Freedom251 › Blogging Platforms
Open Live Writer
What Open Live Writer is
Open Live Writer is a free, open-source blog editor for writing, editing, scheduling and publishing posts. You can compose entries offline, then publish when connected again. The editor adds photos and videos and lists WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, Movable Type and DasBlog among supported services. Blogger categories can populate automatically for tagging posts. The application uses the MIT license and is listed as free. The download page provides a 5.2 MB .exe installer for Windows. The FAQ says Windows XP is unsupported because of the .NET version used. It also notes that substantial code uses Windows-specific APIs, so porting to Mac OS or Linux would require work. Spell checking works on Windows 8 and later, but not Windows 7. Release notes warn that Windows Defender SmartScreen may display warnings because of a new code-signing certificate. Support is directed to a Google Group, with GitHub for FAQs and issue reporting. Listed platforms are macOS and Windows.
Who it suits
Open Live Writer suits bloggers who want offline composition, media insertion and publishing to several listed blog services. It is also suitable for users seeking MIT-licensed, free software.
What it does well
- Offline composition and later publishing
- Supports photos and videos
- Lists five supported blog services
- Post scheduling available
- MIT-licensed and free
What to know first
- Windows XP unsupported
- Spell checking unavailable on Windows 7
- Mac and Linux ports require work
- SmartScreen warnings may appear
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Open Live Writer | Open source · MIT license | Free |
As openlivewriter.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Open Live Writer provides free offline blog editing with media support and scheduled publishing. Check the Windows version requirements and the listed platform limitations before installing.
Facts from Open Live Writer's own pages
- Blogger categories
- The site’s release notes say Blogger categories populate automatically for tagging blog posts. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Blog services
- The site lists WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, Movable Type, and DasBlog among supported blog services. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2015 · openlivewriter.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Installer notice
- The release notes warn that Windows Defender SmartScreen may show warnings because the release uses a new code signing certificate. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Mac and Linux
- The FAQ says Windows-specific APIs are used in significant portions of the code and suggests that porting to Mac OS or Linux would require work. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Media
- The editor lets you add photos and videos to blog posts. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline editing
- You can compose blog posts offline and publish them when you return online. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The application is provided under the MIT license. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The FAQ says Windows Live Writer plugins were being considered for a future release. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Open Live Writer is a blog editor for authoring, editing, and publishing blog posts. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yes · openlivewriter.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Spell check
- The release notes state spell checking works on Windows 8 and later, and not on Windows 7. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product site directs users to a Google Group for user support and to GitHub for FAQs and issue reporting. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows download
- The download page offers a 5.2 MB .exe installer. · openlivewriter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The FAQ says Windows XP is unsupported because of the .NET version used. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Open Live Writer stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#72 of 125