Format vs SmugMug

Format9.0Visit SmugMug8.8Visit

Higher score Format #3 in Photography Website Builders 9.0/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 6 features Visit Format

vs

SmugMug #4 in Photography Website Builders 8.8/10 From $20/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit SmugMug

• Format fits best

  Portfolio-focused photographers using Lightroom

• SmugMug fits best

  Photographers needing storage plus a website

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Side by side

Feature	Format 9.0/10 Visit ↗	SmugMug 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#3 in Photography Website Builders	#4 in Photography Website Builders
Best for	Portfolio-focused photographers using Lightroom	Photographers needing storage plus a website
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	14-day trial	$20/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	14 days
Free trial length	14 days · no card needed	14 days · no card needed
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Email, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	2FA	GDPR
Integrations	5 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Format 1/6 · SmugMug 0/6
Client galleries	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Print sales	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Proofing tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Digital downloads	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Booking forms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom domain	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Lightroom integration supports a photography-focused workflow Client galleries include feedback, favorites, downloads, and watermarking Plans combine portfolios, video, commerce, SEO, and custom domains	Unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage with automatic desktop and mobile uploads Professional templates, custom domains, galleries, and privacy controls Print, digital download, video, and Lightroom support
Cons	Basic limits sites to 10 pages and 70 high-resolution images Online stores are unavailable on the Basic plan Website content generally cannot be exported as code	No permanent free plan Starting price is $20 per month when billed annually Advanced sales tools are reserved for higher plans
Our verdict	Format is a hosted website builder for photographers and creative professionals who need more than a portfolio homepage. Its responsive templates and visual editor support custom pages with images, text, forms, embeds, audio, and video.… Read the review →	SmugMug combines online photo storage, organization, sharing, delivery, and website publishing for photographers, families, hobbyists, and photography businesses. Its core offering includes unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage, folders… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Format — where it wins

  • Lightroom integration supports a photography-focused workflow
  • Client galleries include feedback, favorites, downloads, and watermarking
  • Plans combine portfolios, video, commerce, SEO, and custom domains

  Where it doesn't

  • Basic limits sites to 10 pages and 70 high-resolution images
  • Online stores are unavailable on the Basic plan
  • Website content generally cannot be exported as code

• SmugMug — where it wins

  • Unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage with automatic desktop and mobile uploads
  • Professional templates, custom domains, galleries, and privacy controls
  • Print, digital download, video, and Lightroom support

  Where it doesn't

  • No permanent free plan
  • Starting price is $20 per month when billed annually
  • Advanced sales tools are reserved for higher plans

• Format9.0/10 · 14-day trial

  A polished portfolio, proofing, commerce, and Lightroom workflow in one hosted platform.

  Visit FormatFull verdict →
• SmugMug8.8/10 · From $20/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

  A storage-first photography site builder with galleries, sales tools, and broad platform support.

  Visit SmugMugFull verdict →