Best FREE Portfolio Website Builders For Designers: Ranked and Reviewed

Are you looking for a new portfolio website platform but don't want to break the bank? Well, I've got some good news for you. I’ve reviewed the top portfolio website platforms and ranked them for you.

I spent hours scouring the web for every portfolio website platform out there and checking out their free plans. And I was pretty surprised by what I found.

In this article, I'll walk you through 15 portfolio website platforms you can choose from. I've ranked them from best to worst and even picked out the top five. I've also given out some awards for categories like "Best for Beginners," "Best for Customization," and "Best Community."

Now, I usually say that picking the best free option depends on what you're looking for. But honestly? I think I've made it pretty easy for you to find the best free portfolio website builder with this article.

Top 5 Free Portfolio Website Builders

1. Framer

Best for designers needing dynamic, scalable websites with CMS functionality.

2. Webflow

Ideal for advanced customization with full creative control.

3. Carrd

Perfect for simple, one-page portfolio websites for quick setups.

4. Behance

Great for content-based portfolios and easy web publishing.

5. Notion

Best for creatives who need flexibility and CSS/JavaScript freedom.

Below is a detailed table comparing the top 5 free portfolio website builders, highlighting their key features, pros, and cons for easy reference.

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Want to compare every platform?

For a full, detailed comparison of all 15 free portfolio website builders, check out my complete table on Notion.

1. Framer

Score: 9.2/10

Create your free Framer account

If you’re looking for a website builder that’s super easy to use and flexible, Framer is a great option to explore. It’s perfect for designers who want to create visually striking sites fast without needing to code. You get unlimited projects, built-in CMS features, and collaboration tools even on the free plan, which is awesome if you’re just getting started. Plus, it has a familiar vibe if you’re used to Figma, making the transition smooth. Honestly, if you need something quick, powerful, and versatile for dynamic web projects, Framer’s free plan offers a ton of value!

• Pros: Unlimited projects, CMS support, collaboration tools, ease of use for Figma users, SSL certificate, responsive design tools.
• Cons: Branding on free sites, limited form submissions.
• Why #1: Offers the most comprehensive free plan for designers needing dynamic, scalable websites with CMS functionality.

Create your free Framer account

2. Webflow

Score: 8.9/10

Create your free Webflow account

If you’re looking to build something truly custom, Webflow is a beast when it comes to control. It lets you design without limits—if you can imagine it, you can build it. The free plan gives you access to a couple of projects to tinker with, so it’s perfect if you’re just testing the waters or learning the ropes of web design. The learning curve is a bit steep, but once you get it, you can make some seriously cool, professional sites. For those who want full creative freedom, Webflow’s definitely worth a shot.

• Pros: Advanced customization, SSL certificate, powerful design tools, large template library.
• Cons: Limited to 2 projects, no CMS on the free plan, steep learning curve.
• Why #2: A versatile platform with a steep learning curve, but perfect for designers seeking full control over site building.

Create your free Webflow account

3. Carrd

Score: 8.5/10

Create your free Carrd account

If you need a quick, simple one-page website, Carrd is hands-down one of the best options. It’s perfect for portfolios, landing pages, or personal sites—nothing too complicated, but it gets the job done beautifully. You can have up to three free sites and it’s incredibly easy to set up. Sure, it’s not going to handle big, complex websites, but when you just need something sleek and functional, Carrd is a no-brainer. Plus, it’s great for tight budgets!

• Pros: Simple, user-friendly, fast to set up, SSL included, 3 one-page sites for free.
• Cons: Limited to one-page sites, minimal e-commerce support.
• Why #3: Ideal for personal portfolios and landing pages. Its ease of use and affordability make it a strong contender.

Create your free Carrd account

4. Notion

Score: 8.3/10

Create your free Notion account

You wouldn’t think of Notion as a website builder, but it can actually publish web pages from your docs! It’s more for simple, content-based sites like resumes, portfolios, or wikis. If you need something basic that’s easy to update and share, Notion’s perfect. It’s not as visually customizable as some other platforms, but if you’re already a Notion user, it’s a no-fuss way to publish your work for free.

• Pros: Unlimited pages, simple web publishing, collaboration with guests, no branding on free sites.
• Cons: Limited web design flexibility, not a traditional website builder.
• Why #4: Notion excels for content and project management, though it’s less flexible for design-heavy websites.

Create your free Notion account

5. Cargo Collective

Score: 8.1/10

Create your free Cargo account

For creatives like designers, photographers, and artists, Cargo Collective is all about flexibility and minimalism. It lets you build beautifully crafted portfolio sites with some custom CSS and JavaScript freedom. On the free plan, you can host up to 12 projects, which is pretty generous compared to other platforms. It’s more niche, but if you’re someone who cares deeply about the aesthetics of your site, Cargo might just be your jam.

• Pros: 12 projects for free, supports custom CSS/HTML/JS, SSL certificate, great for creatives.
• Cons: Limited project count, no advanced e-commerce features on the free plan.
• Why #5: A great option for creatives who need flexibility without diving deep into code-heavy platforms.

Create your free Cargo account

6. UXfolio

Score: 7.9/10

Create your free UXfolio account

UXfolio is perfect for UX/UI designers who want to showcase their case studies in a clean, professional way. The free plan lets you build one portfolio with one project, which isn’t much, but it’s great if you’re just starting out. It’s specifically built for UXers, so if that’s your focus, you’ll appreciate the ready-made case study templates that help tell your story.

• Pros: Ideal for UX designers, built-in portfolio templates, case studies, no branding.
• Cons: Limited to one public project and portfolio on the free plan.
• Why #6: Perfect for UX professionals, but the free plan is limited compared to more flexible website builders.

Create your free UXfolio account

7. Behance

Score: 7.7/10

Create your free Behance account

Behance is one of the easiest ways to showcase your work to a huge creative community. It’s completely free, and while it doesn’t offer advanced customization, it’s fantastic for visibility and networking. If you just want to get your portfolio out there without much hassle, Behance is a great place to start. Plus, it’s integrated with Adobe tools, so sharing your work is seamless.

• Pros: Unlimited projects, strong creative community, integration with Adobe tools.
• Cons: Limited design flexibility, primarily portfolio-focused, no custom domain support.
• Why #7: Great for showcasing creative portfolios and networking but lacks advanced website-building capabilities.

Create your free Behance account

Want a discount on Adobe Creative Cloud?

Check out this link for an exclusive Adobe discount

8. Dribbble

Score: 7.5/10

Create your free Dribbble account

Similar to Behance, Dribbble is all about sharing your creative work and connecting with other designers. It’s a fantastic platform for getting feedback on your projects, but the free plan limits you to 48 shots (project uploads). If you’re looking for a place to grow your presence in the design world, Dribbble’s community is top-tier, but it’s not a full website builder.

• Pros: Creative community, portfolio showcase, social features.
• Cons: Limited to 48 “shots” on the free plan, minimal customization options.
• Why #8: A good option for designers who need portfolio visibility but lacks the customization and flexibility of full website builders.

Create your free Dribbble account

9. Readymag

Score: 7.3/10

Create your free Readymag account

Readymag is a lot of fun to use if you’re into customizing everything and adding cool animations to your site. It’s super easy to drag and drop elements, and embedding assets is a breeze. But, managing a bunch of pages or assets can get tricky. The platform also has its quirks, like slow load times when you have a lot of elements. While it’s great for visually rich, animated websites, you’ll need to keep a close eye on things before hitting publish.

• Pros: Visually striking templates, great for multimedia content.
• Cons: Only one project on the free plan, no CMS.
• Why #9: Readymag is ideal for creative portfolios but lacks versatility and advanced web-building features.

Create your free Readymag account

10. Portfoliobox

Score: 7.0/10

Create your free Portfoliobox account

Portfoliobox is a strong option for creatives who want a straightforward portfolio site. The free plan gives you 8 pages and 40 images, which might feel limited, but it’s enough to get started. It has branding on the free plan, so you’ll need to upgrade if you want to go fully professional. Still, it’s easy to use and has some nice templates, so it’s worth trying.

• Pros: 40 images and 8 pages on the free plan, SSL certificate, customizable templates.
• Cons: Portfoliobox branding, limited features compared to its paid plans.
• Why #10: Great for simple portfolios but restricted by image and page limits.

Create your free Portfoliobox account

11. Format

Score: 6.8/10

Create your free Format account

If you’re a photographer or creative looking to build a stunning, professional portfolio, Format gives you everything you need—but only for 14 days on the free trial. You’ll get access to beautiful, professional templates, but after the trial, you have to pay to keep using it. Format is all about quality and customization, so it’s worth checking out if you’re serious about creating an online showcase.

• Pros: 14-day free trial with full access, designed for photographers and creatives.
• Cons: No permanent free plan, requires a paid plan after trial.
• Why #11: Offers an excellent experience during the trial, but users will need to pay for continued access.

Create your free Format account

12. Onepage.io

Score: 6.5/10

Create your free Onepage account

For a minimalist website with just a few sections, Onepage.io is simple and effective. It’s perfect for landing pages or small portfolios, giving you one project with 3 pages for free. While it’s not super feature-packed, it’s user-friendly and gets the job done if you don’t need anything too fancy.

• Pros: Free plan offers 1 project with 3 pages, user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Limited in scope and features, basic customization.
• Why #12: Onepage.io is ideal for simple landing pages, but it’s not as feature-rich as other builders.

Create your free Onepage account

13. Dunked

Score: 6.3/10

Create your free Dunked account

If you want something quick and beautiful, Dunked lets you create professional-looking portfolios with ease. However, it only offers a 10-day free trial. You get access to great templates and an intuitive interface, but you’ll have to pay once the trial’s up. If you need a polished portfolio site fast, it’s a solid option to try before committing.

• Pros: Beautiful, customizable templates.
• Cons: Only a 10-day free trial, no permanent free plan.
• Why #13: While it has a sleek design and portfolio focus, the lack of a permanent free plan is a major downside.

Create your free Dunked account

14. Pixpa

Score: 6.0/10

Create your free Pixpa account

Pixpa is more of a trial-run platform than a long-term free solution, but it’s perfect for getting the full experience of a professional portfolio site. You get access to all the premium features for 15 days, so it’s great for a deep dive. That said, if you’re in it for the free plan alone, you might want to look elsewhere. Pixpa really shines when it’s paid, but it’s great for testing to see if it’s worth your time.

• Pros: Full access during the 15-day free trial, designed for portfolios.
• Cons: No permanent free plan, must pay after the trial.
• Why #14: Similar to Dunked, Pixpa is great during its trial but offers no long-term free option.

Create your free Pixpa account

15. Adobe Portfolio

Score: 5.5/10

Create your Adobe student/teacher account

If you’re already using Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Portfolio is a no-brainer. It’s included with your subscription, so there’s no extra cost if you’re already paying for Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. It’s built to help you create a professional-looking portfolio quickly and integrates perfectly with Behance. There’s no free plan though, so unless you’re already an Adobe user, it might not be worth it.

• Pros: Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, no branding on paid plans.
• Cons: No free plan, only available with a Creative Cloud subscription.
• Why #15: Adobe Portfolio is excellent for users who already pay for Creative Cloud, but without a free plan, it ranks the lowest for cost-conscious users.

Create your Adobe student/teacher account

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Overall Website Builder for Designers?

Framer stands out as the best overall because it combines ease of use with powerful features like CMS, templates, and collaboration tools. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, it offers flexibility without overwhelming complexity.

Which Website Builder is Best for Beginners

Carrd is perfect for beginners, offering a super-simple, fast way to create beautiful one-page sites without coding. It’s affordable and user-friendly, making it ideal for those just starting out.

Which Website Builder Offers the Best Customization?

Webflow wins for customization, giving users total control over design elements and layout. While there’s a learning curve, it allows for pixel-perfect websites that feel completely unique.

Which Platform Has the Best Creative Community for Designers?

Behance is unmatched in community, providing designers with a platform to share their work, get feedback, and connect with other creatives. Its integration with Adobe tools makes it a go-to for showcasing projects.

Which Underdog Platform is Surprisingly Great for Portfolio Websites?

Notion wasn’t built as a website tool, but its simplicity and versatility make it a hidden gem for basic portfolio sites. It’s especially useful if you want to manage content and publish your work seamlessly.

Conclusion

In the end, finding the right free portfolio website builder really depends on what you need. Whether you want full customization with Webflow or a quick, simple setup with Carrd, there’s something for everyone. I’ve covered the top options here, so you don’t have to spend hours researching. Just pick the one that fits your workflow, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Happy building!