Best Squarespace Alternatives for Artists (2026)
Tolodora Editorial Team
Independent software reviews for founders and small businesses.
Squarespace builds a beautiful artist site, and plenty of creatives are happy on it. But its monthly cost can feel steep when all you really need is a striking portfolio and maybe a way to sell a few prints. Artists have options that are cheaper, more creative, or built specifically around selling work.
Here are the best Squarespace alternatives for artists in 2026. Quick answer: Format is portfolio-first, Adobe Portfolio may be free with your Adobe plan, Big Cartel is made for selling art, and Wix and Carrd offer flexibility and value.
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| # | Tool | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Format | Artists who want a portfolio-first site with selling built in. | 4.2/5 |
| 2 | Adobe Portfolio | Artists who already pay for Creative Cloud. | 4.2/5 |
| 3 | Big Cartel | Artists who mainly want to sell their work. | 4.1/5 |
| 4 | Wix | Artists who want maximum creative freedom. | 4.2/5 |
| 5 | Carrd | Artists who want a simple one-page site for almost nothing. | 4.3/5 |
Format
- Pricing
- 7.8/10
- Functionality
- 8.4/10
- Ease of use
- 8.8/10
- Support
- 8.2/10
What I like
Portfolio-first sites made for creatives.
Best for
Artists who want a portfolio-first site with selling built in.
Format is a portfolio-first builder made for creatives, with beautiful templates, client proofing and an online store for selling prints and work. It's designed around showcasing art rather than general business, so the workflow just fits. For an artist who wants their site to lead with the work, Format is a natural, elegant home.
Adobe Portfolio
- Pricing
- 8.8/10
- Functionality
- 8.0/10
- Ease of use
- 8.8/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
Free with a Creative Cloud plan you may have.
Best for
Artists who already pay for Creative Cloud.
If you have a Photoshop or Lightroom plan, Adobe Portfolio is likely included free — a clean, simple way to publish a professional portfolio that syncs with your Adobe workflow. It won't run a full print store, but as a no-extra-cost portfolio for artists already in Adobe's world, it's a smart, free win.
Big Cartel
- Pricing
- 8.6/10
- Functionality
- 7.6/10
- Ease of use
- 8.8/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
Made for artists and makers, with a free plan.
Best for
Artists who mainly want to sell their work.
Big Cartel was built for artists and makers, with a free plan for small catalogues and a simple, on-brand store for prints, originals and merch. For an artist whose priority is selling rather than an elaborate site, it's purpose-made and refreshingly uncomplicated — a store that feels like it's for you, not generic e-commerce.
Wix
- Pricing
- 8.0/10
- Functionality
- 8.8/10
- Ease of use
- 8.8/10
- Support
- 7.8/10
What I like
Drag-and-drop freedom and a huge template range.
Best for
Artists who want maximum creative freedom.
Wix's drag-and-drop editor gives more layout freedom than template-locked builders, with an app market to add galleries, stores and booking — and a free tier to start. For an artist who wants a truly custom look without code, it's a flexible, affordable way to build a site that looks like no one else's.
Carrd
- Pricing
- 9.8/10
- Functionality
- 7.4/10
- Ease of use
- 9.4/10
- Support
- 7.6/10
What I like
Dirt-cheap one-page sites that just work.
Best for
Artists who want a simple one-page site for almost nothing.
Carrd builds slick one-page sites for a tiny annual price — perfect for an artist who wants a clean landing page with links, a bio and a few images without any ongoing monthly cost. It's minimal by design, but for a simple, striking web presence on a shoestring, nothing beats the value.
Pick by priority: portfolio plus selling, Format; free with Adobe, Adobe Portfolio; selling art, Big Cartel; creative freedom, Wix; simple and cheap, Carrd.
Whatever you shortlist, run your real work through it for a week before committing — the right tool is the one that quietly disappears and lets you get back to it. And if you build software for this crowd yourself, you can list it on Tolodora free.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best free website for artists?
Adobe Portfolio is free with a Creative Cloud plan, Wix has a free tier, and Big Cartel offers a free plan for selling a small catalogue. Any lets an artist get online without a monthly Squarespace bill.
Where can artists sell prints online cheaply?
Big Cartel is purpose-built for artists and makers with a free starter plan, and Format includes a store in its portfolio sites. Both are affordable ways to sell prints and originals without Squarespace's cost.
What's the cheapest way for an artist to get a website?
Carrd builds one-page sites for a very low annual fee, and Adobe Portfolio is free if you already pay for Creative Cloud. For selling, Big Cartel's free plan is the cheapest route to an online store.
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