Freedom251 › Blogging Platforms
BlogEngine.NET
What BlogEngine.NET is
BlogEngine.NET is an open-source blogging platform built on ASP.NET for individuals and businesses managing an online presence. Its dashboard tracks post, page, and comment statistics, and supports drafts for later publication. The editor offers controls for URLs, descriptions, tags, categories, dates, authors, and custom fields. Themes, widgets, and plugins support customization, and themes include free and premium options. Comment settings include BlogEngine, Disqus, and Facebook, with moderation and nested-comment controls. Content is stored in XML files by default, or through a database provider for standard SQL databases including MS SQL Server, MySQL, and SQLite. BlogEngine.NET is free; listed one-time purchases include a Modern Theme for 14.99 USD and 10 themes for 34.99 USD. Manual installation requires Windows Server hosting, IIS, ASP.NET 4.5 or later, file management or FTP access, and write access to application folders. The project began in 2007. Its live demo cannot save changes. Setup guidance says to change the default admin password, and the project recommends updating machineKey in Web.config to address a known exploit affecting default admin account use.
Who it suits
It suits individuals or businesses looking for an open-source blogging platform and able to meet its Windows Server and ASP.NET hosting requirements. Developers can also customize themes with code and use supported database providers.
What it does well
- Tracks post, page, and comment statistics
- Supports drafts for later publication
- Offers themes, widgets, and plugins
- Stores content in XML by default
- Supports several standard SQL databases
What to know first
- Manual installation requires Windows Server hosting and IIS
- Requires ASP.NET 4.5 or later
- The live demo cannot save changes
- Installation requires write access to application folders
Limits
The free BlogEngine.NET plan requires Windows hosting with ASP.NET 4.5 or later. Manual installation also requires IIS, file management or FTP access, and write access to application folders.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BlogEngine.NET | open-source blogging platform · requires Windows hosting with ASP.NET 4.5+ | Free |
| Modern Theme | light and dark mode | $14.99, paid once |
| 65% OFF 10 Themes | 10 popular themes | $34.99, paid once |
As blogengine.io lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the BlogEngine.NET website
- Prepare Windows Server hosting with IIS
- Install ASP.NET 4.5 or later
- Download the ready-to-install package or source code
- Provide file management or FTP access
- Allow write access to application folders
- Change the default admin password after first login
Verdict
BlogEngine.NET offers blogging, publishing controls, and customization as free open-source software. Its Windows hosting requirements and setup security steps are important considerations before installation.
Questions
Is BlogEngine.NET free?
Yes. BlogEngine.NET is listed as a free, open-source platform at no cost.
What platforms does it support?
It is available as self-hosted software on Windows and the web.
Which databases can it use?
It stores content in XML files by default and includes a provider for standard SQL databases, including MS SQL Server, MySQL, and SQLite.
Are themes included?
The platform supports free and premium themes. A Modern Theme costs 14.99 USD once, while 10 popular themes cost 34.99 USD once.
What is required for manual installation?
Manual installation requires Windows Server hosting, IIS, ASP.NET 4.5 or later, file management or FTP access, and write access to application folders.
Who makes BlogEngine.NET?
The project identifies BlogEngine.NET as its maker and says it began in 2007.
Facts from BlogEngine.NET's own pages
- Audience
- The project describes the platform as serving individuals and businesses creating and managing an online presence. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Blog analytics
- Yes · blogengine.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Comments
- Built-in comment options include BlogEngine, Disqus, and Facebook, with moderation and nested comment settings. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Current download
- The official download page lists version 3.3.8.0 and links to ready-to-install and source-code downloads. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The platform supports themes, widgets, and plugins, and offers free and premium themes. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Demo limitation
- The live demo is not fully functional and changes made there cannot be saved. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Editor
- The editor supports custom URLs and descriptions, tags, categories, custom dates, author selection, and custom fields. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2007 · blogengine.io, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · blogengine.io, 22 Sept 2026
- History
- The About page says BlogEngine.NET began in 2007. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Hosting requirements
- Manual installation requires Windows Server hosting, IIS, ASP.NET 4.5 or later, file management or FTP access, and write access to application folders. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- BlogEngine.NET is an open-source blogging platform built on the ASP.NET framework. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- The dashboard tracks posts, pages, and comment statistics and supports quick drafts for later publication. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The setup guide says to change the default admin password immediately after first login. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Security configuration
- The project’s GitHub README recommends updating machineKey in Web.config to prevent a known exploit affecting use of the default admin account. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- BlogEngine stores content in XML files by default and includes a database provider for databases supporting standard SQL, including MS SQL Server, MySQL, and SQLite. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The official contact page offers a form for users to send the team a message. · blogengine.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Theme customization
- custom code · blogengine.io, 22 Sept 2026
Where BlogEngine.NET stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#32 of 125