In this Top 10 Blogging Software List, I explore how software has taken the world by storm. In perspective, it’s easy to see why. Do you miss piles of paper? No? With the software, you can replace paper processes. Jobs that performed a routine were plentiful just a few decades ago. Today software automates many routine tasks at a fraction of the original cost.
A key benefit has been the increase in productivity for individuals and businesses. Communications have seen a dramatic shift from telephone calls to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and video calls, sometimes with many participants. Bloggers make their life easier and their work rewarding using the software. I’ll show you the Top 10 list next:
1. WordPress
The self-hosted version of WordPress is THE blogging software. More than five hundred sites are created each day using this platform. Your possibilities and marketability increase by leaps and bounds when you learn how to use this software. With an intuitive interface, this software can be installed on many different hosting platforms, from shared hosting to dedicated servers.
It’s a PHP/MySQL application that follows modern programming standards. You can customize it the way you want to. For example, you can create blogging websites, brochure-type websites, news sites, forums, online stores, etc.
2. OBS
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is an open-source (and free) tool for live streaming and video recording. Most bloggers use it to record videos from their screens. You can use multiple inputs, such as:
- Images
- Text
- Window Captures
- Webcams
- Microphones
- Browser Windows
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s easy to use. You can use hotkeys for almost every action. For example, you can start or stop a stream or recording, switch between scenes, mute audio sources, etc.
3. Camtasia
You can include Camtasia on your wish list if you have a budget and multiple video needs. It is easy to learn. You can record the following:
- Software
- Websites
- Powerpoint presentations
- Video calls
You get the convenience of a polished, proprietary piece of software. If you make a specific type of video, you can create pre-built video templates to speed up your process. You don’t have to click endlessly to access certain functionality. Now you can instantly access your most-used effects and tools.
4. Photoshop
Although it has a steep learning curve, it’s the tool of choice for many bloggers. It’s easy to see why: You can use it to resize, crop, move, and edit raster images quickly or you can create some of the most attractive custom advertising pieces you’ve ever seen.
This power allows you to create what your imagination dictates to you. If you want a special effect, you have it at your fingertips. Whether you make complete website user experiences, user interfaces, an ad, or retouch an image, this tool is for you.
5. Canva
Although making custom images is fun, modern-day blogging requirements demand fast creation times. You can have a social media post in just minutes. Canva has democratized high-quality designs. You’ll be surprised it’s mostly free, and its paid options make it a great contender.
I use it myself to create graphics, short eBooks, and infographics for myself and some customers. Whether a beginner or a seasoned pro, the result is the same, a high-quality output in record time.
6. GIMP
I’ve mentioned two photo editing options. Since this category is crucial to a blogger’s daily agenda, I think there should be something for everybody. GIMP is a free and open-source photo editing option you can use.
By learning the basics, you can create professional-looking images. I should warn you that this is probably not the tool for you if you’ve never used it and want something quick. However, if you take the time to learn how to use it, you can perform many of your daily photo editing tasks and won’t increase your blogging fixed costs.
7. Audacity
As you advance in your blogging career, you may consider recording a blog post using your voice. Maybe you want to extract audio from a video to create a podcast. I’ve got the tool for you (and it’s completely free)
The open-source Audacity is a high-quality, ever-evolving, open-source program that is also lightweight. You can use it on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, and other operating systems. This program covers most, if not all, of your audio creation and editing needs.
8. Acrobat Reader
This is quiet software. It’s quiet because it’s ubiquitous and valuable, and nobody talks about it. It lets you read Portable Document Format (PDF) documents, and these PDF documents are:
- Compact
- Convenient
- Secure
- Keeps the document’s layout no matter the OS or device
It’s one of those programs that run quietly in the background, but if you don’t have it, you’re in trouble. Acrobat Reader lets you sign, print, annotate, and share PDFs. It can open embedded multimedia and forms.
9. Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
Although these are separate pieces of software, they belong in the same category. What businessperson can live without them? With Excel, you can:
- Manipulate, visualize, and evaluate data
- Create Financial budgets and projections
- Organize your blogging activities
- Benefit from Financial predictions
With Google Sheets you:
- Collaborate on a file
- Work at scale
- Have version control
- Can connect to external data sources
No matter which of these tools you use, with a well-planned spreadsheet, you can substitute a piece of software that would otherwise cost a substantial amount of money each month.
10. Cloud storage with Google One
You don’t want to lose your data. Today, data is worth more than gold, so it’s essential to have a backup solution. But not any backup solution. External drives and hardware tend to fail. A cloud solution backed by one of the most recognizable brands in the world at a reasonable cost could be suitable for your needs.
Where will you store those POP3 emails you connected to your Gmail account? Google has an integrated solution for you in the form of Google One.
Conclusion
As you can see, this Top 10 Blogging Software list provides you with at least one solution for your blogging routine. I covered a blogging platform, screen recording software, image and audio editing, an essential program, spreadsheet solutions, and cloud storage.
You’ll find you are proficient as you get acquainted with this software. This will increase productivity, and navigating and clicking it becomes second nature. The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank. You have options for every budget.
Try one or a few of these options to see if they are suited to your current workflow, you may be surprised, and you’ll learn something new.
