Tistory

Tistory is a free blogging and creator platform for public blogs, portfolios, and websites. It suits independent publishers and small teams who want custom domains and code-based site design. Its strongest appeal is flexibility without a subscription; Kakao-only sign-in and the end of direct video uploads are meaningful trade-offs.

Overview

Members can publish posts, read public blogs, and comment on other members’ content. Feeds and search help readers discover blogs and individual posts, while post scheduling and blog analytics support ongoing publishing. Tistory moved to AXZ Co., Ltd. on December 1, 2025.

Accounts with no login for three consecutive years are withdrawn, and their blogs are closed and data deleted. That policy makes Tistory a weaker home for archives that owners intend to leave unattended. Registration and login require a Kakao account, which may rule it out for people who want a separate service login.

Key features

Design and publishing

Tistory supports custom domains and skin customization through code. Its skin system uses design variables to place Tistory data, and users can choose from Tistory’s own skins or user-created ones. This gives capable users room to shape a distinct site, but it is less suited to anyone who wants to customize appearance without touching code. Plugins can add functions beyond the blog’s built-in features.

Team roles and discovery

Team blogs include owner, administrator, editor, and author roles, offering a defined structure for shared publishing. Readers can subscribe to feeds and search across blogs and posts. The Android app supports writing with photos and videos, editing features, and spell check; it also provides feed and search features. It requires Android 8.0 or later.

Monetization and video

Google AdSense, Dable, and Tenping remain available for connection. New Kakao AdFit connections closed on June 29, 2026; its announced approval criteria had included a blog at least 30 days old, 20 public posts in the prior three months, and an average of 500 daily page views. Tistory may place ads and sets their formats, positions, frequency, and revenue attribution, so publishers should not assume full control over advertising on their sites.

Direct video uploads ended on February 23, 2026. Tistory recommends embedding video hosted on services such as YouTube, which means video creators need an external hosting arrangement rather than relying on Tistory as the upload destination.

Pricing

Tistory’s free plan costs nothing. It includes the platform’s publishing service, and custom domains, code-based skin customization, scheduling, analytics, and team blogs are supported. No usage limits are stated, so the free option is compelling for creators who want these capabilities without a subscription; it does not remove the Kakao sign-in requirement or restore direct video uploads.

Platforms

Tistory is available on web, iOS, and Android. The Android app requires Android 8.0 or later, says data is encrypted in transit, and allows users to request data deletion. Daum Customer Center accepts web inquiries and offers a KakaoTalk chatbot around the clock; 상담톡 is listed on weekdays from 10:00 to 18:30.

Who it's for

Tistory is a strong fit for independent writers and small editorial teams who want a free public blog, a custom domain, and control over site design through code. Scheduling, analytics, and role-based team access add practical support for regular publishing. It is a poor fit for users who avoid Kakao accounts, want built-in direct video uploads, or need an account that can safely remain unused for years.

Pros and cons

Pros: The free plan supports custom domains, custom-code skins, scheduling, analytics, and team roles, combining useful publishing controls without a subscription.

Pros: User-created skins and plugins extend design and functionality beyond a fixed presentation.

Cons: Login and registration require a Kakao account, limiting account independence.

Cons: Direct video uploads are no longer supported, so video must be hosted elsewhere and embedded.

Cons: Tistory can determine ad formats, placement, frequency, and revenue attribution, limiting publishers’ control over monetization.

Cons: Three years without a login results in account withdrawal, blog closure, and data deletion.

Alternatives

For other options, see Blogging Platforms.

Hyvor Blogs is worth considering for solo bloggers who want a paid annual plan with one user, one blog, 1GB of media storage, and custom domains; its Personal plan is €5 a month, billed annually at €50/year.

WordPress.com offers a free plan with 1 GB storage, unlimited pages and posts, and basic stats for 7 days, making it an alternative for publishers who want those stated limits and mobile apps.

Micro.blog is an option for readers who want custom-domain blog hosting, automatic cross-posting, and custom themes for $5 a month.

Pagecord has a free Classic plan with one blog, unlimited posts and pages, and 20 uploads, a fit for users whose needs match that upload allowance.

Write.as has a free option for one personal blog with Write.as branding and 3–15 posts per day; its free plan is closed for now.

Tumblr is another freemium blogging service available on Android, iOS, and web.

Publii is a free, open-source desktop content-management option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Ameba Blog is another freemium blogging service available on Android, iOS, and web.

Verdict

Choose Tistory if you want a free public blog with custom-domain support, code-level skin control, and team publishing roles. Its combination of design flexibility and publishing tools is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need direct video uploads, a non-Kakao login, or an archive that will remain safe without regular account access.