A forever home on the internet | Bearblog
I recently swapped my blog provider from Substack to Bearblog and I have not looked back since. In addition to being open source, it also offers a perpetual licence for all the pro features.
What prompted my migration
I detailed how I found out about Bearblog while researching for a platform to start a new blog.1 Initially, I was contemplating starting it on Substack, but then I took a step back and wanted to look at my options first before I started the blog. You can hear more about that story in this blog post.
Bearblog's noteworthy features
Open standards (Markdown)
What I really like about Bearblog is how it uses Markdown for processing text. This means that even if I were looking to migrate my blog in the future, it would be relatively easy to export my posts and reimport them in any platform that supports Markdown. Not only that, it also means that I can write very conveniently on any software that I like and then bring it into Bearblog without needing to format them for a second time. I also wrote about my process of writing these posts which you can check out here.
One time fee (optional)
Bearblog offers a free tier with features that would suit most users. For power users and those with more requirements, there is a paid version. The paid version can be accessed either through a subscription or through a one time fee. I went with the one time fee option as I wanted to stick to Bearblog in the long run. Paying for Bearblog supports the platform, and also allows me to use my own domain and upload images.
Constant updates
Bearblog allows you to submit ideas, and popular ideas usually get implemented in no time. For example, when I first started, there was no way to manage any media uploaded to the platform. Since then, due to popular demand, a media centre has been implemented allowing me to manage any uploads.
Simplicity
Bearblog has a really simple design and does not try to be anything other than a blogging platform. That is reflected in both the author's and the reader's experience. They are not trying to be a Twitter (now X) clone nor a YouTube clone (which seemed to be Substack's aspiration, as they kept adding features making it similar to those platforms). This means the writing stays front and centre, and that's just how I like it.
You can also choose a theme for your blog or if you're feeling fancy, write some custom CSS to make your blog look just how you want it to. I have seen some really beautiful blogs that have been powered by Bearblog such as this one.
A privacy-first, no-nonsense, super-fast blogging platform
Wrapping up
Bearblog has been all that I have been looking for in a blogging platform. And that's why I wholeheartedly recommend Bearblog for your blogging endeavours.
Other recommendations this week:
- Apes & The Sapiens Part I - EP by Till Apes: Newest EP released by Till Apes is beyond description!
- Punch Kick Duck: A casual mobile game based on Rock Paper Scissors mechanics.
- Markwhen: If you like meticulously planning your projects / plans using Gantt charts, then this is the tool for you!
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