12 Best Blogging Platforms in 2025 – 6 Are Free

Great content won’t shine if your blogging platform keeps it in the dark. The web is full of “easy-to-use” blog builders, each promising quick setup, sleek templates, and painless monetization. But choose the wrong one and you’re stuck wrestling with clunky editors, hidden paywalls, or cookie-cutter designs that bury your voice.

Some platforms lock essentials behind pricey tiers, while others come with a steep learning curve and outdated themes. Finding a builder that truly balances beginner-friendly setup with room to scale can feel like its own full-time job.

To help you make the right choice, I tested the leading blogging platforms head-to-head. Wix came out on top. It combines an intuitive drag-and-drop editor with 115+ blog-ready templates, robust SEO guidance, and built-in marketing features, all available on the free plan. It also scales smoothly when you’re ready for advanced customizations or monetization.

Try Wix for free, or keep reading to learn more about my other top picks.

What We Look For in the Best Blogging Platforms

Blogs have specific needs, so I judged website builders and platforms based on how well they provided a combination of the following things:

• Customization. The ability to customize your blog’s design and layout is crucial for making a lasting impression. The website builders on my list vary in customization flexibility, but they all let you create a unique-looking blog.
• Ease of use. The builders on this list are beginner-friendly, and many have AI tools that make it easier to produce blog content. They also have fully featured templates, which save time by including essential elements such as opt-in forms and commenting features to increase engagement.
• Blog promotion. My picks offer SEO and marketing tools. This way, your blog can be discovered on search engines and social media, and you can turn visitors into loyal readers.
• Monetization tools. The builders on my list offer various ways to earn money with a blog, including exclusive subscriptions to premium posts or newsletters, donations, and ad revenue.
• Value for money. It’s not just about being cheap – I chose blogging platforms that offer essential features like design flexibility, SEO tools, and analytics on their lower-tiered plans. Additionally, these platforms make it easy to scale without incurring massive cost increases.

1. Wix: The Most Customizable Blogging Platform

Wix offers over 115 templates specifically designed for blogging, plus hundreds of others that can easily incorporate a blog with a free Wix Blog app. You get tools for everything from post scheduling to member management. If you need more functionality, you can explore the Wix App Market. You’ll find over 800 free and paid apps for galleries, SEO, marketing, and other features to enhance your content.

Wix strikes the perfect balance between customization and ease of use. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you customize every element to the tiniest detail. Despite the wealth of features, Wix’s interface is pretty easy to navigate. One downside, however, is that once you choose a template, you can’t switch without rebuilding your blog, so be sure to pick a design you like.

Wix’s free plan gives you access to nearly every feature. That said, it only includes 500 MB of storage, which can fill up quickly with images. Upgrading to the Light plan provides access to additional storage for images, 30 minutes of video, and basic marketing tools, making it a great place to start.

Features

• Marketing tools. You can add forms to capture leads, send out newsletters that incorporate your blog posts, build landing pages to drive subscriptions, customize how pages look when shared on social media, and much more.
• Easy SEO. Wix’s SEO Setup checklist creates a custom plan to help you optimize your site, based on your target keywords. You can also use Wix SEO Assistant for your Wix Blog post pages and get tips on keyword usage, meta descriptions, alt-text for images, and more.
• Member’s Area. When you start your blog, you can choose to add a Member’s Area. This allows site visitors to create logins and public profiles and comment on blog posts. It’s a great way to foster a sense of community around your writing.
• Post on the go. There’s never enough time to write. But Wix’s mobile app solves that issue by letting you write and edit posts while you’re away from your computer.

Read our expert Wix review for more details.

2. Squarespace: The Most Stylish Blog Templates

Squarespace has over 50 templates with blogs already built in. These templates are sleek and modern, so they’re best for blogs with a more polished, professional vibe (as opposed to “quirky” or “fun” blogs).

You can also have Squarespace Blueprint AI generate a custom blog for you based on your input, complete with on-brand images. You can tweak the design as much as you like using Squarespace’s Fluid Engine editor. It’s incredibly easy to use, and it lets you modify layouts by adding content blocks.

You can also use Squarespace’s free marketing tools to promote your blog. For instance, with the Unfold app, you can create eye-catching Instagram posts about your content, using prebuilt templates and custom graphics.

Squarespace doesn’t have a free plan, but you get loads of features on lower-tiered subscriptions. Even the most affordable plan offers unlimited storage for images, SEO tools, and the ability to collect an unlimited number of email subscribers. You can use Squarespace’s 14-day free trial to test the platform risk-free.

Features

• Integrate with other platforms. Squarespace’s integration with Tumblr lets you cross-post blog posts. Squarespace also lets you add your blog as a branded news channel on Apple News.
• Paywall content. On all plans, you can sell content and memberships, including blogs, videos, and online courses. Note that Squarespace charges a 9% fee on these sales, but you can cut costs by integrating the Digital Products add-on to your site.
• SEO suite. There’s an SEO checklist and SEO settings for individual pages, which help you accomplish the basics. Squarespace also integrates with Google Search Console, which lets you do keyword research to beat the competition.
• Link in Bio. This free tool allows you to create a one-page website that links to your blog, socials, videos, and more, allowing you to share all your content with a single URL.

Learn more from our full review of Squarespace.

3. WordPress.com: The Best Blog Content Management System

WordPress is an enormously popular website management platform, but it has two flavors. WordPress.com (not .org) is what I’m talking about here. With over 40% of all websites running on WordPress, this platform has become the go-to choice for professional bloggers and publishers.

WordPress’s success lies in its unparalleled customization options, though there is a learning curve. Its editor is more complex than drag-and-drop editors, and it takes time to master all the features. Still, you get powerful content management tools. For instance, you can schedule posts for publication, add collaborators, and export or import content from other platforms, such as Blogger or Medium.

WordPress’s free plan is a good way to test the platform. If you like it, I recommend upgrading to the Premium plan – it provides access to premium themes, additional storage, and the ability to monetize your blog through ads and subscriptions. Then, as your blog grows, you can upgrade to the Business plan to take advantage of plugins and attract a wider audience.

Features

• Block editor. WordPress.com’s editor allows you to add a wide range of content blocks, including text, media, and social icons. You can even transform one block type into another – for example, a paragraph block into a list or a quote block.
• Newsletter and RSS support. All WordPress.com plans come with the ability to create and send newsletters. And because all WordPress.com sites have an RSS feed built in, your blog visitors can easily use it to keep up to date with your posts.
• Plugins. The highest pricing tiers get access to the WordPress plugin market, which has over 50,000 extensions. There’s a plugin for everything, from booking tools for travel blogs to automatic spam removers.
• Jetpack AI. This AI tool is integrated into the editor, helping you enhance and optimize your content for SEO. For instance, you can have AI generate titles and featured images for your posts, as well as summarize, translate, and change the tone of your text.

To learn more, check out our in-depth review of WordPress.com.

4. Hostinger Website Builder: Best AI Tools to Launch Your Blog Quickly

Hostinger Website Builder offers a pretty solid balance between ease of use and customization. And while it has just a few blog templates, they’re pretty well-crafted. Your readers will appreciate how quickly your blog loads on any device, thanks to Hostinger’s optimized infrastructure.

Hostinger has an impressive set of AI features to enhance your blog’s design, content, and SEO. In addition to the AI website builder, you also get tools such as an AI writer, an AI image generator, and an AI logo maker. My favorite is the AI Heatmap tool – it lets you see which areas of your site visitors tend to focus on, so you can adjust your site’s layout accordingly.

Hostinger has limited integrations, but you’ll get all the essential blogging features at a lower price point than most competitors. The most expensive, Business Website Builder plan is still relatively cheap, while offering advanced AI features and e-commerce tools. Hostinger doesn’t have a free plan, but you can test the builder risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Features

• Speed performance. Your blog loads in milliseconds, keeping readers engaged and improving your search engine rankings.
• Online store. If you plan to offer products or services, Hostinger lets you sell up to 600 products and schedule client appointments. It also doesn’t charge additional transaction fees, which can save you a lot of money down the line, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Mobile editor. Hostinger lets you create and edit your blog on your phone, so you can easily update your content on the go. You get access to nearly every feature available on the desktop version, including AI tools and analytics.
• Google Ads app. Thanks to this tool, you can set up a marketing campaign directly in Hostinger’s editor. This enables your blog to appear across Google, including Search, Gmail, and YouTube, thereby driving more traffic to your site.

Check out our trusted Hostinger review for all the details.

5. IONOS: Best for Bloggers on a Budget

IONOS doesn’t offer any templates with a built-in blog, but like other builders on my list, you can easily add a blog after choosing your template. You can select from prebuilt sections to create your layout. Also, if you don’t have visual assets at hand, you can choose from 17,000 stock images to enhance your blog’s design.

What sets IONOS apart is its built-in business tools. For instance, there is an integrated booking tool, which is a handy feature if you offer services. Additionally, with all plans, you receive a professional email address that matches your domain and promotes your brand.

While the customization options are basic, the AI tools make up for it by helping you generate content quickly. Starting at just $1.00/month, you get access to AI writing assistance, image generation, and competitor tracking – features that usually cost much more on other platforms.

Features

• SEO Text Generator. Aside from a regular text generator, IONOS’s Plus and Pro plans let you use AI to generate page titles and descriptions for search engines. SEO is essential but time-consuming, so this can be a handy feature.
• Competitor tracking. In addition to the standard SEO tools, all plans have access to instant alerts about competitors’ Google rankings and social media activity.
• Generous storage. The entry-level plan offers 10GB of storage space, significantly more than other builders provide on their introductory plans. You’ll be able to grow your blog without needing to upgrade.
• Online store tools. You can add an online store builder to any paid plan, which includes the ability to sell digital products. As a bonus, you can integrate your store with Instagram and Facebook to sell your writing to a larger audience.

Read our review of IONOS to learn more.

6. SITE123: Best Blogging Platform for Beginners

SITE123 has 7 templates for blogging, but you can easily add a blog to any of its other templates with just a few extra steps. While you won’t have advanced customization options, you can set up your blog in minutes. Using a straightforward point-and-click editor, you can add prebuilt sections to your page, such as image galleries and a contact form.

Speaking of forms, SITE123 features a built-in form builder that makes it easy to connect with your readers and collect the information you need. For instance, you can change the text of the “Send” button and add custom fields, such as checkboxes and file uploads. Additionally, you can set up auto-reply emails and a thank-you message to be sent after submissions.

SITE123’s free plan includes most essential features, but it has only 250 MB of storage space and doesn’t provide access to all design options. Upgrading to the affordable Premium plan is worth considering – you’ll gain access to e-commerce tools and the ability to connect your own domain.

Features

• Comment systems. Like other builders on this list, SITE123 has a built-in commenting feature for blog posts. However, it also lets you integrate Facebook and Disqus comments on your blog, making it easier for visitors to start discussions on your posts.
• Multilingual sites. If you have a premium account, you can get your blog’s text automatically translated into different languages, which is great for appealing to a broader audience. Additionally, translated pages have unique URLs, which enhances your SEO.
• Free SEO tools. SITE123 gives you all the tools you need to optimize your pages for search engines, as well as tips on how to do it right. You can also use Google Search Console within the SITE123 editor to analyze your blog’s traffic.
• App market. SITE123’s App Market features approximately 100 apps that can add a lot of functionality. For example, you can install Donately to accept donations from readers.

Get the full scoop with our expert SITE123 review.

Other Notable Blogging Platforms

If the options above don’t seem like a great fit for you, rest easy. I’ve included a few more builders below for you to check out.

7. Webador

While SITE123 is almost as easy as it gets, Webador is even simpler, making it a solid option for beginners. You can drag-and-drop elements onto your page, which will automatically fit into a grid pattern. The platform keeps everything straightforward, from blog post creation to basic customization. Its built-in features let you categorize posts, add reader comments, and even include rating systems for engagement.

The catch? The entry-level paid plan still has Webador branding and lacks some other features that might be useful for blogs, such as a search bar.

8. Shopify

Because it’s, first and foremost, a robust e-commerce solution, Shopify is best if you want to use a blog to drive traffic to an online store. It has a pretty impressive collection of themes, including a blog. The blog editor is decent and on par with some of the more straightforward builders on my list, so you can manage and publish content effectively.

However, while Shopify can do well at bridging content and commerce, its pricing is higher than most website builders. Plus, most of its themes come at an additional cost. So if e-commerce is not your main priority, Shopify likely isn’t a good fit. You’d be paying for advanced features you don’t need.

9. BigCommerce

Think of BigCommerce as your specialized tool when you’re serious about mixing blog content with selling products. Your blog posts can pull real-time product info, prices, and inventory – pretty handy when writing about items in your store.

The downside? BigCommerce has a pretty complicated user interface. And at $29.00 per month to start, it’s not exactly cheap. Unless you plan to sell products alongside your blog content, you’ll probably find better value with a platform that focuses just on blogging.

10. Web.com

If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to start blogging, Web.com might catch your eye. The blog templates practically build themselves – just pick your industry, and the AI design helper suggests layouts for your content. Adding new posts is straightforward, and you can easily connect your social media accounts.

Here’s the catch, though – while you’ll pay just $4.99 per month for your first year, that price triples after your first year ends. Plus, you might miss some handy features other platforms offer, like scheduling posts ahead of time or letting multiple people manage your blog.

11. Weebly

If you love mixing different types of media in your blog – Weebly makes it surprisingly simple. Your readers can subscribe to specific topics they’re interested in, and you’ll see exactly which posts they love most through the built-in stats app. Adding a podcast to your blog posts takes just a few clicks, and all your content stays neatly organized in searchable archives.

But here’s where things get tricky: since Square bought Weebly in 2018, the platform’s blog features haven’t seen many updates. While you can still do all the basics, don’t expect cutting-edge blogging tools.

12. Blogger (by Google)

If you’re just starting out and want a completely free blogging platform, Blogger has your back. Since it’s part of the Google family, you’ll get automatic integration with other Google tools – think Analytics for tracking visitors, AdSense for making money from ads, and even custom domain support through Google Domains. The platform keeps things refreshingly simple: you can start writing posts within minutes of signing up with your Google account.

The trade-off comes in design flexibility. You’re limited to a few basic templates that feel a bit dated compared to modern blogging platforms. While you can tweak colors and layouts somewhat, you won’t be able to create a truly unique look for your blog.

Should I Use a Dedicated Blogging Platform?

In addition to the builders I’ve listed above, there are some platforms dedicated to blogging. These range from specialized website builders to social networking writing platforms. Below, I’ll explain how they compare to standard builders.

Ghost

Ghost is a website builder that focuses solely on writers. It provides advanced tools, though some of its offerings are more complex than what most bloggers need. Ghost has some great templates, but only a few are free. Plus, each plan limits the number of followers your blog/newsletter can have – a constraint most website builders don’t have.

Substack

Substack is a newsletter and blog subscription platform that many high-profile writers have adopted as their own. It’s free to use and makes it easy to charge for exclusive posts or newsletters. However, customization is very limited. And if you monetize your blog, Substack takes a hefty 10% of your subscription revenue, in addition to the roughly 3% that its payment processor (Stripe) takes.

Medium

Like Substack, Medium offers the advantage of a large community of readers and writers, making it easier for your work to be discovered. But this vast community comes at a cost. Unlike Substack, where readers directly pay writers, readers subscribe to Medium, and Medium then allocates money to high-performing writers. This means you’ll only get paid if your content meets high engagement requirements.

3 Tips To Start Blogging Now

Knowing where to start when you’re new to blogging can be challenging. Here are my top tips to get you going in the right direction:

1. Pick the Right Platform for Your Goals

Don’t just go for the most popular option. Choose a platform based on what matters most to you – whether that’s design flexibility (try Wix), complete control (WordPress), or a polished look (Squarespace).

2. Start With a Free Plan

Six of the twelve platforms I ranked here offer free plans to get you started. You can use the free version to learn the platform’s features and create content before investing in a paid plan – you have nothing to lose.

3. Focus on Content First, Design Second

While a beautiful blog is nice, your content matters more. Start writing and publishing regularly. You can always improve your blog’s design later when you have an audience and better understand your needs.

This simple approach helps you avoid getting stuck in the planning phase. Your blog doesn’t need to be perfect from day one – it just needs to exist and grow with you.

Monetization Opportunities

So, you’ve got your blog up and running. Now, how do you turn all that hard work into income? Whether you’re just starting out or already have a loyal audience, there are plenty of ways to make money from your blog. Here are three tried-and-true methods to get you started:

Advertising Revenue

Place ads on your blog through platforms like Google AdSense. Once your blog gets steady traffic (typically 10,000+ monthly visits), this can create a passive income stream without requiring extra content creation.

Premium Content & Subscriptions

Lock your best content behind a paywall or offer exclusive newsletters to paying subscribers. Platforms like Wix and WordPress make it easy to set up membership areas where readers pay monthly for access to premium posts.

Digital Products

Create and sell products related to your blog’s topic, such as ebooks, online courses, or downloadable templates. Your blog content builds trust and expertise, making your audience more likely to purchase your products.

This simple three-tier approach lets you start with ads while building toward more profitable options as your audience grows.

These Are the Best Blogging Platforms To Achieve Your Writing Goals

There is no shortage of options when it comes to finding a platform that can build and host your blog. To choose one, consider your priorities and how much time you want to spend setting up your blog.

If you want a perfect balance of ease of use and creative freedom, Wix is my top recommendation. It allows you to customize your blog extensively while still being easy to use, making it an excellent way to create a uniquely branded blog.

Alternatively, if you want a sophisticated look for your blog, go with Squarespace. It features striking modern templates and free marketing tools to help you expand your readership.

If you plan to publish a large volume of content regularly, WordPress.com is an excellent option. It offers robust content management tools and loads of plugins to extend your blog’s functionality.

FAQ

What is the best free blogging platform?

Wix stands out among zero-cost options. The free plan gives you access to essential blogging tools, multiple templates, and basic customization features – more than enough to start a professional-looking blog. While you’ll see Wix branding and use a Wix subdomain, you can upgrade anytime when ready for more features.

Which blogging platform is best for beginners?

SITE123 makes starting out simple and stress-free. The straightforward editor eliminates technical hurdles, allowing you to focus on creating content instead of navigating complex settings. Built-in templates handle the design work, while clear instructions guide you through each step of building your blog.

Is WordPress better than Squarespace?

WordPress offers more design options than Squarespace, and it’s less expensive. That said, WordPress charges more for additional storage, while Squarespace includes unlimited storage on all plans. Additionally, Squarespace’s editor is much easier to use, while still allowing for extensive customization.

Better is subjective, but overall, Squarespace could be a worthy investment if you’re looking for a user-friendly blogging platform with solid customization options.

Can I migrate between platforms?

WordPress.com makes it easy to import content from various platforms using its built-in tools or plugins (available on higher-tiered plans). There is also a built-in export tool available on all plans, allowing you to export your posts, pages, and media. On paid plans, you get tools to export your whole site.

Can I sell products through my blog?

Blogging platforms like Hostinger and IONOS allow you to add an online store to your blog at a low cost. Although more expensive, Squarespace offers a broader range of selling tools, giving you more options to monetize your site.

Which blogging platform is best for making money?

WordPress.com offers the most monetization options. Its integrated tools let you accept payments, create membership sites, run ads, and sell digital products from one dashboard. The platform also connects seamlessly with major e-commerce plugins when you’re ready to expand your revenue streams.