7 Awesome Alternatives to WordPress as a Blogging Platform

 Posted in Freebies 686 days ago • Written by: Nicole Dominguez
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blogging platforms freebiesWordPress is a very popular blogging platform that runs millions of blogs. But, what if it doesn’t meet your needs? Just because tons of people use it doesn’t mean it will be right for you. Here are 7 solutions to help you find your own advanced blogging solution. These CMS’s (Content Management Systems) will offer you a lot of options and features – but it’s important to weigh pro’s and con’s when choosing the right system. Most of these work in the same manner; you’ll have to download and upload the files to your server (some need a database to work), and then go through an install and configure the system. Later, there should be some kind of extensions you’ll be able to add – such as themes, plugins, modules, sections – and a lot more.

preview awesome alternatives wordpress blogging platform freebies

1.TextPattern

Textpattern is a robust CMS. It’s most useful for blogs, although full sites can and have been created with Textpattern as well. It happens to be quite flexible – you can create almost anything with plugins and a custom sections and styling. Personally, I would only recommend this to people who have dealt with PHP and other CMS’s before; although using Textpattern is fairly easy to learn.

Cool Features:

  • Easy to focus on content
  • Browser-Based Media Control
  • Freedom to control all elements
  • Browser-based template and CSS editing
  • Light Weight and Secure
  • The many available plugins give you extra functions and capabilities

2. Habari

Habari is a free blogging system that, although is still new – proves to be a safe, firm, and well-rounded solution for many. Called the ‘future of blogging’, this flexible system is well on its way to being a huge force in the CMS market.

Cool Features:

  • Multiple Users and Sites with one install
  • Plugins, Tagging and a WordPress Importer
  • Static Pages
  • Supports multiple types of databases (MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL)
  • Supporting Developer Community
  • Fast and Simple Installation
  • Full featured dashboard

3. Movable Type

Movable Type is a powerful all-in-one tool that lets you create blogs and entire websites with one platform. Being flexible with themes and plugins, you can really do anything with Movable Type! Movable Type is free, but for those who need a larger amount of support (like a business), Movable Type Pro comes with more features – and is not free.

Cool Features:

  • Open Source for Developers
  • Simple to create all kinds of websites
  • Revision history – you’ll never loose anything!
  • Dashboard and Custom Fields
  • All-in-one solution that cam power anybody

4. Tumblr

Tumblr is a micro-blogging platform. Although you can’t host it on your own server, you can customize your Tumblr blog as much as you would like with super cool themes! With an awesome community, Tumblr is the easiest solution for micro-blogging. You’ll also have the ability to use custom domains!

Cool Features:

  • Don’t have to host on your own server
  • Free and Easy to Use
  • Community Interaction
  • Easy to post with mobile devices (call, text, mobile web, apps)
  • Powerful Well Designed Themes by Professional Designers
  • Completely Free!

5. Drupal

Drupal is an open source Content Management System that can create anything to a small blog to a large community website. You can even create discussion websites, corporate pages, personal blogs, directories and even social networking sites – all in a breeze.

Cool Features:

  • You can contribute to it’s development
  • Admin side tracking and statistics
  • Easy Forum and Polls
  • Built in news aggregator
  • Easy to personalize and community gives online help

6. ExpressionEngine

ExpressionEngine is a flexible CMS that helps you fulfill your site’s full purpose. There are modules, plugins and extension hooks to help you customize your website to the upmost extent.

Cool Features:

  • Flexible – can power organizations and companies
  • Will adapt to your needs
  • Easy to add more features
  • Analytical tracking
  • Built in spam prevention
  • Totally secure and manageable

7. FlatPress

Last, but not least – FlatPress is an open source blogging system that does not need a database to work. This means that those without access to MySQL databases finally have a blogging system to fit their needs!With FlatPress, there are widgets and plugins to make your site as unique as you want it to be.

Cool Features:

  • Open Source
  • Does not require a database to function
  • Looks like WP
  • Plugins and widgets
  • Theme Support
  • Static Page support

Now that you have seen some of the great options available, what will be your pick? Are you going to stick with WordPress? Are you going to try any of the solutions here? Let us know below!

 Did you enjoy this article and found it useful?

Nicole Dominguez is a self-taught teenage web designer, that founded SoDevious.Net, a resource for teenage bloggers and designers like herself. Check out her portfolio or follow her on Twitter, @sodevious.
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 50 Brilliant Comments - Join Discussion Now!

  • Geekyard

    Posted 46 days ago
    50

    I need to give a try to Drupal :) Currently I am using WordPress and Blogspot only. Need to try out other CMS

  • Leonard

    Posted 54 days ago
    49

    It is always a breath of fresh air to see someone let people know that not all blogging solutions are a 1 size fits all. I have been using WordPress for many years and I love what can be done with it. But there are some things that really tweak my nerves about it also. I had the chance to be a Beta tester for the new BB2 online site designer (cms) and all that I can say is where has it been all my life! I will leave a couple of my sites on WordPress until I get the rest of them moved over to this new Web 3.0 Super-Hero.

    I just want to be able to drag and drop forms, graphics, social stuff, and whatever else I want to use into the pages and go. No worrying about updating plugins, finding widgets, tweaking code, etc… Let the host worry about all that stuff.

    So you can count me in as a vote for the new BB2 BlockBuilder that was launched on March 29th and already got 100,000 raving Facebook fans and users. Here is the information about how it stands up to WordPress: http://cozy-webs.com

  • Aruneetu

    Posted 95 days ago
    47

    Nice to see you pointing out other platforms but to me WordPress is the king. :)

  • Hamm

    Posted 142 days ago
    46

    Thanks For This Wonderfull Post . Will Start Work With Drupal Now Lets See What`s The Review Of It

    • Rob

      Posted 84 days ago
      48

      What’s your verdict?

  • Malik Merchant

    Posted 208 days ago
    45

    I quite disagree with few things here…

    1) WordPress is not just a Blogging Platform, it has evolved as a complete CMS
    2) You can add any custom functionality in WordPress & modify it the way you want
    3) If a particular functionality is not there in WordPress as Plug-in I have seen over & over again that it no where else in any of the above platform.

    WordPress is far better than any other option you have listed above.

    Thanks

  • Hemen | seozz

    Posted 230 days ago
    44

    I think blogger is also a good alternative to wordpress. Don’t you think so. Nice post anyway.

  • Resim Blog

    Posted 234 days ago
    43

    Interesting idea, my script is dead. I want to change it.

  • A Blogger

    Posted 257 days ago
    42

    You’ve left out Weebly. Out of all the wordpress alternatives I’ve tried it is the best.

  • yoyo

    Posted 283 days ago
    41

    great list!! i just new player here.. thanks for the info i think wordpress still the easiest of all

  • Steve Reed

    Posted 302 days ago
    40

    Check out Zazar at http://www.zazar.net This is a great new platform that is SO simple to use. Not my site, but I saw the press release on PRWeb and am going to sign up. Just another one to add to the list

    Cheers

  • James

    Posted 324 days ago
    39

    I’ve been looking for a good alternative to WordPress for awhile now and found Zazavi recently. It’s incredible: http://www.zazavi.com

  • Nejisan

    Posted 368 days ago
    38

    Hi buddies! I am with blogger, for more customization and widgets! Can edit your own and import layout, great toll and value for free! Bye!

  • Dodge Trucks

    Posted 514 days ago
    37

    Part of this decision is based on your specific comfort level. Of what I have found, Blogger and WordPress seem to be the best, but there are many different choices out there.
    You really need to look at the different features each one brings and your level of tech expertise can also weigh in here.
    http://www.usavehiclehub.com/

  • andrewlloyd

    Posted 533 days ago
    36

    Hi there! Newbie here… Nice site!

    Developers are welcome to download and try out my new survey wordpress plugin. Simply visit

    http://www.brandography.com/contact-us and in the “comment” box write “Free Plugin”.
    Your honest feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

  • Jacob

    Posted 559 days ago
    35

    WordPress and WordPress only is all i say

  • Samwest314

    Posted 565 days ago
    34

    Joomla – ugh! It’s a total nightmare and doesn’t belong on the list.

  • Lauren

    Posted 574 days ago
    33

    Nice list of blogs, haven’t heard of habari but I will have to check that out.

    There is the sgblog at simplegram.com I use it and it is really easy to use.

  • ArdianZzZ

    Posted 618 days ago
    32

    Yeah, WordPress is good but Textpattern rocks!

  • Phillip

    Posted 623 days ago
    31

    I have been working with php for about 2 years now and just started working with WordPress with the goal to start building my own themes. However, after looking at the code in the core files, I’m shocked that the thing works as well as it does. Don’t get me wrong. I like the functionality and extensibility of WordPress, but the underlying code, frankly it’s a mess.

  • Asshu

    Posted 636 days ago
    30

    Gelato CMS is an opensource clone script for tumblr .It could be useful to the bloggers who expects tumblr as self hosted .

  • me

    Posted 673 days ago
    29

    Still nothing worth a damn for asp.net for blogging. It is unbelievable that microsoft keeps churning out crap no one needs like mvc and silverlight but they said the hell with making a decent blog platform.

  • Dean Saliba

    Posted 677 days ago
    28

    Nice to see you pointing out other platforms but to me WordPress is the king. :)

  • mike mai

    Posted 681 days ago
    27

    no love for posterous? come on. I use both tumblr and posterous and link them together. nothing beats posterous when u want to post anytime anywhere.

  • Todd

    Posted 681 days ago
    26

    Joomla is awful, it is a usability nightmare, especially on the admin end. I advise clients to stay as far away from that masterpiece of doom as possible. It is a nice list, I’d take a look at Radiant CMS http://radiantcms.org or choose from WordPress, Textpattern or Drupal those are the ones I develop with, based on what the client wants and how idiot-proof it has to be.

    Joomla, should get it’s act together and make things usable, accessible and the admin area a lot less of a clusterf*ck.

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