15 Best blogging platforms in 2025

What makes a good blogging platform?

• Ease of use : You shouldn’t have to spend hours figuring things out. A good platform should be simple and intuitive, so you can focus on writing instead of wrestling with the tech.

• Customization –:Your blog should reflect your style. The best platforms let you tweak the design easily—even if you don’t know how to code.

• SEO features : A platform with built-in SEO tools makes it easier for your blog to rank on Google, saving you time and effort.

• Content management : As your blog grows, staying organized becomes crucial. Scheduling posts, managing media, and structuring your content properly will make your life way easier.

• Scalability : Your blog should be able to grow with you. If you start getting more traffic or need extra features, your platform should handle it without a headache.

• Mobile optimization : Most people browse on their phones, so your blog needs to look great and function smoothly on mobile.

• Value for money : Whether it’s free or paid, you want to get the most useful features without overspending.

The best blogging platforms:

1. InBlog – A modern blogging platform for content teams

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Starts at $39/month

Pricing details:

• SEO-optimized (Lighthouse Score 90+)

• Lead capture forms

• Custom branding

• Subdirectory hosting

• Subdomain hosting

• Google Search Console integration

• Keyword tracking

• Index checker

• Google Analytics integration

• Social posting

• Unlimited posts

• Priority support

• Team collaboration

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Fully optimized for SEO without extra effort

• Built-in lead generation forms

• Advanced analytics to track content performance

• User-friendly interface for marketing teams

• Free 14-day trial

Why it might not be for you:

• A relatively new platform, so some features may still be evolving

• No AI assistance for content creation

2. Hostinger blog maker – best for beginners

Why choose Hostinger Blog Maker?

• Beginner-friendly : No coding or design skills needed.

• AI-powered tools : Helps improve your SEO and writing.

• Affordable : Comes with hosting included.

Example:

• Choose a ready-made template for food bloggers.

• Use the AI assistant to help with SEO.

• Get 24/7 support if you need help.

The downsides?

• Fewer customization options than WordPress.

• Limited plugins and integrations.

3. Substack – Best for newsletters & making money

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free to start; Substack takes 10% of your subscription earnings, plus Stripe processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Easy content monetization : Start earning without complicated setup

• Built-in platform for writing and email distribution : No need for extra newsletter tools.

• User-friendly interface : Simple and clean, even for beginners.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited design and SEO customization : You can’t personalize your blog’s appearance much or optimize for Google searches.

• Substack takes a percentage of your earnings : Unlike platforms with fixed monthly fees, Substack follows a revenue-sharing model (it keeps 10% of what you earn, plus Stripe’s transaction fees).

Additional info:

• How Substack's pricing works: Every time a subscriber pays, Stripe (the payment processor) takes a small fee before you receive the money.
• 2.9% of the transaction amount: If a subscriber pays $10, Stripe takes $0.29.
• +$0.30 fixed fee per transaction: On top of that, Stripe also takes $0.30 per payment.
• Total Stripe fees for a $10 subscription: $0.59
• Substack then takes 10% ($1.00), so you receive approximately $8.41 per subscriber.

• Higher-priced niche newsletters: While most Substack newsletters cost between $5 and $50 per month, some niche publications (finance, law, medicine, etc.) charge more because they provide exclusive, high-value insights.

4. Web.com – Best for beginners

• Self-hosted? No

Why it’s great:

• Super easy to use : You don’t need any coding skills, just drag, drop, and you’re good to go. It’s perfect if you want a website up and running fast without the headache.

• All-in-one package : You get a free domain for a year, SSL security, a logo builder, and even some design help. It's a great deal if you don’t want to worry about all the technical stuff.

• Marketing tools included : If you go for the higher plans, you’ll get email marketing, social media tools, and even appointment scheduling—all in one place. This can save you time and money compared to using separate tools.

Why it might not be for you:

• Not great for serious bloggers : If your goal is to run a content-heavy blog, Web.com’s blogging features are pretty basic.

• Hard to switch later : Web.com is great to get started, but if you ever want to move your site to another platform, it’s not the easiest to transfer everything over. Something to keep in mind if you’re thinking long-term.

Example:

5. HubPages – Monetization through ads

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free to join, earns from ads and affiliate links

Earnings & Pricing

Why it’s great:

• Potential for passive income → If you write evergreen content (articles that stay relevant for years), you can keep earning from ad views long after you’ve published. This makes HubPages a good option for long-term monetization.

• No upfront costs → Unlike some self-hosted blogging options, HubPages is completely free to use. You don’t need to pay for hosting, domains, or premium features—just write and publish.

• Covers a wide range of topics → Whether you’re into tech, travel, finance, or DIY crafts, HubPages allows a variety of content. Some niches (like personal finance and health) tend to perform particularly well in terms of earnings.

Why it might not be for you:

• Low earnings unless you drive high traffic → Because revenue depends on ad impressions, you need a significant number of views to make decent money. Writers who don’t focus on SEO or viral content may struggle to see substantial earnings.

• Ad revenue is unpredictable → Your income depends on factors outside your control, like changes in ad rates, viewer engagement, and algorithm shifts. If ad revenue drops, so do your earnings.

• Less control over monetization → Unlike platforms like Ghost or Substack, where you can set your own pricing and revenue streams, HubPages limits you to their ad and affiliate system. This can make it harder to scale your income in the long run.

6.Vocal.Media – Simple monetization for writers

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, with a Vocal+ subscription at $9.99/month

Earnings & Pricing

Why it’s great:

• No need to build an audience from scratch → Unlike running your own blog or website, Vocal.Media already has built-in traffic. Your articles can be discovered by readers browsing different communities, meaning you don’t have to start from zero.

• Multiple niche communities to target → Whether you’re into tech, travel, health, or poetry, Vocal has dedicated spaces for different topics. This makes it easier to reach the right audience rather than just throwing your content into the void.

• Readers can tip directly → On top of earning per 1,000 views, Vocal allows readers to support you with direct tips. If your content resonates with someone, they can send you money instantly—no complicated monetization setup needed.

Why it might not be for you:

• Lower payout rates compared to ad-based platforms → While Vocal does pay per view, the rates aren’t as high as platforms that rely on ad revenue (like YouTube or some blogging networks). If you’re used to making money through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing, the earnings here might feel underwhelming.

• Limited customization for branding → Unlike running your own blog, you don’t have much control over the look and feel of your content. No custom domain, no personal branding—your articles exist within Vocal’s ecosystem, making it harder to build a distinct identity as a writer.

7. Ghost – The open-source alternative

• Self-hosted? Yes

• Pricing: Starts at $9/month (self-hosted) or $36/month (Ghost Pro)

Pricing:

Why it’s great:

• Full control over branding and monetization → Unlike Medium or Vocal.Media, where your content sits on their platform, Ghost lets you fully own and customize your site. You can design your blog however you want, use your own domain, and monetize through memberships, ads, or sponsorships—without platform restrictions.

• No revenue-sharing model → What you earn is 100% yours. Unlike Medium, which takes a cut from the Medium Partner Program, or platforms that rely on ad revenue splits, Ghost gives you total control over your income streams.

• SEO-friendly and fast performance → Ghost is built for speed and optimization. Since it’s lightweight and designed specifically for blogging, your content loads quickly and ranks well on Google—giving you a better shot at organic traffic.

Why it might not be for you:

• Requires technical knowledge to self-host → If you go with the self-hosted version ($9/month+), you’ll need to handle server setup, maintenance, and security yourself. This isn’t a problem if you’re comfortable with WordPress-like setups, but for beginners, it can be overwhelming.

• Higher upfront costs than Medium → Ghost Pro (the hosted version) starts at $36/month, which is significantly more expensive than Medium’s free model. If you’re not confident about monetizing your content right away, the cost might not be worth it compared to other free or cheaper alternatives.

8. WordPress – The OG CMS

WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com: What’s the difference?

• WordPress.org → Self-hosted, full control. You need to find a hosting provider, but you get full customization, access to all plugins, and the ability to monetize freely. Best for those who want a serious, scalable website.

• WordPress.com → Hosted solution, easier to use. No need for separate hosting, but customization is limited unless you pay for higher-tier plans. Best for beginners who want a simple, hassle-free setup.

Example:

An example of a website built with WordPress :

Why it’s great:

• Thousands of themes and plugins

• Powerful SEO tools (Yoast SEO, RankMath, etc.)

• Can grow with you, from a small blog to a full business

• Fully customizable (design, functionality, features)

• Scalable: from a personal blog to a full e-commerce site

Why it might not be for you:

• Takes a bit of setup

• Can be overwhelming for beginners

• Requires maintenance (updates, security, backups)

• Some premium themes and plugins can add extra costs

Pricing details:

9. Squarespace – Best for design-focused bloggers

• Self-hosted? No (Squarespace hosts your site on its own servers)

• Pricing: $16–$52/month

• Free plan? No, but 14-day free trial available (no credit card required)

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Gorgeous, mobile-friendly templates – Professional designs without extra effort.

• Built-in SEO and analytics tools – Helps you optimize content and track performance.

• All-in-one solution – Includes hosting, domain, and security.

Why it might not be for you:

• Less customization compared to WordPress – More restrictive in terms of advanced modifications.

• No free plan – Only a 14-day free trial

• Limited third-party integrations – Fewer plugin options than WordPress.

Squarespace pricing breakdown:

10. Blogger – Best free option for beginners

• Self-hosted? No (Google hosts your blog for free)

• Pricing: 100% free – No hosting or domain costs

• Ease of use: Extremely simple, ideal for beginners

Example:

Why it’s great:

• 100% free – No hosting fees, no hidden costs.

• Google integration – Works seamlessly with Google services like Drive, Photos, and Search Console.

• Super easy to use – Even complete beginners can start blogging in minutes.

• Hosting included – No need to purchase a separate web server.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited design options – The themes are basic and lack flexibility compared to WordPress or Squarespace.

• Restricted customization – Few options for adding advanced features like memberships or ecommerce.

• Not really great for SEO – While it has basic SEO settings, it’s not as powerful as WordPress or Ghost for ranking on Google.

• Limited monetization options – You can use Google AdSense, but customization and control over monetization are minimal.

• You don’t fully own your blog – Since Blogger is owned by Google, you must follow their policies, and your blog could be taken down if it violates their terms.

Additional info:

• No custom domain by default – Your blog will have a .blogspot.com address unless you purchase a custom domain.

• Outdated interface – Blogger’s editor has not evolved much in recent years, making it feel old-fashioned compared to modern platforms.

• Not ideal for scaling – If you plan to turn your blog into a business, WordPress or Ghost would be better long-term options.

11. Wix – Best for beginners who want a visual editor

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free / Paid plans start at $17/month

Why it’s great:

• Drag-and-drop builder (no coding required) : Easy for beginners.

• 900+ templates : Wix offers a wide selection of modern, customizable designs.

• Built-in SEO tools : Helps improve your site’s visibility on search engines.

Why it might not be for you:

• Less flexible than WordPress : Customization options are more limited.

• Can get expensive if you need extra features : Advanced tools require higher-tier plans.

• Non-transferable websites : Once you build your site on Wix, you can’t move it to another platform

• Template limitations : You can’t switch templates once your site is live without rebuilding it

Additional info:

• Wix provides its own hosting, so you don’t need to set up external web hosting.

• Advanced features like e-commerce, booking systems, and analytics are available on higher-tier plans.

• SEO tools are included, but some professionals prefer WordPress for better long-term SEO control.

Wix pricing breakdown:

12. Tumblr – A social blogging platform

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, with optional premium features.

Why it’s great:

• Highly visual and interactive : Perfect for artists, photographers, and meme creators, as Tumblr supports images, GIFs, and short-form content.

• Built-in audience and engagement : Content spreads organically through reblogs and tags, even if you’re just starting out.

• Optional premium features : You can upgrade for an ad-free experience and other perks, but the core platform remains free.

Why it might not be for you:

13. Weebly – Best for simple eCommerce blogs

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free / Paid plans start at $6/month

Why it’s great:

• Easy drag-and-drop builder : No coding required.

• eCommerce features included : Sell products with Square integration.

• SEO & security tools built-in : Helps optimize your blog and protect your site.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited customization : Fewer design options

• Not as scalable : May not be ideal for large or complex blogs.

• Difficult to migrate : Moving to another platform is not straightforward.

Additional info:

• Weebly provides free hosting, so you don’t need an external provider.

• Features include membership options, contact forms, and analytics.

• SEO tools are available, but not as advanced as WordPress.

Weebly pricing breakdown :

14.LinkedIn – Best for professional blogging

Why it’s great:

• Access to a professional audience: Since LinkedIn is mainly used by professionals, it’s perfect for B2B content and networking.

• Built-in analytics: You can see who’s reading your content, their industry, and job title. This gives you great insights into how your articles are performing.

• SEO benefits: LinkedIn articles are indexed by search engines, which helps increase the visibility of your content.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited customization: The platform offers basic formatting options, which may not be enough if you need advanced design features.

• Dependency on platform policies: Your content is subject to LinkedIn's terms of service, which could change over time.

• Less control over audience: Unlike personal blogs where you can manage your subscriber list, LinkedIn controls how your content is distributed.

Additional info:

• Monetization: LinkedIn doesn’t offer direct monetization for articles. However, it can drive traffic to your website or services.

• Engagement: Features like comments and shares help foster interaction and community-building.

• Integration with personal blogs: Many professionals repurpose content from their blogs to LinkedIn to reach a broader audience.

Premium Plans:

15. Feather.so – Perfect for notion users

Pricing details:

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Direct Notion Integration : No need to switch tools; publish straight from Notion.

• No Distractions : A minimal and clean interface, so you can focus on writing.

• Built-in SEO Features : Helps your content rank on search engines.

• Custom Domains & Analytics : Track performance and brand your blog.

• Email Collection & Newsletters : Grow your audience directly from your blog.

Why It might not be for you:

• Almost No Customization : You won’t get much flexibility in design or layout.

• A Bit Pricey : At $39/month (or more), it’s more expensive than some self-hosted options like WordPress.

Summary :

Final thoughts