Tumblr vs Blogger vs WordPress: a Fair Comparison

In the vast realm of digital expression and online presence, choosing the right platform for your blog is a pivotal decision. While a lot depends on your content strategy, its quality, and whether you’ve found your place in a niche, the blogging site you choose may boost or compromise your success.

Three popular blogging platforms, each with its own set of strengths and unique offerings, stand out prominently. So, today, we’re reviewing Tumblr vs Blogger to help you make the right choice on the first try!

Overview of the Platforms

In the ever-evolving blogging world, choosing the right platform is crucial for your blogging journey. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting, understanding the different blogging platforms available can help you make an informed decision. Each platform offers unique features and caters to different blogging needs, from microblogging to more traditional blogging formats.

What is a Blogging Platform?

A blogging platform is a software or service that allows users to create, manage, and publish content on the internet. These platforms provide a user-friendly interface for writing, editing, and customizing blog posts. They also offer tools for managing comments, analytics, and other features that enhance the blogging experience. These platforms can be self-hosted, where you have more control and customization settings, or hosted by a third-party provider, which often simplifies the setup process. Whether you’re looking to start blogging with minimal technical knowledge or want to build a highly customized blog, there’s a blogging platform to suit your needs.

Types of Blogging Platforms

They come in various forms, each catering to different types of content and user preferences:

• Microblogging Platforms: These platforms, like Tumblr, are designed for sharing short-form content, including text, images, and videos. They are ideal for users who prefer quick, visually-oriented posts and social interaction.
• Traditional Blogging Platforms: Platforms like WordPress and Blogger offer extensive features and customization options for creating and managing long-form content. They are suitable for bloggers who want more control over their blog’s appearance and functionality.
• Self-Hosted Platforms: WordPress.org is a prime example of a self-hosted platform. It requires users to download and install the software on their own servers, offering maximum flexibility and customization.
• Hosted Platforms: Services like WordPress.com and Google Blogger provide free or paid hosting, making it easier for users to start blogging without worrying about server management.

Each type of platform has its advantages, and the best choice depends on your specific blogging goals and technical expertise.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers a significant portion of the Internet. It provides a versatile platform for creating websites, ranging from blogs to e-commerce sites. With a vast library of plugins and themes, users can customize their websites to suit their needs.

What is Tumblr?

Tumblr is a microblogging platform and social media network that allows users to post multimedia content in a short-form blog format. It’s known for its simplicity, ease of use, and a strong emphasis on social interaction. Users can follow other blogs, like and reblog posts, creating a dynamic and interconnected community.

What is Blogger?

Blogger, owned by Google, is a straightforward blogging platform that allows users to create and manage their blogs. It offers an easy-to-use interface and is suitable for beginners who want to start blogging without dealing with the complexities of web development.

Main Differences Between Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger

Let’s review the main differences between the three platforms to see the big picture!

WordPress vs Tumblr vs Blogger: Price

Tumblr Price

Tumblr is a free platform, making it accessible to users with limited budgets. However, it offers premium themes and customization options at an additional cost for those who want to enhance their blog’s appearance. There are paid themes, Ad-Free membership that costs $4,99 a month, and the Post Plus feature that may cost subscribers of paid channels up to $9,99. So, for your blog, it may as well be free.

WordPress Price

WP is open-source and free to use. However, users need to pay for hosting services to make their websites accessible on the Internet. Additionally, premium themes and plugins may come with a price tag, allowing users to add advanced features to their sites. So, WordPress website cost may range from $50-$100 to $3000-30,000 a year if you choose to go big.

Blogger Price

Hosting a website on WordPress vs Tumblr may cost you some money, while Blogger is a free platform that includes free hosting by Google. You can purchase a custom domain or have a theme designed for you, which will add costs. However, Blogger is a cost-effective option for beginners, but it has limited customization options compared to WP. Additionally, Blogger integrates well with Google AdSense, providing a straightforward way for bloggers to earn money online.

Tumblr vs Blogger vs WordPress for Blogging

Tumblr

WordPress vs Tumblr blogging varies significantly in scale. The latter excels in microblogging, making it ideal for users who prefer short-form content. It’s a visually oriented platform focusing on images, gifs, and short text posts.

WordPress

WP is a versatile platform suitable for bloggers of all kinds. WordPress blogs are known for their extensive customization options and the ability to integrate with various social media platforms. Its extensive range of paid and free themes and plugins allows users to create highly customized blogs. It supports long-form content, making it a favorite among professional bloggers.

Blogger

While the feat between blogging on Tumblr vs WordPress is clear, what about Blogger? Blogger is a more traditional blogging platform that is user-friendly and straightforward, making it a good choice for beginners in the blogging world. However, its features are less advanced compared to WP.

WordPress vs Google Blogger vs Tumblr for Search Engine Optimization

Tumblr for SEO

Tumblr has a strong social aspect, and its content can easily go viral within the platform. However, it might not offer as much control over SEO optimization compared to, say, WP.

WordPress for SEO

WP is highly SEO-friendly, with numerous plugins available to enhance on-page and technical optimization, such as Yoast SEO. It provides better control over metadata, URLs, and other crucial SEO elements.

Blogger for SEO

Blogger, being a traditional blogging platform and a product of Google, integrates well with Google’s search algorithms. However, its SEO customization options are limited, although you can actually work on your content more to make it top SERP (search engine results page) worthy!

WordPress vs Blogger vs Tumblr for Business

Tumblr for Business

Tumblr is suitable for businesses targeting a younger, visually-oriented audience. Tumblr users are particularly drawn to the platform’s ease of use and creative community, making it ideal for businesses targeting a younger, visually-oriented audience. Its social features can help businesses engage with their audience in a unique way.

WordPress for Business

WP is widely used for business websites in general, offering e-commerce capabilities, extensive customization, and a range of plugins for various business needs.

Blogger for Business and Google AdSense

Blogger is a simpler option for small businesses or individuals who want a basic online presence. However, it may lack some advanced features required by larger businesses.

Comparing Dashboards

Tumblr Dashboard

Tumblr’s dashboard is straightforward, focusing on the feed of posts from followed blogs. It prioritizes simplicity and ease of use.

WordPress Dashboard

WP provides a comprehensive dashboard with various menus for site customization, content creation, and analytics. It can be overwhelming for beginners but offers powerful features.

Blogger Dashboard

Blogger’s dashboard is simple and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to navigate. It includes essential features for managing blog posts and settings.

Ownership of Your Content

Tumblr Ownership

Tumblr retains some control over user-generated content, and there are limitations on mature or explicit content. Users should be aware of the popular platform’s content policies.

WordPress Ownership

WordPress allows users full ownership and control over their content. Users can choose their hosting provider and have complete autonomy over their website.

Blogger Ownership

Blogger is owned by Google, and while users have control over their content, they must adhere to Google’s terms of service.

Community and Engagement

One of the key aspects of a successful blog is the ability to engage with your audience. Blogging platforms often provide features that enable community engagement and interaction, helping you build a loyal readership:

• Commenting Systems: These allow readers to leave feedback and engage in discussions with the author and other readers, fostering a sense of community.
• Social Sharing Buttons: These enable users to share your content on social media platforms, increasing your blog’s reach and visibility.
• Follow and Subscription Features: These allow readers to stay updated with new content from their favorite bloggers, ensuring they don’t miss any posts.

Engagement Tools and Features

Some blogging platforms go a step further by offering advanced engagement tools and features:

• Polls and Surveys: These tools allow bloggers to gather feedback from their audience, making the blog more interactive and engaging.
• Email Newsletters: These enable bloggers to send regular updates to their subscribers, keeping them informed about new posts and other important news.
• Analytics and Insights: These provide bloggers with valuable data on their audience and engagement metrics, helping them understand what content resonates most with their readers.

By leveraging these features, bloggers can build a strong community and increase engagement on their site, making their blogging journey more rewarding and successful.

Comparison Table of WordPress vs. Tumblr vs. Blogger

Feature	WordPress	Tumblr	Blogger
Price	Open-source, Hosting fees	Free, Paid Premium options	Free, some paid options
Blogging Focus	Versatile blogging	Microblogging	Basic blogging
SEO Capability	Highly customizable	Limited control	Basic SEO integration
Business Suitability	Widely used for businesses	Creative and visual	Simple, small businesses
Dashboard	Comprehensive, Feature-rich	Simple, Social-focused	Intuitive, Beginner-friendly
Ownership of Content	Full ownership and control	Platform control	Adheres to Google’s terms
Customization Options	Extensive through themes, plugins	Limited, Social-centric	Limited, Basic features
E-commerce Capabilities	Robust e-commerce features	Limited functionality	Basic e-commerce options
Community and Social Integration	Moderate social features	Strong social community	Basic social features
Content Portability	Highly portable, exportable	Limited export options	Limited export options
Learning Curve	Steeper learning curve	Easy to get started	Beginner-friendly
Mobile Responsiveness	Responsive design options	Mobile-friendly	Mobile-friendly
Security Features	Strong security options	Relies on platform security	Basic security measures
Scalability	Highly scalable	Limited scalability	Limited scalability
Third-party Integrations	Extensive plugin ecosystem	Limited third-party apps	Limited third-party apps

Your final choice depends a lot on your blogging goals, the target audience, the type of content you post, and more! Choose wisely!

Need recommendations from ProCoders? You can find some in the conclusion of the article.

Conclusion

The choice of Blogger vs Tumblr vs. WordPress depends on individual needs and preferences. WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility and features, Tumblr excels in microblogging and social interaction, while Blogger is a straightforward option for beginners. We at ProCoders tend to recommend WP due to its versatility. You can use social sharing buttons to catch up on social networking services, and with just a little learning, any beginner will be able to work with this content management system. 

However, we always consider blogging goals, technical expertise, and desired level of customization when recommending something for each unique case. All these platforms have their strengths, and the best choice is the one that aligns with your unique requirements.