Format vs Portfoliobox: guide for 2024

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.

	Overall grade: 5.8	Overall grade: 6.1
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

5.2

5.8

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

7.2

7.5

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

7.0

7.5

🏆

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.

Format Themes

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.

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8.3

8.1

🏆 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.

Learn more about Format’s learning resources

Learn more about Portfoliobox’s learning resources

5.2

5.8

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

Format website builder add a product

Portfoliobox ecommerce features:

Product listings
Payment Gateways integrations
Shipping rates and tax calculations
Order management

Portfoliobox add a product

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.

7.5

🏆

It’s a tie.

Both Format and Portfoliobox have a website editors score of 7.5.

Format editor

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 editor

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

4.0

🏆

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.

8.3

9.1

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

7.9

Both Format and Portfoliobox offer competitive pricing with various plans tailored for creative professionals, but Portfoliobox generally provides more affordable options.

	Offerings	Offerings
$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.

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

5.0

6.5

🏆

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

5.0

6.4

🏆 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.

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4.9

7.2

🏆 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.

Portfoliobox Applications

Portfoliobox Common Ninja plugins

5.3

7.0

🏆

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

7.0

🏆 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.

7.4

8.1

🏆

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.

0.0


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.

2.8

🏆 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

Format

24 reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

Portfoliobox

31 reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

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.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for creative professionals, Format or Portfoliobox?

While both platforms cater to creative professionals, Portfoliobox offers a slightly more robust set of tools for website customization and e-commerce, making it ideal for users who need a versatile platform that offers both excellent portfolio presentation and effective online sales capabilities.

Can I use both Format and Portfoliobox for selling products online?

Yes, both platforms support e-commerce. Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities integrated into a portfolio-focused platform, suitable for selling a limited range of products. Portfoliobox provides a broader set of ecommerce tools, including advanced order management and secure checkout, ideal for creatives who need more robust selling features.

How do Format and Portfoliobox differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?

Format is specifically designed for photographers, artists, and designers, offering nearly 100 customizable templates tailored for various artistic disciplines. It emphasizes high-quality imagery and mobile-friendly designs. Portfoliobox, however, provides over 30 customizable templates and features for enhanced functionality such as Adobe Lightroom integration and SEO-friendly options, catering to a broader range of creative fields.

What are the major differences in pricing between Format and Portfoliobox?

Portfoliobox generally provides more affordable options, especially at lower price points, and offers a better value for the features provided. Format’s plans tend to be slightly more expensive but include unique features tailored specifically for professional artists and photographers.

Which platform offers better customer support?

Both Format and Portfoliobox offer robust customer support with a score of 7.0. They provide 24/7 customer service, ensuring that users can receive help whenever needed. This makes both platforms reliable for users who prioritize having access to support at all times.