IONOS vs Portfoliobox: guide for 2024

Final verdict

IONOS and Portfoliobox both offer unique advantages, catering to different user needs and preferences.

IONOS (Overall Grade: 6.9/10)

is a versatile website builder and hosting platform that excels in providing a wide range of customizable templates and robust ecommerce features. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive solution to create and manage professional websites. With strong hosting quality, advanced marketing tools, and AI capabilities, IONOS stands out as a reliable choice for users seeking a feature-rich platform.
Portfoliobox (Overall Grade: 6.1/10)

is designed specifically for creative professionals, offering an intuitive interface and customizable templates tailored for portfolio creation. It is ideal for artists, photographers, and other creatives who want to showcase their work online. While it may lack some advanced ecommerce functionalities, Portfoliobox provides essential tools for selling artwork and services, making it a great option for users focused on portfolio presentation and basic ecommerce needs.

	Overall grade: 6.9	Overall grade: 6.1
Design functionalities & templates	7.2	7.5
Ease of use	7.8	8.1
Ecommerce	7.1	5.8
Website Editors	7.8	7.5
Product testing options	6.5	9.1
Price	7.8	7.9
Hosting quality	8.8	6.5
Website speed optimization	7.2	6.4
Plugins and integrations	6.5	7.2
Marketing features	7.5	7.0
Customer support	7.3	7.0
Security	7.5	8.1
AI capabilities	7.2	0
User Management	3.1	2.8

Best for ecommerce

7.1

5.8

Verdict

: IONOS is a more robust and flexible ecommerce solution, while Portfoliobox is better suited for creative professionals with simpler ecommerce needs.

IONOS

: IONOS is a comprehensive website builder and hosting platform with a strong focus on ecommerce features. It offers extensive customization options, a variety of payment gateways, and advanced marketing tools, making it ideal for businesses looking to build and manage scalable online stores. However, when comparing IONOS vs Portfoliobox, IONOS may be more complex for users who only need basic ecommerce functionalities.
Portfoliobox

: Portfoliobox is designed for creative professionals and offers basic ecommerce functionalities. It provides a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, making it easy for artists, photographers, and other creatives to showcase and sell their work online. However, it may fall short for more advanced ecommerce needs compared to IONOS.

Best for informational & business websites

7.4

7.5

Verdict

: When it comes to creating informational and business websites, Portfoliobox slightly edges out IONOS due to its specialized focus on creative professionals and ease of use.

IONOS

: IONOS is a versatile website builder and hosting platform that offers a wide range of customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality. It is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking to create professional and visually appealing websites. With features like ecommerce capabilities, contact forms, and social media integration, IONOS provides a comprehensive solution for business websites. However, its broader focus means it may not be as tailored for creative professionals as Portfoliobox.
Portfoliobox

: Portfoliobox is specifically designed for creative professionals, making it an excellent choice for artists, photographers, musicians, and architects. It offers a variety of customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create stunning portfolio websites effortlessly. With advanced features and ecommerce functionality, Portfoliobox helps creatives showcase and sell their work online. Its user-friendly design and specialized focus make it a top choice for those in creative fields.

Detailed comparison

7.2

7.5

🏆

Winner: Portfoliobox.

If you’re a creative professional looking for a platform tailored to showcase your work, Portfoliobox is the preferred choice.

IONOS offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder. With over 200 templates to choose from, users can find a design that suits their needs and preferences. The templates are categorized into different industries and styles, making it easy for users to find the perfect design for their website. Additionally, IONOS regularly updates their template library, ensuring that users have access to the latest design trends. Whether you’re creating a personal blog or an ecommerce website, IONOS has a template for every type of website.

IONOS Themes

Compared to IONOS, 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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7.8

8.1

🏆 Winner: Portfoliobox

. With a score of 8.1, Portfoliobox edges out IONOS, which scores 7.8. Portfoliobox’s focus on creative professionals and its intuitive drag-and-drop interface make it particularly user-friendly for those looking to showcase their work. IONOS, while also user-friendly, is more suited for small to medium-sized businesses and may not offer the same level of ease for creative portfolio creation.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Tie

. Both IONOS and Portfoliobox offer extensive learning resources, including detailed articles and video tutorials. These resources cater to users of all levels, ensuring that both beginners and advanced users can effectively utilize the platforms.

Learn more about IONOS

Learn more about Portfoliobox

7.1

5.8

IONOS is a robust website builder and hosting platform with a strong focus on ecommerce features, making it suitable for businesses looking to build and manage online stores. Portfoliobox, on the other hand, is designed for creative professionals and offers basic ecommerce functionalities, which may be limiting for more advanced ecommerce needs.


Ecommerce themes and templates	6.5	3.0
Product page customization	6.8	6.0
Payment processing and commissions	7.0	7.0
POS capabilities	5.5	2.0
Payment gateways	7.2	5.0
Product numbers	6.0	5.5
Additional ecommerce features	6.3	4.5

IONOS ecommerce features:

Store Management
Marketing Tools
Payment and Shipping options
Products and Inventory management

Ionos 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

IONOS offers a variety of ecommerce themes and templates designed to help businesses set up their online stores efficiently and effectively. Their online store builder supports a range of ecommerce needs, from selling on social media platforms to managing a scalable ecommerce website without any coding or design skills required. In contrast, Portfoliobox does not have ecommerce-specific templates, which may limit its appeal for users looking for tailored ecommerce design options.

Product page customization

IONOS provides extensive customization options for product pages, allowing users to adjust the design and layout, display product images, descriptions, and specifications according to their preferences. It also supports the setup and management of product options and variations, such as size and color. Portfoliobox offers a streamlined process for customizing product pages, including adding details like title, description, and media, setting a release date, managing inventory and tax options, and applying discounts. However, its customization options may be more limited compared to IONOS.

Payment processing

IONOS supports a wide variety of third-party payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without charging direct fees for payment processing. This enhances the flexibility and security of online transactions. 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 (Point of Sale) capabilities, suggesting that the platform is primarily focused on online sales rather than physical retail or in-person transactions.

Considering the features, availability, cost, and flexibility, IONOS appears to be a more robust and flexible ecommerce solution compared to Portfoliobox. However, for creative professionals looking for a simple and commission-free platform to sell their work, Portfoliobox might still be worth considering.

7.8

7.5

🏆

Winner: IONOS

. IONOS, with a score of 7.8, provides an intuitive website builder equipped with AI assistance, designed for users to quickly create professional-looking websites without needing coding skills. This platform offers customizable templates, AI-generated content, and is optimized for mobile use, ensuring a responsive design across all devices. With features that cater to both basic and advanced website needs, including eCommerce capabilities, IONOS aims to simplify the web creation process.

Ionos editor

Portfoliobox, scoring 7.5, offers a user-friendly website builder tailored for creative professionals, providing an array of tools for building and customizing portfolio websites. Features include blog management with a commenting system, customizable image galleries with security options, and the ability to sell digital products. It also supports SEO optimization, social media, and analytics integration for enhanced online presence. While praised for its ease of use and variety of features, some users may find it limited for advanced, detailed content needs.

Portfoliobox editor

Mobile editor/app

4.5

🏆

Winner: IONOS

. When it comes to mobile editing capabilities, neither IONOS nor Portfoliobox offers a dedicated mobile editor app. However, IONOS provides limited editing abilities through a mobile browser, allowing users to make basic adjustments to their websites on the go. This feature, although not as robust as a dedicated app, still offers some level of convenience for users needing to make quick changes from their mobile devices.

Portfoliobox, on the other hand, does not offer any mobile editing capabilities, which can be a significant drawback for users who require flexibility and the ability to manage their websites from various devices.

In summary, IONOS takes the lead in this category due to its limited but available mobile editing functionality, whereas Portfoliobox lacks any mobile editing options.

6.5

9.1

Overall Result

:

Portfoliobox wins

. Portfoliobox scores 9.1, significantly higher than IONOS’s 6.5, due to its comprehensive 30-day free trial and the ability to test all features within this period. IONOS, while offering a 30-day money-back guarantee, does not provide a free trial, which limits the user’s ability to test the platform without financial commitment.


Free Plan	No	No
Trial Duration	No, however Site123 offers 30 day money back guarantee	30 days
Testing Premium Features	Possible during the 30-day refundable period	All features within the trial period
Money Back Guarantee	30-day money back guarantee	14-day money back guarantee

7.8

7.9

Portfoliobox offers more budget-friendly options, while IONOS provides more comprehensive plans with additional features and higher storage capacities.

	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	Starter ($12/month): Basic for newcomers with 10GB space, 10 pages, 2GB email, free domain first year. 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-$20	Plus ($18/month): Enhanced with 50GB space, 200 pages, custom HTML, SiteAnalytics, online booking, AI Text Generator & AI Text Improver, AI SEO Text Generator. 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 ($30/month): Advanced for scaling, unlimited space/pages, 50GB email, SEO tools, comprehensive marketing tools. Value for Price: 9.0	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.

8.8

6.5

🏆

Winner: IONOS

IONOS offers a comprehensive range of hosting services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, with a 99.99% uptime guarantee and multiple data centers in the EU and USA. Portfoliobox, while user-friendly and designed for creative professionals, lacks disclosed uptime statistics and data center locations, resulting in a lower hosting quality score.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, diverse range of hosting services including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting	Yes, with unlimited bandwidth and secure communications through HTTPS on CDN servers
Data Centers:	Total of 7 data centers in EU (Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Logroño) and USA (Las Vegas, NV; Newark, NJ; Lenexa, KS)	Portfoliobox does not disclose the locations of its data centers
Type of hosting:	Shared, Dedicated, VPS, WordPress Hosting	Managed Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	99.99%	Portfoliobox does not disclose uptime statistics
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.99%	No

7.2

6.4

🏆 Winner: IONOS

Both IONOS and Portfoliobox offer various strategies for optimizing website speed, but IONOS has a slight edge due to its comprehensive approach and emphasis on Core Web Vital improvements.


Focus	HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Optimization	CDN, Caching, Responsive Design
Performance Tools	Image and Multimedia Optimization, CDN	CDN, Caching
Key Strategies	Caching, WordPress Optimization	Responsive Design
Load Times	Varies widely, depending on optimization	Varies depending on optimization
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies widely, depending on optimization	Varies depending on optimization
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	Not provided

IONOS employs a comprehensive approach to website speed optimization, focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization, image and multimedia optimization, caching, WordPress optimization, and the use of a CDN. These strategies help ensure that websites load quickly and efficiently, regardless of the user’s location. IONOS also places a strong emphasis on improving Core Web Vitals, specifically Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which are crucial for providing a good user experience.

Portfoliobox, on the other hand, focuses on using a CDN, caching, and responsive design to optimize website speed. While these strategies are effective, Portfoliobox does not provide specific information on their Core Web Vitals improvements. This lack of detailed information on performance metrics and optimization techniques makes it difficult to gauge the platform’s overall effectiveness in ensuring fast load times and a smooth user experience.

In conclusion, while both platforms offer solid speed optimization strategies, IONOS’s comprehensive approach and focus on Core Web Vitals give it an edge over Portfoliobox in terms of website speed optimization.

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6.5

7.2

🏆 Winner: Portfoliobox.

Portfoliobox scores 7.2, edging out IONOS, which scores 6.5. Portfoliobox’s integration with platforms like Common Ninja and Elfsight provides a versatile range of plugins that cater specifically to creative professionals, enhancing their portfolios with advanced features and tools. IONOS, while offering a robust selection of over 100 plugins, primarily focuses on general website functionalities such as ecommerce, social media integration, and SEO optimization.

Portfoliobox’s specialized approach and higher plugin versatility make it a better choice for users looking to create highly customized and interactive portfolio websites.

Portfoliobox Applications

Portfoliobox Common Ninja plugins

7.5

7.0

🏆

Overall Winner: IONOS

. IONOS excels with its comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including advanced analytics and ad campaign management. Portfoliobox, while strong in social media integration and email marketing, lacks some of the more advanced features offered by IONOS.


SEO Tools	✓	✓
Email Marketing	✓	✓
Blogging	✓	✓
Social Media Integration	Extensive reach and mobile management capabilities	Comprehensive integration for creative professionals
Analytics and Reporting	Detailed insights through built-in metrics and SiteAnalytics	Comprehensive analytics with support for Google Analytics
Ads and Promotions	Google Ads management and promotional tools	Not available

7.3

7.0

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. In the IONOS vs Portfoliobox comparison, IONOS takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.3. IONOS offers 24/7 support through multiple contact numbers, ensuring users can get assistance at any time. Their support team is accessible for all MyWebsite Creator products, providing reliable and immediate help.

Portfoliobox, with a customer support score of 7.0, also provides 24/7 support. Their dedicated team is available around the clock to assist users with any website-related issues. While Portfoliobox offers professional guidance and assistance, it slightly lags behind IONOS in terms of overall support effectiveness and user satisfaction.

7.5

8.1

🏆

Winner: Portfoliobox

. Portfoliobox excels in security with a higher score of 8.1, emphasizing robust data protection compliant with GDPR, and offering automatic SSL certificates for all domains. The platform’s use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and two-factor authentication (2FA) for critical actions further enhances security, making it a reliable choice for creative professionals who prioritize data safety.

IONOS, with a security score of 7.5, also provides comprehensive security measures, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure file storage options. While it offers strong protection, especially for ecommerce and professional websites, it falls slightly short compared to Portfoliobox’s more stringent security protocols and higher overall score.

7.2


Personalized Design	AI-driven design recommendations
SEO Optimization	AI tools for optimizing content for search engines
Content Generation	AI-generated content, including text and images
Additional AI Features	AI Section Generator, AI Color Palette Generator

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. IONOS stands out with its AI capabilities, offering tools that streamline the website creation process. Its AI-driven design recommendations, content generation, and SEO optimization make it a powerful choice for users looking to build professional websites efficiently. The additional AI features, such as the AI Section Generator and AI Color Palette Generator, further enhance the user experience by providing tailored content and design options.

Portfoliobox, with a score of 0, does not offer any AI capabilities. It focuses on providing a user-friendly platform for creative professionals without integrating AI tools.

3.1

2.8

🏆 Winner: IONOS

. When it comes to managing users, IONOS and Portfoliobox offer different levels of flexibility.

IONOS

permits multiple users for website editing, although it does not specify user roles and permissions or limitations on the number of users.
Portfoliobox

restricts user management to a single user, which may be limiting for teams or collaborative projects.

User Management Scores:

IONOS

: 3.1
Portfoliobox

: 2.8

While neither platform excels in user management, IONOS offers slightly more flexibility by allowing multiple users to edit a website, making it a better choice for collaborative efforts.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate	✓	✓
Custom Domain	✓	✓
Free Custom Domain Included	✓	✓
International Domains	✓	✓
Mobile Responsive	✓	✓
Page Speed	✓	✓
Website Builder Mobile App	X	X
Convert a Website To An App	X	X
Website Analytics	✓	✓
Multilingual Sites	✓	✓
Multiple Users	✓	X

User Feedback

IONOS

20 reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars

Portfoliobox

31 reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

As IONOS is primarily a hosting provider with a website builder as an additional product, most reviews focus on its hosting services. Users have mixed experiences with IONOS 1&1 Websites & Shops. While praised for its comprehensive packages, personalized support, and streamlined interface for IT professionals, some users encounter issues with backend functionality and find customer service representatives too pushy. Despite occasional short outages, the overall reliability and responsiveness of the service are appreciated by users.

Portfoliobox, on the other hand, receives high praise for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for both beginners and professionals to create and manage online portfolios. Users highlight its customizable design options, responsive layouts, and diverse template selection as significant advantages. 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, Portfoliobox is consistently valued for its ability to help users present their work effectively to potential clients and employers.

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, IONOS or Portfoliobox?

Portfoliobox is specifically designed for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, and designers. It offers tailored templates and tools that enhance the presentation of creative work. IONOS, while versatile, is more geared towards general business needs and may not offer the same level of customization for creative portfolios.

Can I use both IONOS and Portfoliobox for ecommerce?

Yes, both platforms support ecommerce functionalities. However, IONOS provides more comprehensive ecommerce tools and features, making it suitable for businesses that require a robust online store. Portfoliobox offers basic ecommerce capabilities, ideal for creatives who wish to sell their work directly from their portfolios.

How do IONOS and Portfoliobox compare in terms of ease of use?

Portfoliobox scores slightly higher in ease of use, particularly for users in creative fields, due to its user-friendly interface and focus on portfolio creation. IONOS also offers an intuitive platform but with a broader focus, catering to a wider range of website types.

What are the main differences in hosting services between IONOS and Portfoliobox?

IONOS offers a variety of hosting services, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, with a strong emphasis on reliability and performance. Portfoliobox provides managed cloud hosting, which is optimized for portfolio websites but does not disclose specific details about data centers or uptime guarantees.

Which platform offers better customer support, IONOS or Portfoliobox?

IONOS provides 24/7 customer support with multiple contact options, making it highly accessible for users needing assistance. Portfoliobox also offers reliable support but with fewer contact methods. Both platforms are committed to providing quality support to their users.