If you have been thinking of starting your blog lately and are looking for a free blogging platform, well then you have landed at the right place.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase through those links (without any additional cost to you). And if you happen to buy through those links, thank you for your support!
My Top Three Picks:
Blogger
Blogger is best for someone who wants an easy to use platform with minimal features. It’s best for hobby bloggers and someone who wants to test it out their blogging skills before they move on to a more professional platform.
Wix
Wix is a great option for those who want an easy to use platform with a lot of features and customization options. It’s perfect for creative people who want to design their own blog from scratch. Just start for free and upgrade later.
Systeme
If you’re an affiliate marketer, educator or someone who wants to sell digital products through blogging, then Systeme.io is the perfect platform for you. It provides the most features in their free plan compared to other sites.
In this post, I will share with you the best free blogging platforms for beginners. I’ll discuss the features of each blogging platform and help you decide which is the best for you.
And, as a beginner, if you have any questions related to starting a blog for free, or maybe the easiest blogging platform. All your questions will be answered. Just keep reading!
But, before we move into the main topic, the first thing you need to understand is that when I’m talking about the “best free blogging platforms”, it doesn’t mean that these platforms will cost you nothing.
What I mean is, that these platforms are free for you to use as long as you want, and you can upgrade to a paid plan anytime you want.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best free blogging platforms list
Now, let’s go through the best free blogging platforms where you can start your blog for free and upgrade to a paid plan whenever you want.
1. Blogger
When it comes to the category of free blogging sites, Blogger is one of the most popular blogging platforms. It’s hosted by Google and more than a million people use it to blog.
In order to start using Blogger, you need to create an account and select one of the default templates. Once you’re set up, you can start writing.
Key features:
- Free Sub-domain.
- Easy to use pre-built web page template.
- Custom domain feature available.
- Google AdSense integration.
- Up to 100 blogs per account.
- Unlimited articles/posts.
- Free image and file storage up to 1GB.
- Mobile app version available.
Pricing
Blogger doesn’t have a paid plan, you can use it for free as long as you want without any restrictions as long as you comply with Google’s publisher policy.
You only have to pay if you want to buy a custom domain name that you want to connect to your website.
Pros:
- Free to use forever.
- Free web page templates.
- Easy to get started for beginners.
Cons:
- Less control over the design and function of your website.
- Fits only for blogging, difficult to extend your blog if you want to turn it into a full-fledged business.
Who should use Blogger?
Blogger is best for beginners who are looking for a free and easy-to-use platform to start their blog without any technical hassle. It’s actually a great platform for personal blogs and also to start learning about blogging.
But if you’re looking for something more than just a blog and want to turn your blog into a business, then Blogger is not for you. You should look for other platforms that offer more features and options.
2. Wix
Wix is a great drag-and-drop website builder that can host your blog, business or e-commerce store. It is the best free blogging site apart from Blogger.
The paid version gives you access to all of its features, but there is also a free plan with various limitations.
You can either choose a template for your website and design it to your liking or you can let the Wix ADI option create your website just by answering some questions.
Free features
- Drag and drop editor (Easy-to-build website builder).
- Pre-built templates.
- Only the sub-domain feature is available.
Wix pricing
Wix has two sets of pricing plans. One is for individual websites and the other is specially designed for businesses. And it also has a different pricing structure for India and other countries.
My website is from India, So I’ll show you the pricing for India first.
Individual website plan:
- Connect Domain: INR.80/Month (500 MB Storage).
- Combo: INR.125/Month (3GB Storage).
- Unlimited: INR.185/Month (10GB Storage).
- VIP: INR325/Month (35GB Storage).
Business and Ecommerce plans:
- Business Basic: INR.225/Month (20GB Storage).
- Business Unlimited: INR.300/Month (35GB Storage).
- Business VIP: INR.500/Month (50GB Storage).
Wix pricing plans for other countries in Dollars:
Individual website plans:
- Combo: $16/Month (2GB Storage).
- Unlimited: $22/Month (5GB Storage).
- Pro: $27/Month (50GB Storage).
- VIP: $45/Month (100GB Storage).
Business and Ecommerce plans:
- Business Basic: $27/Month (50GB Storage).
- Business Unlimited: $32/Month (100GB Storage).
- Business VIP: $59/Month (Unlimited Storage).
Every plan from Wix offers a Free SSL and a custom domain name for the first year. Wix also comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
You can use this period to check out all the features and if you like it then you can continue with the paid plan.
Pros:
- What can you expect from a free plan? But if your website grows then you can always upgrade to the paid plans.
- A great platform for eCommerce stores with all the features and support that you need to start and grow your business.
- 14 days money-back guarantee.
Cons:
- The free plan is very limited and you can’t do much with it.
- Difficult to move your website to another platform once you’re on Wix.
Who should use Wix?
Wix is great for those who are looking for an all-in-one platform to host their website, blog or online store. If you’re starting your business from scratch and need all the features in one place then Wix is a great choice.
3. Medium
Medium is a platform that is solely dedicated to blogging and writing. It’s a free blog publishing platform. Just like YouTube is for video creators, Medium is for writers.
With Medium, you can monetize your content through the Medium partner program, but it’s only available to certain countries.
To get started, sign up for an account on Medium.com, optimize your profile, and start publishing.
Key features:
- Medium partner program (Available in selected countries only).
- Medium subdomain.
- Helps drive traffic to your own site.
- Helps you build authority in your niche.
Medium pricing
Medium doesn’t charge anything to start writing on their platform. It’s free to use and you can even monetize your content through the Medium partner program (Only in supported countries).
Pros:
- It’s free to use and you can monetize your content.
- Medium has a very large audience so it can help you get exposure for your writing.
- It’s a great platform to build authority in your niche.
Cons:
- The Medium partner program is only available in selected countries.
- You don’t have full control over your content as Medium can delete your articles if they violate their guidelines.
- Hard to monetize your content if you’re not qualified for the Medium Partner Program.
Who should use Medium?
Medium is perfect for those who want to write and get exposure for their writing. If you’re qualified for the Medium Partner Program then you can even monetize your content.
4. Systeme
Systeme.io is an all-in-one platform that provides business owners with the tools they need to get their businesses online.
It offers a range of features, including marketing funnels, email marketing, landing pages, and a blog, all of which are available for free.
This makes Systeme.io an excellent choice for beginners, who can upgrade to a paid plan when they need more features.
Free Features:
- Blog Website.
- Custom domain.
- Sales funnel.
- E-mail marketing (2000 contacts).
- PayPal and Stripe payment integration.
- Unlimited storage.
Systeme.io pricing:
Systeme.io pricing is straightforward and divided into three tiers excluding the free plan.
- Startup: $27/Month (Supports up to 5 blogs).
- Webinar: $47/Month (20 blogs capacity).
- Unlimited: $97/Month (Unlimited blogs)
You can get a discount of 30% if you choose to pay yearly.
Pros:
- Offers a wide range of features for free.
- The paid plans are very reasonably priced.
- You can get a discount if you pay yearly.
cons:
- Nothing that I’ve found.
Who should use Systeme.io?
Systeme.io will be great for those who are just starting their business and need an all-in-one platform to get their business online, especially course creators, affiliate marketers etc.
The free plan is very generous with its features and you can always upgrade to the paid plans when you need more.
5. Linkedin
Linkedin is a social media platform that has the option to publish articles also. It’s free to blog, however, you don’t have the option to monetize it through ads or affiliate marketing.
I’d recommend it only if you’re looking for job opportunities on LinkedIn or Starting your own company.
The article writing tab is on the top right-hand side of the dashboard beside the post options.
Free features:
- Connect with professionals.
- Available on desktop only.
- Helps in finding job opportunities.
Pricing
LinkedIn is a social media platform, and its blog feature is free to use.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Can help you get job opportunities or customers for your business.
- Available on desktop only.
cons:
- Not available on mobile.
- Can’t monetize your content.
Who should use LinkedIn?
I would recommend LinkedIn only if you’re looking for a job or trying to get customers for your business. The blog feature can help you showcase your expertise and get noticed by potential employers or customers.
Note: – On a quick note, if you want to learn about how to start a blog and monetize it in different ways, you might want to check this article out.
6. Tumblr
Tumblr is a microblogging platform that, unlike other social media platforms, is based more on interests than personal profiles.
This makes it a great place for affiliate marketing, as you can share links to your blog posts with affiliate programs and increase your earnings.
To start your Tumblr blog, just sign up for an account and start creating posts. Be sure to include affiliate links in your posts to make the most out of this powerful marketing tool!
Key features:
- You can share photos, videos, and music and write articles.
- You can place affiliate links.
- Free Tumblr sub-domain.
Tumblr pricing
Tumblr is also a social media platform and hence it is free to use.
Pros:
- Can be used for affiliate marketing.
- Free to use.
- It has a clean and user-friendly interface.
- Available on mobile and desktop.
Cons:
- Ads can be annoying for users.
- Can’t start a full-fledged blog (An actual blog with a website).
Who should use Tumblr?
Tumblr would be best if you want to share photos, videos or articles on different interests and it best fits personal blogs.
And If you want to use it for affiliate marketing, then it’s an excellent choice as you can share links to your blog posts and make money.
7. WordPress
WordPress.com is an excellent platform for beginner bloggers. It is one of the most used web hosting around the world.
And it comes equipped with prebuilt app integrations and with the availability of thousands of plugin extensions. This makes it the choice of millions of web owners around the world.
However, before you use WordPress.com, you should be aware of the difference between it and WordPress.org.
Although they share the same name, these platforms work differently. WordPress.com is a blogging platform that is managed by Alphabet.
Whereas, WordPress.org is a content management system which you can install in WordPress hosting providers like Bluehost or WPX and make any kind of customizations you like.
Note: To learn how to install WordPress.org software in your hosting, check this post that I shared earlier.
For the sake of this post, I am referring to WordPress.com. Where you can create a website for free with some limitations, to get access to Google analytics and other integrations, you will have to opt for the paid plan.
Free features:
- Unlimited posts.
- WordPress subdomain.
WordPress.com pricing:
WordPress.com has a different pricing plan for India and the US. So I’ll be sharing the pricing for both countries.
For India, the pricing plans are as follows:
- Personal: INR.169/Month.
- Premium: INR.280/Month.
- Business: INR.640/Month.
- ECommerce: INR.1152/Month.
And, for the US:
- Personal: $4/Month.
- Premium: $8/Month.
- Business: $25/Month.
- ECommerce: $45/Month.
Pros:
- Can be used to create a free website.
- Has some customization options.
- Free themes.
Cons:
- Limited customization options.
- Ads placed by WordPress.
- Can’t monetize with affiliate marketing.
- All features are available in the ECommerce plan only.
Who should use WordPress.com?
WordPress.com would be a good choice if you want to create a free website with some basic features. If you’re looking for more customization options and want to monetize your website with affiliate marketing, then WordPress.org would be a better choice.
8. Site123
Site123 is an easy-to-use website builder that lets you create a website for eCommerce or blogging in under an hour, without needing to use the drag-and-drop feature.
You can choose from a range of templates, upload your content and choose a design type, and your website will be ready to go.
It’s mobile and SEO friendly, and you can also add your custom domain name with the paid plan.
Free features:
- Intuitive website builder.
- Responsive website.
- Sub-domain.
Site123 pricing
Unlike all the other website builders, Site123 has a single pricing plan for all its users. You can go for the free version or upgrade directly to the single-paid plan.
- Free: $0.
- Premium: $5.80/Month.
Pros:
- Easy website editor with drag and drop feature.
- Mobile and SEO-friendly website.
- SEO tools.
- Pre-built templates.
Cons:
- Limited customization options.
Who should use Site123?
Site123 will be a perfect fit for you if you’re looking forward to creating an eCommerce website. It’s also a good choice if you want to create a blog with a minimalistic design.
9. Weebly
Weebly is a web hosting company that offers a drop-and-drop website builder feature. This allows users to easily create and customize their websites with no programming required.
Weebly is popular for online stores, but it can also be used to start a blog. The company offers features like custom fonts, animation effects and an image editor.
Free features:
- Free SSL.
- 500MB of free storage.
- Weebly branding with sub-domain.
Weebly pricing
Weebly has two types of pricing structures, one designed for simple websites for individuals and the other for online stores.
Weebly Individual sites:
- Connect: $5/Month.
- Pro: $12/Month.
- Business: $25/Month.
Online Stores:
- Pro: $12/Month.
- Business: $25/Month.
- Business Plus: $38/Month.
Pros:
- Can be used to create a free website.
- Free SSL certificate.
- Can be used to create an online store.
- Many customization options.
Cons:
- Weebly branding on the free plan.
Who should use Weebly?
A bit eCommerce oriented but a decent website builder for blogging, but If you’re looking for an easy way to create a website or online store, Weebly is a good choice. It has many customization options, and you can remove the Weebly branding with the paid plan.
10. Jimdo
Jimdo is an all-in-one website builder and hosting provider that allows users to drag and drop features to create websites that are optimized for web and mobile devices.
It has its own image library and logo maker, but the most unique feature that Jimdo offers is the option to create your website’s legal pages like ‘terms and conditions and privacy policy pages within its dashboard.
This makes it a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who want to get their businesses online quickly and easily.
Free features:
- Free SSL.
- Jimdo Sub-domain.
- 500MB storage.
- 2GB bandwidth.
- Contact forms.
- Mobile optimized.
- Image library.
Jimdo pricing
Just like WordPress.com, Jimdo also has specific pricing plans for India and the US.
Pricing plans for India:
Individual sites:
- Start Plan: INR.300/Month.
- Grow Plan: INR.500/Month.
- Unlimited Plan: INR.1250/Month.
Online Stores:
- Basic: INR.50/Month.
- Business: INR.650/Month.
- VIP: INR.1250/Month
Jimdo Pricing plans in USD:
Individual sites:
- Start: $9/Month.
- Grow: $14/Month.
Online Stores:
- Business: $18/Month.
- VIP: $24/Month.
Pros:
- Free domain and SSL certificate.
- Can be used to create an online store.
- Create legal pages easily.
Cons:
- Limited customization options.
Who should use Jimdo?
Jimdo is a good website builder if you want to create a simple website or online store quickly and easily. It’s also a good choice if you want to create legal pages for your website.
Note: There are certain pages that are essential for websites. If you would like to know about it, Check out one of my previous posts about it here.
11. Strikingly
If you’re looking for a website builder that is specifically geared towards digital marketers and online stores, then Strikingly is a great option.
It has a built-in SEO feature to make it easier to optimize your website for search engines, and the free plan even allows you to add a single product to your website.
Free features:
- Strikingly subdomain.
- Collaborator invitation.
- 5GB bandwidth per month.
- 500MB of storage.
Strikingly pricing
Strikingly has a straightforward pricing structure that is based on the features you need.
- Limites: $8/Month.
- Pro: $16/Month.
- VIP: $49/Month.
Pros:
- Built-in SEO feature.
- Can be used to create a free website.
- Can add a single product to the website on the free plan.
Cons:
- Limited customization options.
Who should use Strikingly?
Strikingly is a good choice for digital marketers and online stores. It’s a good option if you’re looking forward to selling a single product on your website and want to go with the free plan.
Now that you have seen the list of the best free blogging platforms, it’s time to choose one for your blog.
So…
Which is the best free blogging platform?
To be honest with you, I always recommend a self-hosted WordPress website over any of the free blogging platforms.
The reason is, that you get more control and flexibility with a self-hosted WordPress blog. As a beginner you can go for Bluehost shared hosting, but if you want your website to be the fastest and the support even faster you can go for WPX or 10Web managed WordPress hosting.
My Take:
However, if you are just starting out and don’t want to invest in a self-hosted WordPress website, then you can go with any of the free blogging platforms listed above. But my recommendation is to go for Blogger if you just want to blog, but if you want to extend your blog to a full-fledged business later you can go for Wix. And, if you’re blogging to sell courses and do affiliate marketing, Systeme.io is the way to go.
Conclusion
Creating your blog website on free website builders and platforms can be a good option if you want to start blogging for showcasing your creativity or if it’s out of passion.
However, if you want to turn it into a full-fledged business with adverts, affiliate marketing and selling your products, I would recommend using WordPress and renting a hosting plan.
I have started a series of posts under the category affiliate marketing, by following the posts under this category, you can start your own blog website on WordPress and monetize it later.
