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    Format reviews

    Format builds portfolio websites for photographers with client galleries, proofing, and an online store on higher plans.

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    ToolTrim verdict3.4/ 5Average

    The comparison plan, Pro, costs $24/month billed monthly; a "save up to 50%" annual banner currently shows $12/month, but that is a limited-time promotion, not a published standing annual rate, so budget on the $24/month figure.

    Format, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with Format.

    Format builds a mobile-optimized portfolio website from templates, with client galleries for proofing, download and password protection, plus a Lightroom plugin for direct publishing. An online store for prints and digital products opens up from the Pro plan.

    There's no free plan: Basic starts at $14/month for 10 pages and 70 images, Pro at $24/month for unlimited pages and more storage, and Pro Plus at $36/month adds CRM Light and client contracts. A "save up to 50%" annual-billing promotion was live at research time (for example Pro at $12/month), but Format doesn't publish a standing annual rate outside that promotion. It fits a photographer who needs a portfolio with client delivery built in, more than a general-purpose site builder.

    Practical uses

    • DeliverShare a password-protected client gallery for proofing and download once a shoot is finished, on the Basic plan.
    • SellOpen an online store for prints and digital products on the Pro plan once a portfolio site alone is not enough.

    Features & use cases

    Portfolio builder

    Pros and cons. What Format does well, and what to expect.

    Pros

    • Client galleries with proofing, download and password protection are built in from the entry plan.
    • Lightroom plugin publishes directly from Adobe Lightroom without a separate export step.

    Cons

    • No free plan; every tier requires a paid subscription after the 14-day trial.
    • Image storage, hosted video minutes and client galleries stay capped even on paid plans.

    When it makes sense. Keep Format, or challenge it?

    Keep if

    • You need a photographer-specific portfolio site with client galleries, proofing and a Lightroom publishing workflow.
    Format becomes worthwhile when
    • You use it at least once a week
    • The monthly cost ($24) is small next to the time it saves you

    Challenge if

    • You want a free tier to start, or need unlimited image storage and video hosting without an upgrade.
    Format becomes too expensive when
    • You use it less than once a month
    • A simple free version or a tool already in your stack would do

    Our verdict. What to know about Format.

    Why this verdict

    Average

    Added value

    Bundles a portfolio site, client galleries and a print/digital store for a monthly price, but every plan including the cheapest requires payment with no free tier.

    Simplicity

    Template-based site building and built-in client galleries work without a specialist, beyond the custom code editor reserved for higher plans.

    Fit for purpose

    Delivers the promised portfolio site, client galleries with proofing/download, and a store on Pro and above.

    Performance

    Covers photographer-specific needs (galleries, proofing, Lightroom plugin) well, but storage, video minutes and galleries stay capped even on paid plans.

    Reversibility

    Neutral score: export format and data portability out of Format are not covered by the collected sources.

    FormatFrom $24/mo
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