Starting a blog in India has never been easier, but choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, how do you pick the one that’s perfect for your needs and budget?
Don’t worry! I’ve tested all the major blogging platforms and will break down everything in simple terms. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which platform suits your blogging goals.
If you’re completely new to blogging, you might want to start with our foundational guide: [How to Start a Blog in India: Complete Guide for Beginners] to understand the basics before choosing your platform.
What Makes a Good Blogging Platform?
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s understand what to look for:
Must-Have Features:
- Easy to use (even for beginners)
- Mobile-friendly designs
- Good for SEO (helps you rank on Google)
- Affordable pricing for Indian budgets
- Reliable customer support
- Ability to make money from your blog
Nice-to-Have Features:
- Lots of design templates
- Plugin support for extra features
- Strong community support
- Integration with Indian payment gateways
Top 10 Blogging Platforms Compared
1. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: The most popular blogging platform in the world. You own your website completely.
Pricing: Free software + Hosting costs (₹3,000-8,000 per year)
Best for: Serious bloggers who want full control
Pros:
- Complete ownership of your blog
- 60,000+ free plugins available
- Best SEO capabilities
- Can handle millions of visitors
- Works with all Indian payment gateways
- Thousands of free and paid themes
Cons:
- Requires some technical knowledge
- You handle your own backups and security
- Hosting costs extra
Perfect for Indians because: Most affordable in the long run, supports Hindi and regional languages, works with Indian hosting providers like Hostinger and Bluehost India.
2. WordPress.com (Hosted) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: WordPress hosting handled for you, but with limitations.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans ₹300-2,500/month
Best for: Beginners who want WordPress without technical hassles
Pros:
- No technical setup required
- Automatic updates and backups
- Free plan available
- Good templates
Cons:
- Limited customization on free plan
- Can’t install custom plugins on cheaper plans
- WordPress.com ads on free plan
- Expensive for full features
Indian consideration: Free plan has WordPress branding, which may not look professional for Indian businesses.
3. Blogger (by Google) ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Google’s free blogging platform.
Pricing: Completely free
Best for: Hobby bloggers and beginners
Pros:
- 100% free forever
- Easy Google AdSense integration
- Simple to use
- Reliable (it’s Google!)
- Good for beginners
Cons:
- Limited design options
- Basic SEO features
- Harder to monetize beyond AdSense
- Less professional appearance
- Limited growth potential
Why Indians use it: Many Indian bloggers start here because it’s free and integrates well with Google services.
4. Wix ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Drag-and-drop website builder with blogging features.
Pricing: Free plan + paid plans from ₹400-1,500/month
Best for: Small business owners who want a website + blog
Pros:
- Super easy drag-and-drop builder
- Beautiful templates
- All-in-one solution
- Good customer support
- Mobile app for blogging
Cons:
- More expensive than WordPress
- Limited blogging features
- Harder to migrate later
- Can be slow
- SEO limitations
Indian perspective: Good for businesses but pricey for individual bloggers compared to WordPress.
5. Squarespace ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Premium website builder with excellent design templates.
Pricing: ₹900-3,000/month (no free plan)
Best for: Creative professionals and photographers
Pros:
- Stunning design templates
- Great for visual content
- All-in-one solution
- Good e-commerce features
- Professional appearance
Cons:
- Expensive for Indian market
- Limited blogging features
- Fewer integrations
- Learning curve for customization
For Indian users: Beautiful but expensive. Better suited for high-end businesses than typical bloggers.
6. Ghost ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Platform built specifically for bloggers and publishers.
Pricing: ₹2,000-8,000/month
Best for: Professional bloggers and publishers
Pros:
- Built for blogging
- Fast and clean
- Great writing experience
- Good SEO
- Membership features built-in
Cons:
- More expensive
- Limited design options
- Smaller community
- Fewer integrations
Indian context: Great for serious bloggers but pricier than WordPress alternatives.
7. Medium ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Social blogging platform owned by Twitter’s co-founder.
Pricing: Free to publish, ₹400/month for premium reading
Best for: Writers who want to focus only on writing
Pros:
- Built-in audience
- Clean, distraction-free writing
- Social features
- No technical setup
- Good for building personal brand
Cons:
- Limited monetization options
- No customization
- You don’t own your audience
- Algorithm changes can hurt reach
- Hard to build independent brand
Why some Indians use it: Good for establishing authority, but not for building a business.
8. Substack ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Platform for newsletter-style blogs and paid subscriptions.
Pricing: Free, but takes 10% of paid subscriptions
Best for: Newsletter writers and subscription-based content
Pros:
- Built-in email system
- Easy paid subscriptions
- Growing audience
- Simple to use
- Good for monetization
Cons:
- Limited design options
- Focus on email, not traditional blogging
- 10% fee on earnings
- Newer platform
Indian opportunity: Growing trend of paid newsletters, good for expert content creators.
9. Webflow ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Advanced visual website builder for designers.
Pricing: ₹1,000-3,000/month
Best for: Web designers and agencies
Pros:
- Complete design control
- No coding required
- Professional results
- Fast websites
- Good SEO features
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive
- Overkill for simple blogs
- Limited blogging features
For Indians: Too complex and expensive for most bloggers.
10. Weebly ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Simple drag-and-drop website builder (owned by Square).
Pricing: Free plan + ₹400-2,000/month for paid plans
Best for: Small businesses wanting simple blogs
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Free plan available
- Good templates
- E-commerce integration
- Mobile responsive
Cons:
- Limited blogging features
- Fewer customization options
- Basic SEO
- Being phased out by Square
Indian note: Decent option but WordPress offers better value for money.
🎁 Need Help Choosing? Get Our Platform Selection Guide:
Still unsure which platform is right for you?
Download The Complete Indian Blogger’s Toolkit with our detailed platform comparison chart, setup guides, and decision-making templates.
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Price (Annual) | Ease of Use | SEO | Customization | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org | ₹3,000-8,000 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Serious bloggers |
| WordPress.com | ₹3,600-30,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Beginners |
| Blogger | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Hobby blogs |
| Wix | ₹4,800-18,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Small business |
| Squarespace | ₹10,800-36,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Creatives |
My Recommendations for Indian Bloggers
1. If You’re a Complete Beginner:
Start with WordPress.com (free plan) to learn blogging basics, then migrate to WordPress.org when ready.
2. If You Want to Make Money:
Choose WordPress.org – it offers the best monetization options and lowest long-term costs.
Ready to learn how to monetize your blog? Check out our comprehensive guide: [Blog Monetization: 15 Ways Indian Bloggers Make Money].
3. If You Just Want to Write for Fun:
Blogger is perfect – it’s free and simple.
4. If You Have a Business:
WordPress.org for maximum flexibility, or Wix if you prefer simplicity over customization.
5. If You’re Tech-Savvy:
WordPress.org with a good hosting provider like SiteGround or Hostinger.
WordPress: The Clear Winner for Most Indians
Here’s why WordPress.org dominates:
Cost Effectiveness:
- One-time theme cost: ₹2,000-5,000
- Annual hosting: ₹3,000-8,000
- Total first year: Under ₹10,000
- Compare this to Wix (₹18,000/year) or Squarespace (₹36,000/year)
Growth Potential:
- Can handle any amount of traffic
- Unlimited monetization options
- Complete control over your content
- Easy to add new features
Indian-Specific Benefits:
- Works with all Indian payment gateways (Razorpay, CCAvenue, etc.)
- Supports Hindi and regional languages
- Local hosting providers offer WordPress-optimized plans
- Large Indian WordPress community for support
SEO Advantage:
WordPress.org offers the best SEO capabilities among all platforms. Once you’ve chosen your platform, make sure to optimize it properly. Learn the essential techniques in our guide: SEO for Beginners: Complete Guide for Indian Bloggers.
Getting Started: Next Steps
If you choose WordPress.org:
- Buy hosting from Hostinger India (extra 20% discount) or SiteGround
- Install WordPress (most hosts do this automatically)
- Pick a free theme to start
- Write your first post
- Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console
If you choose another platform:
- Sign up for free trial
- Pick a template
- Customize your design
- Write your first few posts
- Set up monetization options
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t choose based on price alone – the cheapest option might cost more in the long run
- Don’t ignore SEO features – you want people to find your blog on Google
- Don’t pick a platform you can’t grow with – think about where you want to be in 2 years
- Don’t forget about mobile – most Indians read blogs on their phones
- Don’t ignore customer support – you’ll need help, especially as a beginner
Platform Migration: What If You Want to Switch?
Easy Migrations:
- Blogger to WordPress.org (Google provides export tools)
- WordPress.com to WordPress.org (WordPress provides migration)
- Medium to WordPress.org (Various plugins available)
Difficult Migrations:
- Wix to WordPress (limited export options)
- Squarespace to WordPress (requires manual work)
- Proprietary platforms to anything else
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, start with WordPress.com free plan to learn, then upgrade to WordPress.org when you’re ready to invest.
Platform-Specific Setup Guides
WordPress.org Quick Setup:
- Choose Hosting: Hostinger India (₹149/month) or SiteGround (₹349/month)
- Install WordPress: One-click installation from hosting panel
- Pick Theme: Astra, GeneratePress, or Neve (all have free versions)
- Essential Plugins: Yoast SEO, Wordfence Security, UpdraftPlus Backup
- Create Pages: About, Contact, Privacy Policy
WordPress.com Quick Setup:
- Sign up at WordPress.com
- Choose free plan to start
- Pick domain: yourname.wordpress.com (free) or custom domain (paid)
- Select theme from free options
- Start writing your first post
Blogger Quick Setup:
- Go to Blogger.com
- Sign in with Google account
- Create blog with available subdomain
- Choose template from basic options
- Start posting immediately
Advanced Platform Features
For Growing Bloggers:
- Email Marketing Integration: WordPress.org works with all email services
- E-commerce: WooCommerce for WordPress.org, built-in stores for Wix/Squarespace
- Membership Sites: WordPress.org supports paid memberships
- Analytics: All platforms work with Google Analytics
For Professional Bloggers:
- Custom Code: Only WordPress.org allows full customization
- Advanced SEO: WordPress.org has best plugin ecosystem
- Performance: Self-hosted WordPress.org can be optimized for speed
- Backup & Security: Full control with WordPress.org
Budget Planning by Platform
WordPress.org (Recommended):
- Year 1: ₹8,000 (hosting + domain + theme)
- Year 2+: ₹5,000 (hosting renewal)
- Total 3 years: ₹18,000
WordPress.com:
- Free Plan: ₹0 (limited features)
- Personal Plan: ₹3,600/year
- Premium Plan: ₹9,600/year
- Total 3 years: ₹28,800 (Premium)
Wix:
- Combo Plan: ₹4,800/year
- Unlimited Plan: ₹8,400/year
- Total 3 years: ₹25,200 (Unlimited)
Squarespace:
- Personal Plan: ₹10,800/year
- Business Plan: ₹21,600/year
- Total 3 years: ₹64,800 (Business)
Winner: WordPress.org saves you ₹10,000+ over 3 years compared to alternatives!
Special Considerations for Indian Bloggers
Language Support:
- WordPress.org: Excellent support for Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and other Indian languages
- Blogger: Good support for Indian languages
- Other platforms: Limited or no support for Indian languages
Payment Gateway Integration:
- WordPress.org: Works with Razorpay, CCAvenue, PayU, and all Indian gateways
- Wix/Squarespace: Limited Indian payment options
- Blogger: Only AdSense payments
Local Support:
- WordPress.org: Large Indian developer and user community
- Others: Mostly international support (timezone issues)
Content Delivery:
- WordPress.org: Can use Indian hosting and CDN
- Hosted platforms: Servers may be outside India (slower loading)
Making Your Final Decision
Quick Decision Tree:
Are you serious about blogging as a business?
- Yes → WordPress.org
- No → Continue
Do you want to make money from your blog?
- Yes → WordPress.org
- No → Continue
Are you comfortable with basic technical tasks?
- Yes → WordPress.org
- No → WordPress.com or Wix
Is your budget under ₹5,000/year?
- Yes → WordPress.org or Blogger
- No → Any platform works
Do you need advanced customization?
- Yes → WordPress.org only
- No → Any platform works
Platform Switch Timeline
Month 1: Research and Decide
- Read this guide thoroughly
- Check your budget and technical comfort level
- Sign up for free trials where available
- Make your final decision
Month 2: Setup and Launch
- Purchase hosting (if WordPress.org)
- Set up your blog
- Choose and customize theme
- Create essential pages
- Write first 3-5 posts
Month 3: Optimization
- Install SEO plugins
- Set up analytics
- Optimize for mobile
- Start promoting on social media
Success Stories by Platform
WordPress.org Success:
Harsh Agarwal (ShoutMeLoud): Started with WordPress.org, now earns ₹50+ lakhs annually. The platform’s flexibility allowed him to scale from personal blog to business empire.
WordPress.com to WordPress.org:
Amit Agarwal (Labnol): Started on Blogger, moved to WordPress.com, finally settled on WordPress.org for full control and better monetization.
Blogger Success:
Malini Agarwal (MissMalini): Built initial audience on Blogger before moving to WordPress.org. Blogger’s simplicity helped her focus on content creation initially.
Technical Requirements by Platform
WordPress.org:
- Hosting Account: Required
- Technical Skills: Basic (installing themes/plugins)
- Maintenance: Regular updates needed
- Control Level: Complete control
WordPress.com:
- Hosting Account: Not needed
- Technical Skills: None
- Maintenance: Automatic
- Control Level: Limited on free plan
Other Platforms:
- Hosting Account: Not needed
- Technical Skills: Minimal
- Maintenance: Automatic
- Control Level: Platform dependent
Final Verdict
For 90% of Indian bloggers, WordPress.org is the best choice. It’s affordable, powerful, and grows with you. Yes, there’s a small learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the initial effort.
If you’re not ready for WordPress.org yet, start with WordPress.com or Blogger to learn the basics, then upgrade when you’re comfortable.
The truth: The best blogging platform is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Pick one, start writing, and don’t worry about perfection. You can always switch later as you grow!
Remember: Your content matters more than your platform. Focus on providing value to your readers, and success will follow regardless of which platform you choose.
🚀 Ready to Start Your Blogging Journey?
Now that you know which platform suits you best, it’s time to take action:
- Join our newsletter and download your toolkit – Get The Complete Indian Blogger’s Toolkit with platform setup guides
- Read our starter guide – How to Start a Blog in India: Complete Guide for Beginners
- Learn about monetization – Blog Monetization: 15 Ways Indian Bloggers Make Money
- Master SEO basics – SEO for Beginners: How to Get Found on Google
- Choose your platform and set up your blog this week!
Have questions about platform selection? Drop them in the comments below – we respond to every question and love helping fellow bloggers choose the right path!
Which platform are you leaning towards? Let us know in the comments and tell us why!
The Indian blogging community is waiting to hear your unique voice. Choose your platform and publish your first post this week!