How much does Blogger cost?
How much does Blogger cost?
$0 platform cost
$10 – $15 per year for custom domain
$10 – $60 per premium template (one-time)
Average Blogger pricing
Blogger, Google's free blogging platform, costs $0 to use. There are no premium plans, no hidden tiers, and no monthly subscription fees. You get free hosting, free templates, and a free subdomain (yourname.blogspot.com) with every account. However, if you want a professional custom domain, you will need to purchase one separately for about $10 to $15 per year.
| Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| Blogger platform (hosting, templates, publishing) | $0 (free) |
| Blogspot subdomain (yourname.blogspot.com) | $0 (free) |
| Custom domain name (optional, purchased separately) | $10 to $15 per year |
| SSL certificate | $0 (included) |
| Storage | $0 (uses Google account storage) |
| Google AdSense integration | $0 (free) |
While Blogger itself is entirely free, most serious bloggers eventually invest in additional tools and services. Understanding the full cost picture helps you decide whether Blogger is the right fit or whether a self-hosted alternative better suits your goals.
What you get for free with Blogger
Blogger is one of the only blogging platforms that offers a completely free experience with no paywalls or upgrade prompts. Google hosts your blog on its own servers at no charge, which means you never pay for bandwidth, storage overages, or server maintenance.
| Included Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Web hosting | Free, powered by Google infrastructure |
| Blogspot subdomain | Free yourname.blogspot.com address |
| SSL/HTTPS | Automatically enabled at no cost |
| Templates | Several free responsive themes included |
| Google AdSense integration | Built-in monetization option |
| Custom CSS/HTML editing | Full template code access |
| Multiple blogs | Create up to 100 blogs per account |
| Image storage | Uses your Google account's 15 GB free storage |
The free hosting through Google is remarkably reliable. Your blog benefits from Google's global server infrastructure, which translates to solid uptime and fast page loads for most use cases. There is no cap on page views or traffic, a limitation that is common on free tiers of other platforms.
Blogger also includes a built-in integration with Google AdSense, letting you monetize your content without needing third-party plugins or paid upgrades. This is a significant advantage for beginners who want to experiment with display advertising from day one.
Optional costs when using Blogger
Even though the platform is free, most bloggers choose to spend a small amount on extras that make their blog look more professional and perform better. The most common optional expense is a custom domain name.
| Optional Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Custom domain (.com, .net, .org) | $10 to $15 per year |
| Premium Blogger template (third-party) | $10 to $60 (one-time) |
| Custom logo design | $5 to $100+ |
| Email marketing service (e.g., Mailchimp free tier) | $0 to $13 per month |
| Stock photos or graphics | $0 to $30 per month |
Custom domain name
A custom domain replaces the default "blogspot.com" in your URL with something like "yourblogname.com." This costs about $10 to $15 per year through registrars such as Namecheap or Cloudflare. Connecting a custom domain to Blogger is straightforward and does not require any additional hosting fees. For a deeper look at typical registration and renewal pricing, see our guide on domain name cost.
Using a custom domain makes your blog appear more credible and easier to remember. It also gives you the flexibility to migrate to another platform later without losing your web address.
Premium templates
Blogger's built-in themes are functional but limited in design options. Third-party developers sell premium Blogger templates for $10 to $60 as a one-time purchase. These templates typically offer better aesthetics, faster loading speeds, and more customization options than the default themes.
Branding and design
A custom logo can cost anywhere from $5 on a freelance marketplace like Fiverr to $100 or more from a professional designer. Free tools like Canva can also produce serviceable logos at no cost, making this expense entirely optional for beginners.
Blogger pricing vs. other blogging platforms
To put Blogger's free pricing into perspective, here is how it compares to the most popular alternatives. The differences become significant once you factor in hosting, themes, and essential plugins.
| Platform | Starting Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blogger | $0 (free) | Free hosting by Google; optional custom domain |
| WordPress.com (free plan) | $0 (free) | Ads displayed on your site; limited customization |
| WordPress.com (Personal plan) | $4 per month | Custom domain included; no WordPress ads |
| Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) | $3 to $10 per month | Requires separate hosting; most flexible option |
| Wix (free plan) | $0 (free) | Wix branding; limited bandwidth |
| Wix (Light plan) | $17 per month | Custom domain; removes Wix ads |
| Squarespace (Personal plan) | $16 per month | No free tier; premium templates included |
| Medium | $0 (free to publish) | No custom domain; limited design control |
| Ghost (hosted) | $9 per month | Focused on newsletters and memberships |
Blogger vs. self-hosted WordPress
Self-hosted WordPress is the most popular choice for bloggers who plan to grow and monetize. Starting a self-hosted WordPress blog typically costs about $99 in the first year when you combine hosting (around $84) and a domain name (around $15). That figure rises when you add premium themes ($30 to $80) and essential plugins.
Blogger wins on price, costing $0 to $15 versus WordPress's $99+ first-year investment. However, WordPress offers far greater flexibility, thousands of plugins, and better long-term scalability. For bloggers focused on building a business, the investment in self-hosted WordPress generally pays for itself.
Blogger vs. WordPress.com free plan
Both platforms offer free plans, but Blogger has a notable advantage: it does not place third-party ads on your blog. WordPress.com's free plan displays WordPress advertisements on your site, and you earn nothing from them. On Blogger, you can add your own Google AdSense ads instead.
True cost of starting a blog on Blogger
The total first-year cost depends on how much you want to invest in your blog's appearance and functionality. Here are three common scenarios.
| Scenario | What's Included | First-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Completely free setup | Blogger hosting + free template + blogspot subdomain | $0 |
| Budget setup | Blogger hosting + custom domain + free template | $10 to $15 |
| Professional setup | Blogger hosting + custom domain + premium template + logo | $30 to $100 |
Even the most polished Blogger setup costs a fraction of what you would spend on competing platforms. The $0 to $100 range covers virtually every possible configuration on the Blogger platform.
While Blogger's zero-dollar pricing is appealing, there are trade-offs. The platform receives infrequent updates from Google, has limited plugin functionality, and offers fewer design options than self-hosted WordPress. If your goal is to build a full-time blogging business, consider Blogger as a low-risk starting point before investing in a more robust platform.
Is a free Blogger blog worth it?
A free Blogger blog can be worth it for specific use cases, but it comes with real limitations. Understanding both sides helps you make the right choice for your goals and budget.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free to start and maintain | Limited design templates and customization |
| Reliable Google-powered hosting | Rarely updated by Google; uncertain long-term future |
| No traffic limits | Harder to rank in search engines with a blogspot subdomain |
| Built-in AdSense integration | No plugin ecosystem |
| Simple, beginner-friendly interface | Looks less professional than self-hosted alternatives |
| You can connect a custom domain | Difficult to migrate content to another platform later |
When Blogger is a good fit
- Hobby bloggers who want to write and share without any financial commitment
- Students or beginners learning the basics of blogging and content creation
- Personal journals or family blogs where monetization is not a priority
- Testing a niche before committing money to hosting and a premium setup
When you should consider paid alternatives
- You plan to monetize seriously through ads, affiliates, or products
- You need advanced SEO tools, analytics plugins, or email capture forms
- You want full design control and access to thousands of themes
- You are building a brand or business that requires a professional web presence
Starting a free blog can slow your progress. Without a custom domain and professional design, it is harder to build trust with readers, attract advertisers, and rank well in Google search results. If you can afford the $10 to $15 for a custom domain, that small investment significantly improves your blog's credibility.
How to reduce blogging costs on Blogger
If you choose Blogger, several strategies can help you keep expenses near zero while still producing a quality blog.
- Use free templates wisely. Select one of Blogger's responsive built-in themes and customize it with your own CSS. This avoids the cost of a premium template while still giving your blog a clean look.
- Create your own logo. Free tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or GIMP let you design a professional-looking logo without hiring a designer.
- Leverage free stock photos. Sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay provide high-quality images at no cost.
- Buy your domain through a budget registrar. Cloudflare Registrar sells domains at wholesale cost, often saving you $2 to $5 per year compared to other registrars.
- Use free email marketing tools. Mailchimp and MailerLite both offer free tiers for up to 500 or 1,000 subscribers, which is plenty when you are starting out.
Blogger pricing for monetization
One of Blogger's most attractive features is built-in monetization at no extra cost. You do not need to purchase a premium plan or pay for plugin access to start earning from your blog.
| Monetization Method | Cost on Blogger | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Google AdSense | $0 | AdSense approval; quality content; sufficient traffic |
| Affiliate marketing | $0 | Sign up with affiliate programs; add links to posts |
| Sponsored posts | $0 | Established audience; brand partnerships |
| Digital product sales | $0 | Link to external payment processors like Gumroad or PayPal |
Blogger's direct integration with Google AdSense makes applying for and managing display ads straightforward. Once approved, you can place ad units directly within your blog's layout without any coding. Other monetization methods, such as affiliate links and sponsored content, work on Blogger just as they would on any other platform.
Keep in mind that earning significant income from a Blogger blog is more challenging than on self-hosted WordPress. The limited SEO tools and design flexibility can make it harder to grow the traffic needed to generate meaningful ad revenue. Blogging can also serve as a rewarding side hustle if you treat content creation as a flexible way to earn extra income over time.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blogger completely free?
Yes. Blogger is 100% free to use, including hosting, publishing tools, and a blogspot.com subdomain. The only optional cost is a custom domain name, which runs about $10 to $15 per year.
Does Blogger have premium plans?
No. Unlike WordPress.com, Wix, or Squarespace, Blogger does not offer paid tiers or premium plans. Every feature on the platform is available to all users at no cost.
Can I make money with a free Blogger blog?
Yes. Blogger includes built-in Google AdSense integration, and you can also use affiliate links and sponsored content. However, earning substantial income is easier with a custom domain and consistent, high-quality content.
Is Blogger good for SEO?
Blogger provides basic SEO features like custom meta descriptions, title tags, and permalink editing. However, it lacks the advanced SEO tools available through WordPress plugins like Yoast or Rank Math. A blogspot subdomain may also be viewed as less authoritative by search engines compared to a custom domain.
Will Google shut down Blogger?
Google has not announced any plans to discontinue Blogger. The platform has been active since 1999 and was acquired by Google in 2003. However, Google has a history of sunsetting products, so this remains a concern for long-term users. Connecting a custom domain provides some protection, as you can redirect it to a new platform if needed.
Can I switch from Blogger to WordPress later?
Yes. Blogger allows you to export your content, and WordPress has a built-in import tool for Blogger files. The migration process involves exporting posts as an XML file and importing them into WordPress. If you use a custom domain on Blogger, you can point it to your new WordPress hosting without losing your URL.