The Top 5 Blogging Platforms For 2025 (Really)

You wouldn't guess number 1

Blogging isn’t going anywhere in 2025.

As much as some might think that blogging is dead, it's far from it. Blogging as a whole I still a growing field of content creation, thanks to trending platforms, good old staples, and the increasing appeal of writing and email marketing.

Whether you’re sharing personal stories, building your business, or establishing yourself as an expert in your field, blogging is and probably will always be a powerful way to connect with an audience.

But with so many platforms out there, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. From beginners to pros, each of the platforms offers something different.

To make your choice a little easier, I’ve put together a rundown of the top 5 blogging platforms for 2025.

You might not have guessed some of those.

5. Squarespace

For Design-Forward Blogging

Squarespace is best known for its beautiful design templates and all-in-one website-building solution.

It really doesn't get much easier than Squarespace if you're looking for a nice all-in-one solution for your blog and website. But that does come with a price which is the main reason that Squarespace "only" comes in at number 5 here.

Squarespace is a fantastic option for creatives, small businesses, and anyone who wants a visually stunning blog without having to mess with code.

Squarespace makes it easy to create a professional-looking site that reflects your personal or brand style. And it takes only minutes to get a site up and running.

Pros of Squarespace:

• Beautiful Templates: Squarespace’s design is top-notch. Its templates are modern, stylish, and perfect for showcasing your content with a professional look.

• All-in-One Solution: Squarespace handles everything from hosting to domains, making it a one-stop shop for building your blog or website. You don’t have to worry about finding separate services.

• Ease of Use: Squarespace’s drag-and-drop builder makes designing your site a breeze. You don’t need to know a thing about coding to make something that looks great.

Cons of Squarespace:

• Limited Customization: While Squarespace’s templates are beautiful, they can also be limiting. You can’t customize them as deeply as you can with WordPress, which can be frustrating if you want something truly unique.

• SEO Capabilities: While Squarespace has improved its SEO features, it still lags behind other large blogging platforms in terms of customization and flexibility for optimizing your site for search engines.

• Subscription Costs: Squarespace’s all-in-one approach isn’t the cheapest. Monthly fees can add up, especially if you’re on a budget or just starting out.

Best For: Creative professionals, small businesses, and anyone who prioritizes design and ease of use over deep customization. It’s perfect for those who want a beautiful, functional site without a lot of hassle.

4. Ghost

For Speed, Simplicity, and SEO

It's truly hard to rank Ghost because it's a fantastic platform. But some downsides make it a bit less desirable than the other options on this list.

What is Ghost

Ghost is a sleek, modern platform that’s quickly gaining popularity among serious writers and content creators.

It's somewhat young.

Ghost is known for its fast performance, SEO capabilities, and minimalist design.

It will be particularly appealing to those who want a WordPress alternative that’s less cluttered and easier to manage, yet still powerful and flexible.

Pros of Ghost:

• Speed and Performance: Ghost is built for speed. It’s lightweight, which means your blog will load faster and perform better than some heavier platforms.

• SEO and Built-In Tools: Ghost comes with built-in SEO features, making it easy to optimize your content for search engines without needing extra plugins.

• Member Subscriptions: Ghost offers native member subscription options, allowing you to create a membership site with paid content, similar to Substack, but with more customization control.

Cons of Ghost:

• Fewer Integrations: Compared to WordPress, Ghost has fewer plugins and integrations available. While it covers most basic needs, it might fall short if you’re looking for something highly specific.

• Requires Hosting: Like WordPress, Ghost requires you to find your own hosting, which adds an extra layer of setup and maintenance.

• Pricing: Ghost can be more expensive than other options, especially if you choose its managed hosting services. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but you get a lot of value for your money.

Best For: Writers, bloggers, and businesses who want a fast, modern, and SEO-friendly platform that’s easy to use but still offers customization and membership capabilities. And the ones who are not afraid to pay for a good platform.

3. WordPress

The Powerhouse for Customization and Control

A few years ago, WordPress would be number 1 on any blogging-related ranking. But nowadays, there are a couple of more modern and somewhat different platforms that take the cake from the OG of blogging.

What is WordPress

WordPress has been a leader in the blogging world for two decades, and it remains one of the most powerful and versatile platforms available.

With WordPress, you can create everything from a simple blog to a complex business website, shop, or portfolio.

It’s highly customizable, offers thousands of plugins and themes, and puts you in complete control of your content. There's also a humongous community for help and support around.

WordPress.com does cost for advanced features, but if you use WordPress.org and have a little tech knowledge, you can run it entirely free.

Pros of WordPress:

• Unlimited Customization: With WordPress, the sky’s the limit when it comes to customization. You can choose from thousands of themes and plugins to create a site that’s truly your own.

• Ownership and Control: Unlike platforms like Medium or Substack, you own your WordPress site completely. You’re not at the mercy of changing algorithms or platform rules.

• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is built with SEO in mind, giving you the tools to optimize your site for search engines and attract organic traffic.

Cons of WordPress:

• Steeper Learning Curve: WordPress isn’t the easiest platform to learn, especially if you’re new to website building. Setting up a WordPress site can be intimidating if you’re not tech-savvy.

• Costs Can Add Up: While WordPress itself is free, you’ll need to pay for hosting, themes, plugins, and possibly a developer if you need help setting things up. These costs can add up quickly.

• Maintenance Required: WordPress sites need regular updates and maintenance. This can be a hassle if you’re not comfortable with the technical side of things.

Best For: Bloggers and businesses who want full control over their site’s look and functionality and who are willing to put in the time to learn the ropes or hire help.

2. Medium

For Reach and Community

Had you asked me 2 years ago about a ranking of the best blogging platforms, Medium would have been number 1, no question.

It was a minimal, well-rounded, community-oriented blogging platform with high earning potential.

It still is most of those things, but one other platform has risen to the top. More on that in a bit.

What is Medium

Medium has been around for a while, but it remains my and many others' go-to platform for looking to reach a broad audience.

Medium is a hybrid between a social network and a blogging platform, making it ideal for sharing ideas, stories, and expertise.

If you’re looking to get your work in front of more eyes without worrying about SEO, Medium’s built-in audience can give you the boost you need.

The key for MEdium is its tight control by editors and staff that can make or break your efforts. Boosting can help. you earn massively with your articles. Without relying on ads or third-party tools to make money.

Pros of Medium:

• Built-In Audience: Medium has millions of readers browsing the platform daily, which means your content has a chance of being discovered organically without having to work hard on promotion.

• Easy-to-Use Editor: Medium’s writing editor is intuitive and distraction-free, letting you focus on your content rather than fiddling with formatting.

• Partner Program: Medium’s Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on how many people engage with their content. It’s not a fortune, but it’s a nice bonus if your writing gains traction.

Cons of Medium:

• Limited Branding Control: Medium prioritizes a consistent reading experience, which means your blog’s design will look much like everyone else’s. Branding options are minimal, which can be a drawback if you want a unique look.

• Paywall: Medium places some content behind a paywall. While this can be great for earning money, it might limit your reach if readers aren’t subscribed to Medium.

• Algorithm Dependence: Getting noticed on Medium often depends on the platform’s algorithm. You might write the perfect article, but it won’t go far if the algorithm doesn’t favor it.

• Pay Money to Make Money: You can only earn from the partner program if you're a paying member, which means paying at least $5 per month.

Best For: Writers who want to focus on writing without getting bogged down by design, SEO, or technical details, and who value community engagement and visibility.

1. Substack:

For Newsletters and Monetization

Of course, Substack is king in 2024 and 2025.

This relatively young platform is booming like few others on the internet. It's a perfect blend between newsletter and blog, free and paid, simple and powerful.

And it has a lot more to offer than "just" blogging and writing.

It's my easy choice for number 1 in 2025.

What is Substack

Substack has been gaining traction over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down.

This platform has carved out a niche for writers, journalists, and thought leaders who want to create newsletters with the option to monetize their work through paid subscriptions.

Each issue is also a blog post on a Substack page that you can connect to your own custom domain if you want to.

If you’re looking to build a dedicated audience and earn money directly from your content, Substack might be the perfect choice.

With its community-building features like recommendations, discover, Notes, and Chat, Substack makes it way easier for new bloggers to grow and gain readers.

And Substack is far from being done with updates to the platform. They're releasing new stuff all the time.

Pros of Substack:

• Easy Monetization: Substack’s biggest selling point is its built-in monetization tools. You can set up paid subscriptions with just a few clicks, allowing you to make money directly from your writing.

• Direct Audience Connection: Substack is great for building a loyal community. Your content goes directly to your subscribers’ inboxes, creating a more personal connection compared to social media. And with recommendations or Notes, it's simple to gain more subscribers and followers.

• User-Friendly Interface: You don’t need any technical know-how to get started on Substack. The platform’s simple and clean design makes it easy for anyone to create and publish content. It's the easiest to use (with Medium) on this list.

Cons of Substack:

• Limited Customization: Substack’s simplicity can be a downside if you’re looking for more design flexibility. You won’t find many options for customizing your blog’s look beyond the basics.

• Dependent on Email: Since Substack is built around newsletters, your success depends heavily on email. If your readers aren’t checking their inboxes regularly, your content might get lost. Unless you use SEO to your advantage a lot. SEO tools are somewhat lacking on Substack, though.

• Fee Structure: Substack takes a 10% cut of your earnings, plus payment processing fees. For some, this might be nothing, for others it can feel like a significant bite out of their revenue.

Best For: Writers who want to monetize their work directly through subscriptions and build a dedicated audience without worrying about the technical aspects of running a blog.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right blogging platform in 2025 depends on your goals, technical comfort level, and how much control you want over your site.

Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:

• Substack is perfect if you’re focused on monetizing your content directly through subscriptions and want a simple, straightforward platform.

• Medium is great for reaching a broad audience without worrying about the technical side of blogging.

• WordPress is the go-to for those who want full control and customization options, though it requires a bit of a learning curve.

• Ghost offers a clean, modern alternative to WordPress with built

• Squarespace is the best for design-focused, less tech-savvy users who need more than a simple blog.