WordPress vs Blogger (Comparison 2023): Which is the Better Platform? – You intend to create a blog and are still confused about choosing between WordPress or Blogger as a blog platform to use?
Don’t worry, this kind of confusion and dilemma is normal. In fact, in the next few years this debate will continue. Before dissecting what is the difference between WordPress and Blogger, you need to know that WordPress also has 2 different versions.
Actually, the end of the comparison between WordPress and Blogger is your decision. There is no better between 1 of the two. There is one that suits your interests and abilities.
Choosing which one is the best is a mistake. Choosing which one is right and right is the fruit of the dilemma and debate of choosing between Blogger or WordPress.
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WordPress vs Blogger
WordPress and Blogger are the three most popular blogging platforms. Apart from these three there are other blogging platforms, for example Squarespace, Wix, and Joomla.
Despite the many new platforms, these three remain at the top of the list of most sought after platforms. That’s why comparisons between the three platforms are always discussed and produced every year (until there is a new platform).
The easiest way to compare the three platforms is to group them into aspects. Later, you can see the advantages and disadvantages of each platform from certain aspects.
There are 7 aspects that will be used in the comparison of the three platforms. The 7 aspects are hosting and domain, level of customization, software updates, extensions, initial difficulty level, cost, and ownership.
Hopefully, these 7 aspects can provide a clear picture of which platform is right for you. You are guaranteed not to be confused again after listening to this discussion.
The following is a further explanation of these 7 aspects.
Hosting and Domains
These two basic aspects are the things you need to pay attention to first. Domain is your blog address (IP address or www). While hosting is a place where data on your blog is stored. Domains can be likened to home addresses. While hosting can be likened to a house (physical). Here is a comparison between the three from the aspect of hosting and domain.
- WordPress.com
This domain from WordPress.com is the default and cannot be contested anymore. This means that regardless of the blog, the final address will still be name.wordpress.com, if you use the free WordPress.com plan. For hosting matters, you also have absolutely no freedom to determine.
The blog will be stored in WordPress with the settings that have been determined by WordPress. The data capacity provided is free (not large) with upgrade options available.
- Blogger
In terms of hosting and domains, Blogger is not much different from WordPress.com. There is no freedom when it comes to domains and hosting. You will use an address ending in name.Blogger.com. The same applies to hosting where the blog you create will be stored on Google. This is non-negotiable. There is 15 GB of free storage space that you can use.
- WordPress.org
You have complete freedom to determine the blog address domain. The endings can also vary, it doesn’t need to always be .com. If you choose WordPress.org, then you can find hosting for this platform yourself. You can use hosting outside of WordPress.
The data storage capacity is “not surrendered”. This means that you are free to choose the storage space according to your individual needs and abilities. If you are confused about choosing web hosting,
Customization Level
The next aspect in the comparison of Blogger and WordPress is the level of customization. This aspect discusses how free and how extensive of customization you can do on the blog that you create.
The things that will be discussed in this aspect are themes , dashboards , and other customizations. The following is a comparison between the three platforms in terms of the level of customization.
- WordPress.com
In general, the level of customization you can do is at the intermediate level. You can customize several things, including CS5 files . However, you cannot make changes to the theme. You can only choose the theme provided by WordPress. Even if you intend to customize, you have little freedom to make some basic modifications.
- Blogger
Compared to its two competitors, Blogger is in the middle. Blogger is not rigid and provides quite a variety of customization. However, the level of customization is below WordPress.org and above WordPress.com. If you are looking for a moderate aka mediocre in terms of customization freedom, Blogger is the best choice.
- WordPress.org
At WordPress.org, you can customize your theme more freely. You can turn a blog from a simple one into a complex blog with a complex design. The blog that you create is guaranteed not to look like a regular blog. Modifications and customization can be done in many aspects, from themes to scripts . In this case, WordPress.org is considered far superior to the two competitors.
Software Update
The third aspect of the debate over whether to choose WordPress or Blogger is software updates . This aspect discusses the extent to which updates to the software can be carried out.
The difference between WordPress and Blogger in this case usually revolves around whether updates can be done manually or automatically. The following is a comparison between the three platforms in terms of software updates.
- WordPress.com
Updates to WordPress.com are done automatically. These automatic updates apply to the software. What about the plugins used? Unfortunately, the auto-renewal policy does not apply to the plugin. You cannot use plugins if you choose WordPress.com.
- WordPress.org
If you choose WordPress.org as your blog platform, updates can be done manually or automatically. If you choose to update manually, the software will provide a notification stating that there are new updates to the software, themes, and plugins.
This notification appears on the dashboard. After that, you can update the software and plugins that really need to be updated or if you think it’s urgent to update.
- Blogger
Blogger and WordPress (.com) are the same in this regard. You don’t have to bother to update manually. The software and plugins you use will be automatically updated. The update that appears will be accompanied by a notification of what has changed and what features are included. You can see this info on the dashboard.
Extensions (Plugins, Widgets and Gadgets)
Extensions in this case plugins can be a significant differentiator if you can choose the right type. If you are a WordPress user, then you must be familiar with Widgets. But, if you are a loyal Blogger user, then you must have often heard of the Gadget feature.
- WordPress.com
Widgets with Javascript cannot be used on this platform. Meanwhile, the quantity of the Widget itself is many and varied. However, WordPress.com cannot use the plugin under normal conditions. If you want to use a plugin, then you can upgrade to a business level or switch to using WordPress.org. You can learn about WordPress.org in the article.
- WordPress.org
This platform is very pampering its users. There are many plugins you can use. You can freely choose a plugin or theme when using WordPress.org. You can feel the same in Widgets. There are many Widgets that you can add to make your website more attractive and complex.
- Blogger
Blogger doesn’t allow you to install plugins at all. Fortunately, compared to WordPress.com, Blogger provides additional Gadgets with CSS code and Javascript. The gadgets that you can use on Blogger are varied and varied. At first glance, on par with WordPress.com, but still inferior to WordPress.org.
Convenience
This aspect will discuss how difficult it is to develop a blog through any of the three platforms. Difficult which one is WordPress or Blogger? That is more or less the question that underlies the discussion of this aspect.
Although in the end, ability and experience mattered, not everyone could reach the pinnacle of skill easily. Still required a process that must be considered properly.
- WordPress.com
Your initial process of starting a blog with WordPress.com is relatively easy. All you need to do is create an account first. You are given the freedom to have many blogs with the same account. In general, you can start a blog right away without having to understand complicated techniques.
- WordPress.org
Creating a blog through WordPress.org isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult either. You need to have hosting and domain first before you have to install the WordPress program. The initial process of creating a blog through WordPress.org is not easy. Over time, your abilities will certainly improve.
If you hear often that WordPress.org is hard to open and crashes frequently, it’s because they’re fiddling with PHP code they don’t understand and it’s corrupted. But, if you don’t touch the PHP code, then you can be sure the website will be fine.
- Blogger
Not much different from creating a blog through WordPress.com. The procedure is easy and fast. All you need to do is create an account. Just like WordPress.com, you can also create multiple blogs with the same account. The blog that you create will be blank at the beginning. In general, you don’t need any special skills to create a blog through Blogger.
Cost
This aspect is impossible to miss or ignore in a WordPress or Blogger dilemma. This cost aspect does not only need to be considered from the initial cost. You need to think about this aspect in the investment paradigm. Not everything that is paid is superior. Likewise, not everything free is bad. In the end, it is you who will determine which is the best. Here is a comparison of the three from the aspect of cost.
- WordPress
Creating a blog through WordPress.com is 100% free. You will not spend a penny to build a blog from scratch to become a complete blog. You don’t have to pay for hosting and domain. There are payment options that you can choose from. The option is to use the TLD to buy the domain. The price varies quite a bit depending on the type of domain you choose.
- WordPress.org
After you’ve read about how to create a blog with WordPress.org requires your own domain and hosting, you’ll realize that there are dollars to spend. You obviously have to spend money on domains and hosting. The price varies depending on the type and capacity you choose. How about the WordPress program. Fortunately, the program is free.
- Blogger
Blogger status is the same as WordPress.com in this respect. You will not spend a penny to be able to create a blog from start to finish with Blogger. There are no domain and hosting fees. Both have been provided by Google for free. TLD options for paid domains are available. The price is quite varied depending on the type of domain
Ownership
Questions regarding this aspect must have crossed your mind. Actually, who owns this blog? Do I, as a developer and creator, have full control over what is published? What are the things that are allowed and what are not? How long can this blog exist? Is there a limit that can’t be crossed? You will find answers to these questions here.
- WordPress.com
If you use WordPress.com, you don’t have your own web hosting and domain. You are forever bound by the rules made by WordPress. If you violate the rules of the WordPress owner, it can result in your blog being deleted.
You have no freedom when it comes to software updates. Your blog’s existence depends on WordPress. If WordPress closes, then your blog also closes.
- WordPress.org
You use your own domain and hosting services. That means, you are bound by the regulations that apply to the company providing the two services. Not paying for hosting could mean your blog history is over. You have the freedom to update, what is updated, and when to update it. If WordPress dies, your blog doesn’t die too. As long as the domain and hosting live, your blog will live too.
- Blogger
Description Blogger is not much different from WordPress in the aspect of ownership. Because it uses a domain and hosting from Google, the rules that you obey are also the rules from there. Violation of the rules can result in the blog closing. Updates are done automatically indiscriminately. If Google stops its service then your blog will also stop.
So Which Do You Choose, WordPress vs Blogger?
What do you think, better Blogger or WordPress? From the aspects that have been discussed, you certainly already have an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each platform. Your vision matters a lot here.
If you really want to start a blog for the first time and want to give it a try, WordPress.com and Blogger are good choices. Both are easy and inexpensive options.
Meanwhile, if you want a business website, just choose WordPress.org to make it more professional. The costs are nothing compared to the benefits you get when you use WordPress.org.
If you want to have a blog but don’t have time to write, you can use the services of an article writer. That way, your blog can still be taken care of and bring in a lot of visitors.
This indicates that the WordPress.org platform is the right choice for experienced blog developers or for those of you who want to do business. Even if you have minimal experience, using WordPress.org is easy.