Penguin review
A low-cost portfolio builder with templates, bilingual sites, and a focused Pro upgrade.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Penguin pros and cons
- 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
Penguin fact sheet, pricing and score →
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