19 Best Blogging Platforms in 2025 (Paid + Free)

The rise of blogging as a career and a passion has brought about the need to choose the right blogging platform. There are many blogging platforms available in 2025, both free and paid, which can be an option. But, depending upon your goals, you can always pick and choose what can work better for your needs. Whether you’re a beginner stepping into the blogging world or a seasoned professional looking to expand your reach, the platform you select can heavily impact your success. With so many options available, finding the best blogging platform to suit your needs can be confusing.

Having spent years exploring various blogging platform examples and testing their features, I have gathered insights into what makes each platform unique. In this guide, I will share my experiences and thoughts on the 19 best blogging platforms in 2025, with tips for beginners and professional bloggers.

Contents

Best Blogging Platforms in 2025

Here’s an in-depth look at 19 blogging platforms, including their strengths, limitations, and why they might be a good fit for you.

WordPress.org (Free, but hosting costs extra)

WordPress.org remains the gold standard for bloggers in 2025. Known for its unmatched flexibility, it allows you to create any type of website, from personal blogs to e-commerce stores. The abundance of plugins and themes ensures that customization is never an issue.

When I first used WordPress.org, I was amazed by how it catered to both beginners and advanced users. Setting up was straightforward, and scaling my blog was seamless, thanks to its robust tools and community support.

Pros

  1. Full Control and Customization:
    • With WordPress.org, you have complete control over your website. You can choose your hosting provider, install any plugins, and customize the design and functionality of your site.
    • You can modify the source code to fit your needs, which provides the ultimate flexibility.
  2. Wide Range of Themes and Plugins:
    • WordPress.org offers thousands of themes and plugins to choose from, allowing you to easily enhance the design and functionality of your blog. This makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
    • Many of these themes and plugins are free, and the premium ones offer even more advanced features.
  3. SEO-Friendly:
    • WordPress.org is highly optimized for search engines with built-in tools and plugins (like Yoast SEO) that help you improve your blog’s SEO.
    • You have full control over SEO settings, like metadata, keywords, permalinks, and URL structures.
  4. Scalability:
    • WordPress.org allows you to scale your blog as it grows, whether you’re just starting with a simple blog or planning to build a large-scale website with e-commerce or membership features.
  5. Ownership of Content and Data:
    • Since you host your website on your own server, you have full ownership of your content and data, unlike other platforms (such as WordPress.com) where you are subject to their terms and conditions.
  6. Strong Community and Support:
    • WordPress.org has a large community of users and developers who can provide support through forums, tutorials, and resources.
    • You can find many free resources to help troubleshoot issues or learn how to improve your site.
  7. Monetization Flexibility:
    • WordPress.org allows you to fully monetize your blog with ads, affiliate marketing, or selling products and services.
    • There are no restrictions on displaying ads, unlike some hosted platforms that may limit or prevent ads on your site.

Cons

  1. Requires Hosting and Domain:
    • WordPress.org isn’t a hosted solution, meaning you need to find and pay for a hosting provider and register a domain name.
    • This may be overwhelming for beginners, and the costs can add up when you factor in hosting, domain registration, SSL certificates, and potential theme or plugin purchases.
  2. Steeper Learning Curve:
    • While WordPress.org is user-friendly, it can be difficult for beginners to fully grasp the platform. Customizing your blog beyond the basics may require technical knowledge, particularly when dealing with themes, plugins, or troubleshooting issues.
    • You might need some understanding of HTML, CSS, and PHP to fully customize your blog.
  3. Maintenance Responsibilities:
    • With WordPress.org, you are responsible for updating your plugins, themes, and WordPress version. Failure to do so can lead to security vulnerabilities or site performance issues.
    • You also need to regularly back up your website and ensure it remains secure from potential hacking attempts.
  4. Security Risks:
    • Being self-hosted means you are responsible for securing your site. WordPress.org sites can be vulnerable to attacks if not properly secured with strong passwords, regular updates, and security plugins.
    • You may need to invest in additional security measures such as firewalls, malware scanners, or backup services.
  5. Ongoing Costs:
    • While the WordPress software itself is free, you will incur ongoing costs for hosting, premium themes, plugins, and other tools to enhance your blog’s functionality.
    • These costs can increase as your site grows, especially if you opt for managed hosting or advanced functionality.
  6. Performance Management:
    • As your blog grows, you will need to optimize your site’s performance. This includes handling large traffic loads, optimizing images, and using caching plugins.
    • Poor performance or slow load times can affect user experience and SEO rankings, so monitoring and optimizing your site’s performance can be time-consuming.

Wix (Free plan available, premium for advanced features)

Wix is a drag-and-drop platform ideal for beginners. It offers a visually intuitive interface, making website building accessible to those without coding skills. With numerous templates and built-in SEO tools, it’s a popular choice among blogging sites for beginners.

While experimenting with Wix, I found its flexibility limited compared to WordPress. However, for a visually appealing blog without much technical hassle, it’s perfect.

Pros

  1. Ease of Use:
    • Wix is designed with beginners in mind. Its drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create a website without any technical skills. Users can simply choose a template and modify it by adding text, images, and other elements.
    • The intuitive interface is ideal for users who are not familiar with coding or web design.
  2. Design Flexibility and Templates:
    • Wix offers hundreds of professionally designed templates tailored to different industries, such as blogs, e-commerce, portfolios, and more.
    • Users can fully customize the templates by dragging and dropping elements, changing fonts, colors, and more, making it easy to create a unique look for your site.
  3. Mobile Optimization:
    • Wix automatically creates a mobile-friendly version of your site. The platform also allows you to customize the mobile version separately to ensure it looks great on smartphones and tablets.
    • This is especially important as mobile traffic continues to rise.
  4. All-in-One Solution:
    • Wix provides everything you need to create and manage your website, including hosting, domain registration, and SSL certificates.
    • You can also integrate various features such as email marketing, social media tools, and booking systems without needing third-party integrations.
  5. App Market:
    • Wix has a large app market with both free and paid apps to extend the functionality of your site. This includes apps for social media feeds, contact forms, analytics, e-commerce, and much more.
    • You can easily install and integrate these apps to add extra features without coding.
  6. SEO Tools:
    • Wix has built-in SEO tools to help you optimize your website for search engines. These include customizable meta tags, alt text for images, URL structures, and more.
    • The Wix SEO Wiz tool provides a step-by-step guide to improve your site’s SEO performance, making it easier for beginners to rank higher on search engines.
  7. Customer Support:
    • Wix offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and a detailed help center.
    • There are also video tutorials and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and issues.

Cons

  1. Limited Customization for Advanced Users:
    • While Wix offers a lot of customization options, it can be restrictive for users who want to create highly customized sites or have advanced coding skills.
    • You can’t access the backend code easily, which limits your ability to add custom functionality beyond what Wix allows. For more technical users, this can feel like a limitation.
  2. Wix Branding on Free Plan:
    • If you use Wix’s free plan, your website will display Wix ads and the URL will include “wixsite.com” in the domain name (e.g., yoursite.wixsite.com).
    • This can look unprofessional, especially for businesses or serious blogs. To remove ads and use a custom domain, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
  3. Limited Scalability:
    • Wix is great for small websites or personal projects, but it may not be the best choice for large, complex sites that require more advanced functionality.
    • If your website grows significantly or requires more advanced features, you may find Wix limiting, especially if you need more control over the back-end or advanced e-commerce features.
  4. Price:
    • Wix offers a variety of paid plans, but the cost can quickly add up, especially when you factor in premium features such as a custom domain, additional storage, and advanced apps.
    • While the entry-level plans are affordable, businesses and those with more advanced needs may have to opt for pricier plans, which might not be as cost-effective as other platforms.
  5. Less Flexibility in Switching Templates:
    • Once you choose a template in Wix, you cannot change it without rebuilding your site. This is a drawback compared to other website builders like WordPress, where you can switch themes without losing content.
    • If you want to change your site’s design after it’s been set up, you may need to start over or make significant adjustments.
  6. Speed and Performance:
    • Wix websites can sometimes suffer from slower load times, especially if they contain a lot of images, apps, or elements. This can negatively affect the user experience and SEO.
    • While Wix has improved performance over the years, it may still not be as fast as websites built on platforms like WordPress, especially when optimized for speed.
  7. E-Commerce Limitations:
    • Wix provides basic e-commerce functionality, but it lacks some of the advanced features available on dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce.
    • If you’re planning to run a large online store, Wix may not provide all the tools you need for inventory management, shipping options, or scalability.

Blogger (Completely free)

Owned by Google, Blogger is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms. It provides a straightforward way to start blogging without worrying about hosting or maintenance.

Using Blogger felt nostalgic—it was my starting point in the blogging world. While its features are basic, it’s reliable and ideal for hobbyists or first-time bloggers.

Pros

  1. Free and Easy to Use:
    • Blogger.com is completely free to use. It offers free hosting, and you can start blogging without any upfront costs.
    • The platform is beginner-friendly, with a straightforward setup process. No technical expertise is required to create and manage a blog.
  2. Google Integration:
    • Since Blogger is owned by Google, it integrates seamlessly with other Google services, such as Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and Google Search Console.
    • The ability to use your Google account for login and easily link to services like Google Drive and Gmail adds convenience for users.
  3. Custom Domain Support:
    • Blogger allows users to link their blog to a custom domain (e.g., yourblog.com), enhancing the professionalism and credibility of the site.
    • While hosting is free, purchasing a domain for a more personalized URL is optional but relatively inexpensive.
  4. Reliable Hosting:
    • Blogger.com offers free hosting for your blog, backed by Google’s infrastructure, which ensures uptime and reliability.
    • Google’s servers are known for their stability and performance, so you don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of hosting or server maintenance.
  5. Monetization:
    • Blogger allows you to easily integrate Google AdSense for monetizing your blog through ads. This is especially appealing for bloggers who want to earn money from their content.
    • You can also use affiliate links, sponsored posts, and other monetization strategies without restrictions.
  6. Simple Design Customization:
    • Blogger offers several templates and themes, making it easy to personalize the look of your blog. The drag-and-drop interface allows for basic customizations without needing coding skills.
    • Advanced users can also tweak the HTML and CSS of the templates for more customized designs.
  7. No Need for Maintenance:
    • Blogger takes care of all technical maintenance, such as updates, security patches, and backups. This is ideal for users who don’t want to deal with the technical side of blogging.

Cons

  1. Limited Customization and Features:
    • While Blogger offers some customization options, it is more limited compared to platforms like WordPress or Wix. The templates and design options can feel outdated and less flexible.
    • If you want more advanced features or deeper customization, you may find Blogger restrictive compared to more robust platforms.
  2. Lack of Professional Support:
    • Blogger does not provide dedicated customer support. Although there are community forums and resources available, you may not get the same level of assistance that paid platforms offer.
    • This can be frustrating if you run into technical issues and need immediate help.
  3. Limited Plugins and Extensions:
    • Blogger doesn’t support plugins or extensions the way WordPress does, meaning you can’t add third-party functionality to your blog as easily.
    • This limits the potential to expand your blog’s features (e.g., e-commerce, social sharing, SEO tools) in the way you could with more flexible platforms.
  4. Limited SEO Control:
    • While Blogger provides basic SEO features (such as adding meta tags and alt text), it lacks the depth of SEO customization that you can find in platforms like WordPress.
    • The SEO options are limited, and you may need to rely on external tools to achieve optimal SEO performance.
  5. Monetization Limitations:
    • While Blogger allows integration with Google AdSense, it has strict policies regarding the types of content and ads displayed. Some ad networks may not work as seamlessly on Blogger compared to other platforms like WordPress.
    • Additionally, the lack of e-commerce capabilities can make it difficult for users looking to build a comprehensive online store.
  6. No Built-in Analytics:
    • Blogger has basic statistics for tracking visitors, but it does not offer the detailed insights that come with advanced analytics tools like Google Analytics.
    • For more in-depth data about your audience and site performance, you’ll need to set up and link Google Analytics separately.
  7. Lack of Long-Term Flexibility:
    • Blogger is often seen as a good starting point for beginners but can be limiting as your blog grows. The lack of scalability means that you may eventually outgrow the platform if your blog becomes more complex or professional.
    • The future of Blogger itself is uncertain, as Google has not heavily invested in the platform in recent years. While there’s no immediate indication of its closure, some users worry about the long-term viability of Blogger.

Squarespace (Paid, starting at $16/month)

Squarespace is known for its elegant design templates, catering to creatives and businesses. It’s an all-in-one solution that includes hosting, design, and marketing tools.

I used Squarespace for a photography blog and loved its aesthetics. However, it lacked the flexibility of platforms like WordPress when scaling my content.

Pros

  1. Stunning Design Templates:
    • Squarespace is renowned for its high-quality, professionally designed templates that are aesthetically pleasing and modern. These templates are especially suitable for creatives, photographers, artists, and small businesses who want a visually striking website.
    • The templates are fully customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand or personal style.
  2. All-in-One Platform:
    • Squarespace provides everything you need in one platform: website builder, hosting, domain registration, e-commerce capabilities, and even email marketing tools.
    • You don’t need to worry about finding third-party services for hosting or domain management—everything is handled within Squarespace.
  3. User-Friendly Interface:
    • Squarespace is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which allows users to create and edit websites with ease. You don’t need coding skills to build a functional, professional-looking website.
    • The platform also offers a live preview feature, enabling you to see changes in real time as you edit your site.
  4. Built-in E-commerce Features:
    • Squarespace provides a robust e-commerce platform, allowing you to set up an online store with ease. You can sell physical products, digital goods, or services, and the platform includes features like inventory management, order processing, and secure payment options.
    • It also supports integration with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe, making it easy to accept payments.
  5. Mobile-Responsive Designs:
    • Squarespace templates are automatically mobile-responsive, meaning your website will look great on smartphones and tablets without any extra effort.
    • You can also customize the mobile version of your website separately to ensure the best user experience across devices.
  6. SEO-Friendly:
    • Squarespace provides several built-in SEO features to help your site rank better on search engines. These include customizable meta tags, clean URL structures, automatic sitemaps, and integration with Google Search Console.
    • It also includes SEO tools for optimizing images, which is crucial for improving loading speeds and search engine ranking.
  7. 24/7 Customer Support:
    • Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, along with an extensive help center, tutorials, and video guides.
    • The customer support team is generally well-reviewed for its responsiveness and helpfulness.
  8. Security and Reliability:
    • Squarespace includes SSL certificates for every website hosted on the platform, ensuring that your site is secure and trusted by visitors. It also provides automatic backups and ensures high uptime for your site.
    • Hosting is handled by Squarespace’s own servers, which are reliable and scalable to handle your website’s traffic needs.

Cons

  1. Limited Customization for Advanced Users:
    • While Squarespace allows for easy design customization, it has limitations compared to more flexible platforms like WordPress.org. You are somewhat restricted in terms of advanced features and deep customization.
    • Developers who want to modify the backend code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) might find Squarespace’s customization options insufficient for more complex or niche projects.
  2. Pricing:
    • Squarespace can be more expensive than some other website builders, especially if you need advanced features like e-commerce or additional storage. Its pricing plans start at a higher rate compared to alternatives like Wix or WordPress.com.
    • To access features like the ability to sell products, you’ll need to choose a higher-tier plan, which may be cost-prohibitive for some users.
  3. Learning Curve for New Users:
    • While Squarespace is generally user-friendly, beginners might find the platform slightly overwhelming at first, especially when it comes to advanced customization or setting up an online store.
    • The range of options and settings might take some time to get used to, even though the platform is more intuitive than some others.
  4. Limited Third-Party Integrations:
    • Squarespace doesn’t support as many third-party integrations or plugins as other platforms like WordPress. This can limit functionality if you need specific features or tools that Squarespace does not offer natively.
    • While it offers integrations with major services (e.g., Google Analytics, social media platforms), it may not have as extensive an app ecosystem as platforms like WordPress or Shopify.
  5. Less Flexibility in Blogging Features:
    • While Squarespace offers a solid blogging platform, it doesn’t offer as many customization or content management options as WordPress. For example, if you want advanced post categories, tagging systems, or content filters, you may find Squarespace lacking.
    • The blogging features are suitable for most basic needs but may not satisfy power bloggers or those seeking advanced functionality.
  6. No Free Plan:
    • Unlike some competitors like Wix or WordPress.com, Squarespace does not offer a free plan. While you can try Squarespace with a 14-day free trial, you must choose a paid plan to publish your site.
    • This may be a drawback for users who want to experiment with a website builder before committing to a paid subscription.
  7. Blogging Limitations for Large Sites:
    • Squarespace’s blogging platform, while easy to use, is less suited for large-scale blogs. It may struggle with performance or features like bulk post imports, advanced scheduling options, and managing a large amount of content.
    • Bloggers with extensive content management needs may find Squarespace’s blogging tools less powerful compared to WordPress or other platforms specifically built for blogging.

Medium (Free for writers, paid membership for readers)

Medium focuses on content over design, making it a haven for writers. It’s ideal for those looking to share thoughts and build an audience through engaging storytelling.

My experience with Medium was unique—I didn’t have to worry about technical aspects. However, its limitations in monetization made it unsuitable for long-term blogging goals.

Pros

  1. Ease of Use:
    • Medium’s interface is incredibly user-friendly, requiring no technical skills or setup. Writers can focus purely on content creation without worrying about design or technical issues like hosting, security, or domain management.
    • The platform provides a distraction-free writing environment, making it easy for users to create and publish articles quickly.
  2. Built-in Audience:
    • Medium has a large, engaged community of readers and writers. Your posts are more likely to get visibility compared to starting a blog from scratch with no audience.
    • By publishing on Medium, your content is automatically accessible to millions of users, which can lead to organic traffic and growth.
  3. Monetization Opportunities:
    • Medium offers a Partner Program that allows writers to earn money based on engagement (claps, reads, and time spent reading). This can be an appealing option for writers who want to monetize their content without relying on ads or external sponsorships.
    • The program provides a passive income stream for those who consistently create high-quality content.
  4. No Hosting or Maintenance Required:
    • Since Medium handles all hosting, security, and technical maintenance, you don’t have to worry about server downtime, updates, or potential technical issues. This saves time and resources for writers who want to focus solely on writing.
    • You don’t need to deal with technical jargon such as SSL certificates, backups, or plugin management.
  5. SEO Benefits:
    • Medium’s domain authority is strong, which means that articles published on the platform have a higher chance of ranking well on search engines, especially for popular topics or niches.
    • The platform is built with SEO in mind, offering clean URLs, automatic sitemaps, and optimized content formats that are likely to perform well on Google.
  6. Community Engagement:
    • Medium allows readers to interact with writers through comments, claps, and sharing. This facilitates engagement and helps build relationships with a community of readers and fellow writers.
    • Writers can engage with other authors and participate in the “publications” feature, which allows them to contribute to curated collections on specific topics.
  7. Cross-Device Accessibility:
    • Medium’s design is responsive, ensuring that your content looks good on both desktop and mobile devices.
    • The platform’s app also makes it easy for writers and readers to access and interact with content on the go.

Cons

  1. Limited Customization:
    • Medium is designed to be simple, but this simplicity comes with limitations in terms of customization. Writers cannot modify the design, layout, or overall branding of their blogs.
    • If you’re looking to create a personalized site with a unique look and feel, Medium may not be the best fit. There’s no option to add a custom domain without relying on external tools.
  2. Dependence on Medium’s Algorithm:
    • The visibility of your content on Medium is heavily influenced by its algorithm, which determines what gets shown to readers. While this can bring exposure, it can also be unpredictable and may limit the reach of your posts.
    • Medium’s algorithm prioritizes certain topics, popular publications, and engagement levels, which means even high-quality content might not get as much visibility if it doesn’t meet the platform’s current trends.
  3. Monetization Limitations:
    • While Medium offers monetization opportunities through the Partner Program, the payout structure can be inconsistent. Payments are based on the engagement from Medium subscribers, and depending on the topic or audience, some posts may not generate significant revenue.
    • Medium does not allow other forms of monetization, such as placing ads or using affiliate marketing, which can be limiting for bloggers who want more diverse income streams.
  4. Lack of Ownership:
    • On Medium, you don’t fully own your content. If the platform ever changes its policies or goes out of business, you could lose access to your posts or your content could be altered without your consent.
    • Unlike self-hosted blogging platforms like WordPress, you don’t have full control over your blog’s data, content, or design.
  5. No Built-in E-Commerce Capabilities:
    • Medium is not designed for e-commerce, so if you want to sell products or services directly from your blog, you’ll need to rely on external tools or platforms.
    • While it can be a great platform for thought leadership, personal branding, and articles, Medium lacks built-in features for online shops, membership sites, or other monetization options beyond the Partner Program.
  6. Competition and Content Saturation:
    • As more writers join Medium, the competition for reader attention has increased. This means that even though you can reach a built-in audience, standing out can be challenging.
    • Popular topics are often saturated with content, and unless your writing is unique or highly engaging, it might be difficult to get noticed.
  7. Limited Analytics:
    • Medium provides basic statistics such as views, reads, and engagement (claps), but the analytics are not as detailed as other platforms like WordPress or personal blogs.
    • Writers looking for in-depth data on their audience, traffic sources, or specific content performance may find Medium’s analytics lacking.
  8. No Full Control Over Your Brand:
    • While Medium provides a professional environment for writers, it doesn’t allow you to fully build and control your brand. Your content is hosted on Medium’s domain, which means you’re always tied to the platform and can’t create a completely branded experience like you could on your own website.

Ghost (Paid, starting at $9/month for personal use)

Ghost is a minimalist platform built for professional bloggers and publishers. Its focus on speed, simplicity, and modern design makes it a favorite for content creators.

When I tried Ghost, its clean interface stood out. It’s a fantastic choice if your priority is content creation over customization.

Pros

  1. Simplicity and Speed:
    • User-Friendly: Ghost is known for its clean, minimalist interface that prioritizes content creation. The platform is easy to use and free from unnecessary clutter, making it ideal for bloggers who want to focus solely on writing.
    • Fast Performance: Ghost is optimized for speed. Unlike some other platforms, it has a lightweight core, which translates into fast load times for your content, leading to better user experience and improved SEO.
  2. Highly Customizable (Self-Hosted):
    • Custom Themes: Ghost allows users to fully customize the look of their website with themes and custom HTML/CSS for self-hosted versions. Developers can modify the platform’s appearance to suit their needs, providing flexibility for users who want to create a unique site.
    • Scalable Architecture: Ghost’s architecture is designed to handle increasing traffic efficiently. It scales well, making it a good choice for growing blogs, especially when self-hosted on reliable servers.
  3. Built-In SEO Features:
    • SEO Optimization: Ghost is built with SEO in mind, offering built-in features such as customizable meta tags, clean URLs, and automatic sitemaps. This makes it easier to rank on search engines without needing additional plugins or tools.
    • Speed Advantage: Ghost’s fast loading times contribute to better SEO performance, as site speed is an important ranking factor.
  4. Content-Centric Focus:
    • Writing Experience: Ghost is designed with content creators in mind, offering a distraction-free writing environment with its simple editor. The platform enables a seamless writing experience, with Markdown support and real-time preview, allowing for clean, well-formatted content.
    • Content Organization: It provides powerful tools to organize content, including categories and tags, to help structure your blog in a way that’s easy for readers to navigate.
  5. Monetization Options:
    • Membership and Subscription Features: Ghost offers built-in membership and subscription features, allowing you to easily create a paid membership site or newsletter. You can offer premium content behind paywalls and directly manage memberships, which is ideal for monetizing a blog or building a community.
    • No Revenue Sharing: Ghost doesn’t take a cut of your subscription fees, which is a big advantage over other platforms like Medium or Patreon, where a portion of your earnings goes to the platform.
  6. Open-Source (Self-Hosted Version):
    • Free to Use: Ghost is open-source, meaning the self-hosted version is free to use. You can host it on your own server or choose a hosting provider.
    • Community and Customization: The open-source nature means that there’s a community of developers constantly improving and creating plugins, themes, and integrations, providing flexibility for those with technical expertise.
  7. Security and Reliability:
    • SSL Encryption: Ghost provides SSL encryption by default, ensuring secure connections for your site, which is crucial for protecting user data and maintaining trust.
    • Automatic Updates (Managed Version): If you use the managed version of Ghost, the platform handles all technical maintenance, including security updates, backups, and scaling.

Cons

  1. Limited Built-in Features (Self-Hosted Version):
    • Requires Technical Knowledge: The self-hosted version of Ghost requires a certain level of technical expertise, including server management, installation, and maintenance. This can be a barrier for non-technical users who may struggle with installation or managing updates and security.
    • Limited Plugin Ecosystem: Unlike WordPress, Ghost has a more limited range of plugins and third-party integrations. You may not find as many customization options or features readily available in the marketplace.
  2. Cost (Managed Version):
    • Pricing: While Ghost is free for self-hosted use, the managed version can be expensive, especially for users who need more advanced features like additional team members, custom domains, or high traffic capabilities.
    • Pricing Plans: The managed plans can become costly if you need features beyond the basic setup, and the pricing may be a deterrent for bloggers or small businesses with tight budgets.
  3. Steep Learning Curve (Self-Hosted):
    • Technical Setup: For those using the self-hosted version, setting up Ghost requires a certain level of technical expertise, including the use of command-line tools, managing server environments, and ensuring proper security measures are in place. This can be overwhelming for beginners or those without prior experience in web development.
  4. Limited E-commerce Capabilities:
    • No Full E-Commerce Functionality: Ghost is not built to support full e-commerce stores. While it offers membership and subscription features, you cannot use it to build a full-featured online store (like WooCommerce or Shopify). This may be a drawback for users who want to combine blogging and e-commerce.
    • Basic Payment Handling: Payment handling is limited to membership and subscription payments, and Ghost lacks advanced e-commerce features like product management, shipping options, or integrated payment gateways.
  5. Small User Community:
    • Smaller Ecosystem: While Ghost has a dedicated and growing user base, it’s not as large or widely known as other platforms like WordPress. This can make it harder to find tutorials, third-party integrations, or community support.
    • Fewer Resources: Compared to larger platforms, there are fewer resources available for troubleshooting or learning how to get the most out of the platform, though the official documentation is quite good.
  6. No Multi-User Support (Self-Hosted):
    • Collaborative Limitations: Ghost’s self-hosted version doesn’t offer as robust multi-user capabilities as some other platforms, making it less suitable for teams with multiple contributors. For larger teams, this could be a significant limitation.
  7. Fewer Template Options:
    • Limited Theme Selection: While Ghost offers customizable themes, the selection is smaller compared to platforms like WordPress. Users who want a wide range of pre-made templates to choose from may find Ghost lacking in this area.
    • Customization Requires Technical Skills: Customizing themes beyond basic edits often requires HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge, which may not be suitable for non-technical users.

Weebly (Free plan available, paid plans starting at $6/month)

Weebly is a user-friendly platform that combines blogging with e-commerce capabilities. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to sell products alongside their content.

As a blogger experimenting with e-commerce, Weebly provided an easy way to integrate both without technical challenges. Weebly is a website builder that also provides blogging functionality, offering an easy-to-use platform for beginners and writers who want to create a blog without needing advanced technical skills. Below are the pros and cons of using Weebly as a blogging platform, especially for beginners and writers:

Pros

  1. User-Friendly Interface:
    • Drag-and-Drop Builder: Weebly offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for beginners to create and customize their blogs without any coding knowledge. The interface is simple and designed for users who want to focus on content creation rather than technical details.
    • Fast Setup: Getting a blog up and running is quick, with a streamlined process for adding new pages, blog posts, and images. The platform guides users through each step, making it ideal for those with no prior website-building experience.
  2. Affordable Pricing:
    • Low-Cost Plans: Weebly offers an affordable pricing structure, with a free plan available that allows users to start blogging without committing to a paid subscription. Even its paid plans are generally cheaper than other platforms like Squarespace or Wix.
    • No Hidden Fees: Unlike some platforms, Weebly’s pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees or extra costs for basic blogging features.
  3. Built-In Blogging Features:
    • Content Management: Weebly has a dedicated blogging interface that makes it easy to create and manage blog posts. Features like scheduling posts, categorizing content, and adding tags help you stay organized.
    • SEO Tools: Weebly offers basic SEO tools that allow you to customize meta titles, descriptions, and URLs for your blog posts, helping your content rank better on search engines.
    • Multimedia Integration: You can easily add images, videos, and other media to your blog posts, enhancing the visual appeal of your content.
  4. Responsive Design:
    • Mobile-Friendly: Weebly’s themes are mobile-responsive, meaning that your blog will look good on smartphones and tablets without requiring any additional adjustments.
    • Ready-Made Templates: There are several professional-looking templates available, designed to be aesthetically pleasing and mobile-optimized from the start.
  5. Hosting and Security Included:
    • Reliable Hosting: Weebly includes hosting in its plans, so you don’t need to worry about finding a separate hosting provider. The platform is known for its reliability and uptime.
    • SSL Security: Weebly provides SSL certificates for secure browsing by default, ensuring that your visitors’ data is safe and your site is trusted by search engines.
  6. E-Commerce Integration:
    • If you decide to sell products or services alongside your blog, Weebly offers basic e-commerce features in its paid plans. This includes the ability to create an online store, manage products, and accept payments.
    • This makes it an excellent choice for writers or bloggers who may want to monetize their content through products, digital downloads, or services.
  7. Customer Support:
    • Weebly provides accessible customer support via email, live chat (on paid plans), and an extensive knowledge base. Beginners can usually find solutions to their problems without much hassle.

Cons

  1. Limited Customization Options:
    • Template Restrictions: Weebly’s templates are not as customizable as some other platforms like WordPress or Ghost. If you want to make significant changes to the design, you may be limited by the platform’s default settings or need to delve into HTML/CSS, which could be tricky for beginners.
    • Less Flexibility: For users who want full control over the design or advanced features, Weebly might feel restrictive. It’s a great choice for simple blogs but might not suit users who need advanced customization options.
  2. Limited Blogging Features:
    • Basic Blogging Tools: While Weebly provides the essentials for blogging, it lacks some advanced blogging features found in platforms like WordPress (e.g., advanced categorization, in-depth tagging, or more flexible content management systems).
    • Lack of Collaboration Features: If you’re working with multiple contributors, Weebly doesn’t provide as robust team collaboration features as other platforms like WordPress or Ghost. Managing multiple writers and editing permissions can be cumbersome.
  3. SEO Limitations:
    • Basic SEO Features: While Weebly provides basic SEO tools, they’re not as advanced as those available on platforms like WordPress. For example, you can’t install plugins like Yoast for more comprehensive on-page SEO management.
    • Limited Control Over Advanced SEO: Users don’t have full control over certain SEO settings, such as advanced redirection, canonical tags, or fine-tuning meta descriptions for individual elements, which might be a downside for more experienced bloggers.
  4. No True Blogging Community:
    • Unlike platforms like Medium, Weebly doesn’t have a built-in community where readers and writers can easily interact. You won’t benefit from social sharing features, follower interactions, or the possibility of your posts being featured in a large network of readers.
    • For writers who value engagement and a built-in audience, Weebly may not provide the level of exposure and interaction offered by other platforms.
  5. Limited Free Plan:
    • While Weebly offers a free plan, it comes with some significant limitations, such as displaying Weebly branding on your site and limiting storage and features. This can make your blog look less professional, and you may quickly feel the need to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced features.
    • Additionally, the free plan doesn’t include a custom domain, meaning your blog’s URL will have a Weebly subdomain (e.g., yourblog.weebly.com).
  6. Lack of Advanced Monetization Features:
    • While basic monetization options like e-commerce are available, Weebly doesn’t offer advanced monetization tools such as membership sites, detailed ad management, or complex affiliate marketing integrations that are possible with platforms like WordPress or Ghost.
    • Bloggers seeking more advanced ways to generate income through their blog might find Weebly’s monetization options limiting.
  7. Slow Customer Support for Free Users:
    • Free plan users are limited to email support, which can sometimes be slower and less responsive than live chat or phone support available to paid plan users. This could be frustrating if you encounter issues and need quick resolution.

Tumblr (Free with optional paid themes)

Tumblr is a microblogging platform best suited for short-form content and multimedia posts. Its social media-like approach makes it ideal for engaging with communities.

Tumblr, once a hugely popular blogging platform, continues to attract a unique user base in 2025, with a community-oriented approach to content creation. While it started as a platform for creative expression, art, and fandom culture, its role has evolved in the era of AI and the changing landscape of digital content. Below are the pros and cons of using Tumblr as a blogging platform in 2025.

Pros

  1. Community Engagement and Social Features:
    • Strong Community Focus: Tumblr remains a highly social platform, with content often going viral through reblogs and interactions. In the era of AI, where content discovery can often be driven by algorithms, Tumblr’s community-driven system still thrives with user engagement and direct interactions, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
    • Fandom Culture: Tumblr has always been a hub for fandoms, allowing users to connect with like-minded individuals. This makes it a great space for writers and creatives who want to share fanfiction, art, or niche content within specific communities.
    • Personalized Content: The platform’s reblogging system allows for personalized content curation, enabling users to tailor their experience. This leads to more organic content discovery rather than relying solely on AI-driven recommendations.
  2. Ease of Use:
    • Simple Interface: Tumblr’s interface is straightforward, and content creation is quick and easy. Users don’t need advanced technical knowledge to set up their blogs or post content. The platform’s layout is simple, making it accessible for beginners and writers who want to focus on sharing their thoughts.
    • Multimedia-Friendly: Tumblr supports a wide range of content formats, including text, images, videos, GIFs, and audio. This makes it an ideal platform for writers and artists who want to share diverse types of media alongside their blog posts.
    • Customizable Themes: Tumblr allows some level of customization through free and paid themes. For creative bloggers, this gives them an opportunity to design a visually appealing blog that matches their personal or brand identity.
  3. Free and No Ads:
    • Free Platform: Tumblr offers a free tier that is ad-free, which makes it an appealing option for casual bloggers and creatives who don’t want to worry about hosting fees or ads cluttering their content.
    • No Forced Monetization: Unlike many platforms that push monetization strategies (like Medium’s Partner Program), Tumblr allows users to create content without being pressured to generate revenue. This is ideal for writers who prioritize content creation and personal expression over financial gain.
  4. Integration with Other Platforms:
    • Cross-Platform Sharing: Tumblr allows for easy sharing of content across other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, enabling writers and creators to reach wider audiences.
    • Collaboration with AI Tools: As AI tools become more integrated into the content creation process, Tumblr’s format is flexible enough to allow AI-generated artwork, writing, and other forms of content to be seamlessly integrated into blog posts, fostering creativity.
  5. Short-Form and Long-Form Flexibility:
    • Flexible Content Creation: Writers can create both short-form and long-form content, whether it’s a quick thought, a photo caption, a poem, or a multi-part essay. This versatility makes Tumblr suitable for both casual writers and those who prefer to publish longer, more detailed posts.

Cons

  1. Limited Monetization Options:
    • Lack of Built-In Monetization: While Tumblr has some indirect ways of monetizing (such as promoting paid services, links, or external content), it does not provide integrated monetization options like Patreon or Medium. Writers and bloggers looking to generate direct income from their work will find Tumblr lacking in this area.
    • No Subscription Model: Unlike platforms such as Ghost or Substack, Tumblr doesn’t offer native subscription models or tools for paid content. Writers who want to monetize through memberships or premium content may need to rely on external platforms.
  2. Algorithm-Driven Discoverability:
    • Limited Search and Discovery: Tumblr’s search and discovery features are less refined compared to other platforms like Medium, WordPress, or even social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. While the reblogging system provides some organic content exposure, it lacks advanced algorithms for content discovery, especially in comparison to the AI-powered recommendations on other platforms.
    • Dependence on Tags: Content visibility on Tumblr is heavily reliant on tags, which means it’s harder to reach a wider audience without effectively using the right tags. The algorithm doesn’t prioritize content based on engagement metrics as much as on other platforms, making growth more dependent on the community.
  3. Lack of Advanced Blogging Features:
    • Basic Blog Management Tools: Compared to more robust blogging platforms like WordPress, Tumblr offers limited blogging management tools. It doesn’t have advanced features like content scheduling, detailed analytics, or post categorization that other platforms offer for more professional or business-oriented bloggers.
    • Limited Control Over SEO: Tumblr offers only basic SEO options (such as custom meta descriptions and titles). For bloggers serious about SEO optimization, Tumblr lacks the depth of control and tools available on more SEO-focused platforms.
  4. Not Ideal for Professional or Business Blogging:
    • Informal Tone: Tumblr is often associated with a more casual and informal style of blogging. For professional bloggers, writers, or businesses looking to establish a brand, it may not provide the polished appearance or tools needed to maintain a professional blog.
    • Niche Audience: While Tumblr has an active and engaged user base, it is more oriented toward creative and fan-based content. If you’re looking to target a broader or more professional audience, Tumblr may not be the best platform.
  5. Security and Ownership Concerns:
    • Platform Dependency: As with many free platforms, there is a risk of Tumblr making changes to its policies, terms of service, or even shutting down (though this is less likely now under ownership by Automattic). You don’t own your blog’s content in the way you would on self-hosted platforms like WordPress, which could be a concern for those worried about long-term control.
    • Data Privacy: Tumblr, like many free platforms, collects data on its users, which could be a concern for privacy-conscious bloggers. With increasing attention on AI and data privacy, some users may feel uncomfortable with how their data is used.
  6. Declining Popularity and Relevance:
    • Less Popular Among New Users: While Tumblr still retains a dedicated fanbase, it’s not as widely used as it once was, especially among newer generations. Many younger users have shifted to platforms like TikTok or Instagram for content creation, leaving Tumblr’s audience smaller and more niche.
    • Reputation and Stigma: Tumblr’s association with fandoms and niche subcultures may lead to a stigma that could deter certain types of bloggers or writers, especially those seeking more mainstream audiences or professional recognition.

HubSpot CMS (Paid, starting at $25/month)

HubSpot CMS combines blogging with marketing tools, making it an excellent choice for businesses. It’s designed to drive traffic and convert readers into customers.

When I worked with HubSpot CMS, its analytics and integration with marketing tools impressed me, though it’s more suited for professionals than hobbyists.

When it comes to HubSpot CMS as a blogging platform, the focus is on content management, inbound marketing, and lead generation, making it a powerful choice for businesses that aim to integrate their website, content, and marketing efforts seamlessly. However, like any platform, it has both advantages and disadvantages for blogging purposes. Below are the pros and cons of using HubSpot CMS as a blogging platform.

Pros of HubSpot CMS as a Blogging Platform

  1. All-in-One Marketing Hub:
    • Integrated with HubSpot’s Suite of Tools: HubSpot CMS integrates directly with HubSpot’s marketing tools, including email campaigns, lead generation forms, and CRM features. This integration makes it easy for bloggers to manage not only their content but also their audience and marketing efforts in one place.
    • Inbound Marketing Focus: HubSpot is built for inbound marketing, meaning that bloggers can not only publish content but also optimize it for lead generation, driving traffic and conversions directly from their blog posts.
  2. Content Personalization:
    • Dynamic Content: HubSpot CMS allows you to create personalized blog content based on a visitor’s behavior, interests, or stage in the buyer’s journey. This can help boost engagement and conversion rates, as users see more relevant content tailored to their needs.
    • Segmentation: The platform allows you to segment your audience based on data, enabling more targeted content creation and promoting relevant blog posts to specific segments.
  3. SEO and Performance Tools:
    • Built-in SEO Features: HubSpot CMS provides on-page SEO tools that help you optimize blog posts for search engines. These include SEO suggestions for blog titles, meta descriptions, keywords, and content structure.
    • Content Performance Analytics: HubSpot includes powerful analytics tools that let you track the performance of your blog posts. Metrics like views, clicks, and conversions help you measure how well your content is performing and adjust your strategy accordingly.
  4. User-Friendly Interface:
    • Easy-to-Use Editor: HubSpot CMS offers a drag-and-drop content editor, making it simple for non-technical users to create, edit, and format blog posts without needing coding skills.
    • Pre-Built Templates: HubSpot provides a range of customizable blog templates that allow you to quickly create professional-looking blog posts, so you don’t have to spend time designing from scratch.
  5. Automated Workflows and Lead Capture:
    • Lead Capture Forms: HubSpot CMS includes tools to add lead capture forms within blog posts, turning readers into potential customers. This is ideal for businesses that want to convert blog traffic into leads or sales.
    • Automated Email Workflows: HubSpot allows you to automate email workflows based on blog interactions. For instance, when someone reads a specific post, they can be entered into a workflow to receive related content or offers, nurturing leads effectively.
  6. Security and Hosting:
    • SSL Encryption and Secure Hosting: HubSpot CMS offers secure hosting with SSL certificates included, which is important for SEO and building trust with your audience.
    • Reliable Performance: HubSpot ensures that your blog is hosted with high uptime and fast loading speeds, which is critical for user experience and SEO.
  7. Customer Support and Resources:
    • 24/7 Support: HubSpot provides 24/7 support, which can be helpful for bloggers who need assistance with any technical issues, content management, or integrations.
    • HubSpot Academy: HubSpot’s Academy offers free courses and certifications, making it a great resource for bloggers looking to improve their content marketing and blogging strategies.

Cons of HubSpot CMS as a Blogging Platform

  1. High Cost:
    • Expensive for Small Blogs: HubSpot CMS can be costly, especially for individual bloggers or small businesses. The platform is priced with additional features tied to HubSpot’s CRM and marketing tools, which may not be necessary for those who only want to use the blogging functions.
    • Pricing Tiers: Many of HubSpot’s useful features, such as advanced reporting, SEO tools, and personalized content, are locked behind higher pricing tiers. This can be a barrier for budget-conscious users.
  2. Limited Design Customization:
    • Template Restrictions: While HubSpot offers several pre-built templates, it can be limiting for bloggers who want full control over the design and layout of their blog. Customizing templates often requires knowledge of HubSpot’s code (HubL), which may be difficult for non-developers.
    • Less Flexibility than WordPress: In comparison to open-source platforms like WordPress, HubSpot CMS offers less flexibility for design customization. Users who want a fully custom design may find HubSpot’s limitations restrictive.
  3. Learning Curve for Advanced Features:
    • Complex for Beginners: While the basic blog editor is user-friendly, some of HubSpot’s advanced features, such as automation, lead nurturing workflows, and reporting, may require a steeper learning curve for new users. This can be overwhelming for solo bloggers or small teams without technical expertise.
    • Integration Complexity: HubSpot works best when you fully integrate it with other tools in its ecosystem. For users who are not already using HubSpot CRM or other HubSpot tools, the integration process can be challenging.
  4. Overkill for Simple Blogs:
    • Too Comprehensive for Simple Blogging Needs: For bloggers who only need a basic content management system and don’t require advanced marketing automation or CRM integration, HubSpot CMS might be overkill. It’s designed with businesses in mind, so individuals or small blogs may find it unnecessarily complex.
    • Marketing-Heavy Focus: HubSpot CMS is heavily focused on marketing and lead generation, which may not appeal to bloggers who simply want to write and publish content without the pressure of turning it into a sales funnel.
  5. Lack of Community Interaction Features:
    • No Built-in Social or Commenting Features: While HubSpot CMS includes basic commenting functionality, it doesn’t have a built-in social community feature like Tumblr or WordPress. Bloggers looking for a more community-driven approach to blogging, with rich social features and active user interactions, might find HubSpot lacking.
    • Limited Social Media Integration: HubSpot CMS does allow for some social media sharing tools, but it doesn’t have the level of built-in social sharing or engagement features that some other platforms offer. It’s not designed to foster a wide online community.
  6. No Free Plan:
    • Lack of Free Tier: Unlike many other CMS platforms like WordPress or Blogger, HubSpot CMS does not offer a free plan. While there’s a 14-day free trial, continued use of the platform requires a paid plan, making it less accessible for casual or hobby bloggers.

Substack (Free to start, takes a cut from paid subscriptions)

I tested Substack for a niche newsletter and appreciated its simplicity in reaching and monetizing a targeted audience.

Substack has grown significantly over the past few years, evolving into a popular platform for writers who want to build and manage email newsletters while monetizing their content. Whether you’re just starting out, a seasoned writer, or a professional looking for an easy way to connect with your audience, Substack offers a lot of potential. But like any platform, it comes with its pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from Substack as a blogging platform in 2025.

Pros of Using Substack

  1. Easy to Get Started:
    • No Technical Skills Needed: Substack is incredibly beginner-friendly. You can set up your account, design your newsletter, and start writing in just a few clicks. If you’re a writer but not tech-savvy, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to get your content out there without dealing with complicated setups.
    • Built-in Audience: One of the big advantages of Substack is that it helps you build an email list from day one. Subscribers can sign up directly for your newsletter, which makes it easier to engage with your audience consistently.
  2. Monetization Made Simple:
    • Subscription Model: Substack offers a straightforward subscription model where you can charge for premium content while still offering free content to attract new readers. You get to decide what content stays behind a paywall, giving you full control over what your audience gets access to.
    • No Middleman Fees: Substack takes a 10% cut of your subscription revenue, but it’s relatively transparent, and there are no hidden fees or other costs. This makes it a great option for writers who want to monetize their work without jumping through too many hoops.
    • Flexible Pricing: You can set your own pricing for paid subscriptions, and Substack offers a straightforward process for creating subscription tiers.
  3. Direct Connection with Your Audience:
    • Email-Based: Substack operates as an email-based platform, which means your readers are directly in your inbox. You can have a more personal relationship with them, and it’s easier to keep them engaged. Plus, with email marketing being one of the highest-converting marketing channels, you’re in a great position to grow a loyal base.
    • Minimal Distractions: Unlike social media platforms, which are full of noise and distractions, Substack offers a more focused experience. Readers subscribe specifically for your content, so there’s less competition for their attention.
  4. Focus on Content Over Design:
    • Clean and Simple: Substack doesn’t require you to focus on design or features that take away from your writing. The platform offers a minimalistic layout that puts the content front and center. If you’re a writer who wants to keep the focus on your words rather than widgets, themes, and complex web design, this is a huge plus.
    • No Advertisements: Substack doesn’t insert ads into your newsletters. This means you have more control over the experience for your readers, and your audience isn’t distracted by ads when they read your content.
  5. Community of Writers:
    • Collaborative Atmosphere: There’s a strong sense of community on Substack. Writers often share tips, advice, and best practices with each other. This is helpful for beginners who are just starting and can benefit from the wisdom of more established writers.
    • Discoverability: Substack has a directory where readers can discover new newsletters to subscribe to. This can be a helpful way to reach new subscribers and gain traction as a writer, especially if you’re writing niche or specialized content.

Cons of Using Substack

  1. Monetization Challenges for New Writers:
    • Building an Audience Takes Time: While Substack makes it easy to monetize, building a paid subscriber base takes time and effort. Especially for newcomers, it can be challenging to convince people to pay for your content right off the bat. You’ll need to work hard on growing your audience, building trust, and offering consistent, high-quality content to succeed in the long run.
    • Pressure to Produce Paid Content: As you start to grow, there can be pressure to deliver content that’s behind the paywall to generate income. This might take away some of the freedom that comes with simply blogging for the love of writing.
  2. Limited Customization:
    • Design Limitations: While Substack’s simplicity is an advantage for many, it’s also a drawback for those who want more control over the look and feel of their blog. You’re limited to a set of pre-designed templates, and while you can tweak some aspects, it doesn’t offer the deep customization options that platforms like WordPress do.
    • No Full Website Features: If you want a fully fleshed-out website with complex navigation, features like a store, or more customization options, Substack won’t provide that. It’s primarily a newsletter platform, not a full website solution.
  3. Not Ideal for Complex Content Strategies:
    • Limited Blogging Features: If you’re looking for a platform to write long-form blog posts, host videos, or create a lot of multimedia content, Substack might not be the best fit. While it’s great for sending out regular written content via email, it doesn’t have the tools for running a complex content strategy that requires a lot of bells and whistles.
    • No In-Built SEO: Substack doesn’t offer advanced SEO tools like WordPress or other dedicated blogging platforms. If SEO optimization is a big part of your content strategy, you might find Substack limiting since it’s primarily designed for email-based content rather than driving organic search traffic.
  4. Dependency on Email Marketing:
    • Email-Only Content: Substack’s primary focus is email. While that’s great for direct engagement with your audience, it also means that you’re limited to this format. If someone doesn’t open their emails, they miss your content altogether. You don’t have the option to diversify in the same way you might with a blog post that can be shared across platforms like social media.
    • Spam Filters: With Substack, there’s always a risk of your emails getting caught in spam filters. Even though you can create a loyal audience, there’s no guarantee that every subscriber will actually see every post.
  5. Substack’s Reputation and Competition:
    • New Writers Have to Compete: While Substack has exploded in popularity, it also means you’re competing with a vast number of other creators, many of whom are established in their fields. Breaking through the noise as a beginner writer can be tough.
    • Subscription Fatigue: As more people join Substack and launch paid newsletters, there’s growing subscription fatigue. Readers are more selective about what they’re willing to pay for, and you’ll need to provide real value to stand out.

Joomla (Free, but hosting and extensions cost extra)

Joomla is a popular content management system (CMS) that has been around for a long time. While it’s known for its flexibility and robust features, it’s not as widely used for blogging as platforms like WordPress or Blogger. However, for those who want a more customizable, self-hosted solution for blogging, Joomla can be a good option. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using Joomla as a blogging platform:

Pros of Using Joomla 

  1. Flexibility and Customization:
    • Highly Customizable: Joomla is a powerful CMS that allows for significant customization. You can modify your blog’s design, structure, and functionality to suit your needs. With access to thousands of templates and extensions, you can build a blog that is unique and tailored to your vision.
    • Extensions and Plugins: Joomla has a wide range of extensions and plugins available that can add functionality to your blog, such as SEO optimization, social media integration, and advanced analytics. These add-ons let you expand your blogging platform with more features over time.
  2. User Management and Permissions:
    • Granular Control Over User Roles: Joomla offers advanced user management options, allowing you to assign specific roles and permissions to different users. This is particularly useful if you have a team of writers, editors, or contributors, as you can control who can publish posts, edit content, or manage the blog.
    • Multilingual Support: Joomla has built-in multilingual capabilities, so if you plan to target audiences from different countries or regions, you can easily create and manage content in multiple languages.
  3. SEO-Friendly:
    • Built-In SEO Tools: Joomla provides a solid set of SEO features, including customizable meta tags, URL optimization, and built-in search engine optimization extensions. With the right plugins, you can further enhance your SEO efforts and improve your blog’s visibility in search engines.
    • Control Over URL Structure: Joomla allows you to customize your blog’s URL structure, which is crucial for SEO. You can create clean, search engine-friendly URLs for each blog post and category.
  4. Security:
    • Security Features: Joomla is known for its strong security measures. With regular updates and the ability to implement security patches quickly, Joomla gives you more control over the security of your blog compared to some other CMS platforms.
    • Granular Permissions: Joomla’s fine-grained user permissions allow you to limit access to sensitive content, which can be a benefit if you’re running a multi-user blog.
  5. Strong Community and Support:
    • Active Joomla Community: Joomla has a large and active community of developers, designers, and users who contribute to forums, documentation, and tutorials. If you need help or advice, you can usually find a solution or workaround.
    • Official Joomla Documentation: Joomla provides a comprehensive knowledge base and detailed documentation, making it easier for beginners to get started and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Cons of Using Joomla 

  1. Steeper Learning Curve:
    • Complexity for Beginners: Compared to simpler platforms like WordPress or Blogger, Joomla has a steeper learning curve. It requires a bit of technical know-how to set up and manage, especially if you’re not familiar with web development. For beginners, this can make the platform more difficult to use.
    • Not as Intuitive as Other CMSs: While Joomla is flexible, its interface isn’t always as intuitive as other platforms like WordPress. You might need to spend more time getting familiar with the system and understanding how different components work.
  2. Limited Blogging-Specific Features:
    • Not Focused on Blogging: Joomla is a general-purpose CMS and not designed specifically for blogging. While it can certainly be used for blogging, it doesn’t have the same out-of-the-box features and ease of use for blogging that WordPress or Blogger offers. For example, there are no built-in commenting systems, and you’ll need to install extensions for features like tags, categories, and comment management.
    • Less Specialized Templates: Joomla’s template selection for blogging isn’t as vast or focused as platforms designed specifically for blogging. While there are templates available, you may need to spend more time customizing them to get the right look and feel for a blog.
  3. Requires More Maintenance:
    • Frequent Updates: Joomla requires regular updates for security and functionality. This can be time-consuming and might require you to stay on top of new releases. You may also need to update extensions and plugins manually, which adds to the maintenance burden.
    • Compatibility Issues: With Joomla’s wide range of extensions and third-party tools, there’s the possibility that some may not always be compatible with the latest version of the CMS, leading to potential issues with site functionality.
  4. Smaller Plugin and Extension Ecosystem:
    • Fewer Blogging Plugins: While Joomla has a good selection of extensions, it doesn’t have the same breadth of blogging-focused plugins that WordPress does. If you want to add more advanced features, such as social sharing buttons, comment moderation tools, or custom post types, you might find fewer options compared to WordPress or even other CMSs.
    • Limited Support for Specialized Blogging Tools: Some advanced blogging tools (such as those for analytics or ad management) might not be as well-supported on Joomla, requiring additional configuration or manual installation.
  5. Performance Overheads:
    • Can Be Heavy: Joomla’s flexibility and extensibility can result in performance overheads, especially if you install multiple extensions or have a complex site setup. This can slow down your blog, particularly if you’re running a high-traffic site. Careful optimization may be necessary to ensure fast load times.
  6. Not as Popular as WordPress:
    • Smaller User Base: Joomla doesn’t have the same widespread popularity as WordPress, so it can be harder to find tutorials, pre-built themes, and plugins specifically designed for blogging. Additionally, because it’s not as popular for blogging, there may be fewer ready-made solutions to speed up the setup process for new bloggers.
    • Limited Hosting Options: While Joomla can be hosted on most web hosting platforms, there are fewer hosting providers that specialize in Joomla-specific setups compared to WordPress. This could mean fewer optimized hosting options and support.

Drupal (Free, but hosting and development costs apply)

Drupal is a robust CMS known for its security and scalability. It’s commonly used by developers for large, data-heavy websites.

I explored Drupal during a collaborative project and found it ideal for intricate setups, though it’s not beginner-friendly.

Drupal is a powerful content management system (CMS) known for its flexibility and scalability. While it’s not as commonly used for blogging compared to platforms like WordPress or Blogger, Drupal can still serve as an effective blogging platform, especially for more advanced users or those who need a highly customizable site. As of 2025, here are the pros and cons of using Drupal as a blogging platform:

Pros of Using Drupal 

  1. Highly Customizable and Flexible:
    • Full Control Over Design and Functionality: Drupal gives you complete control over the structure of your blog, allowing you to customize everything from the layout to the user experience. Whether you’re running a single-blog site or a larger publishing platform with multiple contributors, Drupal’s flexibility lets you build exactly what you need.
    • Custom Content Types: You can create custom content types, which means you’re not limited to just posts and pages. This is ideal for users who want to structure their content in unique ways, such as adding custom fields, creating complex blog categories, or managing different types of media.
  2. Scalability:
    • Great for Large Websites: Drupal is an excellent choice if you plan to scale your blog into a larger website with multiple sections or even multiple blogs. Its architecture is designed to handle large amounts of content, traffic, and users, which makes it an ideal option for growing blogging projects or online publications.
    • Multi-Site Support: Drupal’s multi-site feature allows you to manage multiple blogs or websites from a single installation. This is great for bloggers or organizations running several related blogs, as it helps you save time and resources.
  3. Advanced User Permissions:
    • Granular Control Over User Roles: Drupal’s user management system is highly advanced. You can set different permissions for users, so you can control who has access to various parts of the blog. This is ideal if you have multiple authors, editors, or contributors and need to manage their roles and access levels.
  4. Robust SEO Capabilities:
    • SEO-Friendly: Drupal offers strong out-of-the-box SEO capabilities, including customizable URLs, meta tags, and integration with SEO modules like Pathauto and Metatag. If you want full control over your SEO settings, Drupal gives you the tools you need to optimize your blog for search engines.
    • Customizable Content Layouts: Since Drupal allows you to customize content types and layouts, you can ensure that each blog post is optimized for SEO in a way that fits your specific needs.
  5. Security:
    • Highly Secure: Drupal is known for its strong security features, making it a popular choice for government sites, universities, and businesses that prioritize security. Regular security updates, access control features, and a dedicated security team help protect your blog from potential vulnerabilities.
    • Community Support for Security Issues: The Drupal community is proactive in addressing security concerns, ensuring that patches and updates are quickly rolled out for any vulnerabilities.
  6. Extensive Modules and Themes:
    • Thousands of Modules: Drupal offers thousands of modules that can enhance your blog’s functionality. From adding social media sharing buttons to improving performance, there are modules for almost anything you might need.
    • Themes and Templates: While Drupal’s theme selection isn’t as extensive as WordPress, there are still a variety of themes available for bloggers, and the platform gives you full flexibility to design your blog exactly how you want.

Cons of Using Drupal 

  1. Steep Learning Curve:
    • Complex for Beginners: Drupal has a steep learning curve, particularly for beginners. Unlike simpler platforms like WordPress, you may need some technical expertise to install, configure, and maintain a Drupal site. This can be a challenge if you don’t have prior experience with web development or CMS platforms.
    • Requires Development Knowledge: While Drupal is highly flexible, this comes at the cost of needing to understand web development. Customizing themes, setting up modules, and troubleshooting issues often require coding skills, particularly if you want to fully tailor the platform to your needs.
  2. Not Ideal for Simple Blogs:
    • Overkill for Small Blogs: If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward blogging platform with minimal setup, Drupal might not be the best choice. The platform is designed for more complex sites, so it can feel like overkill for users who only want to write and publish content without dealing with complex configurations or management.
    • Limited Blog-Specific Features: While Drupal can be used for blogging, it doesn’t offer as many blogging-specific features out of the box compared to WordPress or platforms like Blogger. You’ll need to install additional modules to enable features like comments, social media sharing, and categories.
  3. Performance Overhead:
    • Can Be Resource-Intensive: Drupal’s flexibility can come with performance costs. If not optimized properly, Drupal sites can become slow and resource-heavy, particularly with multiple modules installed. This could be an issue if you’re running a high-traffic blog or have limited hosting resources.
    • Need for Optimization: To ensure that your blog runs smoothly, you’ll need to optimize your Drupal site. This includes managing caching, reducing the number of modules, and implementing best practices for performance, which can add to the maintenance workload.
  4. Limited Support for Beginners:
    • Smaller User Base Compared to WordPress: While Drupal has a strong community, it’s not as large or as beginner-focused as WordPress. This can make it harder to find beginner-friendly tutorials, guides, or pre-built solutions. If you’re new to CMSs, the process of troubleshooting and finding support may be more time-consuming.
    • Limited Pre-Built Templates: Drupal’s templates and themes are less abundant and versatile than those offered by WordPress or other blogging platforms. Customizing themes or building your own design might require more effort and technical know-how.
  5. Maintenance and Updates:
    • Frequent Updates Required: As with any CMS, regular updates are necessary to ensure security and functionality. However, Drupal updates can be more complex and time-consuming compared to more user-friendly platforms. This means you’ll need to stay on top of updates to avoid running into security or compatibility issues.
    • Possible Compatibility Issues: With the large number of modules and themes available for Drupal, updates to the core system or individual modules can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. Ensuring that everything works smoothly after an update may require additional effort.
  6. Fewer Pre-Built Blogging Tools:
    • Limited Blogging Tools: While Drupal is highly customizable, it’s not designed specifically for blogging. This means that, out of the box, it doesn’t offer the same ease-of-use features for bloggers that WordPress or other blogging platforms do. For example, it lacks a built-in comment system, and you’ll need to install modules to add things like tags, categories, or social media integration.

LinkedIn Articles (Free, but requires a LinkedIn profile)

LinkedIn Articles can be an interesting option for bloggers, especially those looking to build their professional network or expand their reach in a more business-oriented environment. LinkedIn’s platform is primarily used for career development and networking, but its article feature allows users to write and share long-form content with their connections and the broader LinkedIn community. As a blogging platform, it has unique advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using LinkedIn Articles for bloggers:

Pros of Using LinkedIn Articles for Bloggers

  1. Professional Audience:
    • Ideal for Networking: LinkedIn Articles can be a great way to showcase your expertise and share your insights with a professional audience. If you’re writing about topics related to business, career development, leadership, marketing, or any other professional field, LinkedIn provides an audience of decision-makers, recruiters, professionals, and industry leaders who are likely to engage with your content.
    • Builds Credibility: Publishing articles on LinkedIn can help you build authority in your field. As a blogging platform, it allows you to share your knowledge with a highly relevant, industry-focused audience. This can enhance your professional reputation and increase visibility among potential employers, collaborators, or clients.
  2. Built-In Audience and Exposure:
    • Exposure to Your Network: Since LinkedIn is a social network, your articles can be shared directly with your professional network. This means your content is more likely to be seen and engaged with by people you already know, or by people who are connected to your connections.
    • LinkedIn’s Algorithm: LinkedIn’s algorithm promotes articles, especially when they receive engagement (likes, comments, shares). If your article resonates with readers, it can quickly gain traction and be seen by a larger audience beyond your immediate network, increasing your reach.
  3. Ease of Use:
    • Simple Publishing Interface: Writing and publishing articles on LinkedIn is straightforward and user-friendly. There’s no need to manage complicated plugins, themes, or technical configurations like you would on a self-hosted blog or CMS. The article editor is intuitive, and you can include images, videos, and links to enrich your content.
    • No Need for Hosting or Domain: Unlike traditional blogging platforms, you don’t need to worry about purchasing web hosting or domain names. Your articles are hosted on LinkedIn’s platform, so all you need is a LinkedIn account to start writing.
  4. SEO Benefits:
    • Search Engine Visibility: LinkedIn Articles are indexed by search engines, so if you write on trending or highly relevant topics, your articles could show up in search engine results pages (SERPs). This provides an opportunity for your content to be discovered by a broader audience.
    • Internal Search Visibility: LinkedIn’s internal search engine can surface your articles when users search for related topics. As LinkedIn prioritizes content based on engagement, your articles may appear in the search results of users interested in similar subjects.
  5. Engagement Opportunities:
    • Comment and Interaction: Readers can interact with your content by leaving comments, which can lead to further discussions and help you connect with others in your industry. This creates opportunities for engagement and networking, making LinkedIn Articles an interactive platform for bloggers.
    • Opportunity to Share Insights: By publishing articles on LinkedIn, you can spark conversations and demonstrate your thought leadership. Engaging with others in the comments section can be an effective way to build your reputation as an expert in your niche.

Cons of Using LinkedIn Articles for Bloggers

  1. Limited Customization:
    • Basic Design and Formatting: Unlike traditional blogging platforms like WordPress or Squarespace, LinkedIn Articles offers limited customization options. You cannot control your blog’s overall design, layout, or branding beyond basic formatting and images. For bloggers who want to create a unique look and feel for their website, LinkedIn Articles can feel restrictive.
    • No Full Control Over Content: Because LinkedIn hosts the content, you’re bound by its terms of service and platform guidelines. If LinkedIn changes its policies or features, it could affect your content’s visibility, and you may have less control over your articles than on your own website.
  2. Lack of Blogging-Specific Features:
    • No Tags or Categories: LinkedIn Articles doesn’t offer traditional blog features such as tags, categories, or a way to organize posts easily. This can make it harder for readers to discover related content from the same writer unless they scroll through your entire profile.
    • Limited Monetization Options: Unlike traditional blogging platforms where you can implement ads, affiliate links, or paid content, LinkedIn doesn’t offer robust monetization options for its articles. While you can drive traffic to your business or personal website, there’s no way to directly earn revenue from the articles themselves.
  3. Algorithm Dependency:
    • Visibility Dependent on Engagement: While LinkedIn’s algorithm can help boost your articles, visibility is heavily reliant on user engagement. If your article doesn’t receive much interaction, it may not reach a large audience, limiting its effectiveness as a blogging platform. You don’t have the same consistent traffic you would get from a self-hosted blog that you control.
    • Potential for Limited Reach: LinkedIn’s audience is primarily professional, which might limit the reach of more niche or personal blog topics. If your content doesn’t align with professional interests, you may struggle to find a broader audience.
  4. Audience Not Primarily Interested in Blogs:
    • More Career-Oriented Than Blog-Oriented: While LinkedIn is a great platform for professional networking and career-related content, its users aren’t necessarily seeking long-form blog content in the way they might on platforms like Medium or WordPress. This can result in lower engagement for bloggers who are used to the kind of community interaction found on dedicated blogging platforms.
  5. No Email Subscription or RSS Feeds:
    • Limited Subscriber Options: Unlike traditional blogging platforms where you can create email subscription lists or offer RSS feeds, LinkedIn doesn’t provide a built-in way to track and manage subscribers. As a result, it’s harder to build a dedicated audience for your content, as readers are unlikely to regularly check your profile for new articles unless you actively promote them.
    • No Newsletter Feature: You can’t integrate LinkedIn Articles into your own email newsletter or RSS feed, which makes it harder to keep an audience engaged over time. Email marketing is a key tool for building a loyal audience, and LinkedIn doesn’t offer these features natively.
  6. Not Ideal for Monetization or Ads:
    • No Ad Revenue or Affiliate Tools: LinkedIn does not allow bloggers to display ads or use affiliate marketing links directly within articles, making it less appealing for those who want to monetize their content. Unlike platforms like WordPress or Medium, where you can place ads or integrate affiliate links, LinkedIn Articles doesn’t offer a straightforward way to generate income from your posts.

Typepad (Paid, starting at $8.95/month)

Typepad, a blogging platform that has been around since 2003, continues to serve users who want a simple and straightforward way to publish content online. Although it doesn’t have the same popularity as platforms like WordPress or Medium, it still has a loyal user base. In 2025, Typepad is still viable, but it’s important to consider its strengths and weaknesses before deciding if it’s the right platform for your blogging needs. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using Typepad as a blogging platform in 2025:

Pros of Using Typepad 

  1. Ease of Use:
    • User-Friendly Interface: Typepad is known for its simplicity and ease of use. The platform offers an intuitive interface that’s great for beginners who may not have any coding or web development experience. You can quickly set up and start publishing without needing to spend time learning complicated systems.
    • Quick Setup: You can get your blog up and running quickly with Typepad, making it ideal for bloggers who want to focus on writing and creating content rather than technical setup.
  2. Customizable Templates:
    • Design Flexibility: Typepad offers a variety of professionally designed templates, which can be easily customized to match your brand or personal style. While not as customizable as platforms like WordPress, it’s still sufficient for most bloggers who don’t want to deal with complex design work.
    • Mobile Responsive Themes: Typepad’s themes are designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring that your blog looks good on smartphones and tablets without requiring extra adjustments.
  3. Reliable Hosting and Maintenance:
    • Managed Hosting: Typepad includes reliable hosting as part of its service, so you don’t need to worry about finding a separate hosting provider or handling server maintenance. This is a significant benefit for bloggers who want to focus on content rather than website management.
    • Automatic Updates: Typepad handles all technical aspects like software updates and security patches, freeing up time for you to concentrate on your writing.
  4. Built-in Monetization Options:
    • Easy to Monetize: Typepad allows you to integrate monetization features such as Google AdSense, affiliate links, and custom ads. While it doesn’t have as many monetization features as platforms like WordPress, it’s still relatively simple to set up and start earning revenue from your blog.
    • Customizable Advertising Options: You can place ads in various locations on your blog, giving you control over how you want to monetize your content.
  5. SEO Tools:
    • SEO-Friendly: Typepad includes built-in SEO tools that allow you to optimize your content for search engines. You can easily edit meta tags, titles, and descriptions for posts and pages, making it easier to improve your visibility in search engine results.
    • Analytics Integration: Typepad supports integration with tools like Google Analytics, allowing you to track your blog’s traffic, user engagement, and other important metrics.
  6. Customer Support:
    • Responsive Support Team: Typepad has a reputation for good customer service, offering email and chat support for users. If you encounter technical issues, you can rely on their support team to help resolve problems promptly.
    • Helpful Documentation: Typepad provides a knowledge base with tutorials and guides to help users make the most of the platform.

Cons of Using Typepad 

  1. Limited Customization and Flexibility:
    • Limited Design Control: While Typepad offers templates that are easy to modify, they don’t provide the same level of design flexibility as more advanced platforms like WordPress. Customizing the appearance and functionality of your blog may feel restrictive, especially if you have specific requirements or want to add advanced features.
    • Lack of Full Control Over Code: Unlike open-source platforms like WordPress, Typepad doesn’t allow full access to the underlying code, so advanced users who want to add custom features or make deep changes might find it limiting.
  2. Paid Service with No Free Plan:
    • No Free Tier: Typepad doesn’t offer a free plan, unlike platforms like WordPress.com, Blogger, or Medium. You’ll need to subscribe to one of their paid plans to access the full features of the platform. The pricing can be a drawback for beginners or hobby bloggers who are just starting out and prefer a no-cost solution.
    • Limited Value in Low-Tier Plans: The entry-level plans may not offer as many features as higher-tier options, meaning you might need to upgrade to access more advanced tools like custom domain names or additional customization options.
  3. Limited Third-Party Integrations:
    • Fewer Plugins and Extensions: Typepad doesn’t have the extensive plugin ecosystem that platforms like WordPress offer. This limits your ability to add third-party features like social sharing buttons, advanced analytics, or additional forms and widgets without resorting to custom coding or using the limited integrations available on Typepad.
    • No E-commerce Options: Unlike platforms like WordPress, which allow you to set up a full-fledged e-commerce store, Typepad doesn’t offer native e-commerce features. If you plan to sell products or services directly from your blog, you’ll need to look elsewhere or integrate third-party services.
  4. Smaller Community and Ecosystem:
    • Less Popular Than Competitors: Typepad has a smaller user base compared to platforms like WordPress or Medium, which means fewer community resources, tutorials, and third-party support. If you run into problems or need assistance, you may find it harder to find answers or resources from the broader community.
    • Limited Theme and Template Selection: While Typepad does offer a selection of themes, it doesn’t have the vast library of free and premium templates that WordPress and other platforms have. This could make it harder for bloggers who want a unique look for their site without hiring a designer.
  5. Outdated Features:
    • Limited Modern Features: In comparison to more modern platforms, Typepad’s feature set may feel somewhat outdated in 2025. For example, it doesn’t have advanced content management options or integrations with newer tools and platforms. This might make it less appealing to bloggers looking for cutting-edge tools and capabilities.
    • No Built-in Social Media Tools: Unlike some newer platforms that offer seamless social media integration, Typepad lacks robust tools for sharing your content across different platforms or easily embedding social media feeds on your blog.
  6. No Mobile App for Blog Management:
    • Lack of a Dedicated App: Typepad doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app for managing and publishing content, which is a disadvantage for bloggers who prefer to write and manage their blog on the go. While you can still use a mobile browser, the experience is not as streamlined as using a dedicated app.

Gatsby (Free framework, but hosting services like Netlify may cost extra)

Gatsby is a modern, open-source static site generator built with React that allows developers to create fast, secure, and SEO-friendly websites. Although primarily designed for developers and those comfortable with web development, Gatsby can also be used as a blogging platform for users who want a more customizable and performance-driven solution. Below are the pros and cons of using Gatsby as a blogging platform.

Pros of Using Gatsby 

  1. Lightning-Fast Performance:
    • Static Site Generation: Gatsby generates static HTML files, which makes it extremely fast. Static sites are pre-built and delivered instantly, providing near-instant load times for your visitors. This is a key advantage for performance, especially if you’re running a content-heavy blog.
    • Optimized for Speed: Gatsby optimizes every aspect of the site, such as image sizes, JavaScript delivery, and page rendering, ensuring that your blog pages load as quickly as possible. This helps improve the user experience and SEO rankings.
  2. SEO-Friendly:
    • Built-in SEO Features: Gatsby is designed with SEO in mind. It automatically generates optimized HTML, provides easy configuration for meta tags, and allows for server-side rendering (SSR) of content for better indexing by search engines.
    • Content Delivery Optimization: Because it’s a static site, there’s no need for complex server-side operations to render pages. Search engines can crawl and index content faster, improving discoverability.
  3. Highly Customizable and Flexible:
    • Full Control Over Design: Since Gatsby is a static site generator, it gives you full control over the look, design, and functionality of your blog. You can customize everything from the layout to the color scheme using React components and other modern web technologies.
    • Plugin Ecosystem: Gatsby has a wide range of plugins for everything from SEO optimization to analytics integration and social media sharing. This allows you to easily extend the platform to suit your needs without having to build everything from scratch.
    • Custom Data Sources: Gatsby allows you to source data from multiple places such as markdown files, headless CMSs (e.g., Contentful, Sanity), or APIs, giving you great flexibility in how and where you manage your content.
  4. Security:
    • No Database or Server-Side Code: Since Gatsby generates static HTML files, there’s no need for a traditional backend or database. This reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities that come with dynamic sites and makes your blog less susceptible to hacking attempts or data breaches.
  5. Optimized for Mobile:
    • Mobile-First Design: Gatsby’s modern approach to web development and its focus on performance ensure that blogs created with it are mobile-responsive out of the box. This is especially beneficial as mobile web traffic continues to increase.
  6. Version Control and Deployment:
    • Git Integration: Gatsby works seamlessly with Git, meaning your content and blog’s code can be tracked, versioned, and deployed through Git-based platforms like GitHub. This makes collaboration easier and helps with project management.
    • Easy Deployment: Gatsby can be deployed to a variety of platforms like Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages, often with just a few clicks. It offers a straightforward, hassle-free deployment process for developers.
  7. Great for Developers:
    • Built with React: Since Gatsby is built on React, it provides all the power of React’s component-based architecture. Developers can reuse components across the site, make interactive elements, and even build custom features that suit their specific needs.
    • Modern Web Technologies: Gatsby leverages modern web technologies like GraphQL, Webpack, and React, allowing developers to build dynamic, interactive blogs while still reaping the benefits of static site generation.

Cons of Using Gatsby 

  1. Steep Learning Curve for Non-Developers:
    • Requires Development Knowledge: Gatsby is not a typical drag-and-drop blogging platform. To set up and manage a Gatsby blog, you need to have a solid understanding of web development, React, and possibly GraphQL. This makes it less accessible for beginners or those who aren’t familiar with coding.
    • No WYSIWYG Editor: Gatsby doesn’t offer a traditional “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) editor like WordPress or Wix. Instead, you need to write your content in markdown files or integrate a headless CMS, which can be cumbersome for users who prefer a simple, intuitive interface.
  2. No Built-in Content Management System (CMS):
    • Need for a Headless CMS: Gatsby does not come with a native CMS for managing blog content. While you can use a headless CMS (like Contentful, Sanity, or Strapi), this requires additional setup and might complicate the workflow. For users seeking a more streamlined, all-in-one blogging experience, this might not be ideal.
    • Complex Workflow: Managing content through markdown files and then sourcing it into Gatsby might be more effort than other blogging platforms, especially for non-developers. Writing posts in markdown, configuring CMS integration, and setting up data sources can be daunting.
  3. Limited Built-in Blogging Features:
    • Basic Blog Features: While Gatsby provides flexibility and customization, it doesn’t come with many out-of-the-box blogging features like built-in commenting systems, user authentication, or easy-to-use post editors. These features need to be manually added via plugins or custom development, which can increase the setup time and complexity.
    • No Native Email Subscription: Unlike platforms like Substack or WordPress, Gatsby doesn’t offer built-in email subscription tools. You’ll need to integrate third-party services like Mailchimp or ConvertKit if you want to manage email newsletters or subscriptions.
  4. Slower Setup and Development Time:
    • More Time-Consuming Setup: Compared to traditional blogging platforms, setting up a Gatsby site from scratch can take longer due to the need for development, the configuration of CMS integrations, and the handling of plugins. It’s not a plug-and-play solution like WordPress or Blogger.
    • Continuous Maintenance: Since Gatsby uses a static site generation approach, any changes made to the site (like adding new posts or making design changes) will require rebuilding the entire site and redeploying it. For larger blogs, this can become time-consuming.
  5. Dependence on External Services for Some Features:
    • Relies on Third-Party Tools: To achieve functionality like commenting, analytics, or forms, Gatsby relies heavily on external services or custom solutions. This means that if any of those third-party services experiences downtime or changes its pricing model, it could affect your blog’s functionality.
  6. Scalability Challenges:
    • Content Management Complexity: While Gatsby’s static generation approach results in excellent performance, managing a large blog with frequent content updates can become tricky. As your content grows, rebuilding and deploying the entire site can become more time-consuming, especially if you don’t use a headless CMS that automates the process.
  7. No Direct Monetization Options:
    • External Monetization Setup: Monetizing a Gatsby blog requires adding custom integrations for things like ad networks (Google AdSense), affiliate links, or e-commerce. Unlike WordPress or other blogging platforms, Gatsby does not have native monetization tools built in, so it might be a bit more complicated to set up and track revenue sources.

Carrd (Free for basic features, premium plans available)

Carrd is a simple, user-friendly platform primarily known for creating single-page websites, landing pages, and portfolios. While it’s not specifically designed as a traditional blogging platform, it can still be used for blogging purposes, especially if you want a minimalistic, one-page blog or a personal project. As of 2025, Carrd has evolved, offering more customization and functionality, but there are still pros and cons when using it for blogging. Here’s an overview:

Pros of Using Carrd 

  1. Ease of Use:
    • Simple Drag-and-Drop Interface: Carrd is incredibly user-friendly, with a simple drag-and-drop builder that allows you to design your blog without needing any coding skills. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to create a website quickly and efficiently.
    • No Learning Curve: Unlike many traditional blogging platforms, Carrd doesn’t have a steep learning curve. You can start building and publishing a blog almost immediately.
  2. Affordable Pricing:
    • Low-Cost Plans: Carrd offers very affordable pricing, especially for users who just need a basic blog or personal website. The free plan provides sufficient features for basic use, while the Pro plan (which unlocks more customization and features) is relatively inexpensive compared to many other platforms.
    • No Hidden Fees: There are no surprise charges or complex pricing structures, making it a budget-friendly option for new bloggers or those who want to create a personal blog without heavy financial commitments.
  3. Design Flexibility:
    • Customizable Templates: Carrd provides a wide variety of templates that are modern and easy to customize. You can adjust colors, fonts, layouts, and other visual elements to suit your personal style or branding.
    • Responsive Design: All Carrd templates are mobile-friendly by default, meaning your blog will look great on smartphones and tablets without any extra effort on your part.
  4. Speed and Performance:
    • Fast Loading Times: Since Carrd is optimized for simplicity and speed, your blog will load quickly, even on mobile devices. This is particularly important for user experience and SEO.
    • No Complex Features: Carrd’s minimalist approach ensures that websites are fast and lightweight without the need for heavy scripts, plugins, or complex features that might slow down your site.
  5. No Hosting or Technical Maintenance:
    • Built-in Hosting: Carrd includes free hosting with its platform, so you don’t need to worry about setting up or maintaining hosting services. This is a great convenience for people who don’t want to deal with technical management.
    • No Server-Side Maintenance: Because Carrd takes care of hosting and technical updates, you don’t need to worry about security patches, uptime, or other server-related issues.
  6. Minimalist, Visual Approach:
    • Focus on Content: Carrd’s design encourages a focus on visual storytelling. This can work well for bloggers who want to create a visually appealing, clean, and minimalistic space for their writing.
    • Ideal for Personal Blogs: If you’re looking for a no-frills platform to post personal musings, photos, or short-form content, Carrd allows you to do so with ease.

Cons of Using Carrd 

  1. Limited Functionality for Blogging:
    • Not Built for Blogging: Carrd is not specifically designed as a blogging platform, so it lacks traditional blogging features like categories, tags, post archives, and easy-to-use comment systems. If you want to create a more robust, content-heavy blog, Carrd may not provide all the tools you need.
    • Single-Page Limitations: Carrd is primarily for single-page websites. While it’s possible to create multiple pages, it doesn’t have the same structure or scalability as other platforms like WordPress, which are designed to handle large amounts of blog posts or articles.
  2. No Built-in Content Management System (CMS):
    • Manual Content Updates: For a traditional blog with frequent updates, Carrd requires manual editing for each post, which can be time-consuming. There’s no content management system like WordPress, so managing a growing blog with many posts becomes cumbersome.
    • No Blogging Automation: There are no built-in tools for things like post scheduling, content drafting, or automatic publishing, which are available in more advanced platforms. This can be a limitation for bloggers who want to streamline their workflow.
  3. Limited Monetization Features:
    • No Native Monetization Tools: Carrd doesn’t have built-in monetization features like ad networks, e-commerce, or subscription management, which means you’ll need to integrate third-party tools (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, or Google AdSense) manually if you want to make money from your blog.
    • Minimal Affiliate Marketing Support: While you can manually add affiliate links, Carrd lacks the dedicated infrastructure or integrations for a full affiliate marketing system. It’s not a great choice for bloggers focused on monetization through ads or product sales.
  4. No Built-in Comment System:
    • Lack of Interaction Features: Carrd does not have an integrated comment system like many other blogging platforms (e.g., Disqus or native WordPress comments). If you want to enable comments, you’ll need to integrate a third-party system manually, which adds complexity and may disrupt the user experience.
    • Limited Community Engagement: Without comment sections or social features, Carrd lacks ways for readers to engage with your content. For bloggers who want to build a community or encourage conversation around their posts, this can be a significant drawback.
  5. Limited Customization for Advanced Users:
    • Basic Customization Options: While Carrd offers some flexibility, it’s not as customizable as open-source platforms like WordPress or Webflow. If you need advanced features (e.g., custom functionality, database integration, or dynamic content), Carrd may not be suitable.
    • Lack of Plugins and Extensions: Unlike platforms like WordPress, Carrd doesn’t have an extensive plugin ecosystem, meaning you can’t easily add third-party features to extend the functionality of your blog. For users who need complex features, this is a limitation.
  6. No Full-Scale Blogging Capabilities:
    • Not Ideal for Large Blogs: If you intend to scale your blog into a more substantial content hub with many posts, categories, and archives, Carrd won’t be able to support that as well as other platforms like WordPress. The single-page approach makes it impractical for large, dynamic blogs with extensive content.
  7. SEO Limitations:
    • Basic SEO Features: While Carrd does offer some basic SEO options (e.g., meta tags), it lacks the depth and customization that platforms like WordPress or Squarespace offer. If SEO is a major focus for your blog, Carrd’s limited SEO options might hinder your search engine rankings.

Strikingly (Free plan available, paid for advanced features)

I used Strikingly for a test project and appreciated its simplicity, though its blogging features were basic.

Strikingly is a website builder that emphasizes ease of use, allowing users to create beautiful, single-page websites quickly. While it’s primarily designed for personal websites, portfolios, and small business sites, it can also be used as a blogging platform, especially for those looking for a minimalist approach. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using Strikingly as a blogging platform in 2025.

Pros of Using Strikingly 

  1. Ease of Use:
    • Drag-and-Drop Builder: Strikingly offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to create and manage their blog. You don’t need any coding skills to build a functional and visually appealing site.
    • Intuitive Design: The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, so setting up a blog, adding content, and modifying your design are all straightforward and quick tasks.
  2. Beautiful Templates:
    • Pre-designed Templates: Strikingly provides a variety of sleek, modern templates that are fully responsive and mobile-optimized. These templates are perfect for creating a minimalist blog that looks polished with minimal effort.
    • Customization Options: While the customization options are limited compared to more complex platforms like WordPress, Strikingly still allows you to personalize your blog’s design, colors, fonts, and layout, giving you enough flexibility to reflect your brand or style.
  3. Mobile-Responsive Design:
    • Mobile-First Approach: Strikingly’s templates are designed to look great on mobile devices by default. This is increasingly important as mobile traffic continues to outpace desktop, making it an advantage for bloggers who want their content to be accessible to mobile users.
    • No Extra Setup Needed: Unlike some platforms, there’s no need to manually adjust your blog for mobile viewing—it’s automatically optimized.
  4. Affordable Pricing:
    • Low-Cost Plans: Strikingly’s pricing structure is relatively affordable. It offers a free plan with basic features, and its premium plans are reasonably priced, especially for those who just need a simple blog with a clean design.
    • Transparent Pricing: The platform offers clear, upfront pricing without hidden costs, making it accessible for individuals or small businesses with limited budgets.
  5. Built-in Hosting:
    • No Need for Separate Hosting: Strikingly provides built-in hosting with every plan, so you don’t need to worry about finding a third-party host. This makes the process of setting up a blog seamless and eliminates the need to manage additional hosting services.
    • Reliable Performance: Strikingly’s hosting is optimized for speed, ensuring that your blog loads quickly, which is essential for user experience and SEO.
  6. Good for Simple Content:
    • Focused on Visuals and Content: If your blog revolves around simple posts, personal stories, or photo-centric content, Strikingly is a great option. It supports text, images, and video content well, making it ideal for personal blogs or creative portfolios.
  7. SEO Capabilities:
    • Basic SEO Features: Strikingly provides essential SEO tools such as meta titles, descriptions, and the ability to edit URLs. While it may not be as feature-rich as dedicated blogging platforms, it’s sufficient for a small blog to rank on search engines.
    • Integrated Analytics: Strikingly offers built-in analytics to track your blog’s performance, visitor numbers, and traffic sources, which can be helpful for growing your audience.

Cons of Using Strikingly 

  1. Limited Blogging Features:
    • Lack of Post Categorization: Strikingly does not have built-in features like categories, tags, or post archives, which are standard on most blogging platforms. This can be a major limitation if you plan to write and organize a large volume of content.
    • No Content Management System (CMS): Unlike WordPress or other CMS-driven platforms, Strikingly doesn’t have a robust system for managing large amounts of content. You may need to manually create new pages or posts without much automation or structure.
  2. No Comment System:
    • No Built-in Commenting: Strikingly does not offer a native commenting system for posts, which can limit interaction and community building on your blog. To enable comments, you’ll need to integrate third-party systems like Disqus, which adds complexity to your setup.
    • Limited Engagement: Without a native comment feature, building a community around your blog is more difficult, especially if you want active discussions on your posts.
  3. Customization Limitations:
    • Limited Design Control: While Strikingly offers some customization, the options are more restricted than open-source platforms like WordPress. Advanced users may find the design and layout options too limiting, especially if they want to create highly specific features or complex structures.
    • No Full Theme Control: You can change some elements, but you can’t fully control or create your own theme from scratch, which may frustrate users who need greater flexibility.
  4. Scalability Challenges:
    • Not Ideal for Large Blogs: Strikingly is better suited for small blogs or personal websites. If you plan to scale your blog and add many posts, categories, or complex features, Strikingly may not provide the functionality you need.
    • Single-Page Focus: Strikingly is designed for single-page websites, which limits your ability to grow your blog into a multi-page site with extensive content. Adding multiple pages can be done, but it’s not as seamless as platforms like WordPress, which are designed for large, multi-page blogs.
  5. Limited Monetization Options:
    • No Native Monetization Tools: Strikingly doesn’t have built-in monetization features like advertising or subscription management. To monetize your blog, you’ll need to manually integrate third-party tools such as PayPal, Google AdSense, or affiliate links.
    • Limited E-Commerce Features: If you plan to sell products or services directly from your blog, Strikingly offers basic e-commerce functionality, but it’s not as feature-rich as dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify.
  6. SEO Limitations:
    • Basic SEO Features: While Strikingly provides basic SEO options, it lacks more advanced SEO customization that other platforms offer, such as the ability to fully edit schema markup or implement custom SEO strategies. This might be a hindrance for bloggers looking to optimize their content for search engines in more sophisticated ways.
    • Limited Control Over Site Structure: The single-page nature of Strikingly means that you don’t have the same ability to create a comprehensive site hierarchy or structure with multiple blog categories, which can be important for SEO.
  7. Lack of Advanced Blogging Tools:
    • No Draft Mode: Strikingly doesn’t offer a draft mode for your blog posts, which means you have to publish them as soon as they’re ready. For bloggers who prefer to write posts and save them for later publication, this can be a challenge.
    • No Post Scheduling: Unlike platforms like WordPress, Strikingly doesn’t offer a post-scheduling feature. You’ll need to manually update your site, which can be inconvenient if you want to publish posts at specific times.

Postach.io (Free plan available, premium for additional features)

Postach.io is a blogging platform that stands out due to its unique integration with Evernote. By turning Evernote notes into blog posts, it allows users to create, edit, and publish content directly from Evernote, making it a great choice for those who already use the note-taking app. As of 2025, Postach.io continues to offer a simple and minimalist approach to blogging, with a focus on ease of use and organization. Here are the pros and cons of using Postach.io as a blogging platform:

Pros of Using Postach.io 

  1. Seamless Integration with Evernote:
    • Effortless Content Creation: Postach.io leverages Evernote’s power, allowing you to create blog posts directly from your Evernote notes. If you’re already familiar with Evernote for organizing thoughts, ideas, and research, this integration streamlines the content creation process.
    • Syncing Across Devices: Since Evernote is cloud-based, you can work on your blog from any device, and it will automatically sync. This provides flexibility for users who want to create content on the go.
  2. Simplicity and Ease of Use:
    • Minimalist Interface: Postach.io offers a simple, distraction-free blogging environment. There’s no steep learning curve, and the platform is easy to navigate. This makes it ideal for beginners or anyone who wants a straightforward blogging experience.
    • No Technical Setup: The platform doesn’t require complicated installations, themes, or plugins. You don’t need any coding skills to start blogging, which is a huge plus for non-technical users.
  3. Focus on Content:
    • Great for Writers: If you’re a writer who prefers a distraction-free environment, Postach.io’s design keeps your focus on the content, rather than complex website management or design elements. You can get straight to writing and publishing without unnecessary distractions.
    • Markdown Support: Postach.io allows you to write your blog posts in Markdown, which is helpful for those who prefer clean formatting without the need for a WYSIWYG editor.
  4. Affordable Pricing:
    • Free Plan: Postach.io offers a free plan with limited features, making it accessible for casual bloggers or those just starting. You can create and publish a basic blog without paying for the service.
    • Low-Cost Premium Plan: The premium plan, which offers additional features like custom domains, is reasonably priced. This makes it an affordable option compared to more complex blogging platforms.
  5. Custom Domain Support:
    • Customizable URL: Postach.io allows users to connect a custom domain to their blog, which is essential for branding and making your blog look professional. This is available in the premium plan.
  6. Built-in Analytics:
    • Basic Analytics: Postach.io offers simple analytics to track views, which is useful for gauging how your blog posts are performing. This is great for bloggers who want a straightforward view of their blog’s audience without the complexity of third-party analytics tools.

Cons of Using Postach.io 

  1. Limited Design Customization:
    • Basic Themes: Postach.io offers a limited number of templates, and customization options are somewhat restrictive. If you want to create a highly personalized blog with unique design elements, Postach.io may not give you the flexibility you need.
    • No Drag-and-Drop Builder: Unlike other platforms like Wix or Squarespace, Postach.io does not offer a visual drag-and-drop builder. Users who are used to customizing every visual element of their blog might find Postach.io’s design options limiting.
  2. Dependence on Evernote:
    • Tied to Evernote: To use Postach.io effectively, you need to have an Evernote account. This means that if you don’t use Evernote for note-taking or have no interest in it, Postach.io’s value diminishes significantly.
    • Syncing Issues: Since content is pulled from Evernote, there’s a potential for syncing issues or delays, especially if you’re making edits frequently in Evernote while posting to Postach.io.
  3. Limited Blogging Features:
    • Basic Blogging Tools: Postach.io lacks many of the essential features found in more traditional blogging platforms, such as categories, tags, post scheduling, and comment systems. This can be limiting for users who want to run a more complex or interactive blog.
    • No Multi-Author Support: Postach.io doesn’t have native multi-author support, so if you plan to have guest bloggers or contributors, the platform might not be the best option.
  4. Lack of Advanced Customization Options:
    • No Plugins or Extensions: Unlike platforms like WordPress, Postach.io doesn’t have a plugin ecosystem, meaning you can’t easily add additional features like e-commerce, advanced SEO tools, or custom widgets to your blog.
    • Limited Control Over Code: For advanced users who want full control over their blog’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Postach.io offers limited customization, making it unsuitable for users who want to create complex, feature-rich blogs.
  5. SEO Limitations:
    • Basic SEO Tools: While Postach.io offers some basic SEO customization, it doesn’t provide the depth of tools available on more advanced platforms like WordPress. For example, you might not be able to optimize page speed, fine-tune metadata, or use advanced SEO tactics as easily.
    • No Built-in SEO Plugins: There are no plugins or automated tools to optimize your blog for search engines, which means you have to rely on your own knowledge of SEO to improve your rankings.
  6. Limited Monetization Options:
    • No Native Monetization: Postach.io doesn’t offer built-in monetization tools such as ad networks, affiliate management, or subscription models. If you plan to monetize your blog, you’ll have to integrate third-party solutions or manually set up ads, which might be cumbersome.
    • No E-Commerce: The platform does not support e-commerce, so if you plan to sell products or services from your blog, you’d need to use a separate platform.
  7. Basic Analytics:
    • Limited Insights: While Postach.io offers basic traffic analytics, it doesn’t provide detailed insights such as user behavior, demographic data, or advanced conversion tracking. Bloggers looking for deep insights into their audience might find the analytics insufficient.

Hashnode (Completely free blogging platform)

Hashnode is a popular blogging platform designed with developers and tech enthusiasts in mind, although anyone can use it. It provides a simple and intuitive interface for creating, sharing, and publishing content, particularly geared toward technical writing. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using Hashnode as a blogging platform in 2025:

Pros of Using Hashnode 

  1. Developer-Focused Features:
    • Markdown Support: Hashnode supports Markdown, a favorite of developers, allowing for clean and efficient content creation, particularly for technical articles and tutorials.
    • Code Snippets and Syntax Highlighting: The platform includes built-in support for syntax highlighting, making it ideal for coding tutorials, technical documentation, and other developer-related content.
    • Custom Domain Support: Hashnode allows you to connect your blog to a custom domain, giving your blog a more professional appearance and enhancing your brand identity.
  2. Free and Easy to Use:
    • Completely Free: Hashnode offers a free plan with no hidden fees, making it an accessible option for bloggers, especially those who are just starting or working with a limited budget.
    • No Technical Setup Required: Hashnode handles all the technical aspects like hosting and site management, meaning you can focus on writing without worrying about the backend setup.
  3. Strong Community and Networking:
    • Tech-Focused Community: Hashnode is known for its developer-centric community, making it a great platform for networking with other technical writers and professionals. It’s a good choice if you want to engage with a highly specialized audience.
    • Interaction and Engagement: The platform has built-in features like comment sections and social sharing, making it easier to engage with readers and other writers. You can also interact with Hashnode’s community on a wider scale through the platform’s global network.
  4. SEO and Discoverability:
    • Built-in SEO Optimization: Hashnode is optimized for search engines, which can help your blog posts rank higher. You can easily edit meta tags, descriptions, and URLs, helping to improve the visibility of your content.
    • Tagging and Search Features: Hashnode allows you to use tags for your blog posts, which helps organize content and makes it easier for users to find relevant articles through the search functionality.
  5. Focus on Writing, Not Design:
    • Simple and Clean Design: Hashnode has a straightforward, minimalist design that allows you to focus on your writing rather than worrying about complex design features. This is great for users who prefer functionality over flashy aesthetics.
    • Customizable Layout: While the design is simple, Hashnode does offer some customization options for how your blog looks. You can choose from different themes and modify the layout to suit your preferences.
  6. Analytics:
    • Built-In Analytics: Hashnode offers analytics that help you track how your posts are performing, including views, interactions, and engagement metrics. This is valuable for understanding your audience and refining your content strategy.
  7. Monetization Options:
    • Support for Sponsorships: Hashnode allows you to accept sponsored posts, which can be an attractive feature if you’re looking to monetize your blog. This makes it a potential source of income for those who write about technical topics.
    • Subscription Options: Hashnode also provides features to set up a paid subscription model if you want to offer exclusive content to your audience.

Cons of Using Hashnode 

  1. Limited Customization for Non-Technical Users:
    • Limited Themes and Design Flexibility: While Hashnode does provide some customization options, it doesn’t offer the level of flexibility found in platforms like WordPress or Squarespace. If you’re a non-technical user seeking extensive design options or a more personalized blog layout, you may find Hashnode limiting.
    • Basic Templates: The platform’s templates are simple and geared more toward functional writing than visual appeal. Users seeking highly sophisticated or unique blog designs might be disappointed with the options available.
  2. Targeted at Developers:
    • Not Ideal for Non-Technical Content: While Hashnode is excellent for technical writing, it’s not as versatile for bloggers who want to write about non-tech topics. If you’re a lifestyle blogger, creative writer, or covering niche topics outside of tech, Hashnode may not be the best fit.
    • Audience May Be Too Specialized: The platform is optimized for tech-related content, so your audience may be more focused on development or programming topics. If you’re writing for a broader, general audience, you might find the platform’s niche community limiting.
  3. Limited Blogging Features:
    • No Built-In Email List or Newsletter Tools: Unlike some other platforms, Hashnode lacks native tools for building email lists or running newsletters. While you can integrate third-party tools for this purpose, it’s not as seamless as other blogging platforms that come with these features built-in.
    • No Post Scheduling: There’s no native post scheduling feature in Hashnode, so you can’t plan and schedule posts in advance for a later time. This might be a drawback for bloggers who want to create content ahead of time and release it on a specific schedule.
  4. Limited Monetization Options:
    • Monetization Restrictions: Although Hashnode allows sponsorships, it doesn’t offer as many monetization features as other platforms like WordPress (with plugins) or Medium (with its Partner Program). If you plan to heavily monetize your blog, you may need to look for external tools or platforms to supplement Hashnode’s capabilities.
    • No E-Commerce: If you’re looking to sell products or services directly from your blog, Hashnode lacks integrated e-commerce features. You’d need to use third-party solutions to enable this functionality.
  5. No Full Ownership of Content:
    • Platform Dependency: While you can connect your own domain, your content is still hosted on Hashnode’s servers. If the platform were to close or change its policies, you might lose access to your posts or face migration challenges.
    • Limited Export Options: There are fewer options for exporting your content compared to more flexible platforms like WordPress, making it harder to migrate or back up your blog in some cases.
  6. Mobile App Limitations:
    • Mobile Experience Could Be Better: Although Hashnode offers a mobile app for reading and interacting with content, the blogging experience itself isn’t as optimized for mobile users. For those who prefer writing and editing blog posts on mobile devices, the platform might feel a bit cumbersome compared to others.

Conclusion

Each blogging platform is different. Every blogger has a different goal, for example, a blogger would like to take this as a hobby. But, some bloggers would like to earn from their work, too. Eventually, it’s your goal that can help you pick and choose the best blogging platform in 2025 based on what you want to achieve, and who you are.

Some beginners would like to go with free blogging sites, but experienced ones may want higher level of customization options, which may be available with paid platforms. So, choose your platform wisely, and start blogging today.

 


Leave a Comment