Blogging has gained popularity and people are constantly starting blogs to share their opinions, views etc. and sometimes Blogging platforms are even used to create complete websites using the blogs CMS capabilities.

Though WordPress is a popular blogging application, there are many others out there that are being used by a vast majority to quench their blogging thirst. This post is all about what to use when it comes to a blogging platform. Typepad or Moveable Type. Both applications have been created by the team at Six Apart but with a major difference. Moveable Type is an application which is licensed to run on your own server and Typepad is a fee-based hosted service.

Typepad is better suited for those who want a blog but without having to know in-depth HTML. A Typepad user can start blogging within minutes of setting up their account. Where customizing a blog is concerned, it is extremely easy with Typepad since it gives the user a graphical user-interface to customize the look and feel without having to know what CSS is ever.

One would use Moveable Type if they own a server or a web host, you would not want to pay an additional monthly fee for a blog. Another reason for Moveable Type could be that since it is installed on your own server, the user has more control over it than Typepad and there are many plugins available to extend its capabilities. Third-party themes are also available for Moveable Type which can be used to create a better experience for your readers.

Typepad also offers plugin and theme support but it is difficult for users with basic or no HTML knowledge to install third-party themes and customize them. The up-side is that Typepad offers professional customization services for the blogging service and also different tools for blogging which can be used by the users of the hosted service to enhance their blog.

Typepad as a service is great and has the potential to do more. Moveable Type is for advanced users who understand what HTML, CSS etc. is all about and would like more control over what they are doing.