Forget WordPress and Blogger: 30 Alternative Blog Services

Most people think of Blogger and WordPress (.org/.com) as the only blog services available as they are commonly referred to as the most popular and powerful.  However, there are hundreds of other services (many free) that have the same support, plugins, and themes available as the most popular ones.  

This post serves simply as a resource list, a collection of some great alternatives to the most popular platforms.  Some do have upgrade options and involve hosting the service yourself (some with more advanced installs than WordPress and competing Movable Type offer).

One of the main reasons that you don’t hear about the other systems more frequently may not be due to the lack of features, but the number of people using them and the larger companies in control, which leads to more community support, features added more frequently, as well as theme and plugin support.

If you know of any additional services, please add them to the list by leaving a comment.

Note: For the most part, I tried avoiding systems that were “paid only” and that simply hosted WordPress or other systems for free. Short details were taken from the welcome statement, FAQ/About, or Install/Download page.

1. Apache Roller – A full-featured, multi-user and group-blog suitable for blog sites large and small. Roller is a Java web application able to run on any Java EE server and any relational database, best supported on Tomcat and MySQL. Other features include three permission levels, support for comment meoderation and comment spam prevention, bloggers have complete control over blog layout and style via templates, built-in search engine indexes weblog entry content, and more.

2. b2evolution – A powerful blog tool you can install on your own website. A few of the features that it includes are AntiSpam Deluxe, multiple blog support, blog skins, multiple users and authors, integrated stats, a plugin framework, localized in several languages, web standards complaint, true workflow, plus easy install and upgrade (MySQL database).

3. Blog.com – Blog.com is a free (and paid – up to $89.50/year) blog hosting service, allowing you to host images, customize your template, and stats, depending on which type of account you have.

4. Blogonize – Blogonize features a more innovative interface than Blogger, and includes access to stats, a WYSIWYG editor, templates, and a text to podcast system.

5. Blosxom – Pronounced “blossom”, this is a lightweight yet feature-packed weblog application designed to be simple, usable, and interoperable. Features include the ability to create, edit, and delete entries on the command-line, via FTP, WebDAV, or other client, a plugin architecture, and a sleek but small core.

6. CMSimple – You can preview this weblog client here. Some of the features and enhancements include easily installation, small size, template driven layout using CSS scripts, contents of site are stored in a single HTML file, many languages available, written in PHP, so it runs on Linux/Apache servers, or Win32 with Apache or IIS, built-in WYSIWYG editor, and easy uploading of files.

7. Drupal – An open source content management platform, with a powerful set of features and is able to support a variety of websites ranging from personal weblogs to large community-driven websites.

8. Frog CMS – Frog CMS is a PHP version of Radiant CMS, a well known Ruby on Rails application. The system features an elegant user interface, flexible templating per page, simple user management and permissions, and tools necessary for file management. Requires PHP5, a MySQL database, or SQLite with PDO, and a web server (Apache with mod_rewrite is recommended).

9. Habari – A “next-generation” free software blogging platform which requires a(n) Apache, Lighttpd, or Nginx web server, MySQL 4.1.x and greater or SQLite database. It was written with a firm understanding of the current state of blogging, and specifically for modern web hosting environments, favorign open, standard, and documented protocols.

10. Injader – A content management system with a “difference”. Blog posts, discussions, galleries, and a downloads are can be utilized with one install of the system. It also focuses less on flashy technology, and instead on helping people build great websites. Requires PHP4+, MySQL4+, one MySQL database, and the PHP GD Library (along with a domain and web hosting).

11. InkType – InkType is an easy-to-use blog management system with a powerful and intuitive back-end from which they can manage their blog resources. The system can easily be built upon and extended. Includes dynamic control, static content, blogroll, templates, comments, and visitor tracking.

12. Joomla – Joomla is one of the most powerful open source content management systems, used all over the world for everything from simple websites to complex corporate applications. Demo Joomla! here.

13. LifeType – LifeType is an open-source blogging platform featuring integrated media management, templates, built-in anti-spam feature, support for trackbacks, multiple users per blog, easy installation, and mobile features, to name just a few.

14. LiveJournal – LiveJournal is a site where you can voice your opinions for free, with an emphasis on user interaction. The system is based on free accounts, while Paid accounts receive access to premium features.

15. LivingDot – LivingDot was formed in 2003 and has established itself as a leader in the blog hosting industry, with options for media industry and corporations, personal use, and blog design and consulting, offering a full range of options. Not Free – Hosts Movable Type and WordPress.

16. Movable Type – Movable Type is considered the closest competitor to WordPress since becoming Open Source. Includes AntiSpam features, built-in stats, and is free for anyone to modify, redistribute, and use for any purpose they choose.

17. Nucleus CMS – A full-featured content management system making it easy to manage multiple weblogs or news sites, multiple authors, permalink management, ability to run it on your own server, plugins, drafts and future posts, bookmarklet and right-click blogging, and more.

18. Open Diary – While this site is based on the “diary blog” concept, it is a great place to begin as you receive unlimited storage and posts, with a six-month subscription charge of $12 for a no advertising,m diary chapters, user blocking, in-diary searching, and more.

19. Peeble – Peeble is a lightweight, open source, Java EE blogging tool. Main features include posting and mangement of content through your web browser, Blogger and MetaWeblog API interface, threaded comments, e-mail notifications, RSS enclosures, navigation options, and multiple user ability.

20. PixelPost – Features of PixelPost include a smooth install assistant, fancy admin area, new template tags, cool feed options, front workspaces, and anti-spam add-ons.

21. Serendipity – A PHP-powered weblog application which gives the user an easy way to create and maintain an online diary, weblog, or complete homepage. Includes a plugin architecture, templates, web standards compliance, outstanding support, fast, clean PHP code, and a WYSIWYG and HTML editor.

22. Square Space – Square Space allows you to blog with everything built right in to a clean, elegant interface. Note: There are no free options.

23. Subtext – Subtext is a personal blog publishing engine that has evolved from .TEXT and features many of the same abilities as other popular blogging systems.

24. Text Patter – A “flexible, elegant, and easy-to-use content management system”. The platform is both free and open source. Basic requirements are PHP 4.3+ and MySQL 3.23+.

25. Thingamablog – A cross-platform, standalone blogging application that makes authoring and publishing your blog online without the need for a third-party blogging host, CGI/PHP enabled web host, or a MySQL database – just a FTP, SFTP, or network access to a web server. It allows you to setup and maintain multiple blogs, effortlessly manage thousands of entries, write entries offline, and publish to your blog with a single click.

26. Typepad – The “word’s premier blogging service”, which allows you to customize your blog design, easily publish online, doesn’t require you to host your blog, full support, add widgets, build a community, has anti-spam features, and stats. Note: No account option is free.

27. Typo – A “lean engine that makes blogging easy”. Main features include ease of use, usability, and support of web standards. It is open source software, so you can modify it for free. Requires a web host supporting Ruby on Rails. Test drive the system.

28. Vox – Vox was created more as a social network, allowing you to share music, photos, videos, bogs, and more. Options include privacy controls, friend and family pages, and is also a part of Six Apart, Ltd.

29. Windows Live Spaces – Windows Live Spaces doesn’t feature many options, but allows you to create a “space” on the Internet. In my opinion, it’s a sorry attempt on Microsoft’s part to create a blogging service – there isn’t even an FAQ or help page available without having to sign in.

30. Xanga – Although Xanga is more of a social networking site, it also features the ability to blog right on the system, much like the side-feature of MySpace.

Other: PivotX was recommended in a comment, which is also a powerful blog system, similar to WordPress in some ways, bringing the list to 31.

[November 4] – Another commenter (Anthony) recommends dasBlog, BlogEngine.net, and Graffiti CMS, which are all useful, powerful solutions for blogging.