Final verdict
SmugMug and Format both cater to creative professionals, but they have distinct strengths and weaknesses.
-
SmugMug (Overall Grade: 6.3/10)
is a robust platform designed specifically for photographers. It excels in providing high-quality templates, strong photo protection features, and comprehensive ecommerce capabilities tailored for selling prints and digital downloads. SmugMug’s focus on mobile responsive design and extensive integrations make it a versatile choice for photographers looking to showcase and monetize their work. However, it may not be as user-friendly for those outside the photography niche. -
Format (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
offers a user-friendly interface and a range of customizable templates tailored for various creative professionals, including photographers, artists, and designers. Its drag-and-drop editor, integrated online store, and client proofing tools make it a comprehensive platform for managing an online portfolio. Format stands out with its ease of use, marketing features, and customer support, making it an excellent choice for creatives who prioritize simplicity and functionality over extensive ecommerce capabilities.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.1 |
7.0 |
|
Ease of use |
7.8 |
8.3 |
|
Ecommerce |
7.3 |
5.2 |
|
Website Editors |
7.3 |
7.5 |
|
Product testing options |
7.4 |
8.3 |
|
Price |
7.8 |
7.9 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.5 |
5.0 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
6.2 |
4.9 |
|
Marketing features |
3.8 |
5.3 |
|
Customer support |
7.9 |
7.0 |
|
Security |
6.0 |
7.4 |
|
AI capabilities |
0 |
0.0 |
|
User Management |
7.2 |
2.8 |
| Overall |
6.3 |
5.8 |
Best for ecommerce
7.3
5.2
Verdict
: SmugMug is better suited for photographers looking to sell their work online, while Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities but excels in portfolio presentation.
-
SmugMug
: SmugMug is designed with photographers in mind, offering a platform to sell digital downloads, prints, and merchandise. It integrates with print labs for order fulfillment and provides robust photo protection features. When comparing SmugMug vs Format, SmugMug stands out for its ecommerce capabilities tailored to photographers. -
Format
: Format provides basic ecommerce functionalities suitable for selling physical and digital products. It is primarily designed for portfolio websites, making it ideal for creative professionals who want to showcase their work. However, it may not meet the needs of those looking for extensive ecommerce features.
Best for informational & business websites
7.5
7.2
Verdict
: SmugMug and Format both cater to creative professionals, but SmugMug has a slight edge for informational business websites due to its higher score and robust photo protection features.
-
SmugMug
: SmugMug is tailored for photographers and creatives, offering customizable templates optimized for high-quality images. Its robust photo protection features and e-commerce capabilities make it a strong choice for those looking to showcase and sell their work online. With a score of 7.5, SmugMug is well-suited for creating visually appealing informational websites. -
Format
: Format is designed for creative professionals such as photographers, artists, and designers. It provides a range of customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create and manage online portfolios. Although it scores slightly lower at 7.2, Format’s integrated online store, client proofing, and blogging tools make it a comprehensive platform for creatives to share their work and connect with potential clients.
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.
7.1
7.0
🏆
Winner: SmugMug.
Although both SmugMug and Format offer a range of customizable templates and designs, SmugMug edges out with a slightly higher score.
SmugMug offers a variety of templates and designs, catering to the diverse needs of photographers and visual artists. Users can choose from an extensive collection of customizable templates, ensuring their website or portfolio reflects their unique style and brand.
On the other hand, 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.
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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.
7.8
8.3
🏆 Winner: Format
. With a score of 8.3, Format edges out SmugMug, which scored 7.8. Format’s user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop editor make it an accessible choice for creative professionals. While SmugMug also offers a user-friendly interface, it may not be as versatile for other types of websites due to its focus on photography and visual content.
Learning Resources
Both SmugMug and Format offer a variety of learning materials, including guides, tutorials, and articles. However, neither platform has a substantial community of users across various online platforms.
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.
7.3
5.2
When it comes to ecommerce, SmugMug and Format offer different levels of functionality. SmugMug is designed with photographers in mind, providing a platform for them to sell their work directly from their website. It supports the sale of digital downloads, prints, and merchandise, and integrates with print labs for order fulfillment. On the other hand, Format offers basic ecommerce functionalities for selling physical and digital products. However, it’s primarily designed for portfolio websites and may not suit those looking for extensive ecommerce features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
8.0 |
4.0 |
|
Product page customization |
6.5 |
5.5 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
6.0 |
4.5 |
|
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
5.0 |
6.5 |
|
Product numbers |
9.0 |
5.0 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
6.5 |
3.5 |
SmugMug ecommerce features:
- Digital Downloads
- Product Pricing
- Tax handling
- Discounts and Coupons
- Multiple Currencies support
Format ecommerce features:
- Inventory management and tracking
- Discounts
- Multiple currency options
Ecommerce themes & templates
Almost all of the templates of SmugMug are designed with ecommerce in mind, providing built-in shopping cart functionality. In contrast, Format does not have ecommerce specific templates.
Product page customization
SmugMug offers a platform tailored for photographers to showcase and sell their work, despite having more limited product page customization compared to dedicated e-commerce platforms. It still provides enough functionality to detail digital and printed photography products effectively. On the other hand, Format offers limited specific details on product page customization directly, but its e-commerce features suggest a focus on showcasing products through high-quality imagery and detailed descriptions.
Payment processing
SmugMug has a unique approach to payment processing. Payment processing for your sales is managed through your account settings, where you must complete a Tax & Payment form to set up your payment preferences. Your earnings are calculated as 85% of the markup on print prices or download sales, with SmugMug retaining 15% to cover various costs. Payments are made via ACH direct deposit for U.S. users or PayPal for international users.
The Format website builder offers integration with major payment gateways, including Paypal and Stripe. It charges a 15% commission on the Pro plan and 5% on the Pro Plus plan. However, the platform does not have built-in POS (Point of Sale) capabilities.
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.
7.3
7.5
🏆
Winner: Format
. With a score of 7.5, Format’s website editor offers a variety of features for creating online portfolios. It 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.
SmugMug’s website builder editor, scoring 7.3, offers a user-friendly interface that allows for the creation of visually appealing, professional-grade photography websites without the need for coding knowledge. Users can customize their site by choosing from a variety of templates, adjusting layouts, and incorporating their own branding elements like logos and colors. The editor also supports easy uploading, organizing, and showcasing of high-quality images, with robust privacy and security settings to protect content. Additionally, SmugMug provides tools for selling prints and digital downloads directly from the website, making it a comprehensive platform for photographers looking to display and monetize their work online.
Mobile editor/app
7.5
4.0
🏆
Winner: SmugMug
. Both SmugMug and Format have limitations when it comes to mobile editing. SmugMug offers a mobile app, but its editing capabilities are limited to adding new photos and editing descriptions. Layout changes on the website are not possible through the app.
On the other hand, Format does not offer a dedicated mobile editing app. While it is possible to edit a Format website using a mobile browser, the interface is the same as the desktop version, making it difficult to use on a smartphone.
Given these limitations, SmugMug scores higher in the mobile editor category due to its dedicated app, despite its limited editing capabilities.
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.
7.4
8.3
Overall Result
:
Format Wins
. Format scores 8.3, slightly higher than SmugMug’s 7.4. Both SmugMug and Format offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test their premium features. However, Format stands out with its 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a longer safety net for users who decide to upgrade.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | No |
|
Trial Duration |
14 days | 14 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
During the free trial | During the free trial |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No |
30-day money back guarantee |
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.
7.8
7.9
SmugMug and Format offer a range of pricing plans tailored to the needs of creative professionals. While SmugMug’s plans are slightly more expensive, they offer a higher level of customization and advanced features, including an enterprise plan for professional photographers and businesses. Format, on the other hand, offers more affordable plans and significant discounts for annual subscriptions, but does not offer an enterprise plan.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$10-$20 |
Power ($15.00/month): Best for the photographer who wants their entire photo catalog safe and shareable on their own terms. Unlimited storage, Seamless Lightroom integration. Value for price: 6.5 |
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 |
|
$30-$37 |
Portfolio ($31.00/month): Best for the photographer who wants to start selling photos and keep their archive organized perfectly. All Power plan’s features, plus 21 premade templates, prints and digital downloads sales, Custom Watermarks, Payment integration for credit cards and PayPal, Integrated cart and checkout experience, Sales statistics. Value for price: 8.0 |
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 |
|
$37-$134 |
Pro ($45.00/month): Adds to Portfolio with custom price lists and coupons, Platform access for assistant or second shooter, Full control over client downloads, Branded packaging and thank you notes for print sales, coupon creator. Value for price: 8.5 |
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 |
|
$500+ |
Venture (Starts with $500/month): All Pro features, plus dedicated support contacts and account representative for all Smugmug needs, Design, workflow, and organization consultation and support. |
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.
5.0
5.0
🏆
Winner: SmugMug
Both SmugMug and Format offer hosting, but neither provides detailed information about their hosting features, types, uptime statistics, or data centers. However, SmugMug does offer an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, which gives it a slight edge over Format in this comparison.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes | Yes |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not specified | Not specified |
|
Uptime: |
Not specified | Not specified |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.9% | No |
|
Data Centers: |
Not specified | Not specified |
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.
5.5
5.0
🏆 Winner: SmugMug
Both SmugMug and Format prioritize website performance and page speed, with SmugMug focusing on mobile responsive design and Format emphasizing image and video optimization. However, SmugMug has a slight edge in terms of website speed optimization.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Mobile Responsive design |
Image and video optimization |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Mobile Responsive design |
Image and video optimization |
|
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 |
Not specified |
Not specified |
SmugMug, a website builder specifically designed for photographers and creatives, places a strong emphasis on mobile responsive design to enhance site speed. However, the platform does not provide specific information on the tools used for performance measurement or the improvements made in Core Web Vitals.
On the other hand, Format, a website builder tailored for creative professionals, focuses on image and video optimization for speed enhancement. Similar to SmugMug, Format does not disclose any information on the performance tools used or the improvements made in Core Web Vitals.
Both platforms have varying load times and PageSpeed scores, depending on the optimization and website complexity. However, without specific data on load times, PageSpeed scores, and Core Web Vitals improvements, it’s challenging to make a definitive comparison. Based on the available information, SmugMug has a slight edge due to its focus on mobile responsive design, which is a crucial factor in website speed optimization.
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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.
6.2
4.9
🏆 Winner: SmugMug.
With a score of 6.2, SmugMug offers more integrations, especially with photo-hosting services, which is a significant advantage for photographers. Format, scoring 4.9, has a limited selection of plugins/integrations, which might restrict users looking for a more extensive suite of tools to customize and enhance their website’s functionality.
SmugMug’s integrations with Dropbox, Adobe Lightroom, Google Photos, Flickr, and Amazon Drive allow for efficient and easy importation of photos directly from these services. On the other hand, Format offers integrations with Adobe Lightroom, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.
While both platforms cater to creative professionals, SmugMug’s more extensive integrations make it a more versatile and efficient choice for managing and showcasing photography portfolios.
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.
3.8
5.3
🏆
Overall Winner: Format
. Format has a slight edge over SmugMug in terms of marketing features, offering email marketing and blogging capabilities, which SmugMug lacks. Both platforms offer basic SEO tools and social media integration, but Format also provides ads and promotions features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
Basic SEO tools |
Basic SEO tools |
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Google Analytics integration |
Google Analytics integration |
|
Ads and Promotions |
|
Basic promotional 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.
7.9
7.0
🏆 Winner: SmugMug
. Comparing SmugMug vs Format, SmugMug takes the lead in this category with its comprehensive support options and specialized enterprise support. SmugMug offers customer support through email and chat, available 364 days a year, with rapid response times. Additionally, higher-tier business subscribers have access to phone support. For enterprise-level customers, SmugMug provides hands-on account representatives and dedicated support contacts, ensuring a high level of service and customization.
Format, on the other hand, offers 24/7 customer support through email and live chat, with a tech support team distributed across different countries to ensure round-the-clock availability. However, Format lacks specialized support for enterprise-level customers, which may be a drawback for larger businesses seeking tailored assistance. Despite this, Format’s continuous availability and user-friendly support channels make it a reliable option for creative professionals.
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.
6.0
7.4
🏆
Winner: Format
. Format takes the lead in security with a score of 7.4 compared to SmugMug’s 6.0. Format emphasizes on the security of user data through encrypted data storage and strict access controls. It also provides resources to help secure user accounts, including strong password guidelines and two-factor authentication options. Format offers SSL security across all its plans, a fundamental feature for any website.
SmugMug, on the other hand, ensures private data storage and protection through various measures, including strict privacy settings and controls. However, it does not disclose detailed information about its website security measures, apart from the possibility to change privacy settings to protect website content with passwords and hiding account owner information.
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.
0
0.0
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
|
|
|
AI Ecommerce features |
|
|
|
AI Content Generation |
|
|
|
Additional AI features |
|
|
Neither SmugMug nor Format offer AI capabilities. Both platforms focus on providing a robust and user-friendly interface for creatives to showcase their work, but do not utilize AI to enhance the user experience or functionality.
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.
7.2
2.8
🏆 Winner: SmugMug
. SmugMug and Format have different approaches to user management.
- SmugMug allows the primary account holder full control over the account, with the ability to add additional users through “Shared Account Management” for Portfolio and Pro level accounts. These additional users can be given various roles with different permissions, enabling them to manage or edit the website without full access to billing or account settings. The number of users and the extent of their permissions depend on SmugMug’s current offerings.
- Format, on the other hand, allows only one user to manage and edit websites.
SmugMug User Roles and Access Levels:
| Role | Description | Access Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | The primary account holder who has full control over the site. | Complete access to all features, settings, content management, and billing. |
| Admin | Users granted almost the same level of access as the owner, minus some critical billing or account settings. | Manage content, order prints, access to stats, and settings except for account and billing changes. |
| Contributor | Users who can upload and manage content in specific galleries. | Upload content to assigned galleries, edit captions, and keywords. Limited access to settings. |
Format does not provide any user roles and access levels.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
Users appreciate SmugMug for its reliability, ease of use, and the platform’s ability to securely host and share high-resolution photographs and videos. Highlights include seamless mobile device syncing, excellent gallery features for showcasing assets, and robust customization options minus JavaScript support. However, some users desire improvements in facial recognition technology for automatic album creation, expanded asset management capabilities beyond primarily photos, and more advanced search functionalities. Concerns about rising costs and the platform’s intuitiveness were also mentioned. Overall, SmugMug is valued for its central storage solution, privacy features for client photos, and its ability to simplify file sharing and photo sales.
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.
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 photographers, SmugMug or Format?
Can I sell my work on both SmugMug and Format?
Which platform offers better templates for creative professionals?
How do SmugMug and Format compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform is more affordable, SmugMug or Format?
Can I manage multiple users on SmugMug and Format?
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