Member work has been highlighted in publications.
What client and selling tools does Format include?+
The platform includes branded client galleries, file transfers and contracts for proofing and delivery. Creative businesses can manage collaboration and delivery within the portfolio. The store supports self fulfillment of orders worldwide and handles products, services and downloads.
Sources
- format.com checked October 17, 2026
Backs: Audience, Pricing model, Templates, Builder type, Description
“From beginner to pro, Format supports every level of design experience.”
Compiled from 1 source page, checked October 17, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from, Free plan, E-commerce plan price, Transaction fee.