Best Blog Platforms: Find Your Choice in 15 Minutes

When I started my first blog in 2012, I had no idea what to look for in a blogging platform. I found the easiest tool to work with (that was also free) and got started.

While I'm grateful for taking the leap into blogging (I wouldn't be here without it), I do wish I knew then what I know now. Many years and several platform migrations later -- each one more tiring than the last -- I've learned exactly what matters when choosing where to build your blog.

This guide is different. I've had experience with each platform I discuss here and have focused on what actually impacts your daily blogging life.

Your choice comes down to three simple questions:

• What do you need right now?
• What will you need in a year?
• What can you actually afford?

By the end of this guide, you'll know your perfect match.

How I Picked These 8 Best Blogging Platforms

When I started blogging, I made the classic beginner's mistake: I chose a platform based solely on its free plan and basic customization options. As my blog grew, my needs changed dramatically. I found myself migrating between platforms—a process that's about as fun as moving apartments. Three platform switches later, I've learned what really matters when choosing a blogging home.

To save you from the same platform-hopping headache, I've created a careful selection process based on real blogging growth. Here's what I specifically looked for:

My goal was to find platforms that work well for different types of bloggers, from hobby writers to business owners, without getting caught up in flashy features that rarely get used. The right choice depends on where you are now—and where you plan to be in a few years.

Quick Glance: My Top Blogging Platform Picks

If you’re the kind of person who likes to see the big picture before diving into details, here’s a quick snapshot of how the top blogging platforms stack up:

Now, let’s rewind a bit. Here’s how I learned (the long way) what really matters when choosing where to build your blog.

1. WordPress.org

WordPress.org: Personal Review

I tried a lot of platforms (probably every single one on this list) before I gave WordPress.org a try – and I’ve been there ever since.

I’ll admit that the whole “self-hosting” thing put me off for years, because even though I’d been in the blogging space for a while, I assumed that self-hosted WordPress was too technical for me – but I was wrong.

Are there a few extra steps compared to using a hosted platform like Wix or Medium? Yes, but these steps, in my opinion, are worth it because they lead to you having total control over your website.

WordPress.org is one of the biggest blogging platforms in the world – powering over 40% of websites on the internet.

And it’s a big deal for a reason. Unlike most platforms, it gives you true ownership of your site and the freedom to build exactly what you want.

Want to sell products? Add a forum? Create a membership site? With WordPress.org, you can extend your site's capabilities through thousands of themes and plugins, each adding new features with minimal fuss. While other platforms limit what you can create, WordPress.org lets you shape your site to match your vision.

WordPress.org Pros & Cons

2. Wix

Wix: Personal Review

When I tried Wix, to see what the hype was about, I immediately understood why a lot of people liked it.

They handle everything for you – hosting, templates, apps to expand your site’s functionality, and more. All you need to do is set up your account and follow the prompts you’re given.

If you’re a new blogger or a non-technical person (who wants to keep it that way), then this would be a good place to start.

But, if you have hopes of scaling your online platform – this might not be the best platform for you. Firstly, once you select a website template, you cannot change it in the future. You’ll have to be married to that design for as long as you’re on Wix.

Also, Wix’s customization options are quite limited. You can play around with color and change your fonts here and there, but you can’t make any major changes to your templates. And I’m not a big fan of that.

But, as I said before, if you’re looking for a simple all-in-one solution, and just want a blog that looks good and gets the job done — this could be the one for you.

Wix Pros & Cons

3. Medium

Medium: Personal Review

At number three we have another fan favorite – Medium.
This platform prioritizes ease of use and quick content delivery, without the bells and whistles. Writers may also be drawn in by the promise of your work being shared in front of millions of potential readers.

My experience with Medium was alright. It was straightforward and adding my written work was easy.

And though I knew that it was a minimalist-type platform, I still felt disappointed by the lack of editing options – at least for the blog posts themselves.

You can play around with your text’s fonts and apply basic formatting, but if you’re trying to add a table of contents to your post – you’ll need to dabble with code or search the web for an extension. Not very convenient.

However, if you need a place to share your content quickly, and don’t have the time or resources to build a personalized platform, Medium could be the one for you.

Medium Pros & Cons

4. Squarespace

Squarespace: Personal Review

Squarespace gets the basics right.

Everything looks professional from day one, and you don't need to be tech-savvy to make changes. The templates are modern, and features work without hunting for plugins or fixing compatibility issues.

But there are clear limitations. While Squarespace makes it simple to create a polished blog, it can feel restrictive when you want to grow. I've often found myself unable to customize specific elements or add features that would improve my content.

The pricing needs consideration, too. 

There's no free plan, which means you're investing from day one. But you do get a 14-day free trial to give the platform a spin.

While the cost isn't excessive, it's important to factor this in if you're just starting out.

If you want a professional-looking blog that's easy to manage and don't mind paying for quality, Squarespace delivers. But if you enjoy detailed customization or need to stick to a tight budget, you should explore other options.

Squarespace Pros & Cons

5. WordPress.com

Before we start, let's get the confusing bit out of the way.

WordPress comes in two versions: WordPress.com which offers a fully hosted but limited version, and WordPress.org which offers a self-hosted but fully featured version.

If you want to learn more about the difference between the two, you can read about it here.

WordPress.com: Personal Review

WordPress.com was my main blogging platform from 2014 to 2016. At the time, I had no website-building experience and just wanted a place where I could share my thoughts.

I had a neat looking website and managed to amass over 11,000 page visits in my first year of running my second blog (without using ads and with 0 SEO knowledge, too).

But as my blogging experience grew, so did my needs. WordPress.com was great as a start but I needed more design flexibility and customization options. I also wanted a space that truly felt like mine.

I say all this to say, WordPress.com is a great place to start.

What works well is the balance between simplicity and features. The platform feels familiar and comfortable - you can start writing immediately without diving into technical details. Everything from basic editing to post scheduling works smoothly, and you won't spend hours figuring out how to add images or format text.

Security and maintenance are handled for you, which is a huge relief if you've ever dealt with updating plugins or fixing hacked sites. The platform stays current and secure without you having to think about it.

But there are clear limitations. The free plan is quite restricted - you'll have WordPress.com ads on your site and limited customization options. Even on paid plans, you might feel boxed in if you need specific features or want to use certain plugins.

WordPress.com Pros & Cons

6. Ghost

Ghost: Personal Review

Ghost covers all the essentials really well. 

Writing feels natural with a clean, focused editor that keeps distractions away. Posts load quickly, which readers notice and search engines reward. And, the built-in SEO tools actually work - no extra plugins needed. I liked that.

What I found cool was Ghost's monetization options. You can set up memberships and subscriptions without giving away a cut of your earnings. For content creators looking to build a paid newsletter or membership site, this is will be very valuable.

But Ghost isn't for everyone. The platform keeps things simple – sometimes too simple. If you need complex features or love tinkering with plugins, you might feel limited. The platform lacks the extensive plugin options other platforms offer.

Ghost Pros & Cons

7. HubSpot

HubSpot: Personal Review

HubSpot is a comprehensive marketing and sales solution for businesses of varying sizes.
What I love is how naturally blogging fits into the bigger marketing picture. Your blog posts don't just sit there - they work alongside your emails, lead tracking, and marketing campaigns. The SEO tools actually make sense, pointing out real ways to improve your content rather than just throwing technical terms at you.

I'm particularly impressed with how it handles content planning. If you're posting regularly, you'll appreciate the built-in calendar and scheduling tools. They make managing multiple posts feel less like herding cats.

But I have to point out some issues. The design options can feel boxed in. Yes, your blog will look professional, but if you love tweaking designs and making things unique, you might get frustrated.

Then there's the elephant in the room: price. HubSpot isn't cheap, and many of the best features sit behind expensive paywalls. I've seen small business owners wince at the monthly cost.

HubSpot Pros & Cons

8. Weebly

Weebly: Personal Review

Weebly is known for its simple, no-fuss approach – and I quite dig it.

You can build a decent-looking site without watching endless tutorials or googling error messages. The editor lets you drag and drop elements where you want them, and everything stays organized.

The blogging tools cover what most people need. You can write posts, add images, schedule content, and share to social media without jumping through hoops. Plus, everything looks good on mobile phones without extra work.

But I did come across a few frustrating limits. The templates, while clean, can feel basic. When you want to make deeper changes or add specific features, you often hit a wall. The editor can also lag sometimes, which gets annoying during longer editing sessions.

The free plan exists, but you'll probably need a paid plan to create anything professional. The good news is the pricing is quite decent.

Weebly Pros & Cons

9. Substack

Substack: Personal Review

When I first explored Substack, I was curious whether it could actually replace a full blogging setup. And honestly? It surprised me.

I love that Substack removes nearly every technical barrier. You don’t need to set up hosting, design a site, or figure out automations — you just write and hit publish. Your content lands directly in your readers’ inboxes, where engagement feels far more personal than a public post.

That said, it’s definitely not a full-fledged website platform. You can customize your publication slightly (logo, colors, simple layouts), but you’re working within Substack’s structure. Still, for writers focused on connection and monetization rather than heavy design, that’s part of its charm.

If you’re starting a thought leadership newsletter, opinion column, or serialized publication — and you’d like to build recurring income without juggling multiple tools — Substack is an incredible option.

10. Beehiiv

Beehiiv: Personal Review

I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I first tried Beehiiv — it looked too slick to be true. But after digging in, I quickly realized why so many creators are switching from Substack.

It feels like a professional publishing suite disguised as a newsletter tool. You get audience segmentation, custom referral programs, built-in ad monetization, and powerful analytics — all within a clean, intuitive interface.

What impressed me most was how flexible it is. You can create a full publication website, run multiple newsletters, or even build paid memberships — all without juggling extra software. The level of polish in their analytics dashboard alone puts it miles ahead of most newsletter platforms.

It’s not as beginner-friendly as Substack, and you’ll need to learn your way around its features. But for creators serious about growing and monetizing their audience, Beehiiv feels like a step into the future of blogging.

Beehiiv Pros & Cons

What's My Recommendation for Best Blog Platform?

After reviewing these platforms, my top recommendation is WordPress.org. In my opinion (and from experience), it's the best platform that gives you room to grow and change over time.

I started blogging on a simpler platform years ago. The problem? Every time I wanted to try something new - whether adding new features, changing my design, or testing different ways to make money - I kept hitting walls. "Sorry, that's not possible on this platform" became a frustrating regular message.

WordPress.org removes these barriers. You can:

• Build your site exactly how you want
• Add any feature you can think of
• Keep your costs predictable as you grow
• Move your site anywhere, anytime
• Choose from thousands of themes and plugins

The platform grows with you. Want to add a podcast? Easy. Planning to sell courses? No problem. Need a membership community? You can do that too.

Other platforms might seem more straightforward at first. But if you're planning to take your blog seriously, WordPress.org gives you the freedom to evolve without starting over. The platform powers nearly half the internet for good reason - it simply works.

And with the huge WordPress community, you're never stuck. Whether you want to learn something new or hire help, solutions are always available.

If you're serious about blogging, start with WordPress.org. Your future self will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Choose Your Platform Wisely

Picking a blogging platform isn't just about what works today - it's about what will support your growth tomorrow. While each platform we've covered has its strengths, your choice should align with your long-term goals.

Quick recap of who each platform serves best:

• WordPress.org: For those who want complete control and room to grow
• Wix: For visual creators who value ease of use
• Squarespace: For design-focused professionals who need a polished look
• WordPress.com: For bloggers who want simplicity with some room to customize
• Ghost: For professional publishers focused on subscriptions
• Medium: For writers who want to reach readers immediately
• HubSpot: For businesses integrating blogging with marketing
• Weebly: For those who need a simple, straightforward website

Remember: The "perfect" platform doesn't exist. But the right platform for your needs definitely does. Consider where you want your blog to be in a year or two, not just what seems easiest today.

And if you're serious about blogging? Start with WordPress.org and the right set of tools (like Thrive Themes). You'll get the flexibility to grow without limits, plus the ability to build exactly what you want.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to start. You can always change platforms later (though it's easier to make the right choice now). The sooner you begin, the sooner you'll build something meaningful.

Now it's your turn. Which platform feels right for your goals?