Blogging vs Vlogging: 13 Big Differences Explained

When it comes to creating content online, there are two main methods that people use: blogging and vlogging.

While both forms of online communication have their own benefits, there are also some key differences between them.

Here are the major differences between blogging vs vlogging:

The main differences between blogging vs vlogging are the medium, platform, and difficulty. Blogs and vlogs are also different in cost, time investment, content topic, content length, tools, earning potential, audience building, and author anonymity.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about blogging vs vlogging.

Blogging vs Vlogging: Difference Chart

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Black haired woman on laptop on a balcony in Paris - Blogging vs Vlogging
I made this image – Blogging vs Vlogging

I thought we would start with a simple chart that compares and contrasts the 13 major differences between blogging and vlogging.

Here is the chart:

CategoryBloggingVlogging
DefinitionWrite and publish articles onlineRecord and publish videos online
PlatformWordPress, Blogger, Medium, GhostYouTube, Instagram, TikTok
MediumText-basedVideo-based
CostsCheaperMore expensive
Time investmentLess timeMore time
ToolsWriting, researching, editing, SEOFilming, lighting, editing
Earning potentialGood to highGood to very high
StreamingMinimalFrequent
Audience BuildingSEOConsistency
Content-LengthLongerShorter
Content-TopicAny topicVisual topics
Author AnonymityHighLow
Ease for BeginnersEasyHard
Blogging vs Vlogging: What’s the Difference?

Blogging vs Vlogging: 13 Differences Explained for Beginners

Now, let’s break down these differences in a bit more detail.

You might be surprised at how knowing small specifics can help you make the right choice between blogging and vlogging.

Blogging vs. Vlogging: Different Definitions

A blog is a website or platform where users can share their thoughts and opinions on a variety of topics.

A typical blog will have regular posts, which are written in an informal style and often include the author’s personal thoughts and experiences.

Readers can often leave comments on posts, and many blogs also allow readers to subscribe to receive new content via email or RSS feed.

Vlogging is a form of blogging that involves creating video content instead of written posts.

On the other hand, Vloggers will often film themselves talking to the camera about their day-to-day experiences or sharing their thoughts on current affairs or popular culture.

Vlogs can be entertaining, educational, or both, and many vloggers have built up large followings online.

As with traditional blogging, comments and feedback from viewers are an important part of the vlogging experience.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Platforms

Blogging and vlogging use totally separate platforms.

For instance, WordPress.org and WordPress.com are both popular choices for blogging, but they differ in terms of customization and cost.

Medium is another popular blogging platform that is known for its clean design and easy-to-use interface.

Ghost is a newer option that has gained popularity for its focus on privacy and security. Blogger is a great choice for those who want to create a blog quickly and easily.

When it comes to vlogging, YouTube is the most popular platform.

TikTok and Instagram are also popular choices, but they have a different format and audience than YouTube. No matter which platform you choose, make sure it’s one that you’re comfortable using and that will allow you to reach your target audience.

Blogging vs Vlogging: Different Mediums

Blogs are text-based.

This means that the primary medium for communication is through written words. Of course, blogs can also include images and videos, but the focus is on the text.

In contrast, vlogging is a video-based form of communication.

This means that the primary medium is video, with written words playing a secondary (or nonexistent) role.

Blogging vs. Vlogging: Different Costs

Generally speaking, it’s cheaper to start a blog than a vlog.

You can set up a blog for free (or for very little money) using one of the many popular blogging platforms.

And once your blog is up and running, the only ongoing costs are hosting fees (which are usually very reasonable) and any optional extras you might choose to add, such as premium themes or plugins.

On the other hand, vlogging requires video filming, lighting, and video editing software, which can be expensive.

Even if you opt for cheaper versions of the equipment, you’re still likely to spend more on vlogging than you would on blogging.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Time Investments

It’s no secret that creating quality content takes time.

But just how much time investment is required for blogging vs vlogging? When it comes to blogging, most experts recommend setting aside 1-3 hours per week to produce quality content.

This includes time for research, writing, editing, and promoting your posts.

Of course, you can always choose to spend less or more time on your blog each week – it all depends on your goals and schedule.

When it comes to vlogging, the time investment is often much higher.

Creating and editing videos can take hours, or even days, depending on the length and complexity of the video. Plus, you also need to factor in time for planning, filming, and post-production work.

As a result, vlogging can be a significant time commitment – but one that can pay off in terms of reach and engagement.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Tools

When it comes to starting a blog or vlog, there are a few key pieces of equipment that you’ll need in order to get up and running.

For blogging, you’ll probably need a:

  • Computer or laptop
  • Graphic design tool
  • Keyword research tool
  • Content generation tool
  • Editing tool
  • SEO tool or plugin

For vlogging, you’ll need a camera, lights, a computer, a video camera, a microphone, and editing software.

Depending on the focus of your blog or vlog, you may also need additional equipment or software. For example, if you’re planning on doing any cooking videos, you’ll need some basic kitchen supplies.

And if you’re looking to start a fashion blog or vlog, you’ll need a wardrobe full of clothes and accessories.

No matter what kind of blog or vlog you’re planning on starting, be sure to do your research and invest in the right equipment and tools from the start. This will help you save time and frustration down the road.

Here are some of my favorite tools for blogging:

Tech StackGet the Cheapest Price
RankIQ (Easy Keyword Research)Get the Cheapest Price
Passive Income Geek (Blogging Program)Get the Cheapest Price
Rocket Content AI (Bulk Content)Get the Cheapest Price
WordPlay AI (Instant Long-form blog posts)Get the Cheapest Price
Jasper AI (Content Generator)Get the Cheapest Price
EasyBib (Plagiarism Checker)Get the Cheapest Price
Ezoic (Display Ads & Optimization)Get the Cheapest Price
Tech Stack

Blogging vs. Vlogging: Different Earning Potentials

If you’re thinking about starting a blog or a vlog, you might be wondering which one is more likely to earn you some money.

The truth is, both blogging and vlogging have the potential to be lucrative.

Bloggers can make anywhere from 0-20K per month, while vloggers can make 0-millions. Of course, it’s not always easy to achieve these kinds of earnings.

To be a six-figure (or millionaire) blogger, you’ll need a great niche, hundreds or thousands of pieces of content, and a lot of good strategy and luck.

But it is possible to make a good living from either blogging or vlogging.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Streaming

Bloggers can stream their content, but it is not as common as it is for bloggers.

This is because blogging generally relies more on written content than on video. That said, there are still many bloggers who do stream occasionally or even regularly, so it is an option to consider.

The main advantage of streaming for bloggers is that it can help them reach a wider audience.

Vloggers, on the other hand, tend to stream their content much more regularly. For many vloggers, streaming is an essential part of their strategy for growing their audience and making more revenue.

The downside of this approach is that it can be very time-consuming.

Blogging vs. Vlogging: Different Audience Building

Most bloggers produce content based on organic search engine traffic.

Unless they grow an email list or include a forum on their blog, most visitors come once and then may never come back. This means that bloggers have to rely on SEO tricks and social media sharing to get their content seen.

Vloggers tend to build a more consistent audience that watches all of their content for years.

They are also more likely to get brand deals and sponsorships because their videos have a better chance of being watched by the same people over and over.

While it is harder to be a successful vlogger than it is to be a successful blogger, the potential rewards can be much higher.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Content-Length

Content length for bloggers and vloggers can vary greatly.

Blog posts can be very short, sometimes even less than 1,000 words. However, most are between 1,000 and 3,000 words, on average.

Most videos tend to be at least five minutes long, and can go up to 30 minutes.

That takes a considerable amount of time to produce and polish.

Blogging vs Vlogging: Different Content Topics

Bloggers generally have a bit more freedom when it comes to what topics they can cover.

Topics such as current events, new regulations, or opinion pieces concerning hot-button topics all make for good blogs.

On the other hand, vloggers tend to focus on visually-heavy topics like travel, cooking shows, or how-to videos.

Vloggers also benefit from having an audience while they are filming whether that be a virtual one through social media or a physical one with in person settings.

Blogging vs. Vlogging: Different Levels of Author Anonymity

Deciding how much of our personal lives to share online can be a difficult and overwhelming task.

While many bloggers choose to stay completely anonymous, vloggers need to confront the complexities that come with showing their face on screen.

Writing under a pen name can help protect bloggers’ identities.

It gives them the freedom to write any kind of content without worrying about how it may affect their personal life.

Vloggers, on the other hand, need to consider how their audience will interpret every facial expression or gesture.

They are often so exposed on camera.

It’s no surprise then that many vloggers opt for pseudonyms instead of using their real names; this way they can still reap the benefits of video blogging without compromising their identity or sense of privacy.

At the end of the day, choosing between anonymity and transparency is ultimately up to each individual blogger or vlogger.

Blogging and Vlogging: Different Ease for Beginners

Starting a blog or producing a vlog can be relatively straightforward for those who don’t mind their end product not being the latest or greatest.

It does, however, take some dedication and effort to create something both watchable and readable with longevity.

If you want to fast-track your success in reaching those long-term success milestones, there are programs like Passive Income Geek’s blogging program available that can make the journey much smoother.

With comprehensive learning material, these types of courses offer invaluable techniques and insights into what works best in blogging.

I wish I had taken a good course when I first started.

It gives aspiring content creators an edge over having to learn (or relearn) every hurdle on their own.

Here is a good video about blogging vs vlogging:

YouTube video by Sorav Jain

Final Thoughts: Blogging vs Vlogging

One final thought: Blogging is by far easier to scale if you want to build a team in the future.

Many bloggers find and train writers, editors, and blog managers for a fraction of the cost of hiring people to film and edit videos—something to think about when you choose which route to take.

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