Format vs Pixpa
Choose Format if Adobe Lightroom Classic publishing, client contracts and larger file transfers matter most; choose Pixpa if you want an entry-level store, unlimited client gallery albums and a built-in blog. Both are available portfolio website builders for photographers and other creatives, with hosting, client galleries and commission-free selling. The deciding differences are which tools each plan includes and how each platform handles images and client work.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Format | Pixpa |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price, annual billing | Basic: $10/month, billed annually | Basic: $5.40/month introductory annual rate |
| Entry-level store | No store on Basic; 15 products on Pro | Up to 3 products on Basic; zero commission |
| Client gallery allowance | 3 on Basic; 50 on Pro; 250 on Pro Plus | Unlimited client gallery albums on all plans |
| Photography workflow | Lightroom Classic publishing plugin; file transfers | Proofing, comments, downloads and print-lab fulfillment |
| Store product limits | 15 on Pro; 1,000 on Pro Plus | 3 on Basic; 10 on Creator; 100 on Professional; unlimited on Advanced |
| Website image limits | 70 on Basic; 1,500 on Pro; unlimited on Pro Plus | 200 gallery images on Basic; unlimited on higher plans |
| Original-file storage | 100 GB on Pro; 1 TB on Pro Plus | 3 GB to 100 GB across all-in-one plans |
| Business and publishing tools | CRM Light and client contracts on Pro and Pro Plus | Built-in blog on all-in-one plans |
| Integrations | Lightroom Classic plugin; Google and Adobe Fonts on Pro and Pro Plus | 100+ apps and integrations |
| Plans | Basic, Pro, Pro Plus | Basic, Creator, Professional, Advanced |
| Free trial | 14 days; no credit card required | 15 days; no credit card required |
| Hosting and support | Hosting and SSL included; human support seven days a week | Hosting and SSL included; 24/7 chat and email support |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Format if
- Photographers publishing galleries from Adobe Lightroom Classic
- Creatives who want client contracts on Pro or Pro Plus
- Studios that need stated per-transfer file allowances
- Portfolio owners who need hosted video on Pro or Pro Plus
Choose Pixpa if
- Creatives who want a store on the entry-level plan
- Photographers who need unlimited client gallery albums
- Portfolio owners who want a built-in blog
- Teams that need multiple contributors on higher plans
The verdict
Format is the better fit for photographers who publish from Lightroom Classic or want client contracts and defined file-transfer allowances alongside their portfolio. Pixpa is the better fit for creatives who want to sell on a Basic plan, keep unlimited client gallery albums or use a built-in blog. Compare the plan you would actually buy: Format Basic does not include a store, while the two vendors measure image and storage limits differently.
Format vs Pixpa: common questions
- Is Format or Pixpa better for a photographer using Lightroom Classic?
- Format offers a publishing plugin for Adobe Lightroom Classic that uploads to portfolio galleries and client galleries. Pixpa publishes 100+ apps and integrations, but its cited plan details do not identify an equivalent Lightroom Classic publishing plugin.
- Can I sell products on the cheapest Format or Pixpa plan?
- Pixpa Basic includes a store for up to three products with zero commission. Format Basic does not include a store; Format Pro allows 15 products.
- Which has more client galleries?
- Pixpa lists unlimited client gallery albums on every all-in-one plan. Format lists 3 client galleries on Basic, 50 on Pro and 250 on Pro Plus.
- How do their image limits compare?
- Format allows 70 high-resolution website images on Basic, 1,500 on Pro and unlimited images on Pro Plus. Pixpa allows 200 website gallery images on Basic and unlimited website gallery images on higher plans. These are the vendors' stated website-image limits, not original-file storage allowances.
- Do Format and Pixpa charge a commission on store sales?
- Neither vendor charges a platform commission on eligible store sales. Format's store starts on Pro, while Pixpa includes a store on Basic; payment-processing fees may still apply.
- Does either product include a blog?
- Pixpa lists built-in blogging on its all-in-one plans: one blog on Basic and unlimited separate blogs on higher plans. Format also supports blog posts as part of its portfolio website tools.
- Can I try Format and Pixpa without a credit card?
- Yes. Format offers a 14-day free trial without a credit card, and Pixpa offers a 15-day free trial without a credit card.
- Do I need to buy separate web hosting?
- No. Format and Pixpa both include website hosting and SSL with their portfolio plans. Custom-domain registration has separate plan conditions and renewal terms.