Desktop blogging software allows you to open up an application on your computer, connect to your blog and write from the comforts of your desktop.
Why would someone want this? More features, better user interface and the ability to easily post to one or more blogs without ever having to actually go to them.
When I started thinking about this post I thought I’d research some desktop software. It turns out that I couldn’t find as many as I thought I would.
That’s where you come in, what desktop software do you use to post to your blog? I know that some of you prefer a desktop client over a web based admin area. Myself, I haven’t really tried any, but it’s an idea that does interest me.
Here are a few desktop clients I found that can connect into WordPress, TypePad, Blogger and other blog software packages.
MacJournal (Mac)
Etco (Mac & PC)
MarsEdit (Mac)
w.bloggar (PC)
BlogJet (PC)
Browser Based – Mac & PC
Flock
Performancing
Deepest Sender (LiveJournal Only)
From everything I’m reading I have to test out Etco and MarsEdit. Both have great features and good reviews, but there is no clear winner.
So, my question to you, what do you use and why?
-Thomas
Another one you might want to add to your list of desktop blogging clients is Qumana. You can download it at http://www.qumana.com
Hi Lee – I personally don’t use a desktop solution. I am a huge wordpress fan and run 5 WP blogs myself, and manage wordpress blogs for some clients. I prefer to use the web-based admin as well as writing posts via email and blogging posts from FeedBurner (my RSS reader of choice). I don’t know if I need another software app on my desktop – what would be great is if I could access email, IM, RSS reader, blog utility and web browser into one application. I use FireFox (which incorporates a number of these features) but I rely heavily on Outlook – Microsoft, are you listening?
I manage the content on all my WordPress installs through MarsEdit. I bought it when I picked up NetNewsWire, so ecto wasn’t an option.
Fred, Qumana looks quite nice for the price. Free! Thanks for the tip.
Jeff, Firefox is on it’s way to doing everything and I think that’ll happen way before Microsoft gets on board. Maybe you should look into Thunderbird? It does quite a few of those things you listed. 😉
Garrik, one vote for MarsEdit? (Yes, I’m keeping track)
Livejournal users like to use a native build called ‘visions.’ There is also one called ‘Semagic.’ But these are only for LJ. Sorry if that didn’t help.
After testing just about ever desktop blogging client under the sun, I continually return to w.bloggar.
It’s the one that comes closest to the feature set I need and the one I’m most familiar with, but it’s by no means perfect.
Truth be told, I’m still on the search for a perfect desktop blogging client. Perhaps one day, a company will develop something for the power user that covers all the bases, well.
However, there are a couple more you can add to the list:
Elicit
RocketPost
Zoundry
I learned about the above when I posed a similar question on my own blog. I’ve tried them, but reverted to w.bloggar in a hurry.
I use MarsEdit. I downloaded it before Ecto mostly because I use NetNewsWire as well. I love the features and UI. I also like the prompt response in their forums for help.
In use MarsEdit and I love it. Simple and easy. I also got myself ECTO which is more powerfull but also not as easy as MarsEdit. MarsEdit I can use without using my brains. ECTO I still need to learn. But both are great programs. Also MarsEdit is comming out with version 1.1 real soon.
best
Dirk
Thanks for the hints, Lee, this post kind of convinced me to take a step further.
You know, I’m the old-fashioned guy, who keeps building homepages in UltraEdit (or Kate, as I mainly use linux – like other old-fashioned guys do), but I think I will give these softwares a try.
Check Post2Blog(PC): http://bytescout.com/post2blog.html
It provides integration with IE, Firefox, Word. There are “first step” tutorials with images and detailed instructions on the program page so you can see how it works without downloading it.
I was on my own search and decided on BlogJet.
Here is my review on several that I tested –
http://www.idano.net/wordpress/wordpress-desktop-client-search/
UPDATE: I actually found one that is better in functionality then BlogJet and it is free!
Check out that post here – http://www.idano.net/wordpress-desktop-client-search-15.htm
I am in search for blogging software that I can put on my USB drive and use. I have not tried above mentioned softwares except Post2Blog and flock but the Post2Blog didn’t properly worked and i didn’t like flock. So can anyone recommend me blogging software that i can write blog at home pc and post those blogs in cyber cafe?
Hi Thomas,
You might want to try out Blogo, a new weblog editor from Brainjuice. Blogo has support for WordPress, Blogger, Typo and Moveable Type, and features like image cropping, auto-generated preview templates and fullscreen editing. You can download a 15-day trial from http://www.drinkbrainjuice.com/blogo if you’re interested.
I have used MarsEdit but find that it has not been powerful enough since I started adding affiliate product feeds to my blog sites. I am in need of a desktop blogger that will let me publish multiple unpublished posts at once.
Any one know of such an app? I am using a Mac
Ant, have you checked out ecto? Flock is cool too.
MarsEdit is my fav
MarsEdit is my fav