Comparison
Xposure vs Format
Format is a polished portfolio builder for creatives with client proofing and manual workflows. Xposure is built specifically for photographers, combining clean galleries, a fast portfolio, and an automated online scheduling manager with deposits in one flat-rate pricing plan.
Quick verdict
Format is broader (designers, illustrators, photographers) and template-rich. Xposure is photographer-only with EXIF metadata, watermarked previews, and a built-in booking/scheduling engine that collects deposits automatically. Choose Xposure if you want a unified platform that acts as both a portfolio/gallery and a self-serve scheduling system for client sessions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Xposure | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio website with custom domain | Pro & Studio (€18+/mo) | Pro plan ($12/mo, year one free) |
| Template variety | Curated, opinionated | Hundreds of layouts |
| Native client galleries Both bundle proofing in the standard plan. | ||
| Gallery cap (mid-tier plan) | 50 (Pro) | 50 (Pro) |
| Gallery cap (entry-paid plan) | 10 (Starter) | 10 (Basic) |
| PIN / password protection on galleries | ||
| Watermarked previews, clean downloads | ||
| Sell digital prints & downloads (0% commission*) | Limited / via integrations | |
| Platform fee on digital sales | 0% on Pro & Studio | Varies / not Connect-native |
| Online booking with deposits & contracts Xposure includes a live calendar booking tool with automatic deposit payment and contracts. Format Workflow allows manual contracts and invoices but has no client-facing online booking scheduler. | Manual contracts only (via Workflow) | |
| Two-way Google Calendar sync | Via Format Workflow | |
| EXIF-aware photo presentation Camera/lens/settings rendered automatically. | - | |
| Page-load speed | Sub-1s on most galleries | Depends on template |
| Targeted at | Photographers only | Creatives broadly |
Pick Format when
You need what they do best
- You're a multi-discipline creative (illustration, design, photography) and want one site for everything.
- You want extreme template variety and don't mind picking from hundreds of layouts.
- You like that the Pro plan includes a custom domain free for the first year.
- You don't need a Connect-native checkout with explicit platform-fee tiers.
Pick Xposure when
You want the cleanest delivery
- You want an automated booking engine where clients select slots from a live calendar, sign contracts, and pay deposits in one flow.
- You're a photographer specifically and want a tool that displays EXIF metadata on every photo.
- You sell digital photo packages and want 0% platform fee on Pro (€18/mo) with Stripe Connect payouts.
- You want a single opinionated design instead of evaluating hundreds of templates.
- You care about fast page loads on image-heavy galleries.
- You prefer transparent year-over-year pricing without "free first year" discount cliffs.
Try Xposure free
Spin up a portfolio and a client gallery in minutes. No credit card required.