WordPress suits anyone building a blog that might grow into a business website, because it's open source software you can shape however you like, or use through WordPress.com. Blogger suits people who want a simple free blog run by Google, with easy templates, a blogspot.com address and built-in analytics. Serious about growth? WordPress. Just want to write? Blogger.
There are two WordPresses, and mixing them up causes most of the confusion in this comparison. WordPress.org is the open source software; WordPress.com is a hosted service built on it. I read WordPress.org's About page, the WordPress.com home page and Blogger's About page.
WordPress and Blogger side by side
| WordPress | Blogger | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open source software, or hosted through WordPress.com | A blogging service from Google |
| Free to start | WordPress.com says start free | Not stated on the page I read |
| Your address | Your own domain | A blogspot.com address or your own domain |
| Design | Themes and patterns | Easy templates with flexible layouts |
| Analytics | Not covered on the pages I read | Built-in stats plus a Google Analytics link |
| Licence | GPLv2, open source | Not covered on the page I read |
What WordPress gives you
WordPress.org's About page says WordPress started in 2003, when Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg created it from an earlier project. It's built on PHP and MariaDB and licensed under the GPLv2, which gives everyone the freedom to run, study, change and share the software. It's the platform of choice for millions of sites.
The page sums up its appeal: people with limited tech experience can use it out of the box, and more tech-savvy folks can customise it in remarkable ways. If you'd rather not run the software yourself, WordPress.com says you can start free, with a newsletter, themes, patterns and domains in one place.
What Blogger gives you
Blogger's About page keeps things simple. You choose from easy-to-use templates with flexible layouts and hundreds of background images, then get a blogspot.com address or connect a custom domain in a few clicks.
You get built-in analytics showing which posts are a hit and where readers come from, and you can connect your blog to Google Analytics for more detail. Blogger also says it stores your posts and photos safely with Google, and that millions of people have published there.
Blogger is also refreshingly low maintenance. There's nothing to install, update or back up yourself, because Google runs it, and you can start writing within minutes of signing in. For someone who just wants to share recipes, family news or club updates, that's a real plus.
Room to grow
Here's the deciding question: what do you want this blog to become? WordPress is open source and endlessly customisable, so the same site can grow from a hobby blog into a full business website. Blogger is designed to stay simple, which is lovely for writing and limiting if you later want shop pages, booking forms or a membership area. WordPress.com even offers WordPress VIP for large organisations, which shows how far the same platform can stretch.
If you start on Blogger and outgrow it, moving later takes work. If there's any chance your blog becomes part of your business, starting on WordPress saves you that job.
Who each platform suits
WordPress suits small business owners, bloggers who plan to grow, and anyone who wants full control of their site's design and features. Blogger suits hobby writers, families sharing updates and anyone who wants a free Google-run blog with almost no setup. If you're starting out, read my guide to starting a blog from scratch, and on WordPress, these are the SEO plugins to install first on a new site.
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My advice on WordPress or Blogger
If the blog is for your business, go with WordPress from the start, whether you run it yourself or use WordPress.com. You're far less likely to outgrow it. If it's a personal journal or a family blog you want live tonight, Blogger is quick and friendly, and its built-in stats are enough to see what people enjoy reading.
Do you make blogging or website tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress free?
WordPress.org is open source software licensed under the GPLv2, and WordPress.com says you can start free.
Can I use my own domain on Blogger?
Yes. Blogger says you can get a blogspot.com domain or use a custom domain in a few clicks.
Who owns Blogger?
Blogger is a Google service, and its About page says your posts and photos are stored safely with Google.
What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
WordPress.org is the open source software you run yourself; WordPress.com is a hosted service where you can start free.
Does Blogger have analytics?
Yes. Blogger has built-in analytics and lets you connect your blog to Google Analytics.
