Side by side
Meridian vs WordPress
Both stand on blogging platforms. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
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. The listed Managed Cloud plan adds managed databases, updates, backups, and priority support, but it is marked “Coming Soon.”
Visit Meridian
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.
Visit WordPressThe facts
| Meridian | WordPress | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Managed Cloud: $9 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | WordPress |
| Website | meridian.blog | wordpress.org |
| On blogging platforms | #2 of 125 | #1 of 125 |
Meridian: what it does well
- Free Self-Hosted plan includes unlimited posts, pages, and members.
- Supports free, premium, and custom membership tiers.
- Connects subscription tiers to the publisher’s Stripe account.
- Newsletter tools include public sign-up and multiple email providers.
- Open source under AGPLv3, with no platform fee.
What to know first
- Self-hosting requires PostgreSQL 16.
- Managed Cloud is marked “Coming Soon.”
- GraphQL is available only in development mode.
WordPress: what it does well
- Free open-source software under GPLv2-or-later.
- Sites can be customized without code.
- Plugins add a range of site capabilities.
- Publishing includes scheduled posts and revisions.
- Available in more than 70 languages.
What to know first
- Self-hosted use requires your own hosting and domain.
- The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later.
- Only the latest version is officially supported.
Alternatives to Meridian Alternatives to WordPress The whole list