Do you want to start a blog? Before you rush into it, compare some popular blogging platforms.
Then, you can figure out which option works for you. Every platform and blogger is different, so what works for me could differ from your ideal platform.
Before we get into each option, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
1. WordPress
WordPress is by far the most popular blogging platform. It’s home to over 40% of all websites, blogs and otherwise.
However, there are two different versions of WordPress.
WordPress (.com)
WordPress.com is a blog and host in one. It’s similar to platforms like Squarespace and Wix. You create an account, and you can get your website up and running.
There’s a free tier, so you don’t have to pay anything to start. That can be nice, but you can’t earn money on a WordPress.com site. You may be able to, but there are a lot of restrictions on how.
WordPress (.org)
WordPress.org (also called “self-hosted WordPress”) requires you to buy hosting from a third party. I use WordPress on a Siteground hosting account.
This type of WordPress lets you do almost anything you could want to do. You can sell products and services, display ads, and use affiliate links to make money. There are plugins to help expand the functions of your site.
2. Blogger
I got my start with a Blogger blog. Google owns Blogger, so you can use your existing Google account. Blogger is free to use with a subdomain of blogspot.com.
However, you can purchase a domain and connect it to your blog. That can make it look more professional. It will also be easier for people to remember, so they can find your blog again.
Compared to WordPress, though, it has some limits. You can’t set a static homepage, so blog posts will show up automatically. Also, you can’t sell products directly on your site. But you can use ads and affiliate links.
3. Medium
Medium is another one of the best blogging platforms. You don’t need to set up a website at all, and you can start for free. The only thing you need to do is create an account, and you can start writing.
Once you reach 100 followers, you can monetize your articles through the Medium Partner Program. However, you can also make money with affiliate links.
Readers have to pay $5 a month or $50 a year to access unlimited articles on the site. If you get into the partner program, you’ll earn a small portion of the membership fee based on who reads your articles and for how long.
4. Vocal Media
Vocal Media is similar to Medium in that you don’t need to create a website to start blogging. But it doesn’t have the same community as Medium, so you’ll have to promote your posts more.
However, you can start making money right away. You can earn $3.80 for every thousand views. If you pay for Vocal+, you’ll earn $6 for every thousand views.
I think it’s annoying that the site charges writers to make more money. But it’s a nice option if you want anyone to be able to read your stuff.
5. Hubpages
I’ve had a Hubpages account, but I haven’t been able to publish anything. You have to pass their strict approval process five times. After that, you can publish whatever you want.
The site is similar to Medium and Vocal Media. You just need to write, and you don’t have to design your blog at all.
If you want to make money, you can earn from affiliate links and ads. But I’ve heard the payments are quite low. So it may be better to start your own site on WordPress to earn more.
6. Ghost
Ghost is one of the newest blogging platforms out there. It claims to help you build a business around content.
I haven’t tried this platform, and I don’t think I will. It seems the most similar to WordPress because you have to design the whole site.
If you don’t want to use WordPress, I think it can be a good alternative. But it can quickly get expensive.
What to Look for in Blogging Platforms
To help choose between blogging platforms, you should consider a few factors. Here are a few things I believe are important when starting or moving your blog.
Easy to Start
If this is your first time starting a blog, you want something easy. You don’t want to have to spend hours trying to design the site.
Some platforms, like Medium do all of the design for you. All you need to do is log into your account and write a story.
Now, WordPress probably requires the most technical work. But it’s getting easier with each new version. You don’t need to code or anything to set up a professional-looking blog.
Cost to Use
Another thing to keep in mind is how much a blog will cost. You can blog for free with WordPress.com, Blogger, Medium, Vocal, and Hubpages.
However, you can also pay to use those platforms. With WordPress and Blogger, you can buy a domain. You can also pay to get higher pay on Vocal.
If you want to use self-hosted WordPress or Ghost, you’ll have to pay. What I like about WordPress is that you can choose your host. That way, you can choose how much you pay per month or year.
Monetization Options
Assuming you want to make money blogging, you should consider how you can do that on various blogging platforms. Some have only one way to earn, while others are more flexible.
With Medium, you can join the Medium Partner Program. You can make money from ads on Blogger or Hubpages. If you use WordPress, you’ll need the self-hosted version to make money.
But you can make money from ads, affiliate links, and sales of your own products and services.
Growth Potential
You should also look long-term before joining any new blogging platforms. WordPress is the best for a lot of growth. You can monetize it in a ton of ways, and you can find a new host if your current one is no longer the right fit.
However, the other platforms have some limits. For example, Ghost will charge you more if your audience grows past a certain number.
On other platforms, you won’t have any control over the backend. So it can be hard to grow your blogging business on a third-party platform.
Can You Use Multiple Blogging Platforms?
You can use multiple blogging platforms. While I primarily write on WordPress for my own sites, I also use Medium.
I’ve used Vocal in the past, but it hasn’t been very lucrative, so it’s not worth it for me.
What’s the Best Free Blogging Platform?
The best free blogging platform is Blogger. It’s easy to set up with your Google account.
And you can easily transfer your data to a self-hosted WordPress blog when you have the money for one.
Which Blogging Platforms Will You Try?
The right blogging platforms depend on your needs and goals. I’ve used WordPress, Blogger, Medium, and more.
Be sure you consider if you want to make money and if you have money to spend. Then, you can choose the right platform for you right now.