TL;DR:
- Behance: community + discovery platform. Public feed, recruiters search, networking. Free.
- Adobe Portfolio: customizable portfolio website. Custom domain, full design control. Free with Adobe CC subscription.
- Use both: Adobe Portfolio as your primary site, Behance for community + discovery.
Adobe Portfolio vs Behance — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Adobe Portfolio | Behance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standalone portfolio site | Community platform |
| Custom domain | Yes | No (behance.net/yourname) |
| Design control | Full (templates + CSS) | Limited (project layout only) |
| Discovery / community | None | 30M+ users browsing |
| Cost | Free with Adobe CC | Free |
| Sync with Behance | Yes (auto-pulls projects) | n/a |
| SEO | Good (custom domain) | Good (Behance domain authority) |
| Best for | Branded presence | Discovery + networking |
Adobe Portfolio — Pros
- Custom domain (yourname.com).
- Full design control — pick template, customize CSS.
- Multi-page layout (about, projects, contact).
- Mobile responsive.
- Auto-syncs with Behance.
- Free with Adobe CC.
Adobe Portfolio — Cons
- Requires Adobe CC subscription ($21+/month).
- No built-in community / discovery.
- Templates can feel restrictive.
- You drive all traffic (no algorithm).
Behance — Pros
- Free, no subscription.
- Built-in audience (30M users).
- Adobe Talent for hiring.
- Featured galleries drive 5-20x views.
- Strong SEO from Behance domain authority.
Behance — Cons
- No custom domain.
- Limited design control (project layout only).
- Profile design feels generic.
- Behance branding everywhere.
Best Strategy: Use Both
- Behance as primary public profile (discovery + networking).
- Adobe Portfolio as your branded website (custom domain, full control).
- Use Adobe Portfolio's auto-sync to pull Behance projects.
- Link from each to the other.
Setup Workflow
- Create Behance profile.
- Post 4-6 projects.
- Subscribe to Adobe CC (if you don't have).
- Activate Adobe Portfolio (free with CC).
- Pick a template at portfolio.adobe.com.
- Connect to Behance — projects auto-import.
- Customize design + add custom domain.
- Publish.
Custom Domain Setup
- Adobe Portfolio → Settings → Custom Domain.
- Add your domain (yourname.com).
- Update DNS records at your registrar:
- A record → 35.227.187.59
- CNAME (www) → portfolio.adobe.com
- Wait 24-48h for DNS propagation.
- Free SSL via Let's Encrypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Portfolio free?
Free with any Adobe Creative Cloud subscription ($21+/month). Standalone Portfolio doesn't exist.
Can I use Adobe Portfolio without Behance?
Yes — Portfolio works standalone. But auto-sync from Behance saves time if you maintain both.
Do I need both Adobe Portfolio and Behance?
Recommended for designers who can. Behance for discovery; Portfolio for branded presence.
What's the better free option?
Behance (no subscription needed). Adobe Portfolio requires Adobe CC.
Can I use a custom domain on Behance?
No — Behance is behance.net/yourname. Custom domain only via Adobe Portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- Behance: community + discovery (free).
- Adobe Portfolio: branded site + custom domain (Adobe CC required).
- Use both — auto-sync between them.
- Behance for finding work; Portfolio for branding.
- Top designers run on both for max reach.
One link covers Behance + Portfolio + everywhere
Add a UniLink URL to your bios — features both your Behance + Adobe Portfolio. Free.