blogger vs Discourse

Blogger and Discourse are both popular platforms for online content creation and discussion. Blogger is a traditional blogging platform owned by Google, while Discourse is a modern forum software designed for community engagement and collaboration.

General information

blogger
Discourse
Introduction :
This platform is a versatile and user-friendly content management system that was launched in 2003. It is open source, making it highly customizable and accessible to a wide range of users. With a large community of developers and users, this platform is known for its extensive plugin library, themes, and robust features, making it one of the most popular choices for bloggers and businesses alike.
Introduction :
Discourse is a modern, open-source platform for online community discussions. Launched in 2013, it has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and active community support. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations and promoting user engagement, Discourse is a preferred choice for many organizations and websites looking to build vibrant online communities.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and customize
  • Wide range of themes and plugins
  • Strong SEO capabilities
  • Large community for support
  • Regular updates and security patches
Advantages :
  • Easy to use interface for beginners
  • Strong community support for troubleshooting
  • Customizable with various plugins and themes
  • Regular updates for security and performance
  • Integration with popular third-party tools and services
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • Lack of built-in features
  • Limited SEO capabilities
  • Limited scalability and flexibility
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • Lack of built-in SEO features
  • Limited plugin and theme options
  • Higher cost compared to some competitors
Website users : Over 40%
This platform is used by over 40% of websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular choices for online content management.
Website users : Over 30% of websites
Discourse is a popular platform used by a significant portion of websites, making it a widely adopted choice for online discussions.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started may require some technical knowledge and learning curve, but there are resources available to help beginners navigate the process.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
Year launched : 2009
Launched in 2009, this platform has established itself as a reliable choice for bloggers seeking a user-friendly and customizable content management system.
Year launched : 2013
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Official website : https://www.blogger.com/
Official website : https://www.discourse.org/


Commercial details

blogger
Discourse
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
The platform is partially open source, with certain limitations on code access and customization. It is written in PHP.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
There are free options available with limited features, such as basic themes and storage restrictions. Hosting is typically included.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Discourse offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features compared to paid plans, making it a cost-effective choice for smaller communities.
โšช Paid option : Unknown.
The availability of a paid option is not clearly specified in comparison to other platforms in the same category.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.


Platform details

blogger
Discourse
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on third-party vendors or integrations, with unclear information available for direct hosting by the platform.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with various third-party vendors offering hosting services for the platform.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
It supports headless features through plugins or integrations, allowing for headless functionality with additional setup and customization.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Supports static content generation out of the box, making it efficient for creating and serving static pages without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.


Key features

blogger
Discourse
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Blogger offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features, making it suitable for simple content management needs.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Blogger is a good platform for basic blogging needs, but lacks advanced features compared to platforms like WordPress or Squarespace.
๐Ÿ”ด Blogging : Not supported.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
E-commerce functionality on Blogger is limited and not as robust as other platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce for online selling.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Blogger can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, but it may not have as many features or customization options as other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through various plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.


Other features

blogger
Discourse
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Supports multi-site via a popular third-party plugin. While not native, the plugin offers robust functionality for managing multiple sites.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Support for multi-language is typically achieved through plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for different language requirements.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.


When choosing between Blogger and Discourse, consider your content format and audience engagement needs. If you prioritize blogging and simplicity, Blogger may be the right choice. However, if you seek a dynamic community forum with advanced features, Discourse could be the better option for fostering discussions and interactions.