For writers seeking to publish online, there’s a world of options besides Medium, each with its own strengths, price ranges, and ideal user. Whether you’re seeking total ownership, creative control, easy monetization, or a community-first experience, this guide sums up every major blogging platform you should know, who each one works best for, and what it’ll cost you to get started.
Platform Overview, Pricing & Best Use
Here’s a handy table plus short explanations for each top option
| Platform | Price (2025) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org | $50–$180/year | Anyone wanting full control, customization, & growth |
| Ghost | Free–$9+/mo | Serious writers, memberships, & distraction-free writing |
| Bullet.so | Free–$9+/mo | Notion users, quick personal/small team blogs |
| Substack | Free; 10% fee on paid | Newsletter creators, solo writers building a direct audience |
| Wix | Free–$17+/mo | Beginners, creatives, small business with easy design |
| Squarespace | $16+/mo | Visual-heavy blogs, designers, all-in-one portfolios |
| Vocal Media | Free; $9.99+/mo for + | Writers who want to get paid for views/contests |
| Blogger | Free | Absolute beginners, casual & hobby bloggers |
| Tumblr | Free + themes | Creatives, fandoms, community-driven microblogging |
WordPress.org
Offers total control, immense customization, plugins, and scalability.
Best for: Professionals, businesses, self-starters willing to manage hosting and design.
Price: Free for software; hosting ~$3–$11/mo, domain ~$15/year.
Ghost
Minimal, super-fast, distraction-free. Suited for paid memberships and exclusive content.
Best for: Journalists, serious creators, those wanting privacy and speed.
Price: Free self-hosted; Ghost(Pro) starts at $9–$18/mo for managed hosting.
Bullet. so
Publishes straight from Notion; very quick and user-friendly.
Best for: Notion fans, solo or small team writers wanting a fast setup.
Price: Free (one site); $9+/mo for advanced features.
Substack
Create & send newsletters, monetize audience, simple analytics.
Best for: Building a paid email following, thought leaders.
Price: Free; 10% fee for paid subscription earnings.
Wix
Drag-and-drop design, 900+ templates, integrated analytics.
Best for: Beginners, creatives needing beautiful sites & easy commerce.
Price: Free (with ads); Premium plans $17–$36/mo for advanced features & custom domains.
Squarespace
Known for slick templates and all-in-one blog/shop/site creation.
Best for: Visual storytelling, artists, freelancers needing a portfolio and blog.
Price: $16–$99/mo depending on plan.
Vocal Media
Pays for views, contests, storytelling without site setup.
Best for: Writers seeking direct payments and gamified writing challenges.
Price: Free to join; Vocal+ is $9.99/mo for higher payouts and contests.
Blogger
Free, old-school blogging; super easy for beginners.
Best for: Hobbyists, casual writers, anyone wanting quick publishing with no costs or fuss.
Price: Completely free; custom domains ~$15/year.
Tumblr
Home to memes, fan art, quick-sharing, and creative communities.
Best for: Creatives, fandoms, microbloggers all about interaction.
Price: Free + paid themes (optional).
Final Thoughts
The “right” platform in 2025 depends on your goals, experience level, and what kind of audience you want. Vocal Media, Blogger, and Tumblr are most approachable if you want something simple, creative, or community-powered.
The best way to choose? Test a few out, most have free versions or trials, and see which feels right for your writing style, ambitions, and workflow.
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