WordPress vs Blogger vs Medium: Detailed Comparison

So, you’re ready to start a blog—but the internet throws you three big names: WordPress, Blogger, and Medium.

Which one is right for you?

That’s the exact question I get from new bloggers, side hustlers, and even brands every year.
And honestly, after trying all three for my own projects and helping others set up their blogs, I know how confusing this decision can get.

Let me make it super easy for you.

In this guide, I’ll break down the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world experiences of each platform.
You’ll see data, real examples, a feature comparison table, and insider tips—so you’ll walk away confident about which platform truly fits your goals in 2025.

Blogging isn’t just about publishing words online.

It’s about building a brand, connecting with an audience, and yes—sometimes, turning your passion into a business.

Pick the right platform, and everything feels easier.
Pick the wrong one, and you’ll run into limits, headaches, or wasted effort.

I’ve seen bloggers give up simply because their platform made things way harder than they needed to be.

That’s why I want you to start smart.

WordPress vs Blogger vs Medium (2025)

Here’s the big picture before we dive into the nitty-gritty:

Platform	Best For	Ease of Use	SEO Power	Cost
WordPress	Brands, pros, businesses	Moderate	Advanced	Hosting from $5/mo
Blogger	Beginners, hobbyists	Very Easy	Basic	Free (custom domain extra)
Medium	Writers, storytelling	Super Easy	Fast ranking, but limited site SEO	Free for writers

Overview of WordPress, Blogger, and Medium

What Is WordPress?

Think of WordPress as the Swiss Army knife for bloggers.
It powers over 43% of all websites in 2025 (yep, that’s huge), including simple personal blogs, news sites, and even online stores.

There are two flavors:

WordPress.org: Self-hosted, full control, all the power.
WordPress.com: Hosted by WordPress, easier to start but less freedom.

If you’re planning to build a serious blog, business site, or anything you want to fully own and customize, WordPress is usually my top pick.

What Is Blogger?

Blogger is Google’s classic, no-fuss blogging tool.
It’s been around since 1999—older than some bloggers I know.

Setup is as simple as logging in with your Google account.
You get a free Blogspot domain (like myblog.blogspot.com) or you can add your own.

It’s great for beginners or casual writers who just want to get words online quickly.

What Is Medium?

Medium is the minimalist option for modern writers.
Think of it like the Instagram of blogging—clean, distraction-free, and community-driven.

You focus on writing.
Medium handles everything else and even helps you get discovered by their built-in audience.

Over 170 million monthly readers, with thousands of new stories daily.

But it comes with trade-offs (we’ll cover those).

Now Let’s See Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Ease of Use

WordPress:
There’s a bit of a learning curve at first.
Setting up hosting, picking a theme, and adding plugins might sound scary, but I promise—it’s not rocket science.

Once you get past setup, the Gutenberg block editor is super intuitive.
Plus, there are a ton of step-by-step guides (like my own How to Start Blogging) to walk you through every step.

Blogger:
It’s as easy as making a Gmail account.
Choose a theme, write your post, hit publish.
No need to fuss with plugins or settings.

Medium:
Nothing but pure writing joy.
Open Medium, start typing, and publish.
No tech skills required—seriously.

Winner:
For total beginners? Blogger or Medium.
For long-term growth and flexibility? WordPress is worth the learning curve.

2. Customization & Design

WordPress:
This is where WordPress absolutely destroys the competition.
You can pick from thousands of themes—from clean minimalist to wild and creative.

Want your blog to look like a magazine? A portfolio? An online shop? WordPress does it all.
Plus, plugins like Elementor let you drag-and-drop your dream design.

Blogger:
You get a handful of templates and can tweak colors and layout.
But let’s be honest: most Blogger sites look, well… like Blogger sites.

Medium:
Zero design choices.
Every post looks clean, modern, and the same as everyone else.
If you like uniformity, you’ll love it. If you crave branding? Look elsewhere.

Winner:
WordPress, hands down.

3. SEO & Traffic Potential

WordPress:
Want to grow with Google? WordPress is built for it.
You can control meta tags, sitemaps, structured data, and more.
With plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math, you’ll have all the SEO tools you need.
My own traffic boomed when I switched to WordPress.

Blogger:
Basic SEO features—custom URLs, meta descriptions, and alt text.
It’s enough for personal projects but not for serious SEO.

Medium:
Medium’s high domain authority can help your post rank fast.
But here’s the catch: you’re building Medium’s traffic, not your own site’s authority.
You also can’t customize URLs or meta tags.

Winner:
Long-term SEO? Go with WordPress.
Want instant visibility and don’t care about building your own site’s traffic? Medium can work.

4. Monetization Options

WordPress:
This is where things get fun.
Display ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, online courses—you can do it all on WordPress.
You’re in control of how you make money.

Blogger:
Mainly Google AdSense and a few affiliate options.
It’s simple but limited.

Medium:
You can join the Medium Partner Program and get paid based on reading time.
But you can’t run your own ads or sell directly.
It’s more for writers looking for exposure and a little side income.

Winner:
WordPress for true entrepreneurs and business growth.

5. Content Ownership & Control

WordPress:
You own everything—your content, your site, your domain.
You can back up your site or move it anywhere.

Blogger:
Google owns the platform.
If they decide to shut it down or change the rules, you’re stuck.
It happened to Google+—so don’t assume Blogger will always be around.

Medium:
Same story—Medium owns the ecosystem.
They can change the rules, pay structure, or even delete your content if you break their terms.

Winner:
WordPress all day, especially for long-term projects.

6. Scalability & Advanced Features

WordPress:
This platform can grow with you.
Start with a personal blog.
Scale up to a magazine, store, or membership site later.

Blogger:
Best for simple, one-person blogs.
It’s not built for big projects.

Medium:
Great for writers, but you can’t really expand beyond articles.

7. Mobile Experience

WordPress:
Mobile apps let you write, edit, and manage your blog from anywhere.
Most themes are mobile-optimized.

Blogger:
The app works well for quick posts, but editing design is easier on desktop.

Medium:
Beautiful mobile experience.
Perfect for writing on the go.

8. Support, Community & Resources

WordPress:
Endless tutorials, massive forums, and help from a global community.
If you get stuck, there’s always an answer.

Blogger:
Limited support, but basic Google documentation.

Medium:
Helpful guides and community spaces, but not as robust as WordPress.

9. Security & Backups

WordPress:
You’re responsible for your site’s security.
Luckily, plugins and good hosting make this easy.
You can back up your content whenever you want.

Blogger:
Google takes care of security and backups.

Medium:
Medium secures your work, but you can’t export or back up your posts easily.

10. Pricing & Costs

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll spend (or not):

Platform	Base Cost	Extras
WordPress	Hosting from $5/mo	Themes, plugins
Blogger	Free (domain extra)	$10/yr for domain
Medium	Free for writers	$5/mo for readers

Who Should Choose What?

WordPress Is Best For:

Bloggers who want full control and flexibility.
Businesses building a brand or online presence.
Anyone aiming to scale up, monetize, or create advanced sites.
Bloggers focused on SEO and traffic growth.

Blogger Is Best For:

Total beginners wanting a zero-cost, quick setup.
Hobbyists or personal journals.
Writers who don’t need lots of features or customization.

Medium Is Best For:

Writers who love storytelling and crave an instant audience.
Journalists and thought leaders.
People who don’t want to deal with design, hosting, or SEO.

Can You Switch Between Platforms Later?

Short answer: Yes, but it’s not always easy.

WordPress: You can import/export content easily.
Blogger: Google lets you export your blog, but design and comments may not transfer.
Medium: Exporting is possible, but with limited formatting.

Pro Tip:
If you plan to grow or monetize in the future, start with WordPress to save yourself from migration headaches.

Which Platform Wins?

Example 1:
If you want to create a recipe blog, run ads, and grow an email list—WordPress is unbeatable.

Example 2:
You just want to document your travels for friends and family—Blogger is all you need.

Example 3:
You love writing essays, stories, and want to reach a large, built-in audience—Medium will help you shine.

FAQs

Is WordPress free?

The software is free, but you need to pay for hosting, a domain, and optional extras.

Can I make money on Medium?

Yes, but only through the Partner Program, not via your own ads.

Which is best for SEO?

WordPress, especially with on-page SEO tools and plugins.

Can I move my blog to another platform later?

You can, but it might be tricky, especially with design and SEO.

Resources to Help You Start Blogging

Want more guidance? Check out these detailed guides:

Start with my detailed guide on how to start a blog in 2025—I’ll walk you through every step based on my 5 years of experience in blogging and SEO.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between WordPress, Blogger, and Medium isn’t about which one is “best” overall—it’s about what’s best for you.

Choose WordPress if you want control, customization, and scalability.
Choose Blogger if you want simplicity and zero costs.
Choose Medium if you want to focus solely on writing and engage with a built-in audience.

If you’re serious about blogging, I’d always lean toward WordPress.

But if you’re just starting and want to dip your toes in, Blogger and Medium are fantastic entry points.

WordPress vs Blogger vs Medium

Blogging isn’t just about publishing words online.

WordPress vs Blogger vs Medium (2025)