“Welcome to the ultimate showdown of the blogging world: WordPress vs Tumblr!
In one corner, we have the heavyweight champion of the online world, WordPress, with its endless site customization options and serious business attitude.
And in the other corner, we have the quirky, creative rebel of the blogging world, Tumblr, with its GIF-filled dashboards and endless reblogs.
Who will come out on top? Let’s find out!”
WordPress vs Tumblr as blogging platforms: An overview
Ok, before we get deep into the comparison between WordPress and Tumblr, first let’s get an overview of each platform.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a popular blogging platform for individuals without any coding experience and technical knowledge who want to build websites.
It is a content management system that powers over 43% of the internet.
WordPress is commonly used for creating and managing blogs, ecommerce stores, and other types of websites.
There are two different versions of WordPress.
They are: WordPress.org and WordPress.com
Most people get confused with these two versions. Here’s an explanation of each.
What is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform.
This basically means that it requires you to have your own domain name and a web hosting plan to build a WordPress website.
What is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform where you can start building your website with just a sign-up.
To clarify, when we talk about WordPress in general, we refer to WordPress.org because it provides more freedom and is used by the majority of website owners.
What is Tumblr?
Tumblr is more than just a blogging platform; it is a free platform that combines a social networking site (similar to Facebook and Twitter) and a blogging platform.
Tumblr was founded in 2007 as a social networking website and microblog platform, and it was later acquired by Yahoo.
It is currently owned by Automattic, a company that runs WordPress.com.
Tumblr is the perfect place for anyone who wants to start a simple blog and share short stories. The blogs published on the platform are known as “tumblog” or short blog posts.
It is also used as a social networking platform for sharing posts, messages, etc.
Tumblr is a much younger blogging platform than WordPress, which was founded in 2003.
Comparing dashboards: WordPress vs Tumblr
Dashboards are where we spend the most time when creating and maintaining a blogging website. As a result, the blogging platform you select must have a clean and simple dashboard.
Tumblr dashboard
If you don’t want to spend ages finding what you’re looking for, Tumblr’s user dashboard is going to be ideal for you.
According to Adobe’s Social Intelligence Report, 70% of Tumblr users say their favourite place to spend time online is the Tumblr dashboard.
As a result, Tumblr is one of the best blogging platforms in terms of ease of use, as it has a simple and straightforward dashboard.
With just a few clicks you can quickly create posts of any media type via the options available at the top of the page.
The sidebar suggests blogs to follow, and the centre column displays the most recent feed.
The eye-soothing visuals and the ease of use makes Tumblr one of the best blogging platforms in terms of its dashboard.
WordPress dashboard
Though the WordPress dashboard lacks the variety of colours and visuals found on Tumblr, it is still very user-friendly.
The dashboard gives you an overview of what’s going on with your site and options for managing it.
The left sidebar provides access to all of the basic settings, such as installing plugins, changing the appearance of your blog, and editing posts, among other things.
The WordPress dashboard is clean.
However, as you begin to install different themes and plugins, the dashboard will become more complicated.
Because WordPress is a self hosted platform with greater flexibility, users must learn how to use it.
As a result, WordPress has a somewhat steep learning curve.
Who wins?
When it comes to dashboards, it is obvious that Tumblr will always win over WordPress because it has a cleaner and more visually appealing design.
- WordPress 0
- Tumblr 1
WordPress vs tumblr for blogging
Now, I’m assuming you’re a blogger, which means that blogging is your primary goal.
That is why we must examine the blogging processes of both Tumblr and WordPress in order to understand each platform’s blogging pros and cons.
Tumblr for blogging
Unlike WordPress, which supports long-form content, Tumblr favors short pieces of content.
Tumblr allows users to easily create multimedia post types that include images, texts, GIFs, videos, links, and so on.
It outperforms most other free blogging platforms in terms of design thanks to its free and premium themes and additional features for adding pages, sidebars, comment sections, and so on.
And, because Tumblr is a combination of a blogging platform and a social networking site, it also gives users more options to like, comment, share, or reblog the post.
WordPress for blogging
WordPress provides a plethora of blogging features for all bloggers and website owners, as well as greater flexibility when creating blog posts.
Some small businesses and personal bloggers may not require all of these settings, but they are ideal for serious bloggers who want to expand and customise their site as they see fit.
Furthermore, the Gutenberg editor enables bloggers to create content with simple drag-and-drop features, which is a significant advantage.
Who wins?
Although WordPress is not as simple as Tumblr, it is still the best option for bloggers who want to tailor their blog exactly how they want it and get more advanced options.
- WordPress 1
- Tumblr 1
WordPress vs Tumblr for SEO
Search Engine Optimization (aka SEO) is the process of optimizing your blog to achieve higher rankings on search engines like Google.
Now, each blogging platform comes with its own built-in functionalities and tools for SEO.
Let’s compare WordPress SEO features with Tumblr SEO features.
Tumblr for SEO
Tumblr, like any other blogging platform, provides standard on-page optimization features such as adding a title, custom URLs, tags, and so on.
However, it does not offer any additional optimization.
For adding image alt text, meta description, and other SEO features, for example, you’ll need to edit your blog’s HTML code. Which can be quite tricky.
WordPress for SEO
When compared to Tumblr, WordPress offers more features for creating SEO friendly sites.
To use SEO features in WordPress, you do not need to edit any code.
Without any coding, you can easily add custom headings, meta descriptions, alt-texts, and custom URLs to your post.
Furthermore, the platform’s thousands of SEO plugins allow you to add even more advanced SEO features for better blog ranking.
The YoastSEO plugin, for example, suggests ways to improve your post’s on page SEO.
Which one is better?
WordPress is hands down the best platform to create SEO friendly sites as it comes with built-in SEO features and plugins.
- WordPress 2
- Tumblr 1
WordPress vs Tumblr for business
Tumblr and WordPress both serve different types of business needs.
It is critical to select a platform that meets your specific business requirements.
Let’s take a look at what each platform has to offer businesses.
Tumblr for business
Tumblr is mostly used by businesses that don’t want to spend a lot of time creating a website and instead want to publish content quickly.
Most businesses use Tumblr to engage their audiences because it is a social networking platform.
They identify their target audience and publish posts that appeal to that segment.
Furthermore, because of the large number of Tumblr users, businesses can precisely target their audience and run advertisements to capture their attention.
WordPress for business
WordPress is mainly used by businesses that want to create a strong site with additional features to support their activities.
It enables companies to create any type of website, from a simple blog to a web directory.
WordPress is the best option for businesses looking to build an advanced website at the lowest possible cost.
Which one is better?
We can’t say which platform is better because they serve different business needs.
No points!
- WordPress 2
- Tumblr 1
WordPress vs Tumblr: Price comparison
No blogger wants to spend money on things that have better alternatives at a lower cost.
That is why the first thing you should look for in a blogging platform is its price.
Let’s compare the pricing between WordPress and Tumblr
Tumblr pricing
Tumblr, as noted previously, is a free publishing platform that allows users to publish content by simply signing up for a free account.
It will, by default, provide you with a free domain name that looks something like this:
However, if you decide to get your own domain name, you’ll need to purchase one from a third party website like GoDaddy.
Domain names range in price from $10 to $40 per year.
Similarly, if you want your Tumblr site to look exactly how you want it to, you may need to invest in some premium themes, which can be costly.
However, it is encouraging to note that a simple website can be created for free.
WordPress pricing
You can use WordPress for free because it is an open source platform.
However, in order for your site to go live, you will need to pay for some additional features.
For example, for your WordPress blog, you’ll need to purchase a domain name as well as a web hosting plan .
A custom domain name can cost between $10 and $40 per year, while a web hosting plan can cost between $3 and $300 per month.
Bluehost is the most popular and cost-effective web hosting service eprovider that is officially recommended by WordPress. Starting at $2.95 per month.
Who wins?
If you need to build a website at the lowest possible cost, Tumblr may be the best option.
- WordPress 2
- Tumblr 2
WordPress vs Tumblr: Customization option
Creating your logo, selecting the layout, and setting up the overall look of your blog is essential if you need to boost your reader engagement.
That is why, even if your primary focus is simply writing blog posts and publishing them, you will still require some blog customization.
Let’s now compare the customization options available on WordPress and Tumblr.
Tumblr: Customization option
Tumblr makes it simple to access all of the basic customization options, such as editing your blog’s cover image, changing fonts and colours, and choosing themes to set the overall look of your blog.
However, in order to access more blog customization options, you will need to purchase some premium themes. Which can be costly.
Furthermore, you may need to experiment with some HTML codes to get more customization for your blog,
WordPress: Customization options
WordPress provides more customization options than Tumblr.
With WordPress, you can easily customise your blog to your liking and make any changes you want.
The platform comes with a plethora of both free and premium plugins as well as themes that can help you meet your customization needs.
Who wins?
In terms of customization, WordPress is always superior to Tumblr.
- WordPress 3
- Tumblr 2
WordPress vs Tumblr: Content Ownership
Do you want complete control over your blog? Or are you fine with the platform having control over it?
Here’s what both the platforms have got to offer in terms of content ownership.
Tumblr: content ownership
To be honest, Tumblr does not give you much control over your blog.
When you write a blog on Tumblr, it is not YOUR blog (though it is in some ways), but the company’s blog.
The company (which owns Tumblr) can easily delete or change your blog at any time.
As a result, it is not the best option if you want to maintain control over your blog.
WordPress: content ownership
You don’t see this problem on your WordPress website because you have a self-hosted WordPress blog.
WordPress self-hosted gives you complete control over your blog and will never make changes to it without your permission.
So, yes, it is better.
Who wins?
WordPress offers complete control – so we go with WordPress.
- WordPress 4
- Tumblr 2
WordPress vs Tumblr: Monetization
One of the most obvious advantages of starting a blog is the ability to earn money from it. As a result, when choosing a platform, monetization should not be overlooked.
Tumblr: monetization
Users can monetize their content in a variety of ways, including:
- Selling display ads
- Promoting and selling their work
- Include affiliate links in their Tumblr posts
- Use Ad networks to run ads on their blog
- Use Tumblr Post+ to build their own paywalled membership sites
WordPress: monetization
With WordPress, users can:
- Run ads on their blogs
- Include a links in their posts
- Sell their own products
- Sell their services
- Sell digital downloads (courses, ebooks)
- Write sponsored posts
- Include membership for users
Furthermore, users can create any special purpose website and monetize it however they see fit.
Who wins?
WordPress has more monetization options than Tumblr.
- WordPress 5
- Tumblr 2
WordPress vs Tumblr: Social and community
Tumblr and WordPress are two distinct platforms with distinct social features.
Let’s look at each platform’s social and community features.
Tumblr: social and networking
With Tumblr, you can easily get your first page view with the help of the platform’s large community without any extra effort.
From the moment you sign up for the platform, Tumblr will begin supporting you in your networking efforts
It will also recommend and encourage you to read blogs related to your interests.
Similarly, your blog will appear in the feeds of others.
WordPress: social and networking
In this case, WordPress is quite opposite to Tumblr.
WordPress, as a self-hosted software, leaves the entire social aspect up to you.
It is entirely up to you whether to share your posts on social media, include sharing buttons, or take any other actions.
Who wins?
Since Tumblr has an existing community of users who regularly engage on the platform, it is better for social and networking.
- WordPress 5
- Tumblr 3
WordPress vs Tumblr: Comparison table
| Base | Tumblr | WordPress |
| Dashboard | Easy-to-use and straightforward | Simple but comes with a learning curve |
| Blogging | Beginner blogging | Advanced blogging |
| SEO | Basic optimization | Easy and advanced optimization |
| Business | Used for promoting a brand | Used for building a brand |
| Pricing | Free; Purchasing a custom domain and themes is optional | Pay for hosting and domain name |
| Customization | Only basic customization | Advanced customization |
| Control | Owned by Tumblr | Owned by you |
| Monetization | Lesser options compared to WordPress | More options compared to Tumblr |
| Social | Has got your back | It’s all on you |
Final thoughts
Because WordPress has a score of 5 and Tumblr has a score of 3, we declare WordPress the winner of this comparison post.
However, it’s entirely up to you.
If your primary goal is to start a blog with minimal effort and you don’t care about customization and control, Tumblr is without a doubt the best option for you.
On the other hand, if you need to build a strong website with advanced customization and complete control, WordPress may be the best option for you.
FAQs
Is Tumblr free?
Tumblr is a free microblogging platform for publishing short-form content and other types of media. You can sign up and start creating content completely for free.
How many Tumblr users as of 2022?
Tumblr received 297.1 million visitors worldwide in May 2022.
Is Tumblr still good for blogging? How many Tumblr blogs?
As of 2022, there were 563 million Tumblr blogs on the platform, and the number is still growing. This data alone demonstrates that Tumblr remains relevant for blogging.
What is the best alternative to Tumblr?
Here are the best alternative to Tumblr:
- WordPress
- Blogger
- Medium
- Wix
- Ghost