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Plainfolio vs Format
Format is a portfolio builder for working photographers, with client galleries, proofing, an online store, and contracts built in. Plainfolio does none of that business side. If you run a photography business, the client tools in Format are worth paying for. If you just want to show your photos, Plainfolio is free and takes two minutes.
| Plainfolio | Format |
| Price | Free, or $1.99 a month for Pro | $10, $12, or $15 a month billed yearly ($14, $24, or $36 billed monthly) |
| Free plan | Yes, free forever: 50 MB (about 30 to 35 photos), 3 categories | No free plan. 14 day free trial. Basic plan is capped at 70 images |
| Setup | About two minutes: email, site name, upload | Pick a theme and build your pages |
| Templates | None. 7 plain layouts free, more with Pro, plus your own colors, font, and bio | Yes, photography themes |
| Photo grid | Automatic justified grid that fits every photo's shape, no cropping | Depends on the theme |
| Style | Deliberately old school, like a 2005 website | Clean, modern |
| Your own domain | Yes, by forwarding your domain to yourname.plainfolio.site (the address bar then shows the plainfolio address) | Yes, free for the first year on Pro and Pro Plus yearly plans |
| Online store | No | Yes, on Pro and Pro Plus |
Choose plainfolio if
- You want a free portfolio with no client tools to manage
- You want to be done in two minutes
- You like the plain, old school look
Choose Format if
- You need client galleries, proofing, or contracts
- You sell prints or services
- You want your own domain to stay in the address bar
Make your free plainfolio site :: other comparisons
Format prices and features checked on their website in September 2026. Format is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to identify it.
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