In 2025, blogging and newsletters remain essential tools for creators, businesses, and professionals. However, choosing the right one can be challenging with many available platforms. Whether you’re a beginner, a tech-savvy developer, or an established creator looking to monetize your content, this guide will help you navigate the options.

Key Factors to Consider

When evaluating platforms, consider the following:

• Ease of Use: Does the platform fit your technical skills?

• Customization: How much control do you want over design and functionality?

• Community and Discoverability: Does the platform help you grow your audience?

• Monetization Options: Can you earn money directly through the platform?

• Content Ownership: Do you retain control over your content?

• Cost: Does the platform align with your budget?

Use Cases and Recommendations

1. Beginners or General Use

For those new to blogging or looking for simple, user-friendly platforms, these options stand out:

• Medium: Ideal for casual bloggers who want to focus on writing and gain access to a built-in community.

• Micro.blog: Supports short-form and long-form blogging with cross-posting to Mastodon, Threads, and BlueSky. Great for personal sites with minimal monetization needs.

• Squarespace: Excellent for visually appealing blogs with drag-and-drop design and robust hosting.

• WordPress.com: Offers beginner-friendly features, extensive plugins, and SEO tools. It’s a solid choice if you want a customizable blog and don’t mind some maintenance.

2. Creators Focused on Newsletters or Monetization

For creators prioritizing audience growth and revenue, these platforms excel:

• Ghost: Combines blogging and newsletters with built-in subscription and membership tools. Ideal for creators seeking an all-in-one platform.

• Beehiiv: Designed for scaling newsletters with robust analytics and monetization options.

• Buttondown: Simple and lightweight, perfect for indie creators starting out with email subscriptions.

• Mailcoach: Self-hosted, providing full control over your newsletters without ongoing fees.

3. Tech-Savvy Developers

For developers who want complete control over their blogging setup:

• Hugo, Astro, or NextJS: Static site generators for blazing-fast performance and maximum customization. Requires technical expertise.

• WriteFreely: Open-source blogging software with minimalist, distraction-free writing.

• Hashnode: A tech-focused platform with GitHub integration and a developer-friendly audience.

4. Professionals and Thought Leaders

For business professionals aiming to grow their brand or network:

• LinkedIn Articles: A natural choice for thought leadership with built-in networking opportunities.

• Medium: Provides discoverability and a broad audience for professional writing.

Why You Might Want to Switch Off WordPress in 2025

WordPress has been a dominant blogging platform for years, but it’s no longer the best fit for every use case. Many users find its maintenance and performance issues burdensome. Here’s why you might consider switching:

• High Maintenance: Regular updates and plugin management can be time-consuming.

• Performance Issues: Without careful optimization, WordPress sites can become slow.

Better Alternatives for Specific Use Cases:

• Micro.blog: Great for personal blogs or creators who value simplicity.

• Ghost: Modern, fast, and equipped with monetization tools.

• Medium: Excellent for writing-focused creators seeking discoverability.

• Squarespace: A better fit for e-commerce or visually polished websites.

The Importance of Choosing Platforms with Good Content Policies

The content policies of a platform shape the kind of community it fosters and, by extension, the broader digital landscape. When choosing a blog framework or newsletter platform, it’s essential to consider how they address hate speech, harassment, and harmful behavior.

Platforms with clear and well-enforced content policies create spaces where diverse voices can thrive, and users feel safe. By supporting these platforms, we help build an internet that promotes constructive dialogue and meaningful engagement.

As creators, the platforms we choose reflect our values. Prioritizing platforms with strong content policies isn’t censorship; it’s about ensuring safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can participate respectfully. Together, we can contribute to a better, more responsible internet.

To help you choose the best platform for your blog or newsletter, I’ve compiled a comprehensive spreadsheet comparing 20 different services.

This resource covers key details like pricing, ease of use, audience suitability, and—importantly—their policies on hate speech, including links to their content policies.

I created this spreadsheet by thoroughly researching each platform’s features and policies to provide you with the essential information needed to make an informed choice…

👉 Here’s a link to the spreadsheet 👈

I hope that it saves you time and helps you find a platform that aligns with your values and goals.

Substack: A Troubling Example

Substack is popular for newsletters but criticized for its approach to hate speech. The company has stated it won’t remove Nazi content or other white supremacist ideologies unless it incites direct violence. This permissive stance has made it a hub for harmful ideologies.

Ask Yourself:

• Do you want to support a platform that tolerates Nazi content?

• Are you comfortable associating your brand with Substack’s content policy?

Platforms With Stronger Content Policies

• Ghost: Enforces clear guidelines against hate speech and white supremacy.

• Medium: Takes a strong stance against hateful content, fostering a positive community.

• Buttondown: Ethical and straightforward, with a commitment to inclusive content.

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This guide has been helpful as you consider the best platform for your blog or newsletter? Well, I hope anyway.

Remember to be thoughtful about your choice; not just for features but for the online environment you want to support.

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