Best Blogging Platforms for Beginners and Side Hustlers

There’s something super exciting (and a little nerve-wracking) about starting a blog. You’ve got ideas. Maybe even a niche picked out. But then comes that question: “Which blogging platform should I use?”

And suddenly, you’re knee-deep in comparison posts, YouTube videos, and Reddit threads where everyone seems to be yelling “WordPress is king!” or “Try Wix! So easy!” or “Medium is all you need!”

It’s overwhelming. I’ve been there.

The truth? Picking the best blogging platforms for your goals is kind of like choosing the right shoes. It depends on where you’re going, what feels comfortable, and how far you plan to walk.

In this updated 2025 guide, I’ll break down the best blogging platforms—based on experience, research, and what actually works if you’re blogging for income, not just fun.

🚀 Already know what you want? Jump to the comparison table ↓

What to Look for in the Best Blogging Platforms

Before jumping into the best blogging platforms, let’s talk about what actually matters when picking one. These aren’t just tech specs—they’ll affect your daily workflow, growth, and whether your blog makes money or fizzles out.

Here’s what I always consider:

1. Ease of Use

You shouldn’t need a computer science degree to launch a blog. If a platform feels confusing or slow to update, it’ll kill your momentum fast.

2. Customization & Control

Want to tweak your site design? Add popups? Change URLs? Some platforms let you do all that. Others don’t.

3. SEO Capabilities

No SEO = no traffic. Simple. Some blogging platforms give you control over things like titles, meta descriptions, speed, and mobile friendliness. Others lock that down.

4. Monetization Options

If you’re here to build a side income (or full-time biz), check how easily you can add affiliate links, display ads, or even launch digital products.

5. Pricing (Free vs Paid)

Some platforms start free but get expensive fast. Others are low-cost but take more time to manage. Understand the trade-offs.

Not all blogging tools are created equal. Some of the best blogging platforms make it dead-simple to launch, customize, and scale. Others? Not so much.

💡 Quick Note: WordPress.org (self-hosted) usually checks all the boxes, which is why so many pro bloggers use it. But hey—it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay.

Best Blogging Platforms in 2025 (Full Comparison)

Here’s a full breakdown of the best blogging platforms this year, covering everything from ease of use to SEO to monetization. Whether you’re just starting or planning to scale to six figures, these are the tools to know.

🥇 WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)

If you’re serious about blogging — like turning it into a business or long-term project — WordPress.org is the go-to. It’s what I use for Digital Web Verse, and there’s a reason most pro bloggers do too. When it comes to the best blogging platforms, WordPress.org still leads the pack for serious bloggers who want complete control.

Best for: Full control, long-term growth, SEO, and making money blogging

If you want to build something you own 100% and grow it like a real business, WordPress.org is still the gold standard. Yes, there’s a bit of a learning curve. But it’s worth it. Check out WordPress.org’s built-in features and flexibility

Pros:

• Total control over your blog (design, functionality, SEO, you name it)
• Totally customizable with thousands of free + premium themes/plugins
• Built-in SEO capabilities (especially with Rank Math or Yoast)
• Thousands of themes — no coding needed
• Supports every kind of monetization (ads, affiliates, products, email lists, etc.)
• Scales easily as your blog grows

Cons:

• You’ll need to buy hosting + domain
• Slight learning curve at first, but manageable

👉 Want to get started? Start with WordPress + Hosting for just $2.99/mo
Get Hosting with HostGator »

🛠️ Need help setting it up? Check out our step-by-step WordPress blog setup guide.

🟣Wix

Wix is kind of like the cool, artsy friend who always looks good in photos. It’s perfect if you want to get something online fast without a single thought about code.

Wix is the “plug-and-play” option. You drag and drop, choose a theme, hit publish, and boom — you’re live. But the simplicity comes with trade-offs.

Best for: Beginners who want a pretty blog with no technical stress

Pros:

• Incredibly easy to use, especially for non-tech folks with a drag-and-drop interface (no tech skills needed)
• Gorgeous, modern, responsive templates
• Hosting is built-in

Cons:

• Limited SEO controls compared to WordPress
• Less flexibility as your site grows. You’re stuck in Wix’s ecosystem — hard to move later
• Can get pricey with premium features

Wix consistently ranks among the best blogging platforms for beginners, especially those who want to avoid tech headaches.

🔥 Wix vs WordPress for blogging? WordPress wins on SEO and growth potential, but Wix wins on simplicity. Read how Wix stacks up against WordPress in their comparison post.

⚫Squarespace

I always say Squarespace is for people who care a lot about design. If you’re a photographer, creative, or building a personal brand — it’s super clean. Squarespace is all about aesthetics. If your brand is visual and your focus is on showcasing creative work, it’s a solid option.

Best for: Designers, photographers, or anyone who wants a sleek portfolio-style blog

Pros:

• Sleek, modern, minimalist templates
• All-in-one platform (no need to install plugins)
• Built-in hosting & eCommerce features (if you want to sell things too)
• No updates or maintenance needed
• Great for visual brands, portfolios, or lifestyle bloggers

Cons:

• Less customizable and fewer third-party integrations than WordPress
• Limited SEO controls
• Pricing is a bit on the premium side. Here’s what Squarespace costs by plan

For creatives and design-focused bloggers, Squarespace is one of the best blogging platforms in terms of aesthetics and simplicity.

💡 Wix vs Squarespace? Wix is more flexible, and Squarespace looks cleaner out of the box.

🟢Ghost (Self-Hosted or Ghost(Pro))

Ghost is Fast, focused, and built for content creators who want performance and a sleek writing experience. It’s kind of like the introverted cousin of WordPress — no fluff, just content, and it runs super fast. You can host it yourself or pay for Ghost(Pro).

Ghost may not be as mainstream, but it deserves a spot among the best blogging platforms for writers and newsletter creators.
This Ghost comparison page breaks it down nicely.

Best for: Writers, newsletter creators, and bloggers who want a clean, fast, writing-first platform

Pros:

• Blazing fast, SEO-focused
• Supports paid memberships and email newsletters out of the box (has built-in email/newsletter functionality)
• Clean writing interface
• Great for paid memberships

Cons:

• Techie setup for hosting unless using Ghost(Pro)
• Limited themes compared to WordPress, smaller ecosystem
• Ghost(Pro) is convenient but pricey

👉 See how Ghost stacks up against other blogging tools. Or try Ghost(Pro) — ideal if you’re all about writing and building a loyal paid audience.

🟡WordPress.com

Not to be confused with WordPress.org, WordPress.com is the hosted version. Easier to start, but far more limited long-term. It’s like a simplified version of the real thing.

If you’re looking for the simplest way to start writing, WordPress.com is still one of the most accessible best blogging platforms out there.

Best for: Total beginners who just want to blog for fun

Pros:

• Free plan to start
• Hosted for you, no setup or third-party hosting needed
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

• Limited control and features unless you upgrade
• Can’t fully monetize without upgrading, as monetization is restricted on free plans

📌 Okay for hobby blogs or testing ideas, but not ideal for growth.
Want to scale later? Better to start on WordPress.org from the beginning.

🔵Blogger

Ah, Blogger. It’s still hanging in there — and it’s 100% free. Blogger is Google’s ancient blogging platform. It’s still alive (barely), and some people use it for journaling or niche hobby blogs.

Best for: Simple, no-cost blogging (but very limited growth)

Pros:

• Simple, free, and owned by Google
• 100% free (no hosting required)
• Basic setup, no frills. Connects to Google tools easily

Cons:

• Very outdated design
• Not great for scaling or SEO
• Hard to grow traffic or brand

📌 Blogger has been around forever, and while it’s not as modern, it’s still technically one of the best blogging platforms if your only goal is “free and simple.”

Honestly? Use it only if you’re just journaling for yourself. I wouldn’t recommend it for anything serious in 2025 or beyond.

⚪Medium

Medium is where writers go when they don’t want to mess with websites. Just words, no fluff. It is all about content. You write, they handle everything else. But there’s a catch — you don’t own the platform or your audience.

Medium isn’t for everyone, but it remains one of the best blogging platforms for writers who don’t want to deal with websites, branding, or tech.

Best for: Writers who want exposure, not branding

Pros:

• Built-in audience for some topics
• Clean and focused interface
• Minimalist, distraction-free writing experience

Cons:

• No control over branding or customization
• You don’t own your traffic or subscribers
• Can’t add affiliate links easily
• No SEO tools

📌 Medium is best for pure writing, not for building a brand or business. If you just want to write and don’t care about building your brand, it’s fine. But not ideal for making money. Here’s how Medium supports its writers.

Blogging Platform Comparison Table

Which Platform Is Right for You?

Not every option will be perfect for every person, but these best blogging platforms each serve different needs. Here’s a quick breakdown depending on your goals:

• If you want full control, SEO, and monetization?→ Use one of the best blogging platforms like WordPress.org
• If you want simple + beautiful with no tech and easy drag-and-drop design? → Try Wix or Squarespace
• If you want to write and build an email audience and don’t care about design? → Check out Ghost(Pro)
• If you just want to journal or blog casually? → Test out Blogger or WordPress.com
• If you want to publish essays with zero setup? → Use Medium

Final Verdict

The Best Blogging Platform Depends On…

… you! No kidding.

That said, if you’re serious about blogging and your goal is to build a brand, grow your traffic, and make money (especially with things like affiliate marketing or ads), then WordPress.org is hands-down the best blogging platform long-term. It gives you full SEO control, allows you to earn affiliate income, and maybe sell stuff later on as well!

Personally, I think WordPress.org stands out as the most powerful and flexible of all the best blogging platforms in 2025.

But hey, if the idea of hosting, plugins, and themes gives you a headache, there’s no shame in starting with Wix or Squarespace. You can always switch later — just know that migration isn’t always seamless.

Yes, it takes a bit more effort up front.

But that effort gives you:

• Ownership
• Growth potential
• Freedom to monetize however you want

At the end of the day, the best blogging platforms give you options—whether that’s SEO flexibility, clean design, or income potential.

👉 Want to start with WordPress the right way? Here’s a step-by-step guide: Set Up Your Blog on WordPress →

Once that’s done, you can also check out:

• How to Make Money Blogging
• Best Blogging Tools to make things easier

FAQs About Blogging Platforms

Hope this helped clear up the blogging platform mess. Got questions or stuck picking one? Drop a comment or reach out. You’ve got this.

👉 Next up: Check out niche ideas to start your blog with a purpose
Or dive into how to make money blogging if that’s your end goal.