The platform you choose decides how your blog looks, what you can do with it and how easy it will be to grow and earn from it later. The good news: there are only a handful of serious options, and for most people the choice is simpler than it seems.
The quick answer
- Want full control and the option to earn money? Self-hosted WordPress.
- Want WordPress without managing hosting? WordPress.com (paid plan).
- Want a free hobby blog with zero setup? Blogger.
- Mainly writing a newsletter? Substack or Ghost.
- Need a beautiful business site with a small blog? Squarespace or Wix.
Comparison table
| Platform | Cost | Ease | Control | Monetization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org (self-hosted) | Hosting + domain | Medium | Full | Anything you want |
| WordPress.com | Free to paid plans | Easy | Depends on plan | Limited on lower plans |
| Blogger | Free | Very easy | Low | AdSense supported |
| Medium | Free to write | Very easy | Very low | Partner program only |
| Substack | Free (takes a cut of paid subscriptions) | Very easy | Low | Paid newsletters |
| Ghost | Paid hosting or self-host | Easy | High | Memberships |
| Squarespace / Wix | Monthly plans | Easy | Medium | Possible but less flexible |
Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org)
WordPress powers a huge share of all websites, and it’s the default choice for serious bloggers. The software is free; you pay for a domain and hosting.
Pros: total control over design and features, thousands of themes and plugins, you own everything, any type of monetization, easy to move between hosts.
Cons: you handle updates, backups and security (most hosts help), and there’s a learning curve.
Start with our WordPress guide for bloggers.
WordPress.com
A hosted service run by Automattic, using the same WordPress software. Hosting, security and updates are handled for you.
Pros: easy, reliable, no technical maintenance. Cons: the free plan shows ads and uses a subdomain; plugins and custom themes require higher plans.
Blogger
Google’s free blogging platform has been around since 1999. It’s simple and free, including a custom domain.
Pros: completely free, fast setup, easy AdSense connection. Cons: limited, dated designs; few features; Google could change or retire it.
Medium
A publishing platform with a built-in audience. You write; Medium handles everything else.
Pros: clean writing experience, potential readers from day one. Cons: you don’t own the platform, limited branding, and income depends on Medium’s program.
Substack
A newsletter platform with a blog-like archive. Ideal if email is your main channel.
Pros: free to start, simple paid subscriptions, your list is exportable. Cons: limited design and SEO control, and they take a percentage of paid subscriptions.
Ghost
A modern, fast publishing platform built for blogs and memberships.
Pros: beautiful, fast, built-in newsletters and memberships. Cons: smaller ecosystem than WordPress; hosted plans cost more than basic WordPress hosting.
Squarespace and Wix
Website builders with drag-and-drop design and a blog feature.
Pros: gorgeous templates, everything in one place. Cons: blogging features are basic compared with WordPress, and moving away later is harder.
How to choose: 4 questions
- Do you want to earn money from the blog? If yes, choose a platform you control, ideally WordPress.
- How much tech do you want to handle? None: WordPress.com, Squarespace or Blogger. Some: self-hosted WordPress.
- Is email more important than your website? Consider Substack or Ghost.
- What’s your budget? Zero: Blogger or a free plan. Small: self-hosted WordPress.
FAQs
What’s the best free blogging platform?
Blogger is the most complete fully free option. WordPress.com’s free plan is also good for practice. See our detailed look at free blogging sites.
Can I switch platforms later?
Yes, though it takes some work. Moving to WordPress is common and well supported; moving away from website builders can be harder.
Which platform is best for SEO?
Any platform can rank, but self-hosted WordPress gives you the most control over technical SEO. Content quality matters far more than the platform. Learn more in SEO and blogging.