Format vs Strikingly
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Format and Strikingly.
Format Portfolio hosting built for selling creative work online | Strikingly Mobile-first website builder with integrated hosting and e-commerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.2 (177 reviews) | 4.8 (24 reviews)✓ |
| Pricing model | paid | freemium |
| Best for | Professional photographers and visual artists who sell prints, licenses, or services and need a focused platform without the overhead of general-purpose e-commerce systems. | Freelancers, small service providers, and online stores that prioritize mobile visitors and value simplicity over extensive customization. |
| Pricing transparency | ||
| Intro price | $7.00/mo | $0.00/mo✓ |
| Renewal price | $15.00/mo✓ | $16.00/mo |
| Renewal hike | +114% | — |
| Renewal transparency | moderate | good |
| Money-back days | 14 days✓ | 0 days |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Hosting amenities | ||
| cPanel included | ||
| WordPress 1-click | ||
| Staging environment | ||
| Daily backups | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Free domain | ||
| Free migration | ||
| Phone support | ||
| Live chat | ||
| LiteSpeed server | ||
| Green hosting | ||
| Data-center locations | ||
| Regions | United States | United States |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free ssl | free tierfree ssl |
| Visit Format → | Visit Strikingly → | |
Format
Pros
- + Build professional storefronts with minimal setup time
- + Manage client galleries and proofing directly within the platform
- + Access photography-optimized design templates and layouts
- + Process payments securely with integrated merchant tools
- + Track inventory and automate digital product delivery
Cons
- - Limited customization compared to open-source solutions like WordPress
- - Transaction fees apply in addition to hosting costs for some payment methods
- - Smaller app ecosystem and third-party integrations versus major platforms
Strikingly
Pros
- + Deploy sites in minutes with minimal technical knowledge
- + Mobile-first design ensures strong mobile user experience by default
- + Includes hosting, SSL, and domain management in one place
- + Affordable pricing tiers starting under $10/month
- + Built-in e-commerce features without separate plugins
Cons
- - Limited design customization and template variety compared to Wix or Squarespace
- - No native SEO tools; basic meta tag editing only
- - Export and data portability options are restricted
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