Discourse vs Write.as
Please select two different options.
Discourse and Write.as are both online platforms for creating and managing content. Discourse is a robust forum software designed for community discussions, while Write.as is a minimalist blogging platform focused on simplicity and privacy.
General information
Discourse
Write.as
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.
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.
Introduction :
Write.as is a minimalist and privacy-focused platform launched in 2015. It offers a distraction-free writing experience with a strong emphasis on anonymity and privacy. Write.as is open source, allowing users to self-host their content if desired. Popular for its simplicity and clean design, it appeals to writers looking for a no-frills platform to share their thoughts and ideas without the distractions of traditional blogging platforms.
Write.as is a minimalist and privacy-focused platform launched in 2015. It offers a distraction-free writing experience with a strong emphasis on anonymity and privacy. Write.as is open source, allowing users to self-host their content if desired. Popular for its simplicity and clean design, it appeals to writers looking for a no-frills platform to share their thoughts and ideas without the distractions of traditional blogging platforms.
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
Advantages :
- Clean and distraction-free writing environment
- Privacy-focused with no ads or tracking
- Easy to use with minimal learning curve
- Supports Markdown for formatting
- Ability to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym
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
Disadvantages :
- Limited customization options compared to other platforms
- Lack of built-in e-commerce functionality
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited third-party integrations available
- Less robust community support and resources
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.
Discourse is a popular platform used by a significant portion of websites, making it a widely adopted choice for online discussions.
Website users : Thousands
Write.as is used by thousands of websites as a simple and privacy-focused platform for blogging and content creation.
Write.as is used by thousands of websites as a simple and privacy-focused platform for blogging and content creation.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Getting started on Write.as is straightforward with its simple interface and minimal setup requirements, making it accessible for beginners and non-technical users.
Getting started on Write.as is straightforward with its simple interface and minimal setup requirements, making it accessible for beginners and non-technical users.
Year launched : 2013
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Year launched : 2015
Launched in 2015, Write.as is a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Launched in 2015, Write.as is a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Official website :
https://www.discourse.org/
Official website :
https://write.as/
Commercial details
Discourse
Write.as
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Write.as is partially open source, with the code for the core platform being available on GitHub, but some features are proprietary.
Write.as is partially open source, with the code for the core platform being available on GitHub, but some features are proprietary.
🟢 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.
Discourse offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features compared to paid plans, making it a cost-effective choice for smaller communities.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Free option available with limited features. Hosted platform with basic functionality for personal blogging or simple websites.
Free option available with limited features. Hosted platform with basic functionality for personal blogging or simple websites.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Write.as offers a paid option with additional features such as custom domains, password protection, and priority support for users looking for more advanced capabilities.
Write.as offers a paid option with additional features such as custom domains, password protection, and priority support for users looking for more advanced capabilities.
Platform details
Discourse
Write.as
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but specific details on official hosted options are unclear.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but specific details on official hosted options are unclear.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Write.as, allowing users to have full control over their platform and data privacy.
Self-hosting is possible with Write.as, allowing users to have full control over their platform and data privacy.
⚪ Headless CMS : Unknown.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Write.as does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through its API using plugins.
Write.as does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through its API using plugins.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible on Write.as perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who prefer this feature.
Static content generation is possible on Write.as perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who prefer this feature.
Key features
Discourse
Write.as
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Write.as offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
Write.as offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
🔴 Blogging : Not supported.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
🟢 Blogging : Support natively.
Write.as is a good platform for blogging with its simple and distraction-free interface, making it easy to focus on writing and publishing content.
Write.as is a good platform for blogging with its simple and distraction-free interface, making it easy to focus on writing and publishing content.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
Write.as is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features or popular plugins for online selling compared to other platforms.
Write.as is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features or popular plugins for online selling compared to other platforms.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Write.as can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for user interaction and engagement.
Write.as can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for user interaction and engagement.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions and paywalls through third-party plugins, enhancing functionality for monetization options on the platform.
Supports content subscriptions and paywalls through third-party plugins, enhancing functionality for monetization options on the platform.
Other features
Discourse
Write.as
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites on Write.as.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites on Write.as.
🟢 Multi-language : Support natively.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Support for multiple languages can be achieved through plugins like Polyglot or Multi-language on Write.as, enhancing its capabilities.
Support for multiple languages can be achieved through plugins like Polyglot or Multi-language on Write.as, enhancing its capabilities.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Support for XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin or extension, enhancing the platform's SEO capabilities.
Support for XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin or extension, enhancing the platform's SEO capabilities.
When choosing between Discourse and Write.as, consider the level of interactivity and engagement you need for your content. If you prioritize community discussions and a feature-rich forum experience, Discourse is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a clean and straightforward blogging platform with a focus on privacy, Write.as may be the better choice for you.