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10 Best Portfolio Website Builders of 2026
This list is for designers, writers and developers who need a website that shows their work to employers, recruiters and clients. We compared documented features and published prices for ten services: design-led builders (Framer, Webflow, Cargo), general builders with portfolio templates (Squarespace, Wix, Pixpa), portfolio-only builders (Format, Carbonmade), a one-page builder (Carrd) and Contra, a freelance platform where your profile is also your portfolio. Scores weigh features at 40 percent, ease of use at 30 percent and value at 30 percent.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 12, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 12, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
Framer is our top pick because it pairs a visual canvas that designers already understand with a free plan and a $10 Basic plan that includes a custom domain and CMS collections for case studies. Squarespace is the better choice if your portfolio also needs a shop, invoices or email campaigns, and Wix is the easiest place to start for free. Format is the most focused option for visual work, Webflow gives developers and senior designers the most control, and Carrd is the cheapest way to put a one-page portfolio online.
Top picks
Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Framer | Product and UI designers showing case studies | Free plan on a Framer domain; Basic $10 per month with a free custom domain; Pro $30 per month | 8.5 |
| 2 |  Squarespace | Writers and freelancers who also sell services | See vendor pricing (USD check pending); 14-day free trial, Basic, Core and Advanced plans | 8.4 |
| 3 |  Format | Visual creatives who want a portfolio-only builder | Basic $10 per month billed annually or $14 monthly; 14-day free trial | 8.3 |
| 4 |  Wix | Beginners who want to start free | Free plan with Wix ads; paid plans from $17 to $159 per month billed yearly | 8.3 |
| 5 |  Carrd | Writers and developers who need a one-page portfolio | Free plan; Pro Lite $9 per year; custom domains on Pro Standard at $19 per year | 8.2 |
| 6 |  Webflow | Developers and designers who want full control | Free Starter plan; Basic $15 per month billed yearly; CMS on Premium at $25 per month billed yearly | 8.2 |
| 7 |  Pixpa | Creatives who want a portfolio, blog and store together | See vendor pricing (USD check pending); free trial, Basic, Creator, Professional and Advanced plans | 8.0 |
| 8 |  Cargo | Designers who want experimental layouts | $14 per month billed yearly or $19 billed monthly; free for students | 7.9 |
| 9 |  Contra | Freelancers who want clients to find their portfolio | Free plan; Pro $29 per month or $199 per year | 7.9 |
| 10 |  Carbonmade | Creatives who want a quick block-based portfolio | Beginner $9.99 per month; Professional $14.99; Unlimited $24.99; free trial until you go live | 7.7 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Framer
A visual website builder with a design canvas, AI credits, a CMS and hosting, built for designers who want to publish what they design.
framer.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: Product and UI designers showing case studies
Framer works like a design tool that publishes websites, which is why it fits designers who want their portfolio to look like their own work rather than a template. The Free plan publishes to a Framer domain with 1 GB of bandwidth and 500 AI credits a month, so you can build and share a site before paying. Basic, which Framer labels for creative personal sites, costs $10 a month and adds a free custom domain, 2 CMS collections, 50 GB of bandwidth and built-in SEO tools. Two collections are enough for case studies and a writing or notes section. Pro at $30 a month raises the CMS limit to 10 collections for larger sites. The trade-off is the learning curve: Framer's canvas gives you layout freedom that template builders hide, and people who only want to drop images into a grid may finish faster on Format or Wix.
Standout feature
Framer is the best choice for designers who want a free custom domain and CMS collections for $10 a month.
Use cases
UI designers applying to product teams
Publish detailed case studies with custom layouts
Outcome: Case studies stored in CMS collections on a custom domain
Students building a first portfolio
Test a design-led site without paying
Outcome: A live site on a Framer domain on the free plan
Key features
- Free plan with a Framer domain, 1 GB bandwidth and 500 AI credits a month
- Basic plan with a free custom domain, 2 CMS collections and 50 GB bandwidth
- Built-in SEO tools on paid plans
- MCP server listed on every plan, including Free
- Localization available as an add-on
Pros
- Basic costs $10 a month and is labeled for creative personal sites
- CMS collections suit case studies and project write-ups
- Free plan lets you publish before paying
Cons
- Free sites stay on a Framer domain
- Basic is limited to 2 CMS collections; Pro at $30 a month raises it to 10
- The canvas has more options than a template builder, which takes longer to learn
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Squarespace
A general website builder with templates, selling tools, email and a 14-day free trial.
squarespace.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: Writers and freelancers who also sell services
Squarespace is a strong fit when a portfolio is also the front door of a freelance business. Writers, consultants and designers can show work, publish a blog and sell services or products from the same site. The pricing page lists three website plans: Basic includes 2 contributors, built-in SEO, mobile optimization and 10 one-time AI credits, with a 2 percent online store transaction fee. Core removes store transaction fees, allows unlimited contributors, adds advanced lead capture tools and includes a free year of Google Workspace email, which helps if you want a name-based inbox on your resume. Annual plans include one year of free domain registration, and you can attach unlimited domains to any plan. There is no free plan, only a 14-day free trial without a credit card. Our checker saw prices only in local currency, so the USD price is pending.
Standout feature
Squarespace is the best choice for freelancers who want a portfolio and an online store, because every plan includes selling tools.
Use cases
Freelance copywriters
Show samples and collect project inquiries
Outcome: Portfolio, blog and lead capture on one domain
Designers selling templates
Sell digital products next to client work
Outcome: Store with no transaction fees on Core
Key features
- Basic, Core and Advanced website plans with built-in SEO and mobile optimization
- Free domain registration for one year on annual plans
- Online store on every plan, with no transaction fees from Core up
- Unlimited contributors on Core; 2 on Basic
- Free year of Google Workspace professional email on Core
Pros
- Every site starts with a 14-day free trial and no credit card
- Unlimited domains can be attached to any website plan
- Core adds advanced lead capture tools for freelance inquiries
Cons
- No free plan
- Basic charges a 2% online store transaction fee
- Our checker saw local currency on the pricing page, so the USD price is pending
Rank 3 · Also great
Format
A portfolio website builder for photographers, artists, designers and filmmakers, with client galleries and file transfers.
format.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: Visual creatives who want a portfolio-only builder
Format is built only for portfolios, so the editor stays focused on showing images, video and projects. Basic costs $10 a month billed annually or $14 monthly and covers 4 pages, 70 high-resolution images, 10 client galleries, an email subscriber form, SEO tools and copyright protection. That is enough for a tight selection of design or illustration work, but not for a large archive. Pro removes the page limit, raises the image cap to 1,500, adds 100GB of image storage, 15 minutes of hosted video, custom fonts, a code editor and a free custom domain for the first year. Pro is advertised at $9.35 a month billed annually for the first year, then the normal rate. Every plan includes file transfers and human support, and a two-week trial needs no credit card. Writers and developers will find fewer text-focused tools here than on Squarespace or Framer.
Standout feature
Format is the best choice for visual creatives because Basic includes client galleries and copyright protection for $10 a month billed annually.
Use cases
Illustrators applying to studios
Show a curated set of work in high resolution
Outcome: Up to 70 high-resolution images on Basic
Freelance designers sharing deliverables
Send files to clients after a project
Outcome: File transfers and client galleries from the portfolio account
Key features
- Basic: 4 pages, 70 high-resolution images and 10 client galleries
- Pro: unlimited pages, 1,500 high-resolution images and 100GB image storage
- Custom fonts, custom code editor and a free first-year domain on Pro
- Copyright protection, SSL and SEO tools on every plan
- Email subscriber form and file transfers on every plan
Pros
- Basic costs $10 a month billed annually
- Two-week free trial with no credit card
- Human support listed on all plans
Cons
- Basic allows only 4 pages and 70 high-resolution images
- Custom fonts and the code editor need Pro
- Pro's $9.35 a month price applies to the first year only
Rank 4
Wix
A drag-and-drop website builder with portfolio templates, an AI site generator, a free plan and built-in selling and booking tools.
wix.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want to start free
Wix is the easiest way to get a portfolio online without paying anything. The free plan publishes a site at a yourname.wixsite.com address with 500MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth, and Wix shows its ads on free sites. You can start from a portfolio template or the AI Portfolio Generator, then organize work into projects and collections and add an about page and contact form. Hosting comes with every site, free ones included. When you need a professional address, paid plans run from $17 to $159 a month billed yearly and add a custom domain, remove ads and raise storage, and selected yearly plans include a free domain for the first year. Wix also builds in selling and booking tools for freelancers. The main drawback is cost after the free tier: $17 a month is more than Framer Basic or Format Basic.
Standout feature
Wix is the best choice for beginners because its free plan publishes a portfolio site with hosting included.
Use cases
Career changers
Put a first portfolio online before spending money
Outcome: A published site on the free plan
Freelance designers taking bookings
Show projects and let clients book calls
Outcome: Portfolio and booking on one Wix site
Key features
- Portfolio templates or an AI Portfolio Generator as a starting point
- Projects organized into collections, with image and video uploads
- Free plan with 500MB storage and 1GB bandwidth
- Hosting included on every site, including free sites
- Built-in tools to sell your work and book clients
Pros
- Free plan publishes a real site at no cost
- More than 2,000 website templates to choose from
- Selected yearly plans include a free domain for the first year
Cons
- Free sites use a wixsite.com address and show Wix ads
- Paid plans start at $17 a month billed yearly, above Framer and Format
- Free plan storage is capped at 500MB
Rank 5
Carrd
A builder for simple one-page sites, with a free plan and Pro plans billed by the year.
carrd.co8.2
out of 10
Best for: Writers and developers who need a one-page portfolio
Carrd builds one-page sites, and for many writers and developers that is all a portfolio needs: a short bio, links to published work or GitHub, and a way to get in touch. The free Basic plan is enough to try it. Pro Lite costs $9 a year and adds 3 sites, unbranded premium URLs, premium templates, larger images and video uploads, but it does not connect custom domains. Pro Standard, which Carrd calls its most popular plan, costs $19 a year and adds 10 sites, custom domains with SSL, contact and signup forms that connect to Mailchimp, Kit and other services, embeds, and widgets from Stripe, PayPal and Gumroad. Analytics can use Carrd's cookie-free service or Google Analytics, Plausible and Matomo. The limit is structure: Carrd is made for single pages, so designers with several long case studies will outgrow it.
Standout feature
Carrd is the best choice for a low-cost one-page portfolio, with Pro Lite at $9 a year.
Use cases
Software developers
Link GitHub, projects and a resume from one page
Outcome: A one-page site on a custom domain for $19 a year
Freelance writers
Collect pitches through a contact form
Outcome: Forms connected to an email list on Pro Standard
Key features
- Pro Lite: 3 sites, no Carrd branding and premium templates for $9 a year
- Pro Standard: 10 sites and custom domains with SSL for $19 a year
- Contact and signup forms with Mailchimp, Kit and other services on Pro Standard
- Widgets from Stripe, PayPal and Gumroad on Pro Standard
- Cookie-free native analytics or Google Analytics, Plausible and Matomo
Pros
- Pro Lite costs $9 a year, the lowest paid price on this list
- Images up to 16MB and videos up to 64MB on Pro plans
- Up to 3 sites on Pro Lite and 10 on Pro Standard
Cons
- Built for single-page sites, not multi-page case studies
- Pro Lite does not include custom domains or forms
- Fewer portfolio-specific tools than Format or Carbonmade
Rank 6
Webflow
A visual web development platform with a CMS, hosting and code-level layout control.
webflow.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: Developers and designers who want full control
Webflow gives the most layout control on this list, which matters for front-end developers and senior designers whose portfolio is itself a work sample. The Starter plan is free and publishes to a webflow.io domain with 2 static pages, 1 GB of bandwidth and 50 form submissions, enough to build and test. Basic costs $15 a month billed yearly and adds a custom domain, 300 static pages, 10 GB of bandwidth, unlimited form submissions and password protection, which suits a static portfolio. If you want each project to live in a CMS collection, you need Premium at $25 a month billed yearly, which adds Webflow CMS, site search, code components and form file upload. Webflow also documents REST APIs for managing CMS content. The cost is time: Webflow's editor exposes web layout concepts, so beginners will publish faster on Wix, Format or Carrd.
Standout feature
Webflow is the best choice for developers who want layout control, with password protection and 300 static pages on Basic.
Use cases
Front-end developers
Build a portfolio that doubles as a code-quality sample
Outcome: Custom layouts on a custom domain with code components
Senior product designers
Publish password-protected case studies under NDA
Outcome: Password protection on the Basic plan
Key features
- Free Starter plan: webflow.io domain, 2 static pages, 1 GB bandwidth, 50 form submissions
- Basic: custom domain, 300 static pages, 10 GB bandwidth, unlimited form submissions
- Password protection on Basic
- Webflow CMS, site search and form file upload on Premium
- Code components and REST APIs for CMS content
Pros
- Free Starter plan for building and testing
- Basic allows 300 static pages and unlimited form submissions
- CMS and APIs suit developers who want structured project data
Cons
- Basic does not include the CMS
- Premium at $25 a month billed yearly is needed for CMS-driven case studies
- The interface follows web layout concepts, which takes time to learn
Rank 7
Pixpa
A website builder for creatives with portfolio galleries, a blog, an online store and client galleries in one plan.
pixpa.com8.0
out of 10
Best for: Creatives who want a portfolio, blog and store together
Pixpa bundles the pieces a working creative tends to add over time: portfolio galleries, a blog, forms, an online store and client galleries. Every plan includes mobile-optimized sites, 200+ premium templates, free SSL and hosting. Basic allows 10 pages or galleries and 200 gallery images, one blog with unlimited posts and basic form fields, while Creator, Professional and Advanced remove the page and image limits, allow unlimited blogs and add advanced form fields. Features useful in a job search include hosted downloadable files such as resumes and PDFs, a custom forms builder, and custom fonts you can upload. Pixpa also sells a one-time $199 setup service in which its designer builds the site from your brief. Plan prices load in the browser and did not appear in the page text our checker received, so the USD price is pending.
Standout feature
Pixpa is the best choice for creatives who want a portfolio, blog and online store in one subscription.
Use cases
Designers job hunting
Offer a downloadable resume next to the portfolio
Outcome: Resume PDF hosted on the site
Multilingual freelancers
Serve clients in more than one language
Outcome: Translated pages through Weglot or Gtranslate
Key features
- 200+ premium templates, free SSL and hosting on every plan
- Basic: 10 pages and galleries and 200 gallery images; unlimited on higher plans
- Unlimited blog posts on all plans
- Custom fonts, including uploaded TTF, WOFF, WOFF2 and OTF files
- Hosted downloadable files such as resumes and PDFs
Pros
- Four plans let you start small and add store features later
- Multi-language support through Gtranslate and Weglot integrations
- Optional one-time $199 setup service by a Pixpa designer
Cons
- Basic caps you at 10 pages and 200 gallery images
- Basic includes 1 blog and basic form fields only
- Plan prices load in the browser, so the USD price is pending
Rank 8
Cargo
A site builder for designers and artists with one flat price, multiple sites per account and real-time multi-user editing.
cargo.site7.9
out of 10
Best for: Designers who want experimental layouts
Cargo describes itself as a site builder for designers and artists, and it is known for templates that look less like a standard grid. Pricing is simple: one plan at $14 a month billed yearly or $19 billed monthly, with no feature tiers, and Cargo is free for students. One account can publish several public sites at once, so you can keep a portfolio, client presentations, idea boards and a shop separate. Editing is real-time and multi-user, which helps studios or collaborators working on the same site. The plan includes 1 free custom domain connection, and each extra domain costs $2 a month billed yearly or $3 billed monthly. Built-in commerce handles physical or digital goods. The flexibility takes some learning, and non-students have no free plan, so it costs more than Framer Basic or Format Basic.
Standout feature
Cargo is the best choice for design students because it is free for students and lets one account publish many sites.
Use cases
Design students
Publish a graduation portfolio for free
Outcome: A Cargo site on the free student plan
Small design studios
Run a studio site and client presentations together
Outcome: Multiple sites with real-time multi-user editing
Key features
- One price with no tiers
- Design and publish one or many public sites from one account
- Real-time, multi-user editing
- 1 free custom domain connection; extra domains $2 a month billed yearly
- Built-in commerce for physical or digital goods
Pros
- Free for students
- Several sites, such as a portfolio, client presentations and a shop, under one account
- No feature tiers to compare
Cons
- $14 a month billed yearly is above Framer Basic and Format Basic
- Extra custom domains cost $2 to $3 a month each
- No free plan for non-students
Rank 9
Contra
A commission-free freelance platform where creatives show their work, find jobs and get paid.
contra.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: Freelancers who want clients to find their portfolio
Contra is different from the website builders above: it is a freelance platform where your profile and work samples sit next to job listings and payments. For freelance designers, writers and developers, that means clients can find your portfolio inside Contra's Discover page instead of only through your own link. Contra states that it is always commission-free for creatives. The free plan includes limited job opportunities and free standard payouts, but clients pay $15 or $29 per payment over $500, and digital product sales carry a fee capped at 5 percent, with a $3 minimum and $29 maximum. Pro costs $29 a month or $199 a year and removes client payment and digital product fees, unlocks unlimited job opportunities, boosts your profile in Discover and jobs, and adds priority support. Contra works best next to your own site, not instead of it, if you want full design control.
Standout feature
Contra is the best choice for freelancers who want a portfolio inside a marketplace, because it is commission-free for creatives.
Use cases
Freelance product designers
Get found by clients and send invoices from one profile
Outcome: Commission-free payments next to the portfolio
Freelance writers selling templates
Sell digital products without fees
Outcome: No digital product fees on Pro
Key features
- Commission-free for all creatives
- Job opportunities, limited on Free and unlimited on Pro
- Pro profiles boosted in Discover and jobs
- Digital product sales with capped fees on Free and no fees on Pro
- Standard payouts free on both plans
Pros
- Free plan with no commission on your earnings
- Pro waives client payment fees and digital product fees
- Your work sits where clients browse for freelancers
Cons
- On Free, clients pay $15 or $29 per payment over $500
- Free plan limits job opportunities
- A profile on a marketplace, not a standalone website with full design control
Rank 10
Carbonmade
A portfolio builder with block-based layouts, unlimited image and video uploads and a free trial until you go live.
carbonmade.com7.7
out of 10
Best for: Creatives who want a quick block-based portfolio
Carbonmade builds portfolios from blocks, which it compares to Lego pieces you can rearrange, and it says no coding or design knowledge is needed. The free trial has no time limit and needs no credit card: you only pay when you decide to go live. Beginner costs $9.99 a month and includes unlimited image and video uploads, 8 projects, basic blocks and 3 navigation options. Professional at $14.99 a month raises the limit to 50 projects and adds premium blocks, portfolio statistics, custom pages, a private portfolio, 4K video and audio and priority support. Unlimited at $24.99 a month removes project and page limits. Sites get a free carbonmade.com address, and you can connect a domain you already own. The annual option saves about 20 percent. Carbonmade is lighter on business features such as stores and email campaigns, so freelancers who sell services may prefer Squarespace or Pixpa.
Standout feature
Carbonmade is the best choice for building a portfolio before paying, because its free trial lasts until you go live.
Use cases
Motion designers and animators
Show reels in high quality
Outcome: 4K video on the Professional plan
Recent graduates
Share a portfolio privately with selected employers
Outcome: Private portfolio on Professional
Key features
- Unlimited image and video uploads on every plan
- Beginner: 8 projects, basic blocks and 3 navigation options
- Professional: 50 projects, portfolio statistics, custom pages and a private portfolio
- 4K video and audio on Professional
- Unlimited: unlimited projects and pages
Pros
- Free unlimited trial with no credit card; you pay when you go live
- No coding or web design knowledge needed, according to Carbonmade
- Connect a domain you already own
Cons
- Beginner allows only 8 projects
- Portfolio statistics and private portfolios need Professional at $14.99 a month
- Fewer business tools than Squarespace, Wix or Pixpa
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best portfolio website builder?
Framer is the best portfolio website builder for most designers and developers in 2026. Its free plan publishes a site on a Framer domain, and Basic adds a free custom domain and 2 CMS collections for $10 a month, according to Framer's pricing page. Squarespace is the better pick if you also sell services or products.
+What is the best free portfolio website builder?
Wix is the best free option for most people because its free plan publishes a full site with 500MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth. Free Wix sites use a wixsite.com address and show Wix ads. Framer, Webflow and Carrd also have free plans with smaller limits.
+How much does a portfolio website cost?
A portfolio website costs $0 to about $17 a month on the builders we compared. Carrd Pro Lite is $9 a year, Framer Basic and Format Basic are $10 a month, Webflow Basic is $15 a month billed yearly and Wix paid plans start at $17 a month billed yearly. Prices were checked in November 2026.
+Which portfolio website is best for UX and UI designers?
Framer is the best fit for UX and UI designers because its canvas works like a design tool and Basic includes 2 CMS collections for case studies. Webflow is the alternative for designers who want more control and password protection for NDA work on its $15 Basic plan.
+What is the best portfolio website for writers?
Squarespace is a strong choice for writers who want a blog, portfolio and lead capture on one site, with a 14-day free trial. Writers who only need a single page with links to published work can use Carrd, which costs $19 a year with a custom domain.
+What is the best portfolio website for developers?
Webflow is the best builder for developers who want layout control, code components and REST APIs for CMS content. Developers who just need a page linking GitHub and a resume can use Carrd for $9 to $19 a year.
+Do I need a custom domain for my portfolio?
No, but a custom domain looks more professional on a resume. Framer Basic and Format Pro include a free custom domain, Squarespace includes one free for the first year on annual plans, and Carrd requires Pro Standard at $19 a year to connect one.
+Is there a free portfolio website builder for students?
Yes. Cargo is free for students, according to its pricing page, and non-students pay $14 a month billed yearly. Wix, Framer and Webflow also have free plans open to anyone.
About this list
Updated November 12, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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