Since you\u2019re here on my<\/em> blog, I’m guessing you\u2019re interested in starting a blog of your own<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have a calling deep to blog about a personal passion. Or, you may want to start a niche blog<\/a> as a side hustle to make money blogging<\/a> outside of your day job. Whether you want to create a blog for family pictures, for monetization, or to let the world know about your passions\u2014chances are, you don\u2019t want to spend a lot of money to get things started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are a lot<\/em> of blogging platforms available today, not all of them are free<\/strong>. A free blogging site, however, allows you to experiment without creating a financial strain. It\u2019s an excellent way to get creative and find your voice without spending much of anything aside from your own time up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to use a free blog site to power your blog, I\u2019ve compiled my list of the 11 best free blogging sites <\/strong>you can get started with right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclosure:<\/strong> Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I\u2019ll earn a commission. When you purchase one of the products I recommend using my one of my affiliate links, the company compensates me, which helps me run this blog and keep my content free of charge to you. Know that I also only recommend products I personally stand behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you’ve used my free keyword research tool<\/a> to pick the right niche blog topics<\/a> and are ready to build a profitable blog\u2014head over to my ultimate guide to starting a blog<\/a>. And when you’re ready to take your blog to the next level with AI content writing tools<\/a>, check out my very own platform, RightBlogger<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out my ultimate guide: How to Start a Blog (on the Side).<\/p>\n\n\n My #1 recommendation amongst the best free blogging sites<\/strong> is: Self-Hosted WordPress<\/span>. WordPress currently powers 34% of websites on the internet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-Hosted WordPress, also known as WordPress.org, is an open-source platform to build a blog on\u2014and it’s 100% free to use because the creators of WordPress believe in democratizing publishing and the freedoms that come with open source<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, the people who created and manage WordPress believe that people should have access to a platform where they can publish the things that matter to them\u2014in the way they choose to do it. That’s the power of purpose behind this free blogging site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the top reasons I recommend self-hosted WordPress as the absolute best free blogging site to use, is that it’s an all around great choice for a wide range of bloggers (and different blog budgets<\/a> too).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re an absolute beginner learning what a blog is<\/a> today\u2014or running a six-figure website, WordPress gives you the best tools to make an incredible site capable of structuring a profitable blog business plan<\/a> around it. Most importantly, a WordPress-powered blog can grow with you as you develop your style, branding, and content over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As WordPress.org explains<\/a>, \u201cMany end users of WordPress are non-technically minded. They don\u2019t know what AJAX is, nor do they care about which version of PHP they are using. The average WordPress user simply wants to be able to write without problems or interruption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, they go on to say that with the many themes<\/a>, plugins<\/a>, and access to coding (if you want), those bloggers who are more technically minded also have the freedom to make their own websites<\/a> however they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re brand new or a seasoned blogger, WordPress is more than likely your best choice of free blogging sites\u2014hands down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress.org (also known as self-hosted WordPress) is an open-source content management system (CMS) created in 2003<\/a> with the goal of giving the world a truly free blogging platform. Open-source means software that’s offered freely and can be modified by others. CMS is a software or program that lets you create and manage your digital content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is completely free to use, but you will need to sign up for a paid monthly web hosting plan<\/a> and purchase a domain name in order to use it (i.e., self-hosting).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ll go into more detail about web hosting below, but it’s important to note that it’s extremely affordable to run a self-hosted WordPress blog\u2014think $2 to $10\/mo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hosting refers to a company that stores your website so it can be viewed on the Internet. Without it, your blog isn’t actually live<\/em> and readable to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For your content to be stored and distributed properly, you need what’s called a server. A web server is connected to the Internet, and it receives requests (people wanting to read your blog content) and responds by displaying the pages of your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A home computer is not set up to host your own website properly (without some serious modifications and expenses). That\u2019s why you need the best web hosting plan<\/a> from a reliable company to make sure your blog is connected to the Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My personal recommendation for affordable & reliable web hosting is Bluehost<\/a>. I’ve used them for years and am very happy with their services.<\/p>\n\n\n Even if you choose their least expensive plan (around $3.79\/mo), you\u2019ll have a lot of great features like a free SSL certificate that makes your website ultra secure, unmetered bandwidth, and a free domain name<\/a>\u2014along with their great 24\/7 technical support to answer any questions you’ve got.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re also one of three hosting companies specifically recommended by WordPress themselves (like these managed WordPress hosting plans<\/a>), and they offer an easy 1-click installation for installing WordPress as the free blogging site to power your blog behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jane Goodall Institute<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n The Pioneer Woman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n The Making Life<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n If you log into your WordPress account and select \u201cAdd a New Post\u201d this is the screen you will see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few plugins added onto this blog example<\/a>, including Yoast SEO<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In WordPress\u2019 editor, you can add media, change text, add a contact form and many other things.<\/p>\n\n\n If you want to add a new page, you will go to a screen that looks pretty much identical to the add new blog post screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can simple type into your post\/page and WordPress will automatically create paragraphs for you. Or, you can add different types of blocks, like images, quotes, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n One of the most appealing features of self-hosted WordPress as a free blogging site is that it is highly<\/em> customizable. There are over a thousand themes to choose from<\/a> and over 60,000 plugins<\/a>. Many of the themes and plugins are free to use, but there are premium ones that add even more functionality as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With WordPress.org, you\u2019re pretty much free to do anything you want with your blog, even starting a podcast<\/a> and embedding episodes from your show with easy-to-use widgets and plugins\u2014just be sure you choose the right podcast hosting<\/a> platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re planning on monetizing your blog<\/a>, WordPress.org is a good avenue. You\u2019re allowed to monetize your blog any way you choose. Zero restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n If you also want to use your blog as an eCommerce site, you can use a plugin like WooCommerce<\/a> (one of the best eCommerce website builders<\/a> on the market) to accept payments, display products, and manage inventory. By migrating your store to WooCommerce, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities\u2014not to mention seamlessly integrating your blog and eCommerce site for a streamlined and efficient online business experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike many of the other free blogging sites, WordPress can actually grow with you. If you find that you really like blogging and you want to take it to the next level, WordPress can take you there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WordPress blogging platform is free, but you\u2019ll still have to pay for self-hosting. You\u2019ll also need to pay for a domain name with WordPress.org. This may be a deterrent for you, especially if you\u2019re looking for something that is completely<\/em> free. But if you’re ready to get started, head over and use my free domain name generator<\/a> to get dozens of clever website name suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, chances are, as your blog grows, you\u2019ll probably want to find a platform that offers much more flexibility than the other free options. Instead of upgrading with a plan like Wix or Weebly, you can find a fairly inexpensive hosting plan<\/a> and develop a blog that\u2019s exactly what you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is a good choice, even for newbies, but it does have a higher learning curve than some of our other free blogging sites like Wix or Weebly. The interface isn’t quite as easy to navigate as the other \u201cwhat you see is what you get\u201d (WYSIWYG) website builders<\/a> on this list\u2014without the right theme and page builder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do want to use a drag-and-drop page builder to create your blog, I’d highly recommend Elementor<\/a>. Here’s what it looks like behind the scenes:<\/p>\n\n\n Elementor has an amazing free version that you can use, and it allows you to view what your site will look like before you hit publish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, when this page builder is paired with their Elementor’s (free) WordPress theme<\/a>, it’s a lightning-fast combination that’ll get your blog off the ground quickly and set it up well for the months and years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One last potential drawback to using self-hosted WordPress as your free blogging platform is that you’re responsible for managing and maintaining everything on your blog. That includes things like ensuring security plugins are safe, backups are happening regularly, and updates are going live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of these things may be provided for you through your web hosting plan<\/a>, especially if you’re using a top hosting company like Dreamhost<\/a> or Bluehost<\/a>\u2014but regardless, it does take a little bit more time to maintain than some of the other free blogging sites we’re covering here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I first started blogging, I couldn’t afford fancy tools. That sucked. And that’s why I’ve built a stable of powerful free blogging tools ranging from keyword research<\/a> to an AI article writer<\/a>, blog idea generator<\/a> and more. Forever free for all to use\u2014no strings attached.<\/p>\n\n\n Wix first entered the scene as a free blogging platform in 2006. Since then, it has provided a website platform to a remarkable 150 million people. It is also used in 190 countries around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix is a website builder with a drag-and-drop interface. It\u2019s a (WYSIWYG) software, so you know exactly what your blog will look like before you hit the \u201cpublish\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have several paid plans, but they also offer a free option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix is a good choice for someone who wants a really<\/em> easy way to start their blog for free. If you want to start a blog<\/a> without having to take care of things like security, backups, hosting, and so on, Wix is a good option. Wix handles all that for you, even on their free platform plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The free version of Wix would not work for someone who is looking to monetize their blog or create a more customized look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix was created by<\/a> three founders who wanted a \u201cplatform that empowered anyone to create their own website with no coding or design skills needed.\u201d Hence, they continue to focus on providing a free blogging site option to new bloggers worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, they wanted to create a really easy way for people to create a blog or website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the free version of Wix, you get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to start a food blog<\/a> and keep it ultra simple, here’s a good example of how to pull it off on this free blogging site:<\/p>\n\n\n And here’s an example of a more portfolio-driven site:<\/p>\n\n\n These are examples that Wix highlights as what you can create with their free blogging site tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re visually very stunning, but they were likely created using Wix\u2019s more premium plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix is a true drag-and-drop builder. That means you take features from the left side column and drop them directly onto the page. You can then manipulate text, images, videos, apps, and more just by moving them around.<\/p>\n\n\n Then, a nice thing about Wix is you can really change any element on your pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the drawbacks of Wix as an editor is that it does not offer the same flexibility with blogging features as on more static pages.<\/p>\n\n\n The blogging interface is fairly basic with Wix. There are a limited number of settings for images and text, making this far less appealing for a free blog site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can\u2019t be denied that Wix is really easy to use. With drag-and-drop for the website and the ability to see exactly what you\u2019re getting, it\u2019s super simple for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The free version of Wix is completely<\/em> free. No need to sign up for hosting or a domain name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like WordPress.com, if you use a free Wix site, your site will have Wix branding (a standard feature of all free blogging sites).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix’s name will be in your URL, and Wix will be advertising on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because Wix uses its own advertising, you cannot run your own ads on the free version. There\u2019s also no eCommerce option for Wix\u2019s free blogging sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Wix has very responsive website features that make it easy and intuitive to use, its blogging platform isn\u2019t as strong. It\u2019s still easy to use, but it\u2019s far more restrictive than the regular website pages you can create on Wix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus: If you’re interested in food blogging as a potential niche to dive deep into, check out my real-world approach to food blogging with my girlfriend’s vegan food blog<\/a>, Vegan Anj.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you start your blog and decide that Wix isn’t where you\u2019d like to stay, it\u2019s extremely difficult to migrate away from their free blogging site. They have no easy option for site migration, so you\u2019ll have to be more tech-savvy to transfer your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wix has a nice selection of beautiful templates, but you\u2019re more or less stuck with one once you\u2019ve chosen it\u2014a fairly common occurrence with free blogging sites like this. This is a big downfall if you have a different vision for your blog in the future, but nothing that can’t be overcome by working with their support team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019re new to blogging, you\u2019ve probably heard of WordPress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What you may not know, however\u2014is that there are two different types of WordPress. There\u2019s WordPress.org (Self-Hosted) and WordPress.com<\/a>. Both of these actually offer options to serve as one of the best free blogging sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I reviewed (self-hosted) WordPress.org first as our #1 pick here amongst the best free blogging sites, but now let’s talk about its counterpart\u2014WordPress.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress.com<\/a> has paid plans, but they also offer a limited free version as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The free version of WordPress.com would work well for someone who wants to test out a blog but isn\u2019t too concerned with monetizing it or having access to many features\u2014at least for now. While this is common amongst the free blogging sites on the market today, it’s a pretty substantial drawback, in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who want a simple hobby blog or for those who just want to see if they enjoy blogging, WordPress.com is an easy option for a sturdy, free blog site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another nice benefit of WordPress.com is you have room to grow with this platform. You can purchase more expensive plans for added benefits. You can also migrate your site<\/a> easily from Wordpress.com to WordPress.org if you would like more flexibility in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress.com 11 Best Free Blogging Sites to Build Your Blog for Free in 202<\/strong>6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Want to Start Your Blog (the Right Way)?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/a>1. WordPress (Self-Hosted)<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"WordPress](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-19-at-11.35.55-AM.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWho is a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General Information About Self-Hosted WordPress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is WordPress Hosting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bluehost-front-page-2026-1024x724.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nExamples of Websites Created on Self-Hosted WordPress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Self-Hosted](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-20-at-1.55.39-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-20-at-1.56.33-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Crafting](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-26-at-1.03.20-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA Look Inside Self-Hosted WordPress (Free Blogging Site)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ryrob-block-editor-example-blank-post-1024x559.png\"){kind=spacer}
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ryrob-block-editor-example-post-with-content-1024x625.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nPros of Self-Hosted WordPress as a Free Blogging Site<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Customization and Flexibility <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Easiest Blogging Site to Monetize on \ud83d\udcb8<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/How-to-Make-Money-Blogging-in-12-Proven-Ways.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIt’s a Free Blogging Site That Grows With You<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Self-Hosted WordPress as a Free Blogging Site<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hosting Isn\u2019t Free<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Higher Learning Curve<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Elementor](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Elementor-Best-WordPress-Themes-Drag-and-Drop-Page-Builder-Example.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMaintenance <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Use My 50+ Powerful Free Blogging Tools<\/a> Today<\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"Free](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Free-Blogging-Tools-and-AI-Writing-Tools-Featured-Image-by-ryrob-1024x676.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/a>2. Wix<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Wix](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-19-at-12.07.46-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWho Would Like Wix<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General Information about Wix<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Examples of Wix Websites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Food](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-10.42.33-AM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-10.45.05-AM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA Look Inside Wix <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wix](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-11.02.32-AM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-11.08.32-AM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-22-at-11.29.50-AM-copy.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nPros of Wix as a Free Blogging Site<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Very Easy to Use<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Completely Free (if You Stay on the Right Plan)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Wix as a Free Blogging Site<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wix Branding and Advertising<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Little to No Monetization<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Limited Blogging Functions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
No Site Migration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Can\u2019t Change Templates<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>3. WordPress.com<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"WordPress](\"https:\/\/www.ryrob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screen-Shot-2019-08-19-at-12.06.56-PM.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWho Would Like WordPress.com<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General Information About WordPress.com<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n