WordPress Vs Blogger is one of those classic comparisons that has been around for a while. You may be using Blogger for a while now and are considering switching to WordPress or vice-versa.
Or you are just starting and need to decide which blogging platform you should choose. Whatever the case, I’ve been there, too, and I completely understand your confusion.
But don’t worry. In this simple guide on WordPress Vs Blogger, we will find out exactly which is better with a solid comparison.
First, we will compare WordPress (the free software available on WordPress.org) with Blogger and not the WordPress.com blogging service.
Before proceeding, make sure you understand the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. If you need help, check out this guide to learn the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
Let’s first take a quick look at both of these blogging platforms so that you can start building your concepts from the foundation. Don’t worry, it will hardly take any time.
So, Which Is Better? WordPress Vs Blogger? Let’s find out!
What Is WordPress?
WordPress is a free and open-source software enabling you to easily create a blog, website, or virtual store.
Released in 2003, WordPress now powers over 43% of all websites. Users can download and install the WordPress software on their PC and use it to create as many sites as they want.
The only standard prerequisites are purchasing a domain name and a hosting plan to install WordPress.
This may sound like it could be more comforting to beginners, but it’s pretty straightforward. Users can also access beginner-friendly tutorials and lesson plans on the official WordPress website.
What Is Blogger?
Blogger
Started in 1999 by Pyra Labs and acquired by Google in 2003. Blogger is a free blogging service from Google.
Users get a free blog hosting service that lets them create a blog without paying anything, which is quite suitable for beginners. Blogger also gives a free Blogspot subdomain when creating a website.
Once you successfully create a website with Blogger, your address will look like this: www.yoursite.blogspot.com. However, users also get to choose a paid custom domain name if they wish to.
For that, you’ll need to register a domain name with the help of a third-party domain registrar and then link it to the Blogger account where your website is hosted
A Quick Comparison: WordPress Vs Blogger
Blogger | WordPress | |
Storage | Unlimited | Depends on the hosting plan |
Drag and Drop | No | Yes |
Free Themes | Yes | Yes |
Premium Themes | No | Yes |
E-Commerce | No | Plugins needed |
Self-hosted | No | Yes |
Pricing | Free | Free + Hosting |
Both platforms, WordPress and Blogger, are entirely free at their core. However, third-party companies like Nestify use WordPress as software to develop websites. With Nestify, both beginners and pros get excellent hosting options.
Most WordPress plugins are free; you should not bother paying for them as a beginner. But, once the need arises, you can opt for the premium ones depending on your goals.
Since 2018, Blogger has provided its users the option for unlimited storage. The amount of storage available on WordPress directly depends on your hosting plan. 50GB is the standard for most of the companies. You can always scale it up depending on your needs once you get more traffic.
Unlike Blogger, WordPress does offer an option to choose from an array of premium themes. As far as the design is concerned, there are a handful of similar-looking themes on both platforms. But if you are looking for advanced customization options, WordPress should be your go-to option.
However, with WordPress, users need more coding knowledge than with Blogger. But the novices do not need to worry since there is a robust WordPress community all over the web that provides thousands of easy-to-follow walkthroughs for almost all of the common problems a beginner might encounter, and even the pros sometimes.
Most hosting companies even provide one-click installation so the users can get started quickly. Once your site is up and running, you can quickly drag and drop images, text, and many other elements inside the WordPress editor. However, Blogger doesn’t have drag-and-drop functionality.
The pros and cons: WordPress Vs Blogger
By now, you have a good idea about what the two platforms, Blogger and WordPress, are about. Let’s now dive a little deeper into their advantages and disadvantages. Beginning with Blogger, let’s dive into this.
It’s important to note that these lists aren’t exhaustive. Here, I’m focusing on the most important advantages and disadvantages for someone new to creating a blog.
Advantages of Blogger:
- Setting up is incredibly quick and straightforward – you can launch a blog in just a few minutes.
- You can swiftly grasp how to generate content and utilize all the essential features.
- No hosting plan is required, which makes it a completely free solution.
- Though limited, there are options available for personalizing your blog.
Disadvantages of Blogger:
- The platform’s functionality is quite essential. The user is confined to creating a standard blog and posting content.
- Your ability to customize your blog’s appearance and features and the potential for adding custom code is restricted.
- You don’t have complete ownership of your content because it is stored on Google’s servers (though you can export it if necessary).
As evident, Blogger is best for getting you started quickly. However, its capabilities for fully customizing your blog are somewhat lacking. Now, let’s shift our focus to WordPress.
Pros of WordPress:
- Although it requires more effort than Blogger, launching a blog on WordPress is still relatively quick and easy.
- Many reputable WordPress hosts offer to handle the setup on behalf of their users.
- The platform is user-friendly and easy to begin with, especially if your intended use is straightforward (i.e., a blog).
- With an extensive list of plugins and themes, many customization options are available for users, allowing them to mold their site according to their desired preferences.
- For those with advanced skills, WordPress simplifies incorporating custom code and complex seeming features into your blog.
Cons of WordPress:
- Launching a WordPress site typically involves an adequate financial investment upfront. While free WordPress hosting alternatives exist, I would not recommend them if you are genuinely determined to improve the performance of your website.
- As a user, you will have a greater responsibility for ensuring the optimal performance and security of your blog/site.
- The above list of pros and cons provided you with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms.
Now, let’s determine which one best fits your needs.
WordPress Vs Blogger: How to choose between the two
Choosing between Blogger and WordPress mostly depends on your needs. Both platforms have their advantages and suit different user preferences.
If you’re looking to quickly set up a basic blog without spending money or dealing with hosting concerns, Blogger might be the right choice. It gets your blog up and running immediately, making it a simple and cost-free alternative to WordPress.
However, it’s essential to be aware of Blogger’s limitations, like restricted customization options, and it’s not suitable if you plan to integrate your blog into a larger website, like a business site or portfolio, which often receives large volumes of traffic.
In the Blogger vs WordPress comparison, WordPress generally emerges as the recommended option, especially for those starting a new blog. It has minimal start-up costs, a fast setup process, and is user-friendly for beginners. Your blog can be live in under an hour, and the learning curve for creating and publishing posts is brief.
Even if your current goal is launching a basic blog, WordPress is the better choice. This ensures that if you decide to expand your website, add new features, or change its focus in the near future, you’ll have the flexibility and options readily available.
Conclusion: WordPress Vs Blogger
Choosing a platform for your blog takes work. There are so many options it can easily overwhelm the users. Two of the most common names that almost everyone hears are Blogger and WordPress, which might lead you to wonder which option is better.
When deciding between Blogger and WordPress, here’s a quick recap of what you’ll need to know: Blogger is a free, easy-to-use blogging platform that will set up your site within minutes. However, working with it here does not have many customization options.
WordPress requires a little more time, on the other hand, and also a good hosting and domain name to get started with.
On the other hand, it’s easy for beginners to use and offers many customization options. It also provides many features for the more advanced users, making it easy to scale with a rapidly growing website.
This simple guide on Blogger Vs. WordPress was helpful for you. In the comments below, let us know which platform you prefer.
FAQs: WordPress Vs Blogger
What limitations should I be aware of when using Blogger for my blog?
Blogger has limited customization options, which makes it less suitable for users who want to integrate their blog into a high-traffic website, such as a business site, virtual store, or portfolio.
Why is WordPress often recommended over Blogger for creating a new blog?
WordPress is favored due to its minimal start-up costs, quick setup, and beginner-friendly design. It provides flexibility for future expansions, making it a reliable choice for users of varying needs.
How fast can I have my blog up and running with WordPress?
With WordPress, you can have your blog live in less than an hour. The platform is designed for a quick and straightforward setup process.
Does WordPress offer better options for customization compared to Blogger (WordPress vs Blogger)?
Yes, WordPress generally provides more extensive customization options, making it suitable for users who want to tailor their blogs and expand their websites in the future.
Can I easily integrate my WordPress blog into a more extensive website, like a business site or portfolio?
WordPress can be easily integrated into larger websites, offering the features needed for business sites, portfolios, online stores, etc.
What advantages does WordPress have for long-term planning and future website expansions?
WordPress offers the flexibility to expand your website, add new features, or change its focus in the future. This makes it the best choice for users, with goals and objectives often evolving.