Choosing the right blogging platform in 2024 depends on your goals — whether you're building a brand, earning income, or simply sharing ideas. Here's a breakdown of the 6 top blogging platforms this year, including pros, cons, and best use cases.

🥇 1. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)
Best for: Full customization, professional blogging, SEO
Pros:

Total control over design and functionality

Thousands of plugins and themes

Excellent for SEO and monetization

Cons:

Requires web hosting (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround)

Steeper learning curve

Cost: Free, but hosting ~$3–10/month
Ideal for: Business blogs, affiliate marketers, serious bloggers

🥈 2. Wix
Best for: Beginners who want a drag-and-drop website builder
Pros:

Super easy to use with visual editor

Built-in hosting and security

Stylish templates

Cons:

Limited flexibility compared to WordPress

Less ideal for heavy blogging or SEO

Cost: Free tier available; Premium plans start at ~$14/month
Ideal for: Personal blogs, small businesses, creative portfolios

🥉 3. Substack
Best for: Newsletter-style blogging & direct audience monetization
Pros:

Built-in email marketing + paid subscriptions

No coding needed

Popular among writers and journalists

Cons:

Limited design/customization

Best for long-form text content

Cost: Free to use, but Substack takes ~10% of paid subscriptions
Ideal for: Writers, journalists, thought leaders

4. Medium
Best for: Writers who want built-in readers and focus on writing
Pros:

Clean, distraction-free writing experience

Built-in audience + partner program for monetization

No setup or hosting required

Cons:

Limited branding/personalization

You don't fully own your audience or platform

Cost: Free to publish; $5/month for full reading access
Ideal for: Bloggers who value exposure over control

5. Ghost
Best for: Professional content creators & membership blogs
Pros:

Fast, modern, and privacy-focused

Built-in newsletter + membership tools

Great SEO and performance

Cons:

Requires hosting (unless using Ghost Pro)

Smaller community than WordPress

Cost: Open-source version is free; Ghost(Pro) starts at $9/month
Ideal for: Indie creators, subscription blogs, SaaS content

6. Blogger (by Google)
Best for: Simple, free blogging for beginners
Pros:

Free with Google account

Easy to use, no hosting needed

Integrated with Google services

Cons:

Outdated design and limited features

Poor long-term scalability

Cost: Free
Ideal for: Hobby bloggers, students, non-tech users

📌 Quick Comparison Table
Platform   Ease of Use   Customization   SEO Strength   Monetization   Best For
WordPress.org   ★★☆☆☆   ★★★★★   ★★★★★   ★★★★★   Pro bloggers, affiliate sites
Wix   ★★★★★   ★★☆☆☆   ★★☆☆☆   ★★★☆☆   Beginners, portfolios
Substack   ★★★★☆   ★★☆☆☆   ★★★☆☆   ★★★★☆   Writers, paid newsletters
Medium   ★★★★☆   ★☆☆☆☆   ★★☆☆☆   ★★★☆☆   Thought pieces, exposure
Ghost   ★★★★☆   ★★★★☆   ★★★★☆   ★★★★★   Membership content
Blogger   ★★★☆☆   ★★☆☆☆   ★☆☆☆☆   ★☆☆☆☆   Beginners, hobby blogs

🔍 Final Recommendation: Which Should You Choose?
🧠 For serious blogging & income → WordPress.org

💌 For email-first creators → Substack or Ghost

🎨 For beginners or visual brands → Wix

🧘 For minimalist writing focus → Medium

📚 For casual or student blogging → Blogger