Format vs Pixieset
Choose Format if you want a portfolio with client galleries, file transfers, and a commission-free store in one paid plan; choose Pixieset if you want a free website to start or prefer to add photography tools through separate products or a Suite plan. Both offer hosted, mobile-ready portfolio websites. The main difference is how their website and business tools are packaged.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Format | Pixieset |
|---|---|---|
| Free access | 14-day free trial | Free Website plan |
| Website pricing | Basic $10, Pro $12, Pro Plus $15/month billed annually | Plus $12, Pro $18/month billed annually |
| Website photo limits | 70 Basic; 1,500 Pro; unlimited Pro Plus | 100 Free; unlimited Plus and Pro |
| Website page limits | 10 Basic; unlimited Pro and Pro Plus | 15 Free; unlimited Plus and Pro |
| Blogging | Blog included with Portfolio subscription | 5 posts Free; unlimited Plus and Pro |
| Client galleries | Included in Portfolio plans | Separate Client Gallery product or Suite |
| Selling | Commission-free store on Pro and Pro Plus | Gallery Store; 15% commission on Free, none on upgraded accounts |
| Business tools | File transfers on all plans; CRM Light and contracts on Pro and Pro Plus | Studio Manager available separately or in Suite |
| Site design | Themes and Flex Block; custom code on Pro and Pro Plus | Templates and Flex Editor; custom code on Pro |
| Integrations | Lightroom integration | Lightroom Classic plugin for Client Gallery; website analytics integrations on paid plans |
| Hosting and domains | Hosting and SSL included; first-year domain registration on annual Pro and Pro Plus | Hosting and SSL included; custom domain on paid Website plans |
| Support | Human support seven days a week; priority support on Pro Plus | Help and Support Center with support contact |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Format if
- Creatives who want a portfolio and client galleries in one plan
- Photographers who need file transfers and client contracts
- Sellers who want a commission-free store on a portfolio plan
- Filmmakers who need published hosted-video allowances
Choose Pixieset if
- Photographers who want a free website plan
- Photographers who need unlimited website photos on a paid plan
- Businesses that want client galleries and studio management through a Suite plan
- Photographers who want AI writing and alt-text tools on a Website Pro plan
The verdict
Format is the better fit for creatives who want client delivery and selling tools alongside their portfolio without assembling separate product subscriptions. Pixieset is the better fit for photographers who want a free website, unlimited photos on a paid Website plan, or a broader set of photography apps. Compare the plan that includes every tool you need: Pixieset Website pricing alone is not the price of its full Suite.
Format vs Pixieset: common questions
- Can I use Format or Pixieset for free?
- Format offers a 14-day free trial. Pixieset offers a Free Website plan with 15 pages, 100 photos, and five blog posts.
- Which is less expensive for a paid photography website?
- Format advertises Basic from $10 per month billed annually, while Pixieset Website Plus starts at $12 per month billed annually. Their features and limits differ, so the lowest price may not cover the same needs.
- Are client galleries included with the website?
- Format includes client galleries in its Portfolio plans. Pixieset offers Client Gallery as a separate product or as part of Pixieset Suite; a Website-only plan is not the full Suite.
- Can I sell photos or other products?
- Format offers a commission-free store on its Pro and Pro Plus Portfolio plans. Pixieset offers a Store for gallery sales; its Free account has a 15% commission, while upgraded accounts have no Pixieset commission.
- Which offers more room for website photos?
- Format allows 70 high-resolution images on Basic, 1,500 on Pro, and unlimited images on Pro Plus. Pixieset Website allows 100 photos on Free and unlimited photos on Plus and Pro.
- Can I connect my own domain?
- Format lets customers connect an existing domain and offers first-year domain registration on annual Pro and Pro Plus plans. Pixieset supports custom domains on paid Website plans.
- Do Format and Pixieset support custom code?
- Format offers a custom code editor on Pro and Pro Plus. Pixieset Website offers custom code on Pro.
- Do I need separate hosting for either website?
- No. Format and Pixieset both include website hosting and SSL security.