Note (September 2026): Five platforms on this list (Blog.com, TypePad Micro, Jux, Posterous Spaces and Blogetery) have since closed or stopped offering sign-ups; each entry now says so, and a current shortlist follows the list.
The best blogging platforms for beginners as of September 2026 are WordPress.com (free plan, paid plans from $4 a month billed yearly), Google’s free Blogger, and Tumblr for social, visual blogging. Writers who want paid subscribers often choose Substack or Ghost. Blog.com, TypePad, Jux, Posterous and Blogetery are no longer usable options.
Key Takeaways
- WordPress.com, Blogger, Tumblr, Weebly and LiveJournal from the original list still operate as of September 2026.
- Typepad shut down on September 30, 2025; Posterous closed in April 2013, Jux on November 30, 2014, and Blogetery was taken offline in July 2010.
- WordPress.com’s free plan includes 1 GB of storage, a wordpress.com subdomain and WordPress.com ads shown to visitors.
- Blogger is free and supports custom domains and Google AdSense.
- Substack keeps 10% of paid-subscription revenue; Ghost(Pro) charges no transaction fee on paid memberships on its Publisher plan and above, though payment processor fees apply.
Blogging is a great way to express your thoughts, create a web presence for your company and communicate with the whole world via the Internet.
Best Free & Paid Blogging Platforms
Those who are willing to start a blog without any coding, opt for using blogging platforms. These websites allow users with no web development skills to launch their own blogs as easily as to create an account on any social network.
Wondering how to start a blog? Here are the ten blog sites this guide originally recommended for novices, each with its status as of September 2026. Five of them have closed, so a current shortlist and comparison table follow the list:
1] WordPress.com
WordPress.com is perhaps the ultimate service for content creation. The free version includes many features including traffic counters, anti-spam filters, SEO, great themes, etc. According to WordPress.com’s pricing page (September 2026), the free plan includes 1 GB of storage, a wordpress.com subdomain and WordPress.com ads shown to visitors; paid plans start at $4 per month billed yearly for the Personal plan, and prices change.
WordPress.com is run by Automattic and launched on November 21, 2005. It uses the same open-source WordPress software that, according to W3Techs (September 2026), powers 40.2% of all websites and 58.7% of sites whose content management system is known.
Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished social media manager, the wordpress blog platform will be a good choice.
2] Blog.com
Blog.com was another content creation platform, based on the WordPress software. As of September 2026 the blog.com address loads a blank page with no sign-up option, so beginners should choose one of the active platforms below instead. Like any other service, it has its pros and cons. On the one hand, you will be offered many beautiful themes and modern plugins that you can use for free.
On the other hand, there are a lot more paid ads on this website compared to WordPress.com (but you can go for a premium version to disable these advertisements).
3] Blogger
Google Blogger is a well-known service for content creation, which also has many different features. For example, Blogger has a graphical interface that gives users ability to change the appearance of a blog without reaching for professional web designers (although the Blogger themes are far from amazing as opposed to those of WordPress).
4] TypePad Micro
TypePad Micro was a lightweight option within Typepad, the blogging service Six Apart launched in October 2003. Typepad announced on August 27, 2025 that it would shut down, and it closed on September 30, 2025, so this option no longer exists. Some of its advantages include a very user-friendly interface and an ability to import/export materials from other services.
However, the site had paid subscription options only. You can get a free trial for 14 days, but then continue using it for money. In an era when almost all content creation services offer numerous features for free, TypePad Micro looks somewhat lagging behind.
5] Jux
Jux was an innovative service that allowed people to share content on the Internet. Jux announced on November 5, 2014 that it would close permanently, and it shut down on November 30, 2014. This is not an online blog platform, in its traditional sense, like those listed earlier, although it has many similar functions. In Jux, you can create your own microblogging and share information with other users.
Jux templates do not have widgets that are common for most content creation platforms. But instead, Jux will provide you with a clear and beautiful approach to content creation. You just create an account, and you can immediately begin posting content.
If the content of your site is more focused on visual content, like photos and design, Jux can surprise even experienced bloggers let along beginners.
In addition, the service offered good support for mobile devices while it operated.
6] Tumblr
Tumblr is a popular and multifunctional content creation platform. Founded by David Karp and launched in February 2007, Tumblr has been owned by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, since August 2019. It provides a blog builder offering a number of wonderful features, like audio content creation (you can share music, for example), free customizable domains, and hundreds of amazing free themes.
In addition, you can synchronize your account on Tumblr with Facebook, Twitter, Evernote and other networking sites so that you can update your own content on either platform. This allows people to track all their social media activity at once and manage various tasks from to planning your writing schedule to have a workout at the gym.
Another distinctive feature is the ability to create group blogs. Tumblr supports Google Analytics and Feedburner.
7] Posterous Spaces
Posterous Spaces was a content creation service, similar in many ways to Tumblr. Twitter acquired Posterous in 2012 and shut it down in April 2013, so it is no longer available. It has a good system of privacy and viewing of publications so that you can easily control the circle of people who can see your publications in this service.
All functions have been designed so that users can publish content as quickly as possible. The service had a number of features, including free mobile applications on iOS and Android smartphones, enabling users to update the site on the go, using a simple, well-designed user interface.
8] Blogetery
Blogetery was a service based on WordPress, which offered a modest set of functions: 140 themes, customizable domains, and about 40 plug-ins. Its web host, BurstNET, took Blogetery offline on July 9, 2010, citing Acceptable Use Policy violations, and roughly 70,000 bloggers lost their sites, according to PCWorld. The pricing below is historical.
A free version of Blogetery comes with advertisements, but if you are willing to upgrade your account, you can choose a paid tariff that will cost $3.50 per month and give you access to additional themes, plug-ins, email support and 5 GB of storage space for your material. In addition, you can get rid of advertising.
9] Weebly
Weebly offers you more than just developing a blog and managing it. Weebly has been owned by Square, now Block, Inc., since June 2018. In mid-2026 Weebly announced it was winding down service in 67 countries; the US, UK and India are not on that list, but readers elsewhere should check Weebly’s support notice before building a site. This service is a full-featured website builder.
Weebly has a convenient interface; it supports image gallery & slideshow along with audio and video files, maps, etc.
In addition, you can use the platform for design development, which will allow you to create a website for your client, effectively using Weebly as a system for managing the materials of a site.
10] LiveJournal
LiveJournal offers a content creation service with social overtones. Founded by Brad Fitzpatrick on April 15, 1999, LiveJournal has been owned by the Russian company SUP Media (part of Rambler) since 2007, moved its servers to Russia in December 2016, and since April 2017 has made its Russian-language terms of service, written to conform to Russian law, the legally binding version. You can interact and communicate with other LJ participants on the pages of your blog. The socialness of this blog service is its only noticeable advantage for most people.
This concludes our article on TOP 10 blogging platforms for beginners. We hope you enjoyed it!
Which Blogging Platforms From This List Still Work?
Half of the original list is still usable as of September 2026. The table below shows the status of each platform.
| Platform | Status (September 2026) | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | Active | Free plan with 1 GB storage and ads; paid plans from $4/month billed yearly |
| Blog.com | No sign-up available | Domain loads a blank page |
| Blogger | Active | Free; owned by Google since February 2003 |
| TypePad Micro (Typepad) | Closed | Typepad shut down on September 30, 2025 |
| Jux | Closed | Shut down on November 30, 2014 |
| Tumblr | Active | Owned by Automattic since August 2019 |
| Posterous Spaces | Closed | Shut down in April 2013 after Twitter bought it |
| Blogetery | Closed | Taken offline by its host on July 9, 2010 |
| Weebly | Active, but leaving 67 countries | Owned by Block, Inc. since 2018 |
| LiveJournal | Active | Russian-owned; Russian-language terms are binding |
What Are the Best Blogging Platforms for Beginners Today?
The best blogging platform for a beginner depends on whether the goal is a free hobby blog, a site that can grow into a business, or a newsletter with paying subscribers. These five active platforms cover those needs.
WordPress.com: Best All-Round Choice
WordPress.com is a managed version of the WordPress software, so Automattic handles hosting, maintenance and support. According to WordPress.com’s pricing page in September 2026, plans are Free, Personal ($4 a month billed yearly), Premium ($8), Business ($25) and Commerce ($45); monthly billing costs more, and prices change. A beginner can start free and upgrade later without moving the blog.
Readers who want full control can install the same software on their own hosting instead. The guide to the benefits of using WordPress explains what the software offers, and what web hosting is covers the self-hosted route.
Blogger: Best Completely Free Option
Blogger is Google’s free blogging service. It launched on August 23, 1999 at Pyra Labs, founded by Evan Williams and Meg Hourihan, and Google bought it in February 2003. According to Blogger’s own site, users get a blogspot.com address or can buy a custom domain, choose from templates, see built-in analytics, and show Google AdSense ads to earn income.
Tumblr: Best for Short, Visual and Social Posts
Tumblr suits people who post images, quotes, audio and short text and want followers on the same network. Tumblr has been owned by Automattic since August 2019, and in August 2024 Automattic said it would move Tumblr’s back end onto WordPress without changing how the service looks to users.
Substack: Best for Paid Newsletters
Substack combines a blog with an email newsletter. According to Substack, writers keep 90% of their paid-subscription revenue minus credit card fees, so Substack’s cut is 10%.
Ghost: Best for Independent Publishers
Ghost is publishing software whose source code is available for self-hosting, or it can be used through the managed Ghost(Pro) service. As of September 2026, Ghost(Pro) plans start at $18 a month billed yearly for Starter, with Publisher at $29 and Business at $199; Ghost charges 0% transaction fees on paid memberships on Publisher and higher plans, while payment processor fees still apply.
How to Choose a Blogging Platform
- Decide the goal. A personal journal can live on a free plan; a business blog or paid newsletter needs a custom domain and monetization tools.
- Check that you can take your content with you. Make sure the platform lets you export posts, so you can move if it closes, as Typepad, Posterous, Jux and Blogetery all did.
- Use your own domain early. A custom domain keeps your address the same if you switch platforms. See things to consider during a domain name search.
- Compare real costs. Check the current pricing page, including monthly versus yearly billing and revenue shares.
- Check regional availability. Weebly’s 2026 exit from 67 countries shows that a service can withdraw from a country.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Picking a platform without an export option. Closures have wiped out blogs; the Blogetery shutdown alone affected about 70,000 bloggers, according to PCWorld.
- Staying on a free subdomain too long. Moving to a new address later means old links point to the old site.
- Ignoring the terms of service. LiveJournal’s binding terms follow Russian law, which matters for some topics.
- Focusing on design over writing. Useful posts matter more than themes; see how to write quality content for your blog.
Once the blog is running, the guide on how to turn a blog into a money-making machine covers the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest blogging platform for beginners?
WordPress.com and Blogger are the easiest blogging platforms for most beginners. Both are free to start and handle hosting for you; WordPress.com offers more room to grow, while Blogger stays free with Google AdSense built in.
Is WordPress.com free?
Yes, WordPress.com has a free plan with no expiration date. As of September 2026 it includes 1 GB of storage and a wordpress.com subdomain, and WordPress.com shows its own ads to visitors on free sites.
Is Typepad still available?
No. Typepad announced on August 27, 2025 that it would shut down and closed on September 30, 2025, so Typepad and TypePad Micro can no longer be used.
Is Blogger still free?
Yes. Blogger is free, and according to Google, bloggers can use a blogspot.com address or buy a custom domain and can earn money through Google AdSense.
Which blogging platform is best for earning money?
Substack and Ghost are built for paid subscriptions: Substack keeps 10% of subscription revenue, while Ghost(Pro) charges no transaction fee on its Publisher plan and above. Blogger suits ad-based income through AdSense.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org distributes the open-source WordPress software for self-hosted installations, while WordPress.com is Automattic’s managed service that runs the same software for you, including hosting, maintenance and support.
1 Comment
Hello
Harshil,
You have picked out great blogging platforms for the beginners. Happy to see WordPress is on top of this list. I personally like WordPress and Blogger. I think Wix could be in this list which is also one of the best blogging platforms.
The provided links help to access these blogging platforms easily.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day ahead.
Praveen verma