Format is one good option for creating websites, especially photography portfolios, but it's not the only option available. Numerous alternative website builders offer unique features and benefits. Each platform has its strengths and limitations, so it's essential to understand their differences before deciding.
In this blog post, we'll explore some of the top Format alternatives to help you find the perfect platform for your needs. We'll discuss their key features, pricing plans, and target audiences to provide valuable insights.
Let's dive in and discover the alternative website builders to Format.
Best alternatives to Format: Complete list
1. Pixpa: Best Format alternative overall
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $3.60 per month (biannually). View Full Pricing Details.
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, client galleries, e-commerce, SEO tools, marketing tools
Best for: Creatives and small businesses
Pixpa is a powerful, no-code website builder for creatives and small businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including 200+ pre-designed templates, client galleries, e-commerce capabilities, SEO tools, and marketing tools. Pixpa allows you to showcase your portfolio online and grow your business effectively.
Pros:
Easy to Use: Pixpa's intuitive interface and drag-and-drop editor make website creation simple, even for those with no coding experience. Pixpa is great for photographers, artists, designers, models, musicians, architects, and other creatives for building portfolio websites.
Beautiful Templates: Choose from over 200 professionally designed website templates tailored for creatives, ensuring a visually stunning website. Learn more about Pixpa's website templates.
Gallery layouts: 25+ customizable gallery layouts - from gorgeous, responsive grids to dynamic slideshows and beautiful scrolling galleries.
Client Galleries: Share password-protected client galleries and personalized photo gallery apps for secure proofing and downloads.
E-commerce: Sell products or services directly through your website with Pixpa's built-in e-commerce features.
SEO and Marketing Tools: Boost your online visibility with blogging tools, SEO optimization, and marketing features.
Mobile-First Approach: Ensure your website looks great and functions flawlessly on all devices.
Third-Party App Integrations: Expand your website's functionality by integrating with various apps and platforms.
24/7 Support: Get live human chat support within 3 minutes or explore the extensive Help Center.
Cons:
No Free Plan: Pixpa offers a 15-day free trial, but a paid plan is required to create a live website.
2. Squarespace: Best Format alternative for visually aesthetic websites
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $16 per month (free trial available)
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, online store, 24/7 customer support, blogging, mobile app
Best for: Personal websites, portfolios, online stores
Squarespace is renowned for its stunning designs and user-friendly interface. It's a popular choice for creating visually appealing websites, especially for those who want to showcase their creativity or sell products online.
With its extensive template library, powerful blogging features, and seamless integration with online stores, Squarespace offers a comprehensive solution for building a professional online presence. Do consider its limitations in customizations and phone support.
Pros:
Stunning templates: Squarespace offers a wide range of professionally designed templates optimized for mobile devices.
Powerful blogging features: The platform provides robust tools for creating and managing blogs, including scheduling posts, commenting, and SEO optimization.
Excellent customer support: Squarespace offers 24/7 live chat support, ensuring you always have assistance when needed.
Mobile app: The Squarespace app allows you to manage your website and make updates on the go.
Squarespace Blueprint: This feature guides you through creating a custom website template from scratch.
Cons:
Limited customization for beginners: While the drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly, it may not offer the same level of customization as some other platforms.
Single sub-navigation: Squarespace doesn't support multiple sub-navigation menus, which can be limiting for larger websites.
Limited external extensions: The number of third-party apps available for integration is relatively small.
No phone support: While live chat is available, phone support is not offered.
Storage limitations: Video storage is limited, which may be a concern for those who plan to use videos extensively.
3. Wix: Best Format alternative for its vast library of templates
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Free plan with Wix branding; Paid plans start from $17 per month
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, AI tools, SEO features, online store functionality, 24/7 customer support
Best for: Beginners, bloggers, entrepreneurs, small businesses
Wix is a popular website builder known for its user-friendly interface and extensive features. Ideal for those with no coding experience, Wix's drag-and-drop editor allows for complete creative control over your website design. It offers a variety of tools and functionalities, like built-in SEO, AI assistance, and e-commerce capabilities, catering to a broad range of users, from bloggers to small businesses.
Pros:
Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Editor: Wix empowers anyone to build a website, regardless of technical expertise.
Extensive Template Library: Choose from over 900 beautifully designed templates covering various industries and needs.
AI-Powered Tools: Wix offers AI features to assist with onboarding, design, content creation, and more.
SEO Optimization: Built-in SEO tools help you improve your website's search engine ranking.
E-commerce Functionality: Sell products and manage your online store directly through Wix.
Free Plan Available: Experiment with Wix before committing to a paid plan.
Cons:
Steeper Learning Curve: While user-friendly, the sheer number of features can be overwhelming for absolute beginners.
Limited Storage on Lower Plans: Unlimited storage is only available on the most expensive plan.
Template Lock-in: Once your website is live, you cannot switch to a different template.
Potentially Higher Costs: Compared to some competitors, Wix's paid plans can be more expensive.
Limited Customer Support Options: Response times for email and callback support may vary.
Branding on Free Plan: Free websites display Wix branding and don't allow custom domain names.
4. Webflow: Best Format alternative for web designers
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $0 for the Starter plan; Paid plans start from $19 per month
Features: Advanced customization options, code export, e-commerce capabilities, Figma integration
Best for: Design-oriented professionals, perfectionists, those seeking full creative control
Webflow is a professional-grade website builder that offers exceptional control over design and functionality. It's a popular choice among designers and developers who value customization and flexibility. With its powerful features and ability to export code, Webflow allows you to create unique and visually stunning websites.
Pros:
Unparalleled Customization: Webflow provides extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor every aspect of your website's design.
Code Export: You have the freedom to export your website's code, ensuring full control and flexibility.
E-commerce Capabilities: Webflow offers robust e-commerce features, making it suitable for online stores.
Figma Integration: Seamlessly convert Figma designs into Webflow websites, streamlining the design process.
Excellent Support Materials: Webflow University provides comprehensive resources to help you learn and master the platform.
Guaranteed Uptime: Webflow guarantees a high uptime, ensuring your website remains accessible.
Cons:
Steep Learning Curve: Webflow's advanced features require technical knowledge and can be challenging for beginners.
Complex Pricing: Understanding the various plans and options can be confusing.
Limited Built-in Features: Some features, like multilingual websites, may require third-party integrations.
Lack of Live Chat and Phone Support: While email support is available, live chat and phone support are not.
5. Duda: Best Format alternative for agencies due to its scalability
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $19 per month (annual billing); White-label plans start from $149 per month
Features: Multilingual websites, website personalization, drag-and-drop editor, backup and restore
Best for: Agencies, businesses seeking scalability, those needing multilingual websites
Duda is a website builder designed with scalability and agency needs in mind. It offers features like multilingual websites, website personalization, and a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor. While it's not ideal for individual users, it's a strong choice for businesses and agencies looking to build multiple websites efficiently.
Pros:
Multilingual Websites: Easily create websites in multiple languages, catering to a global audience.
Website Personalization: Deliver tailored messages to website visitors based on their location or behavior.
User-Friendly Editor: The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the website creation process.
Backup and Restore: Protect your website with the ability to create and restore backups.
Client Management Tools (White-label Plans): Ideal for agencies managing multiple clients.
Cons:
Higher Pricing: Duda's plans are generally more expensive compared to other website builders.
Limited App Store: The selection of third-party apps is relatively small.
No Free Plan: Users must commit to a paid plan from the start.
Limited Customization: While offering customization options, Duda may not provide the same level of creative freedom as some other platforms.
Focus on Agencies: Duda's features and pricing are more tailored to agencies than individual users.
6. Hostinger: Best Format alternative for its AI capabilities
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $5.99 per month (introductory price)
Features: AI-powered website builder, user-friendly interface, affordable plans
Best for: Beginners, AI enthusiasts, those on a budget
Hostinger is a good option for budget-conscious users seeking a user-friendly website builder. Their AI-powered platform simplifies the website creation process, making it accessible to beginners. Hostinger also offers affordable hosting plans, making it a cost-effective option for those starting their online journey.
Pros:
Easy-to-Use Interface: The Hostinger admin panel is intuitive and straightforward, even for beginners.
Affordable Pricing: Hostinger offers competitive pricing, especially for the introductory plans.
Generous Bandwidth: Higher-tier plans provide unlimited bandwidth, while even the lower-tier plan offers sufficient bandwidth for most websites.
Developer-Friendly Features: Hostinger caters to developers with its range of tools and features.
Fast Performance: Hostinger's websites consistently load quickly, providing a good user experience.
Cons:
No Automatic Daily Backups: While manual backups are possible, relying solely on weekly backups can be risky.
Limited Number of Sites: The number of websites you can host is restricted based on your plan.
Weak Uptime Guarantee: Hostinger's uptime guarantee is lower compared to some competitors.
No App Market: You cannot easily add extra functionality or tools through an app market.
Limited Email Marketing Tools: Hostinger doesn't offer built-in email marketing tools, which can be essential for promoting your website.
No Free Plan: While there's a 30-day free trial, a paid plan is required to create a live website.
Limited Scalability: Hostinger's plans may not be suitable for large-scale websites or businesses requiring significant growth.
7. SmugMug: Best Format alternative for photographers
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $16 per month (annual billing)
Features: Photography-focused templates, built-in e-commerce, unlimited storage, Lightroom integration
Best for: Professional photographers, portfolios
SmugMug is a niche website builder specifically designed for photographers. It offers features tailored to the needs of professionals, including photography-focused templates, built-in e-commerce, unlimited storage, and integration with Adobe Lightroom. While SmugMug excels in these areas, it may have limitations for those seeking broader customization or a wider range of templates.
Pros:
Photography-Focused Templates: SmugMug offers templates optimized for showcasing photography, providing a professional look.
Built-in E-commerce: Easily sell prints and digital downloads directly from your website.
Unlimited Storage: Store an unlimited number of photos, ensuring you have ample space for your work.
Lightroom Integration: Seamlessly integrate your Lightroom library with SmugMug for efficient workflow.
Customizable Viewing Galleries: Create galleries with various layouts and options to showcase your photography effectively.
Cons:
Limited Templates: SmugMug offers a smaller selection of templates compared to general-purpose website builders.
Limited Customization: Customization options may be more restricted than those found in other platforms.
No Free Plan: SmugMug requires a paid subscription from the start.
Higher Pricing: SmugMug's pricing plans are on the higher side, especially for advanced features.
Basic Website Editor: The website editor may not be as intuitive or feature-rich as those offered by other platforms.
Limited Design Options: The templates may have a similar look and feel, limiting design flexibility.
Additional Fees: Be aware of potential add-on fees for certain features or storage.
8. GoDaddy Website Builder: Best Format alternative for its simplistic user interface
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Free plan with limited features; Paid plans start from $11.99 per month
Features: Easy-to-use editor, AI design assistance, marketing tools, e-commerce functionality
Best for: Beginners, those seeking an all-in-one solution with marketing features
GoDaddy's website builder offers built-in marketing tools, AI-powered design assistance, and e-commerce functionality for creating a complete online presence. While it caters to beginners, consider potential limitations in customization and advanced features.
Pros:
Intuitive Interface: GoDaddy's drag-and-drop editor makes website creation easy, even for those with no technical experience.
AI Design Assistance: Get a head start with an initial website design generated by GoDaddy's AI.
Mobile-Optimized Layouts: Websites automatically adapt to mobile devices for a seamless user experience.
Marketing Tools Integration: Manage your website and basic marketing tasks (email marketing, social media) within the platform.
E-commerce Functionality: Sell products directly through your website with built-in e-commerce features.
Free Plan Available: Experiment with basic website creation before committing to a paid plan.
Cons:
Limited SEO Options: The SEO features, particularly on lower plans, may not be sufficient for significant search engine optimization.
Limited App Market: The lack of a robust app market restricts the ability to add functionalities beyond what's offered by GoDaddy.
Version Update Issues: GoDaddy has a history of introducing new website builders, making it difficult to migrate existing websites to the latest platform.
Generic Design Aesthetics: Websites built with the AI builder may appear generic or outdated.
Limited Features and Customization: Compared to other builders, GoDaddy may offer fewer features and customization options.
9. Weebly: Best Format alternative for beginners
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans start from around $10 per month
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, basic e-commerce, affordable pricing
Best for: Beginners, those on a budget, small online stores
Weebly is a beginner-friendly website builder known for its ease of use and affordable pricing. It offers a drag-and-drop editor, basic e-commerce features, and a free plan for those starting out. While it's a great option for budget-conscious users, Weebly may have limitations in terms of advanced features, customization, and scalability.
Pros:
Affordable Pricing: Weebly offers competitive pricing, making it accessible to users on a budget.
Free Plan: Get started with a free website to test Weebly's features before committing to a paid plan.
Basic E-commerce: Sell products online with Weebly's basic e-commerce functionality.
User-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop editor makes website creation straightforward.
Cons:
Outdated Templates: Weebly's templates may appear outdated compared to other platforms.
Limited Customization: Customization options may be restricted, limiting your creative control.
Lack of Advanced Features: Weebly may not offer as many advanced features as other website builders, especially for marketing and e-commerce.
Scalability Issues: Weebly's limited features and tools may make it challenging to scale your website as your business grows.
Free Plan Limitations: Free websites display ads and have limited features.
10. Adobe Portfolio: Best Format alternative for Creative Cloud Subscribers
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Free with a Creative Cloud subscription ($54.99 per month when paid annually)
Features: Integrated with Creative Cloud apps, unlimited pages and images, easy to use
Best for: Creative professionals using Creative Cloud apps, those seeking a simple portfolio website
Adobe Portfolio is a free website builder designed for Creative Cloud subscribers. It allows you to create a portfolio website and leverage the integration with other Adobe apps for seamless content management. While it's a convenient option for Creative Cloud users, Adobe Portfolio may have customization and e-commerce functionality limitations.
Pros:
Free for Creative Cloud Subscribers: If you already subscribe to Creative Cloud, Adobe Portfolio is included at no additional cost.
Integrated with Creative Cloud: Easily import content from Behance, Lightroom, Photoshop, or Adobe Stock to populate your portfolio.
Unlimited Pages and Images: Store and showcase as many pages and images as you need without limitations.
Easy to Use: The user-friendly interface makes it simple to create and customize your portfolio website.
Automatic Image Optimization: Adobe Portfolio automatically reduces image resolution for faster loading times.
Watermarking: Protect your images with built-in watermarking capabilities.
Cons:
Limited Customization: Customization options may be more restricted compared to other website builders.
No E-commerce: Adobe Portfolio is not designed for selling products or services online.
Dependence on Creative Cloud: You'll need a Creative Cloud subscription to use Adobe Portfolio.
11. Rocketspark: Best Format alternative for business portfolio
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Starts from $28 per month (annual billing), 30 day free trial
Features: Drag-and-drop editor, SEO tools, e-commerce capabilities, domain management
Best for: Service businesses, trades, portfolios
Rocketspark is a website builder designed specifically for businesses, offering features like a user-friendly editor, SEO tools, and e-commerce capabilities. It's a good option for those seeking a simple platform to create professional websites.
Pros:
User-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop editor makes website creation easy, even for those with limited technical knowledge.
SEO Tools: Track your website's SEO progress and optimize for search engines.
E-commerce Capabilities: Sell products or services online with Rocketspark's e-commerce features.
Domain Management: Register or transfer domain names and business email addresses through the platform.
Excellent Customer Support: Rocketspark is known for its responsive and helpful customer support.
Cons:
Copy-Paste Limitations: Copying and pasting content directly into the website can be time-consuming.
Multi-Website Management: Managing multiple websites from a single account may not be possible.
Layout Design Limitations: There may be restrictions in customizing certain layout elements, such as drop-down menus.
12. Site123: Best Format alternative for personal websites
In a nutshell:
Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans start from $12.80 per month (annual billing)
Features: Basic website builder, easy to use, affordable pricing
Best for: Beginners, personal websites, small businesses seeking a simple solution
Site123 is designed for individuals and businesses needing a simple platform without complex features. It's a good option for beginners or those on a budget seeking a basic website. However, Site123 may have limitations in terms of advanced features, customization, and e-commerce capabilities.
Pros:
Easy to Use: Site123's intuitive interface makes website creation straightforward, even for those with no technical experience.
Affordable Pricing: The free plan allows you to get started without any cost, and paid plans are relatively affordable.
24/7 Support: Benefit from Site123's responsive live chat support and helpful knowledge base.
Mobile-Responsive Themes: Ensure your website looks great on all devices with mobile-responsive design.
Cons:
Limited Customization: Customization options may be restricted, limiting your creative control.
Lack of Advanced Features: Site123 may not offer as many advanced features as other website builders, especially for e-commerce or complex websites.
Outdated Templates: The templates may appear outdated compared to other platforms.
Free Plan Limitations: The free plan includes ads and has limited features.
Also read:
Format alternatives at a glance
Website Builder | Best For | Standout Feature | Pricing |
Pixpa | Portfolio websites for creatives, design flexibility, integrated ecommerce | No-code website builder, Drag and drop editor, customizable templates, built-in SEO, integrated marketing tools, online store | Starts at $3.60 per month (Biannually) |
Squarespace | Personal websites, portfolios, online stores | Stunning designs, powerful blogging | Starts from $16 per month |
Wix | Beginners, bloggers, small businesses | User-friendly interface, AI tools, e-commerce | Free plan available, paid plans start from $17 per month |
Webflow | Design-oriented professionals, those seeking full control | Advanced customization, code export | Starts from $19 per month |
Duda | Agencies, businesses seeking scalability, multilingual websites | Multilingual websites, website personalization | Starts from $19 per month |
Hostinger | Beginners, AI enthusiasts, those on a budget | Affordable pricing, AI-powered website builder | Starts from $5.99 per month |
SmugMug | Professional photographers, portfolios | Photography-focused templates, built-in e-commerce | Starts from $16 per month |
GoDaddy | Beginners, those seeking an all-in-one solution | Easy-to-use interface, marketing tools | Free plan available, paid plans start from $11.99 per month |
Weebly | Beginners, those on a budget, small online stores | Affordable pricing, user-friendly interface | Free plan available, paid plans start from $10 per month |
Adobe Portfolio | Creative Cloud subscribers seeking a simple portfolio | Free with Creative Cloud subscription, integrated with Adobe apps | Free for Creative Cloud subscribers |
Rocketspark | Service businesses, trades, portfolios | User-friendly interface, SEO tools, e-commerce | Starts from $28 per month |
Format | Photographers, creative professionals | Photography-specific features, client galleries | Pro: $12/month, Pro Plus: $18/month, Premium: $25/month |
Why consider Format alternatives
Format is a specialized website builder designed for photographers and creative professionals. While it offers photography-specific features and a user-friendly interface, it may not be the ideal choice for everyone. Here's why you might consider exploring Format alternatives:
Customization Limitations:
Drag-and-Drop Limitations: Format's customization options are limited compared to other website builders, with a focus on row-based sections rather than drag-and-drop elements.
Limited Design Flexibility: Creating a truly unique-looking website may be challenging with Format's pre-designed templates and customization options.
E-commerce Limitations:
No Print-on-Demand: While you can sell digital products, Format doesn't offer print-on-demand integrations for selling physical prints.
Limited Customization: The contact form editor is basic and may not offer the desired customization options.
No Calendar Functionality: Scheduling appointments or photography sessions directly through your website isn't possible.
Pricing Considerations:
Pro: $12/month, Pro Plus: $18/month, Premium: $25/month
Confusing Pricing Structure: Format's pricing plans can be complex, with different options for websites, client galleries, and additional features.
Higher Costs for Advanced Features: Adding features like more client galleries or increased storage can significantly increase your monthly cost.
How did we evaluate Format alternatives
To help you select the most suitable website builder for your creative business, we carefully evaluated each platform based on the following key criteria:
Essential Features: Galleries, e-commerce, customization options, SEO tools, and other essential functionalities.
User-Friendliness: Ease of use for both beginners and experienced users.
Design Flexibility: The ability to create unique and visually appealing websites.
Cost-Effectiveness: Pricing plans and the overall value offered.
Reliable Support: Availability and quality of customer service.
By considering these factors, we've selected the best Format alternatives that provide the features and benefits you need to create a successful online presence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Format is a valuable website builder for photographers and creative professionals, offering specialized features and a user-friendly interface. However, it's essential to consider your specific needs and preferences before making a final decision.
Pixpa is a strong contender and is particularly well-suited for photographers, designers, artists, architects, fashion stylists, models, etc., looking to showcase their portfolio, sell online, and grow their audience. It offers features like client galleries, e-commerce, and SEO tools, making it a comprehensive solution for building a professional online presence.
Wix and Squarespace may be suited for you if you have a bigger budget.
Ultimately, the best website builder for you depends on your requirements and budget. By carefully evaluating the features, user-friendliness, design flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and support offered by each platform, you can choose the one that aligns perfectly with your goals and helps you create a successful online presence.
FAQ
Can you use Format for free?
No, Format does not offer a free plan. They provide a 14-day free trial, but after that, you need to subscribe to a paid plan to continue using their services.
Is Format a free website builder?
No, Format is not a free website builder. They offer paid plans after a 14-day free trial. If you're looking for free options, platforms like Wix, Weebly, and Site123 offer free plans with limited features.
Is Format good or bad?
Format is a good platform for creatives, especially photographers, offering simple portfolio templates. However, it has limited customization and e-commerce options compared to alternatives like Pixpa or Squarespace, which provide more robust features for portfolios and online stores.
What's the best Format alternative?
Pixpa is a great alternative to Format, offering more features tailored for creatives, including built-in client galleries, e-commerce, and blogging tools. Other good alternatives include Squarespace for stylish design templates and Webflow for more design flexibility.