There are two categories of blogging platforms: hosted and self-hosted. Hosted platforms, such as WordPress.com and Blogger, are easier to set up and maintain. They are suitable for beginners and offer built-in tools and support. Self-hosted platforms, such as WordPress.org and Joomla, provide more customization options and flexibility. They require external hosting and offer greater control over your blog's design and functionality. However, they may involve additional technical complexity.