Open Live Writer
Open Live Writer: A free offline blog editor for Windows users publishing to established platforms. Ranked #75 of 125 in Blogging Platforms by our editors (5.2/10); pricing: Open source; best for windows bloggers using existing blog platforms.
At a glance
- Editor score5.2 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forWindows bloggers using existing blog platforms
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2015
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Works offline and supports later publishing
- Publishes to WordPress, Blogger, and other services
- Handles media, formatting, previews, and scheduled posts
Where it doesn't
- Primarily a desktop publishing client, not a hosted platform
- Windows is the established platform
- The macOS build is still alpha
Our verdict on Open Live Writer
Open Live Writer is open-source desktop software for creating, editing, previewing, and publishing blog posts. It suits Windows bloggers who already publish through supported services and want to compose without staying connected. Posts can include photos, videos, links, formatted text, headings, and fonts, while spell checking helps with routine editing. Offline composition and later publishing make it a practical fit for writers who prefer a desktop workflow over a browser-based editor.
Its main strength is platform compatibility. Open Live Writer supports WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, Movable Type, and DasBlog, giving it a useful role as a publishing client across several established blogging services. CSS3 template support helps posts align more closely with a blog’s presentation, while Blogger categories and labels support organization within that service. Scheduled posts are also supported. This makes the software more suitable for managing content across existing platforms than for creating a new publishing destination.
The scope is intentionally narrow: Open Live Writer focuses on desktop composition and publishing rather than hosting a blog itself. The established downloadable application is Windows-based, while the separate macOS build is identified as alpha, so platform choice matters. There are no AI features, and the workflow depends on one of the supported blogging services. Choose it if offline writing, previews, media insertion, and multi-platform publishing are priorities. A hosted blogging platform is a better fit for someone who needs the publishing site and editor in one service.
Your product? Our editors can test Open Live Writer in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Open Live Writer pricing
Open Live Writer fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Custom domain | Not verified |
| Author limit | Not verified |
| Theme customization | Not verified |
| Post scheduling | Yes |
| Built-in memberships | Not verified |
| Blog analytics | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, Movable Type, DasBlog |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | openlivewriter.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Open Live Writer integrations
Open Live Writer lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- WordPress
- Blogger
- TypePad
- Movable Type
- DasBlog
Alternatives to Open Live Writer
- WordPress.comAn all-in-one hosted platform with free publishing and scalable paid plans.9.4
- WordPressA highly configurable publishing system for teams that can manage self-hosted infrastructure.9.3
- GhostA flexible publishing platform for newsletters, memberships, gated content, and paid subscriptions.9.0
See all Open Live Writer alternatives →
Used Open Live Writer? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Open Live Writer for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Open Live Writer is listed in our Blogging Platforms directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/open-live-writer/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/open-live-writer.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update