My Revised (& Personal) Best Blogging Platforms 2025

My opinion…

Apr 28, 2025

I made a boo-boo. Well, not technically, but…

In a recent story, I went over my top blogging platforms 2025.

That ranking was a general list I created for new bloggers, bloggers to be, and anyone interested, based on what I think the most usable and practical blogging platforms are right now.

But now, let’s quickly take a look at what my personal favorites are and what I think you SHOULD really use this year and beyond.

It’ll a shorter list. And a clear recommendation at the end.

5. Everything That Isn’t Number 4–1

Free and paid

This one’s a bit of a cheat, but I’m putting a bunch of platforms that didn’t quite make the top 4 into this “miscellaneous” category.

You can use a gazillion options. Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Framer, Blogger, Blot, Gumroad, choices are endless.

Many of those are solid options, but to be real, you should take one from the next 4 instead.

4. Ghost

Paid (and worth it)

Ghost is sleek, simple, and powerful — almost everything I want in a blogging platform.

It’s the modern option (of WordPress) for those who want to mess around with some options, but not too many, who aren’t afraid of some techy details, a bit of code, or some do-it-yourself work.

Ghost is a clean, no-distraction writing experience, but with powerful features for those who need them. It’s also open source and highly reputable.

If you don’t mind paying for something a bit more polished, Ghost is the way to go.

Perfect for: Bloggers who want a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that still packs a punch in terms of features.

3. WordPress

Free and paid

WordPress deserves its own spot because, honestly, it’s been the workhorse of blogging for decades.

Whether you go with .com for simplicity or .org for total control, WordPress is a powerhouse. The .com version is great if you want an easier, less setup-heavy approach, but if you’re ready to dive deep into customization, and you don’t mind a little tech work, .org is the way to go. You can bascially run it for free, and do anything you want.

So yeah, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, WordPress has something for everyone.

Perfect for: Those who want flexibility and scalability, but don’t mind getting their hands dirty a little.

2. Medium

Free and paid (but you’ll probably want paid)

Medium is my go-to since 2021, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I’ve had my biggest success there, and it’s still my favorite place to write. What I love about Medium is that you don’t need to worry about anything technical — it’s all about the writing. Plus, you have access to an audience of millions.

It’s part of the reason Medium has become such a big part of my writing life. The Partner Program is awesome, and it allows writers to make money without ads. A rarity in today’s world.

You can use Medium for free, but the real power is the partner program and for that you need the $6 a month membership which is totally reasonable, in my opinion. You also support other writers with that fee.

Perfect for: Writers who want to focus purely on writing and reach a big, built-in audience.

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1. Substack

Free (until you start earning money, then they take a cut)

No surprise, is it?

Substack takes the top spot for me. If you’re serious about building an audience, a paying, engaged community around your writing in 2025, this is the platform to use.

You make money directly from your content — you’re not relying on ads or sponsorships, just like Medium, only in a different format. Single subscriptions over a general membership fee.

The great thing about Substack is that it’s ridiculously easy to use. You can’t do much wrong there. It’s got all the basic stuff you need and little more.

The Substack Notes feature is also great for building community around your work, and I think it’s one of the best ways to create a sustainable, long-term writing career in 2025.

Perfect for: Writers who want to make a living from their writing by building a direct connection with readers.

The Bottom Line

There you have it — my personal list of blogging platforms that are worth your time 2025 and beyond.

The advice I’d give? Pick a platform that excites you to write. Don’t be concerned too much with features, SEO, plugins, and such.

For the best results: I’d use both Medium and Substack 2025. They’re somewhat similar but different at the same time. But you have a growing community on both, a wealth of simple features, a social media aspect, email, and options for custom domains.

I use both (and stopped using WordPress for them).

I haven’t looked back.