Free and open first

Best Blogging Platforms in 2026

A blogging platform can shape how you publish, customize a site and manage its audience. Compare author limits, post scheduling and blog analytics, then weigh theme customization, custom domains and built-in memberships against the way you want to run a blog. WordPress.com, Hyvor Blogs and Edublogs are among the named options to consider. Free-plan availability and paid starting prices can help you understand access and cost, while author limits may matter if several people will contribute. Look at the listed features together: publishing controls, design flexibility and membership tools may carry different importance depending on your plans.

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

1

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.

9.3 Free plan Visit site
2

Meridian

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

Choose Meridian if you want an open-source publishing engine with memberships, newsletters, and Stripe integration, and can handle self-hosting.

9.1 Free plan · paid from $9/mo Visit site
3

Apache Roller

Free plan Open source APISelf-hostedWeb

Apache Roller offers blog publishing features for self-hosted sites, including group permissions, templates, feeds, and search.

9.0 Free plan Visit site
4

ReactPress

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

Choose ReactPress if you want an open-source publishing system that combines React-oriented content tools, Next.js themes, plugins, and API access.

9.0 Open source Visit site
5

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.

8.9 Open source Visit site
6

Avidemux

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1

8.5 Free plan Visit site
7

OpenQuill

Free plan Open source Self-hostedWeb

OpenQuill provides a focused, self-hosted blogging setup with multi-user administration and Markdown writing.

8.3 Open source Visit site
8

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

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

7.6 Free plan · paid from $5/mo Visit site
9

HackerNoon
by HackerNoon
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+1

HackerNoon combines open technology reading with writer submissions, reader accounts, and mobile tools.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
10

Hatena Blog
by Hatena Blog
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Choose Hatena Blog if you want a multi-platform blogging service with custom domains, scheduled posts, analytics, and the option to increase blog and upload allowances through a Pro course.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
11

Hyvor Blogs
by Hyvor Blogs
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Hyvor Blogs combines publishing, SEO, collaboration, and developer options in one platform. Consider the hosting requirements and lack of built-in membership features when assessing fit.

7.5 Free plan · paid from €5/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
12

Medium

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Medium combines publishing tools, distribution, memberships, and reader benefits across web and mobile apps.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
13

Tistory
by Tistory
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Tistory combines publishing, site customization, analytics, and team roles in a free service.

7.5 Free plan 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.

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

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.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
16

Edublogs
by Edublogs
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Edublogs combines classroom publishing and privacy controls with import and export options. Check the free plan's storage and file limits, and note that plugin choices are restricted to its directory.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $39.95/yr Visit site
17

Halo
by Halo
Free plan WebLinuxiPhone+1

Halo combines blogging, content management, publishing controls, and optional store features across several platforms.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
18

Inkwell
by Inkwell
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

Choose Inkwell if you want a self-hosted, open-source blogging platform with editorial workflows, multi-blog hosting, and a free core plan.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
19

WordPress.com
by WordPress.com
Free plan AndroidiPhone

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

7.4 Free plan · paid from $2.75/mo (annual) Visit site
20

Writizzy

Free plan APIWeb

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

7.4 Free plan · paid from €9/mo Visit site
21

Pagecord
by Pagecord
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Pagecord offers several routes from writing to publishing, plus site export and RSS.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $4/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
22

livedoor Blog
by livedoor Blog
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose livedoor Blog if you want a free blogging service with custom domains, analytics, scheduling, and HTML/CSS design customization.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
23

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.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
24

Textpattern

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

Textpattern combines website publishing, template control, and extensibility in a free self-hosted CMS.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
25

Known

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Known combines multiple publishing formats with privacy, customization, and self-hosting options. Consider the technical requirements if you plan to host it yourself.

7.4 Free plan 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

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