Introduction
You can start a professional free website blog in minutes - and pick the right fit for your goals whether you’re a SaaS founder, PM, marketer, or indie builder. This guide shows you how to start your blog for free without the tech headaches, and what to look for as you grow.
What this list covers
Free plans and free-to-start paths
Ease of setup and publishing speed
SEO fundamentals that help a free weblog rank
Built-in monetization options
Scalability as your audience and content expand
How to choose quickly
Want simplicity? Pick a hosted platform with a guided setup.
Want built-in reach? Choose an audience-first network with discovery features.
Want control? Go with a flexible open‑source stack you can extend over time.
What “free” means here
Free plan tiers, open‑source software you can run at no cost, or free hosting combos
We avoid exact pricing and focus on viable free‑to‑start options you can use today
Who this helps
Beginners launching a first blog with zero code
SaaS teams validating content and shipping fast
Creators building an audience plus a newsletter from day one
One‑minute preview of our evaluation criteria
Ease of use
Customization and design flexibility
SEO readiness
Monetization pathways
Ownership and portability
Learning curve and long‑term scalability
Tip: If you want the fastest no‑code route with AI research, writing, image generation, and newsletter tools baked in, BlogBowl helps you launch a professional blog in under 60 seconds - free to start.
BlogBowl - AI-powered, free-to-start blogging built for SaaS growth
Launch a professional, SEO-optimized blog without code, ship content faster with AI, and grow an owned audience - all in one place.
Why it’s great for a free start
Launch a professional, SEO-optimized blog in under 60 seconds
AI for keyword research, outlines, first drafts, and on-brand images
Built-in newsletter and privacy-friendly analytics to grow and learn fast
Standout features for SaaS teams
Fast, conversion-focused templates with easy brand controls (colors, fonts, layout)
Unlimited blogs, changelogs, and help docs in one place
Custom domains and flexible domain integration when you’re ready
Where the free start fits
Free-to-start workflow for testing ideas; upgrade only when you need scale features
No-code setup; focus on publishing and distribution, not maintenance
Best for
SaaS founders and marketers who want search-ready content fast
Product teams shipping changelogs and help centers alongside a main blog
Capability | What you get | Why it matters for SaaS |
|---|---|---|
Launch speed | Blog live in ~60 seconds with presets | Validate content quickly without engineering |
AI assistance | Keywords, briefs, drafts, on-brand images | Publish consistently and scale production |
SEO + performance | Fast, optimized templates by default | Better rankings and UX out of the box |
Branding controls | Colors, fonts, layout without code | Maintain brand consistency across assets |
Multi‑hub content | Unlimited blogs, changelogs, docs | Centralize product comms in one platform |
Domains | Flexible custom domain integration | Fit your information architecture (root, subpath, subdomain) |
Analytics | Built-in, privacy-friendly insights | See what’s working without complex setups |
Newsletter | Create, send, schedule, and track | Convert readers into subscribers and users |
WordPress.com - the classic free weblog with modern templates
Start writing on a platform that pairs a true free plan with polished themes and a friendly editor - ideal for simple, portable blogs that can grow with you.
"WordPress powers approximately 43.4% of all websites globally." - Source
Why it’s great for a free start
True free plan with hosting and a WordPress subdomain
Clean post editor, mobile apps, and a big theme library
What stands out
Easy theme switching and basic customization without code
Massive community and help resources
Watch-outs on free
Subdomain + platform ads on the free plan; advanced plugins and monetization require paid plans
Storage limits can affect media-heavy blogs
Best for
Personal blogs and early-stage projects that value simplicity and portability
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Hosting + domain | Free hosting with WordPress subdomain | Custom domains require a paid upgrade |
Editor + apps | Clean editor with mobile apps | Great for drafting and quick updates |
Themes | Large library with easy switching | Basic customization without code |
Community | Massive ecosystem of guides/forums | Fast answers when you get stuck |
Monetization | Limited on free | Advanced monetization on paid tiers |
Storage | Capped on free plan | Media-heavy blogs may hit limits |
Wix - drag‑and‑drop freedom with a free plan to test your ideas
Build and validate your concept fast with a visual editor, hundreds of templates, and built-in tools that help you launch a blog or portfolio without code.
Why it’s great for a free start
Free plan with hosting and subdomain to validate your concept fast
Visual editor, 800+ templates, and AI assist to get online quickly
What stands out
Built-in apps and marketing tools; solid for portfolio + blog combos
Good on-page editing experience for non-technical users
Watch-outs on free
Wix branding, subdomain, and limited advanced SEO on the free plan
Template switching later can be cumbersome
Best for
Creators and small teams who want a visual builder and quick launch
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Visual building | Drag‑and‑drop editor with AI assist | Quick path to a branded site without code |
Templates | 800+ designer-made options | Switching templates later can be tricky |
Apps & marketing | App Market, email, social, ads tools | Nice all-in-one toolkit for early growth |
SEO basics | Built-in SEO setup | Advanced controls are limited on free |
Hosting & domain | Free hosting + Wix subdomain | Custom domain requires an upgrade |
Management | Mobile app + CRM + automations | Manage content and contacts from one dashboard |
Medium - frictionless writing with built-in readership
Start publishing in minutes with a distraction-free editor and built-in distribution that helps quality ideas find readers.
"Medium reports over 100 million monthly active readers." - Source
Why it’s great for a free start
Distraction-free editor and instant publishing - no setup required
Built-in distribution via topics, publications, and recommendations
What stands out
Great for testing ideas, thought leadership, and essays
Optional Partner Program for member-read monetization
Watch-outs
Limited branding and customization; URL and design are platform-controlled
Harder to build SEO equity on your own domain
Best for
Writers who value audience reach and speed over deep customization
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Writing UX | Clean, distraction‑free editor | Focus purely on ideas and storytelling |
Distribution | Topics, publications, recommendations | Tap into built‑in discovery to reach readers |
Monetization | Partner Program eligibility | Earnings depend on member engagement |
Branding | Platform‑controlled design + URLs | Limited customization vs. standalone blogs |
SEO | Ranks within Medium ecosystem | Harder to build domain equity for your brand |
Substack - free blog + newsletter that grows your audience
Publish posts and email newsletters from one place, tap into social discovery, and turn fans into paying supporters when you’re ready.
Why it’s great for a free start
Publish posts and send emails from the same dashboard
Social discovery (notes, recommendations) can accelerate growth
What stands out
Built-in subscriptions and pledges when you’re ready to monetize
Simple analytics for audience and post performance
Watch-outs
Minimal design control; custom domains require extra steps/fees
Platform takes a cut of paid subscriptions
Best for
Creators building a newsletter-first blog with simple monetization
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Publishing + email | Posts and newsletters in one workflow | Reduces tool sprawl and setup time |
Audience growth | Notes, recs, cross‑promotions | Leverage network effects to find readers |
Monetization | Paid subs and pledges | Platform takes a percentage of paid revenue |
Analytics | Subscriber and post metrics | Clear view of what content resonates |
Branding | Minimal theme control | Custom domains require extra steps/fees |
Blogger - a simple, totally free weblog from Google
Get started with a no-frills blog on stable Google infrastructure, experiment with AdSense, and learn the basics without spending a cent.
Why it’s great for a free start
100% free hosting with a Blogspot subdomain
Basic themes and a straightforward post editor
What stands out
Easy AdSense integration for simple monetization experiments
Stable Google-backed hosting
Watch-outs
Limited design control and modern templates
Portability and long-term roadmap can be concerns
Best for
Hobby blogs and learners who want a no-frills start
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Hosting + subdomain | Free Google-backed hosting with blogspot URL | Custom domain connection available |
Editor | Simple post editor with basic formatting | Good for learning the fundamentals |
Monetization | AdSense integration | Earnings depend on traffic and niche |
Templates | Basic themes and layouts | Limited modern design flexibility |
Analytics | Built-in stats + GA connection | See where traffic comes from and what resonates |
Weebly - beginner-friendly website + blog on a free plan
Set up a simple site and blog with drag‑and‑drop sections, then grow into Square’s tools if you need ecommerce later.
Why it’s great for a free start
Free plan with hosting and subdomain; simple drag‑and‑drop builder
Handy sections (forms, galleries) for a blog + simple site
What stands out
Square ecosystem integrations for future ecommerce needs
Straightforward onboarding and publishing
Watch-outs
Free plan includes branding and bandwidth limits
Themes and blog features feel basic vs. newer builders
Best for
New bloggers who want an easy website + blog combo
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Builder | Drag‑and‑drop sections (forms, galleries, buttons) | Quick to assemble a simple site + blog |
Hosting + subdomain | Free hosting with Weebly subdomain | Custom domain requires upgrading |
Blog basics | Posts, categories, scheduled publishing | Solid fundamentals, limited depth |
Ecosystem | Square integrations for payments/ecommerce | Upgrade when you’re ready to sell |
Support | Help center + chat/phone options | Easy onboarding for first‑time users |
Notion Sites - publish your Notion pages as a free blog
Turn any Notion page into a public post, keep your writing flow intact, and collaborate with teammates without switching tools.
Why it’s great for a free start
Write where you already work; one-click public pages
Markdown-friendly blocks make long-form easy
What stands out
Rapid draft-to-publish workflow with zero setup
Collaborative editing and version history
Watch-outs
Limited branding, SEO controls, and custom code on free setups
URL formats are not ideal for SEO without custom domain features
Best for
Writers and teams already living in Notion who want a fast public hub
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Draft to publish | One-click public pages | No site setup required |
Writing UX | Blocks, Markdown, embeds | Great for docs and long-form posts |
Collaboration | Real-time editing + comments | Version history supports team workflows |
Branding | Minimal control on free | Custom domains need paid features |
SEO | Basic metadata at best | URL patterns aren’t ideal for rankings |
Ghost (self‑hosted) - open‑source publishing with memberships
Own your platform and audience with a fast, clean writing experience and built‑in memberships/newsletters designed for revenue.
Why it’s great for a free start
Open-source software you can self-host; clean writing UX
Built-in memberships/newsletters for audience revenue
What stands out
Fast by design; focused on publishing performance
Own your stack and data when self-hosted
Watch-outs
Self-hosting requires technical setup and server know-how
Many users opt for paid managed hosting when scaling
Best for
Technical users who want ownership + membership-first publishing
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Ownership | Open‑source, self‑hosted stack | Full control of data, theme, and integrations |
Writing UX | Minimal, fast editor | Built for long‑form and multi‑author workflows |
Memberships | Paid/free tiers, newsletters | Native paywalls and email built in |
Performance | Lightweight, fast by default | Great Core Web Vitals potential |
Scaling | Themes, integrations, API | Managed hosting simplifies growth later |
Jekyll + GitHub Pages - developer‑friendly static blogs for free
Publish a fast, secure, and fully versioned static blog with zero hosting costs using Jekyll and GitHub Pages.
Why it’s great for a free start
Free static hosting on GitHub Pages + Jekyll site generation
Blazing fast performance and excellent security
What stands out
Full control via code, Markdown posts, and versioning in Git
Huge ecosystem of themes and plugins
Watch-outs
Command line and Git knowledge required
Non-technical users face a steeper learning curve
Best for
Developers and technical writers who want a zero-cost, code-first blog
Capability | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Hosting | Free GitHub Pages hosting | Supports custom domains |
Workflow | Code-based, Git versioned | CI-friendly and collaborative |
Speed & security | Static by default | Minimal attack surface, great Core Web Vitals |
Content | Markdown posts + Liquid templates | Flexible, developer-first structure |
Extensibility | Themes + plugins | Wide community ecosystem |
Overall comparison - the 10 best free website blog platforms at a glance
Platform | Free option type | Customization | Monetization | SEO | Hosting type | Learning curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BlogBowl | Free-to-start plan | Easy brand controls (colors, fonts, layout) | Built-in newsletter, CTAs | Optimized templates, fast | Hosted platform | Very easy |
WordPress.com | True free plan (subdomain) | Basic theme tweaks | Limited on free; advanced on paid | Basic on free | Hosted platform | Easy |
Wix | Free plan (subdomain) | High visual control; many templates | Basic on free; more via upgrades | Basic on free | Hosted platform | Easy |
Medium | Free to publish | Minimal, platform-controlled | Partner Program (member reads) | Medium ecosystem-first | Hosted network | Very easy |
Substack | Free to start | Minimal, platform-controlled | Paid subs + pledges (platform cut) | Limited; email-first | Hosted network | Easy |
Blogger | 100% free hosting (subdomain) | Limited themes; basic editor | AdSense integration | Basic | Hosted by Google | Very easy |
Weebly | Free plan (subdomain) | Basic drag‑and‑drop sections | Via Square upgrades | Basic | Hosted platform | Easy |
Notion Sites | Free public pages | Minimal branding | External embeds/manual | Limited; URL patterns | Hosted (Notion) | Very easy |
Ghost (self‑hosted) | Open‑source (self-host) | High (themes, code) | Native memberships/newsletters | Strong, fast | Self‑hosted | Moderate–Hard |
Jekyll + GitHub Pages | Open‑source + free static hosting | Code‑first (Markdown, templates) | External scripts/services | Strong (static, fast), manual | Static hosting (GitHub Pages) | Hard |
Conclusion - Your fastest path to a free weblog (and when to choose BlogBowl)
Recap: The best free website blog for you comes down to four factors:
Setup speed: how quickly you can publish your first post
Control: design flexibility, data ownership, and extensibility
SEO needs: how much optimization you want out of the box
Monetization plan: ads, subscriptions, or email-driven growth
Hosted platforms (WordPress.com, Wix, Weebly, Blogger) = fastest free start
Pick these if you want a straightforward, hosted free weblog with minimal setup and a guided path to publish today.
Audience platforms (Medium, Substack) = discoverability with limited branding
Choose these if you want built-in reach and email growth, and you’re okay with a platform-controlled design and URL.
Open source (Ghost, Jekyll) = ownership + speed for technical users
Use these if you want full control, are comfortable with setup, and prefer code-first performance and portability.
Final recommendation: If you’re a SaaS/product team that wants SEO, speed, AI writing, newsletter, and analytics in one place - start your blog for free on BlogBowl and ship your first post today. Focus on strategy and content; BlogBowl handles the research, writing, optimization, and design so you can move fast without the tech headaches.