Final verdict
Format vs Portfoliobox: Both platforms cater to creative professionals, but they have distinct strengths and weaknesses.
-
Format (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is designed for photographers, artists, and designers, offering nearly 100 customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It excels in ease of use, making it accessible for users without extensive technical skills. However, its ecommerce features are basic, and it lacks the breadth of plugins and integrations found in Portfoliobox. Format is ideal for those who need a visually appealing portfolio with basic ecommerce capabilities. -
Portfoliobox (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)
provides a more comprehensive set of tools for managing an online store, including advanced ecommerce functionalities and a wide range of plugins. It offers over 30 customizable templates and supports a variety of creative professionals. Portfoliobox excels in hosting quality, website speed optimization, and security, making it a versatile solution for creatives looking to establish or expand their online presence.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.0 |
7.5 |
Ease of use |
8.3 |
8.1 |
Ecommerce |
5.2 |
5.8 |
Website Editors |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Product testing options |
8.3 |
9.1 |
Price |
7.9 |
7.9 |
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
6.5 |
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
6.4 |
Plugins and integrations |
4.9 |
7.2 |
Marketing features |
5.3 |
7.0 |
Customer support |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Security |
7.4 |
8.1 |
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
0 |
User Management |
2.8 |
2.8 |
Best for ecommerce
Verdict
: While both Format and Portfoliobox cater to creative professionals, Portfoliobox edges out Format with its more comprehensive ecommerce tools, making it a better choice for those looking to sell their work directly from their portfolio websites.
-
Format
: Format offers basic ecommerce features suitable for selling physical and digital products. It includes inventory management, discounts, and multiple currency options. However, it charges a commission on transactions and lacks built-in POS capabilities. When comparing Format vs Portfoliobox, Format is more focused on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions, making it ideal for those who need basic ecommerce features integrated into a visually appealing portfolio. -
Portfoliobox
: Portfoliobox provides a more comprehensive set of ecommerce tools, including secure checkout, order management, and shipping rates and tax calculations. It supports selling prints, art, craft, or services online without charging any commission for transactions. Portfoliobox also offers advanced features for customizing product pages and managing inventory, making it a better choice for creatives looking to sell their work directly from their portfolio websites.
Best for informational & business websites
Verdict
: When it comes to creating informational and business websites, Portfoliobox slightly outperforms Format. Both platforms are tailored for creative professionals, but Portfoliobox offers a more comprehensive set of features and better hosting quality, making it a more versatile choice.
-
Format
: Format is a robust website builder designed for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, and designers. It offers nearly 100 customizable templates that are visually appealing and mobile-friendly. While Format excels in ease of use with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, some users may find its feature set limited for broader website needs. It scores 7.2 in this category, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and high-quality imagery. -
Portfoliobox
: Portfoliobox is a user-friendly platform that allows creative professionals to create stunning portfolio websites effortlessly. With over 30 customizable templates and advanced features like Adobe Lightroom integration and e-commerce functionality, Portfoliobox provides a versatile solution for showcasing and selling creative work. It scores 7.5 in this category, offering a slight edge over Format due to its comprehensive toolset and better hosting quality. When comparing Format vs Portfoliobox, Portfoliobox stands out for its enhanced functionality and ease of use.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Winner: Portfoliobox.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, Portfoliobox is the preferred choice.
Format is a website builder specifically designed for creatives, offering nearly 100 customizable templates tailored for various artistic disciplines. It emphasizes high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs, ensuring portfolios look professional on any device. While it offers easy-to-use features and e-commerce tools for selling work directly, some users find its interface less intuitive and its feature set somewhat limited for broader website needs.
Compared to Format, Portfoliobox is a user-friendly platform that allows for the creation of professional portfolio websites, accessible to individuals at any skill level. It offers over 30 customizable templates tailored to a variety of professional needs and preferences, including galleries, blogs, and online stores. The platform also provides features for enhanced functionality such as Adobe Lightroom integration, SSL security, marketing tools, and SEO-friendly options. With its intuitive design and comprehensive toolset, Portfoliobox serves as a versatile solution for creatives looking to establish or expand their online presence.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
🏆 Winner: Format
. Scoring 8.3, Format slightly edges out Portfoliobox, which scores 8.1, in terms of ease of use. Both platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and customizable templates tailored for creative professionals. However, Format’s user-friendly design and comprehensive support make it a bit more accessible for users without extensive technical skills.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Tie
. Both Format and Portfoliobox provide extensive learning resources, including detailed articles and video tutorials. These resources are designed to help users effectively create and manage their online portfolios, ensuring a smooth user experience.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
Format and Portfoliobox are both tailored for creative professionals, but they offer different strengths in ecommerce functionalities. Format provides basic ecommerce features suitable for selling physical and digital products, while Portfoliobox offers a more comprehensive set of ecommerce tools, including secure checkout and order management.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
4.0 |
3.0 |
Product page customization |
5.5 |
6.0 |
Payment processing and commissions |
4.5 |
7.0 |
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
2.0 |
Payment gateways |
6.5 |
5.0 |
Product numbers |
5.0 |
5.5 |
Additional ecommerce features |
3.5 |
4.5 |
Format ecommerce features:
- Inventory management and tracking
- Discounts
- Multiple currency options
Portfoliobox ecommerce features:
- Product listings
- Payment Gateways integrations
- Shipping rates and tax calculations
- Order management
Ecommerce themes & templates
Both Format and Portfoliobox do not offer ecommerce-specific templates. Format focuses on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions, while Portfoliobox provides a streamlined process for customizing product pages, including title, description, media, and inventory management.
Product page customization
Format offers limited specific details on product page customization directly, but its ecommerce features suggest a focus on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions. You can manage product specifics like shipping, availability, and pricing, with customization likely extending to layout and presentation styles to highlight products effectively.
Portfoliobox offers a streamlined process for customizing product pages on its website builder. Users can create a product by adding details like title, description, and media, set a release date, and manage inventory and tax options. They can also edit product settings, such as the URL and shipping options, and apply discounts. These features are designed to help users effectively manage their online store and products within the Portfoliobox environment.
Payment processing
Format integrates with major payment gateways, including Paypal and Stripe, but charges a commission on transactions (15% on the Pro plan and 5% on the Pro Plus plan). It does not have built-in POS capabilities.
Portfoliobox supports selling prints, art, craft, or services online without charging any commission for transactions. It accepts credit card payments (Visa, Master, & Maestro) for its subscriptions, implying these may also be supported for transactions within its ecommerce functionality. However, there’s no explicit mention of POS capabilities, suggesting that the platform is primarily focused on online sales rather than physical retail or in-person transactions.
In summary, while both platforms offer ecommerce functionalities, Portfoliobox provides a more comprehensive set of tools for managing an online store, making it a better choice for creatives looking to sell their work directly from their portfolio websites. Format, on the other hand, may be more suitable for those who need basic ecommerce features integrated into a visually appealing portfolio.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
🏆
It’s a tie.
Both Format and Portfoliobox have a website editors score of 7.5.
Format
: Format is a website builder specifically designed for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, designers, and illustrators. It offers a range of customizable templates tailored to showcase portfolios in a visually appealing manner. The Format website editor provides nearly 100 professionally designed templates and thousands of design variations without requiring any coding. Users can express creativity with custom pages, incorporating unique gallery layouts, colors, text formatting, and custom code embeds. The templates and pages are fully responsive, ensuring a mobile-first experience. Format also supports direct video hosting, high-quality image rendering, and easy template switching to give sites a new look. Additionally, it includes studio management tools, e-commerce capabilities, and SEO tools.
Portfoliobox
: Portfoliobox is a user-friendly website builder specifically designed for creative professionals, allowing them to set up, manage, customize, and promote professional portfolios without the need for technical skills or knowledge. It offers a variety of customizable templates and employs drag-and-drop functionality to facilitate the creation of stunning websites effortlessly. The platform supports a broad spectrum of creative professionals, including artists, photographers, musicians, and architects, helping them to showcase their work effectively online. Portfoliobox provides advanced features and e-commerce functionality for those looking to sell their artwork or services directly from their portfolio websites. The platform also includes blog management with a commenting system, customizable image galleries with security options, and the ability to sell digital products. It supports SEO optimization, social media, and analytics integration for enhanced online presence.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: Format
. When it comes to mobile editing capabilities, both Format and Portfoliobox fall short of providing dedicated mobile editor apps. However, Format does allow users to edit their websites through a mobile browser, although the interface is the same as the desktop version, which can be cumbersome to navigate on a smartphone. This limited mobile editing capability gives Format a slight edge over Portfoliobox, which does not offer any mobile editing options at all.
In summary, while neither platform excels in mobile editing, Format’s ability to make edits via a mobile browser, despite its limitations, makes it the better option for users needing to make on-the-go adjustments to their websites.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
Overall Result
:
Portfoliobox wins
. Portfoliobox scores 9.1, surpassing Format’s score of 8.3. Portfoliobox offers a more extended 30-day free trial compared to Format’s 14-day trial, allowing users more time to explore the platform. Both platforms allow testing of all premium features during the trial period. However, Format provides a more generous 30-day money-back guarantee, while Portfoliobox offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | No |
Trial Duration |
14 days |
30 days |
Testing Premium Features |
All features during free trial | All features during free trial |
Money-back Guarantee |
30 days |
14 days |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
Both Format and Portfoliobox offer competitive pricing with various plans tailored for creative professionals, but Portfoliobox generally provides more affordable options.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$0-$10 |
No offering at this amount. |
Light ($5.50/month): 50 Images, 10 Pages, 5 Products, 1 Password Protected Page, 1 Booking Service, 1 Scheduling Service, 1 Invoice, 1 QR Code, 25 mb File Sharing. Value for Price: 6.0 |
$10-$15 |
Basic ($12.00/month): Offers core services like mobile-optimized site, up to 10 web pages, and up to 70 high-resolution images. 3 client galleries, up to 2GB file transfers. No video uploads or custom code editor. Value for Price: 5.0 |
Pro ($14.50/month): 500 Images, 50 Pages, 10 Products, 2 Password Protected Pages, 2 Booking Services, 2 Scheduling Services, 2 Invoices, 2 QR Codes, 50 mb File Sharing, Customizable Templates, Free Custom Domain (yourname.com), 24/7 Support. Value for Price: 7.5 |
$15-$25 |
Pro ($24.00/month): Includes all from Basic, plus unlimited web pages, 1500 high-resolution images, 15 mins video hosting, 100GB cloud storage, a free custom domain, Online Store with up to 15 products, 50 client galleries and up to 5GB file transfers. Value for Price: 7.5 |
Pro Plus ($18.50/month): 1,000 Images, 1,000 Pages, 1,000 Products, 1,000 Password Protected Pages, 1,000 Booking Services, 1,000 Scheduling Services, 1,000 Invoices, 1,000 QR Codes, 5,000 mb File Sharing, Customizable Templates, Free Custom Domain (yourname.com), 24/7 Support, No “Powered by Portfoliobox” Link, Adobe Lightroom Integration. Value for Price: 9.0 |
$30+ |
Pro Plus ($36.00/month): Adds on Pro features with priority support, unlimited pages and high-res images, 120 mins video hosting, and 1TB cloud storage. Online Store with up to 1000 products, 250 client galleries and 10GB file transfers. Value for Price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
🏆
Winner: Portfoliobox
Portfoliobox outperforms Format in hosting quality, offering managed cloud hosting with unlimited bandwidth and secure communications through HTTPS on CDN servers. While both platforms lack detailed uptime statistics and data center information, Portfoliobox’s managed cloud hosting and higher score make it the better choice for hosting quality.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes |
Yes, with unlimited bandwidth and secure communications through HTTPS on CDN servers |
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed |
Managed Cloud Hosting |
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
🏆 Winner: Portfoliobox
Both Format and Portfoliobox offer strategies to optimize website speed, but Portfoliobox has a slight edge due to its use of CDN and caching techniques.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
Image and video optimization |
CDN, Caching, Responsive Design |
Performance Tools |
Varies |
Varies |
Key Strategies |
Image and video optimization |
CDN, Caching, Responsive Design |
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies depending on optimization |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies depending on optimization |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Format is a website builder tailored for creative professionals, offering customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Its speed optimization strategies focus primarily on image and video optimization. However, Format does not disclose specific information about its Core Web Vitals improvements, and its load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the level of optimization and website complexity.
Portfoliobox, also designed for creative professionals, employs a more comprehensive approach to speed optimization. It utilizes CDN, caching, and responsive design to enhance website performance. Like Format, Portfoliobox does not provide specific details on Core Web Vitals improvements, and its load times and PageSpeed scores also vary based on optimization efforts.
Overall, while both platforms offer essential speed optimization features, Portfoliobox’s use of CDN and caching gives it a slight advantage in ensuring faster load times and better performance.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
🏆 Winner: Portfoliobox.
Portfoliobox scores 7.2, significantly outperforming Format’s 4.9. Portfoliobox offers a wide range of plugins through Common Ninja and Elfsight, allowing users to add social media feeds, e-commerce capabilities, interactive forms, and more. This makes it a versatile choice for creative professionals looking to enhance their websites with advanced functionalities.
Format, while providing useful integrations with Adobe Lightroom, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics, falls short in terms of the breadth and depth of its plugin ecosystem. This limitation can be a significant drawback for users seeking extensive customization options.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Overall Winner: Portfoliobox
. Portfoliobox excels with its comprehensive social media integration and advanced analytics features, making it a better choice for creatives looking to enhance their online presence. Format, while user-friendly, offers more basic marketing tools.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
Basic built-in SEO tools | Detailed SEO configurations |
Email Marketing |
Limited email marketing features | Email subscription forms |
Blogging |
Basic blogging tools | Advanced blogging features |
Social Media Integration |
Direct Instagram integration |
Comprehensive social media integration |
Analytics and Reporting |
Google Analytics integration |
Comprehensive analytics features |
Ads and Promotions |
Basic promotional features | No ads and promotions features |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
🏆 Winner: Tie
. Comparing Format vs Portfoliobox, both platforms offer robust customer support services tailored to the needs of creative professionals. Format provides 24/7 customer support through email and live chat, ensuring users can get assistance at any time. The support team is distributed globally, which helps maintain round-the-clock availability.
Similarly, Portfoliobox offers 24/7 customer support with a dedicated team ready to assist users with any website-related issues. This ensures that help is always available, regardless of the time zone. Both platforms excel in providing continuous support, making it a tie in this category.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
🏆
Winner: Portfoliobox
. Portfoliobox excels in security with a comprehensive approach that includes SSL certificates for all domains, two-factor authentication, and strict data protection measures compliant with GDPR. These features ensure that user data is handled securely and transparently, providing a robust security framework for creative professionals.
Format also offers essential security features such as SSL encryption and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR. While it provides strong password guidelines and two-factor authentication options, its security measures are not as detailed or extensive as those of Portfoliobox.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
AI Builder |
Not available |
Not available |
AI Ecommerce Features |
Not available |
Not available |
AI Content Generation |
Not available |
Not available |
Additional AI Features |
Not available |
Not available |
🏆 Winner: None
. Both Format and Portfoliobox do not offer any AI capabilities. They are designed to cater to creative professionals with a focus on ease of use and customization through traditional, non-AI-driven tools.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner: Tie
. Both Format and Portfoliobox offer limited user management capabilities, allowing only a single user to manage and edit websites.
-
Format
: Format allows only one user to manage and edit websites, which may be restrictive for teams or collaborative projects. -
Portfoliobox
: Similarly, Portfoliobox permits only one user to manage and edit a website, posing the same limitations for collaborative efforts.
This single-user restriction can be a significant drawback for creative professionals who may need to collaborate with others on their projects. Both platforms are best suited for individual users who manage their portfolios independently.
Additional Features
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
✓ |
✓ |
Custom Domain |
✓ |
✓ |
Free Custom Domain Included |
X |
✓ |
International Domains |
✓ |
✓ |
Mobile Responsive |
✓ |
✓ |
Page Speed |
X |
✓ |
Website Builder Mobile App |
X |
X |
Convert a Website To An App |
X |
X |
Website Analytics |
✓ |
✓ |
Multilingual Sites |
✓ |
✓ |
Multiple Users |
X |
X |
User Feedback
Users highly praise Format for its user-friendly website builder, particularly noting the ease of adding images and the effectiveness of customer service. Many reviewers appreciate the variety of modern templates and the platform’s suitability for users without technical expertise, especially photographers. Format’s mobile app and proofing section receive special mentions for their convenience and functionality. However, some users desire more customization options, particularly for mobile views, and mention minor limitations in template flexibility and SEO functionality. Overall, Format is celebrated for its ability to provide a professional online presence easily and efficiently, solving users’ needs for showcasing work and attracting new clients.
Users overwhelmingly appreciate Portfoliobox for its user-friendly interface, making it straightforward for both beginners and professionals to create and manage online portfolios. The platform’s customizable design options, responsive layouts, and diverse template selection stand out as significant advantages, allowing users to express their personal style and showcase their work effectively across devices. However, some critiques include limited template options compared to competitors, a learning curve for less tech-savvy users, and minor glitches with features like autosave on different devices. Despite these challenges, the positive impact of Portfoliobox on users’ ability to present their work to potential clients and employers, along with its value in making portfolio creation accessible without coding knowledge, is consistently highlighted.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for creative professionals, Format or Portfoliobox?
Can I use both Format and Portfoliobox for selling products online?
How do Format and Portfoliobox differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?
What are the major differences in pricing between Format and Portfoliobox?
Which platform offers better customer support?