The seven options
1. Behance
Free, huge audience of other designers and some recruiters, built into Adobe's ecosystem. Not a website you own, and discovery favours trend-following work. Use it as a feed, not a home.
2. Adobe Portfolio
Included with Creative Cloud, syncs with Behance, clean templates, custom domain. The easiest route to a real site if you already pay Adobe.
3. Squarespace
Polished templates, strong image handling, reliable. Monthly cost; limited customisation beyond the template. Good for photographers and designers who want it done.
4. Wix Studio
More design control than classic Wix, responsive tooling, app market. Suits designers who want to build something distinctive without code.
5. Framer
Design-tool feel, excellent animation and layout control, fast hosting. The current favourite among UI and product designers for a reason.
6. Cargo
Unconventional, art-school aesthetic, loved by illustrators and studios who want the site itself to be a piece of work.
7. Format
Photography-first with client proofing and print sales built in. Best when the portfolio is also a shop.
| Platform | Best for | Own the site? |
|---|---|---|
| Behance | Exposure to other designers | No |
| Adobe Portfolio | Creative Cloud users | Yes |
| Squarespace | Polished, low effort | Yes |
| Wix Studio | Custom look without code | Yes |
| Framer | UI and product designers | Yes |
| Cargo | Illustrators, studios | Yes |
| Format | Photographers selling prints | Yes |
When to go custom
If the portfolio is also your business site, needs a blog that ranks, or has to integrate a CRM and lead forms, a WordPress or Next.js site that you own outright is the better long-term choice. That is what we build for agencies and senior freelancers; the Claire Dominics Buro site is a portfolio for an interior architect built this way.
Common questions
- Is Behance enough as a portfolio?
- As a starting point and a discovery channel, yes. As your only presence, no: you do not own it, cannot add a proper contact flow, and it puts your work next to everyone else's.
- Which portfolio builder is cheapest?
- Behance is free; Adobe Portfolio is free with Creative Cloud. Among standalone builders, Framer and Wix have free tiers with their branding, and paid plans start at a few dollars a month.
- Should a designer's portfolio be on WordPress?
- If it doubles as a business site with a blog and lead capture, WordPress or Next.js gives the most control and the best SEO. For a pure showcase, a builder is faster and fine.
