Free and open first

Best Blog Software in 2026

Use blog software to create and maintain blog content online and across supported platforms. This guide is for people choosing a blogging tool on a budget.

25 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Jekyll

Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

Jekyll provides a text-to-static-site workflow with blog features, themes, plugins, and multiple deployment options. Its installation dependencies are worth checking before choosing it.

9.0 Open source Visit site
2

WordPress
by WordPress
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

WordPress offers a flexible publishing foundation with options for both nontechnical site builders and developers. The self-hosted plan is free, but requires hosting and a domain of your own.

8.7 Free plan Visit site
3

Bludit

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

Bludit offers a free flat-file CMS with editorial, SEO and customization features. It requires PHP hosting, while optional PRO plugins are available from the $2 Patreon tier and above.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
4

Bear Blog

Free plan Web

Choose Bear Blog if you want a web-based place to publish words with feeds, scheduled posts, and a free starting plan.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
5

FlatPress
by FlatPress
Free plan Self-hostedWeb

FlatPress provides a compact, extensible blogging system for single-user PHP hosting. Its file storage and GPLv2 license simplify deployment, while the single-user design limits shared administration.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

HTMLy

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

HTMLy combines flat-file publishing with scheduling, search, custom fields, and multiple content-management methods. Check hosting requirements and be prepared to install themes manually.

7.3 Open source Visit site
7

Micro.blog
by Micro.blog
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

Micro.blog blends personal publishing with a chronological social feed and broad interoperability.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $5/mo Visit site
8

BlogCloud

Free plan Web

BlogCloud combines hosted publishing with theme customization, moderation, collaboration, and optional commerce.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
9

Hashnode
by Hashnode
Free plan APIWeb

Hashnode offers technical writing tools alongside publication management, custom domains, and analytics. Its Free plan covers one publication; API reading and publishing are restricted to Pro.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $5/mo Visit site
10

Substack

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Choose Substack if you want one publishing flow for several content formats, with audience discovery tools and paid subscription options.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
11

Lavvus

Free plan APIWeb

Lavvus brings writing, newsletters, link pages, and automation together with European hosting and stated privacy protections.

7.1 Free plan · paid from €6/mo Visit site
12

Publii
by Publii
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Publii covers core blog publishing needs with custom domains, code-based theme customization, and analytics at no cost. Its listed feature set omits memberships and post scheduling.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
13

Hexo
by Hexo
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Hexo provides a code-oriented way to generate and deploy static blogs with extensive theme and plugin customization.

7.0 Open source Visit site
14

Tumblr

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Tumblr combines blogging, community participation, and several tools for managing a blog. Consider its export limits and lack of content importing if moving existing material is important.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $6.99/mo Visit site
15

WriteFreely

Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+2

WriteFreely offers a lightweight publishing system with community controls and fediverse support.

7.0 Open source Visit site
16

Pelican

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Pelican offers a text-based route to static sites with multiple content formats and deployment options.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
17

WordPress.com
by WordPress.com
Free plan AndroidiPhone

WordPress.com offers hosted site publishing with mobile management, memberships, analytics, and unmetered bandwidth.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $2.75/mo (annual) Visit site
18

Write.as
by Write.as
Free plan Self-hosted

Choose Write.as if you want ad-free publishing with multiple reading channels, post scheduling, and options to export or self-host.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $6/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
19

Writizzy

Free plan APIWeb

Writizzy combines blogging, newsletters, memberships and paid subscriptions, with migration and customization options.

6.6 Free plan · paid from €9/mo Visit site
20

WritePage

Free plan Web

WritePage combines publishing, newsletters, analytics, and AI-assisted themes in one platform with a usable free tier.

6.5 Free plan · paid from $15/mo Visit site
21

ContioReach

Free plan Web

6.1 Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual) Visit site
22

Ghost
by Ghost
Free trial Web

Ghost brings publishing, newsletters, memberships, and editorial tools into one platform. It offers a trial but no permanent free plan, and publication revenue may still incur processor fees.

6.0 From $18/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
23

Typen

Free plan Web

5.6 Free plan · paid from $9/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
24

Posthaven

Paid Web

Posthaven combines flexible publishing, custom theme code, privacy controls, and email distribution in a web service. Its paid-only model and lack of blog importing are important considerations.

5.2 From $5/mo Visit site
25

Movable Type

Paid Web

4.2 7-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Review free-plan availability, starting paid prices, custom-domain support, scheduling, editing tools, user allowances, analytics, and export features. Also verify trial conditions, compatible platforms, and licensing details when access to source code matters.

Questions

Is there a no-cost way to use blog software?

Yes. Software in this category includes free plans, and some products follow a free pricing model.

Are trial periods available for blog tools?

Yes. Some software in this category provides a free trial. Check the trial terms before starting.

Which prices should I look at?

Review both free-plan availability and starting paid rates. Examples include $15/mo on annual billing and €6/mo.

What operating environments are supported?

The category covers web, Linux, self-hosted, API, iOS, and macOS platforms.

Is source code available for any of these blog tools?

Yes. Some listed software provides open-source code. Review the licence before using or modifying it.

Questions

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