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The Best Portfolio Websites for Writers in 2025 (Compared & Reviewed)

Written by Monica Shaw

If you’re a writer searching for the best place to create an online portfolio website, you’re in the right place. Back in 2008, when we launched our own online writing portfolio builder, options were scarce. Today, there are loads of options, from dedicated portfolio websites to more general web builders like Wordpress and Wix. The agony of choice! 

As person in the business of building online portfolios, I've tried them all, and wanted to share with you my take on the very best ways to create an online writing portfolio.

The Best 5 Portfolio Websites for Writers in 2025

In this updated 2025 guide, I’ve reviewed the platforms writers ask about most, comparing usability, pricing, features, and who each is best for. Use this to pick the right home for your clips—and to build a portfolio that helps you win clients.Jump to:

Quick Comparison Table (2025)

Platform Price (Monthly) Free Plan? Free Trial? Best For...
Writer's Residence $9 No 30 Days User-friendly, professional portfolios
Journoportfolio $18 Yes 7 Days Tech-savvy seasoned writers, design flexibility
Authory $18 No 14 Days Writers publishing widely online
Clippings.me $9.99 Yes No Writers wanting a free option
Copyfolio $15 Yes No Design-conscious copywriters

 

1. Writer’s Residence: Best for a simple, professional showcase and outstanding customer support

Writer’s Residence portfolio builder screenshot

I’ll admit my bias — I designed and built Writer’s Residence — but that’s exactly why I can confidently say it remains the easiest and most affordable way for writers to create a professional portfolio. Our focus has always been on clean, writer-first templates that showcase your work beautifully without requiring tech skills. And unlike other platforms, you’ll get personal support directly from me (a freelance writer who gets it!): I’m always happy to walk you through a demo, answer questions, or even help upload your first samples if that gets you moving. If you’re web-design savvy, you might enjoy tinkering with other services. But if you’re a writer who just wants to get started quickly — especially if you’re still building your publication listWriter’s Residence gives you a stress-free way to launch your portfolio and focus on what matters most: your writing.

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  • Price: $9/month
  • Free Plan: No
  • Trial: 30‑Day Free Trial

Pros

  • 5‑step guided setup (Profile, Home, Samples, Resume, Design)
  • Readability‑first templates that make your writing shine
  • Attentive, personal support from the founder
  • Built‑in SEO tooltips and custom domains
  • Password‑protected samples for private work
  • Use a custom domain at no extra cost

Cons

  • No free plan
  • Fewer design flourishes than some competitors (less distraction, more focus)

Writer's Residence Portfolio Examples

writer's residence writing portfolio examples

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2. Journoportfolio: Best for tech‑savvy digital creators

Journoportfolio example screenshot

JournoPortfolio has grown in popularity thanks to its extensive design templates, relatively low barrier to entry, and a free plan (albeit limited). It also has some great automation features for journalists and other writers who publish regularly online, and an import feature to bulk add your existing list of publications. This makes Journoportfolio awesome for experienced, busy writers with a large catalogue of work. But if you're just getting started, Journoportfolio's feature set may be overkill for your needs. 

Visit Journoportfolio

  • Price: $18/month for a custom domain + unlimited samples
  • Free Plan: Yes (10 items, 1 page, no custom domain)
  • Trial: 7‑Day Free Trial

Pros

  • Attractive themes with deep customization
  • Student discounts available
  • PDF/JPEG backups of samples
  • Good for multidisciplinary creatives

Cons

  • Switching themes can wipe custom pages
  • Options may overwhelm new users

Portfolio Examples

3. Authory: Best for effortless aggregation

Authory portfolio screenshot

Authory is positioned as an automated archive tool, pulling your published work directly from sites where you’ve written. This hands-off approach can save time, especially for writers with hundreds of clips, particularly on news outlets and blogs which have integrated RSS feeds for authors. If your main goal is efficiency, Authory is a reasonable fit — but if you're not publishing regularly online, there are better choices.

Visit Authory

  • Price: $18/month ($12/month yearly)
  • Free Plan: No
  • Trial: 14‑Day Free Trial

Pros

  • Automatically imports clips from dozens of outlets
  • Attractive, professional layouts
  • Great fit for journalists and content marketers

Cons

  • Less useful if your samples aren’t published online
  • Feature‑rich interface can feel complex

Portfolio Examples

4. Clippings.me: Best free option (with limits)

Clippings.me portfolio screenshot

Clippings.me is a long-standing portfolio platforms for journalists and freelance writers. It’s simple to use and allows you to upload articles or link to published work, making it a decent starter option. Plus they have a free version which has obvious appeal for struggling writers. However, its design templates feel quite basic, and you’ll notice fewer customization options compared to other platforms. If you’re looking for a minimalist showcase, it works — but if you want more professional polish, there are stronger options.

Visit Clippings.me

  • Price: $9.99/month ($8.25/month yearly)
  • Free Plan: Yes (10 samples, no custom domain)
  • Trial: No

Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Very simple setup

Cons

  • Basic themes with limited personalization
  • Free plan capped at 10 samples and branded

Portfolio Examples

5. Copyfolio: Best for design‑conscious copywriters

Copyfolio portfolio screenshot

Copyfolio is a portfolio builder geared specifically toward copywriters and creative professionals, with templates designed to highlight case studies and project work. It’s undoubetdly sleek, with loads of design options, which will appeal to writers who want to stand out on style. That said, this focus on visual presentation can sometimes be at the expense of flexibility for writers whose primary showcase is text. And for those writers who aren't terribly great with tech, the setup can be cumbersome.

Visit Copyfolio

  • Price: $15/month ($9/month yearly)
  • Free Plan: Yes (limited pages/projects/posts)
  • Trial: No

Pros

  • Extensive theme options and blogging
  • Free plan to get started

Cons

  • Default URLs (e.g., copyfol.io/v/xxxx) feel less professional
  • Over‑stylized themes can distract from writing
  • Free plan is too limited for a serious showcase

Portfolio Examples

Other Portfolio Platforms Worth Mentioning

  • Carbonmade: Great for visual creatives; some writers use it too. carbonmade.com
  • Muck Rack: Journalist‑focused, with PR matching. muckrack.com
  • Medium: A self‑publishing platform—useful for getting clips if you’re new.
  • Contently: Marketplace for content marketers; portfolio plus gigs. contently.com

What about WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace for an online writing portfolio?

General website builders like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace can certainly be used to create a writing portfolio — and many writers do. They offer attractive templates and plenty of customization options. The trade-off is that they often come with a steep learning curve, extra costs for hosting or plugins, and a lot of decisions to make about design and structure. For writers who enjoy web design or want complete control, they can be good options. But if your priority is simply getting a polished, professional portfolio online without wrangling tech, a writer-focused platform like Writer’s Residence is usually a faster, easier, and more affordable fit.

Final Verdict: What’s the Right Platform for You?

Your choice comes down to budget, technical comfort, and career goals. One constant: free plans rarely deliver a fully professional result. Your portfolio is your brand—worth a small monthly investment.

My Top Choice: Choose Writer’s Residence if…

  • You want a clean, professional portfolio purpose‑built for writers
  • You value built‑in SEO tips, custom domains, and privacy controls
  • You prefer simple setup over complex design tweaking
  • You're insecure about your web building skills and want personalized support if you run into hiccups

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The Runner Up

If I weren’t using Writer’s Residence, my next choice would be Journoportfolio. It strikes the best balance of the alternatives, offering more design flexibility, automation, and customization than most writer-focused platforms. Oother platforms were, by comparison, over-featured and often clunky. 

Journoportfolio does require more time and comfort with web tools to really make the most of it. If you’re experienced, design-savvy, and enjoy tinkering, it can be an excellent option. But for the vast majority of writers who just want to get a polished portfolio online quickly, with zero technical stress, Writer’s Residence is still the winner. 

Looking for examples? Explore more freelance writer portfolios built with Writer’s Residence.


Monica Shaw

I founded Writer's Residence alongside my own journey as a professional writer in 2008. Today, I continue to work as a writer among other side hustles that contribute towards my freelance lifestyle. I write for other businesses - white papers, research reports, web content, and other forms of copywriting - as well as for pleasure on my own personal websites, eatsleepwild.com and smarterfitter.com.

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