Portfolio5 platforms compared

Best CMS for a Portfolio Site in 2026

Compare the best CMS platforms for portfolios. Build a stunning showcase for your design, photography, development, or creative work.

Your portfolio is your first impression. Make it fast, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

TL;DR — Our Top Pick

Next.js is our top recommendation for portfolio sites.

Full React flexibility for custom designs. Built-in image optimization, dynamic routing for projects, and the largest component ecosystem.

What a Portfolio CMS Needs

Designers, developers, photographers, and creatives who want a fast, visually impressive portfolio.

Visual design flexibility with custom layouts

Fast image loading and optimization

Project showcase with filtering and categories

Responsive design for all devices

Contact form or booking integration

Top 5 Platforms Ranked

Next.js

React framework for production with SSR, SSG, and API routes

TOP PICK

Full React flexibility for custom designs. Built-in image optimization, dynamic routing for projects, and the largest component ecosystem.

Open SourceJavaScript/TypeScript (React)Free (open-source)

Strengths

Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app
Most popular React framework with massive community
Built-in image optimization, API routes, and middleware

Trade-offs

React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
App Router introduced complexity with Server Components

Astro

Content-focused framework that ships zero JavaScript by default

Ultra-fast page loads showcase your work instantly. Content collections for projects, and zero JS by default means images load immediately.

Open SourceJavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic)Free (open-source)

Strengths

Ships zero JS to the client by default (Islands Architecture)
Use React, Vue, Svelte, or any framework in the same project
Content collections with type-safe Markdown/MDX

Trade-offs

Not ideal for highly interactive apps (designed for content sites)
Smaller ecosystem than Next.js — fewer integrations available

Sanity + Next.js

Real-time collaborative headless CMS with customizable Studio

Visual editing studio for managing portfolio pieces. Hot-reloadable previews let you see changes instantly. Great for large portfolios.

Open SourceJavaScript/TypeScript (React-based Studio)Free / $15+/month per user

Strengths

GROQ query language is more powerful and flexible than GraphQL
Real-time collaborative editing (like Google Docs)
Fully customizable React-based Studio admin panel

Trade-offs

GROQ is a custom query language with its own learning curve
Studio customization requires React development knowledge

SvelteKit

Full-stack Svelte framework with SSR and SSG

Smaller bundle sizes than React for image-heavy sites. Svelte animations create smooth transitions between portfolio pieces.

Open SourceJavaScript/TypeScript (Svelte)Free (open-source)

Strengths

Svelte compiles to vanilla JS — smallest possible bundle sizes
Intuitive syntax — easier to learn than React or Vue
Excellent developer experience with fast HMR

Trade-offs

Smaller ecosystem — fewer libraries and UI component kits
Harder to hire Svelte developers compared to React

Webflow

Visual web development platform with clean code output

Visual design tool with no code required. Beautiful templates and interactions. Best for designers who don't want to write code.

Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)Free / $14-39/month

Strengths

Generates clean, semantic HTML/CSS — no code bloat
Full CSS control with a visual interface (like coding without typing)
Built-in CMS with API access and structured content

Trade-offs

Steep learning curve for non-designers (CSS concepts required)
CMS is limited to 10,000 items on the highest plan

How to Decide

Developers should use Next.js or Astro for maximum control and performance

Designers who don't code can use Webflow for visual design without sacrificing quality

For large portfolios (100+ pieces), use a headless CMS like Sanity to manage content

Image optimization is critical — choose a platform with built-in image processing

Ready to migrate from WordPress?

WordPress → Next.js WordPress → Astro WordPress → Sanity

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a CMS for a small portfolio?

No. For under 20 projects, MDX files in Astro or Next.js are simpler than setting up a CMS. Add a CMS later if your portfolio grows or you need non-developers to update it.

How do I optimize portfolio images?

Next.js has a built-in Image component that auto-optimizes. Astro supports sharp for processing. For any platform, use WebP/AVIF formats and lazy loading.

Can I add a blog to my portfolio?

Absolutely. Both Next.js and Astro support MDX blog posts alongside portfolio content. It's a proven strategy for SEO and demonstrating expertise.

How many projects should I show?

6-12 of your best pieces. Quality over quantity — each project should demonstrate a distinct skill or solve an interesting problem. Curate ruthlessly.

Should I include case studies?

Yes. Case studies with process details, challenges, and outcomes demonstrate expertise far better than screenshots alone. They also rank well for long-tail search terms.

How do I optimize portfolio images for speed?

Use WebP/AVIF formats, lazy loading for below-the-fold images, and responsive srcset for different screen sizes. Next.js Image and Astro assets handle this automatically.

Can I add a blog to my portfolio site?

Yes. All major frameworks — Next.js, Astro, SvelteKit — support MDX blogging. A blog adds SEO value and showcases your thinking, not just your output.