Penguin
Penguin: A low-cost portfolio builder with templates, bilingual sites, and a focused Pro upgrade. Ranked #48 of 81 in Portfolio Website Builders by our editors (5.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for budget-conscious portfolio creators.
At a glance
- Editor score5.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forBudget-conscious portfolio creators
- Free planYes
- Paid from$11.99/yr
- Custom domainYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free forever plan includes every template
- Bilingual English/Arabic websites support broader audiences
- Pro adds custom domains, booking, and WhatsApp buttons
Where it doesn't
- Free publishing is limited to five projects
- Free sites use a Penguin subdomain
- Available on the web rather than native desktop or mobile apps
Our verdict on Penguin
Penguin is a web-based portfolio and website builder for creatives, freelancers, designers, video editors, developers, and other professionals. Its feature set centers on ready-made portfolio templates, a visual Playground for website design, project case studies, work-sample sections, and fast publishing without code. English/Arabic bilingual support makes it relevant for creators serving audiences in either language. The free plan includes every template and publishes to a Penguin subdomain without requiring a credit card.
Pricing is unusually accessible for a portfolio builder. The Free plan is available forever and includes the core template library, while published portfolios are limited to five projects. The Pro plan costs $11.99 per year when billed annually. It adds connection for a custom domain, removes the Penguin badge, and includes booking and a WhatsApp button. That upgrade is a practical fit for freelancers who want a branded web address or a direct contact path without moving to a higher-cost subscription.
Penguin also covers several portfolio-specific presentation needs. Users can create case-study and work-sample sections, add visitor and project-view analytics, and present video through YouTube or Vimeo embeds or MP4 uploads on Pro. Booking and WhatsApp support extend the site beyond a static gallery, while integrations with YouTube, Vimeo, and WhatsApp fit common creative workflows. Choose Penguin if you want an inexpensive, focused portfolio site with multilingual support and a clear paid path to branding and contact tools. Consider another builder if you need more than five projects on the free plan or require platforms beyond the web.
Your product? Our editors can test Penguin in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Penguin pricing
All 2 Penguin plans and prices →
Penguin fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $11.99/yr |
| Custom domain | Yes |
| Published projects | 5 projects |
| Client proofing | Not verified |
| Portfolio analytics | Yes |
| Selling tools | Not verified |
| Video hosting | Yes |
| Code export | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: YouTube, Vimeo, WhatsApp |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | penguinthebuilder.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Penguin integrations
Penguin lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- YouTube
- Vimeo
Alternatives to Penguin
- PortfolioboxA broad portfolio builder that adds commerce, bookings, analytics, and client tools.9.4
- ZenfolioA photography-focused website and client delivery platform with built-in commerce.9.2
- PixpaA versatile portfolio builder for creatives who need proofing, delivery, and commerce.9.0
See all Penguin alternatives →
Used Penguin? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Penguin for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Penguin is listed in our Portfolio Website Builders directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/penguin/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/penguin.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update