Freedom251 › Blogging Platforms
WriteFreely
What WriteFreely is
WriteFreely is free, open-source software for publishing personal blogs or hosting writing communities. Its editor opens directly into a distraction-free writing area and saves automatically. Posts can use Markdown or HTML, include photos and videos, and render MathJax. Community administrators can allow open or closed registration, invite writers, and set policies. ActivityPub federation lets people on Mastodon, Pleroma, and other fediverse services follow, bookmark, and share posts. WriteFreely adds SEO metadata automatically and supports RSS subscriptions containing full posts. The software is written in Go and can use MySQL or SQLite; its about page says it can run with as little as 256 MB of RAM. Self-hosting requires command-line experience and a server able to run an executable. The API supports reading and publishing for applications and utilities. The self-hosted software costs nothing under AGPLv3. Managed Write.as hosting costs $6 a month when paid yearly, with automatic backups and upgrades and early access to stable features.
Who it suits
WriteFreely suits individuals publishing blogs and operators running writing communities. Self-hosters should be comfortable with command-line setup and server administration.
What it does well
- Free and open source under AGPLv3
- Distraction-free editor saves automatically
- Supports Markdown, HTML, media, and MathJax
- ActivityPub federation connects to fediverse platforms
- Provides API publishing and reading access
What to know first
- Self-hosting requires command-line experience
- No built-in memberships
- No blog analytics
- Mac app is marked “soon”
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| WriteFreely (self-hosted software) | Free and open source software licensed under AGPLv3 | Free |
| Write.as personal blog hosting (managed WriteFreely hosting) | when paid yearly · Automatic backups and upgrades · Flat monthly pricing · Early access to stable WriteFreely features | $6 a month |
As writefreely.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
WriteFreely offers a lightweight publishing system with community controls and fediverse support. Use the free self-hosted software for server control, or choose managed Write.as hosting for paid yearly service.
Facts from WriteFreely's own pages
- API
- The API provides read access and publishing abilities for building applications and utilities; documented endpoints are officially supported while undocumented ones may change without notice. · developers.write.as, 12 Oct 2026
- Apps
- The WriteFreely apps page lists an iPhone and iPad app, a command-line tool, and an Org mode integration; its Mac app is marked “soon.” · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Audience
- WriteFreely is presented for individuals publishing blogs and operators hosting writing communities. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Blog analytics
- No · writefreely.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Built-in memberships
- No · writefreely.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Community
- Admins can allow open or closed registrations, invite writers, and set community policies. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Discovery
- WriteFreely automatically includes SEO metadata and supports RSS subscriptions to full posts. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Federation
- ActivityPub lets people on Mastodon, Pleroma, and other fediverse platforms follow, bookmark, and share posts. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Formatting
- Posts can use Markdown or HTML, and WriteFreely supports photos, videos, and MathJax rendering. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Self-hosting requires command-line experience and access to a server where an executable can run; the setup guide says installation takes about 30 minutes. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WriteFreely is free, open source software for publishing a personal blog or a writing community on the web. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Post scheduling
- Yes · writefreely.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- Help is primarily community-provided through the forum; paid one-time and ongoing support is available for self-hosters. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Technology
- WriteFreely is written in Go, can use MySQL or SQLite, and the about page says it can run with as little as 256 MB RAM. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Transport security
- The setup guide describes secure standalone configuration with certificates and redirects insecure traffic to HTTPS. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Writing
- Its lightweight editor opens directly to a distraction-free writing space and saves automatically. · writefreely.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where WriteFreely stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#45 of 125
- Writing Apps#50 of 135
- Blog Software#15 of 25