Well both Joomla and WordPress are known as Content Management Systems or CMS for short.  Wikipedia has a good explanation of what a CMS is here. In short it is an application used to create, manage, store and deploy content on Web pages. Web content types can include text, graphics and photos, video or audio in the form of an article or a blog.

So WordPress or Joomla as a CMS and BLOG which one to use?

1. Blogging
   • WordPress is known as the blogging platform of choice but Joomla has extensions available so if you compare the two WordPress is automatically configured as a blog when installed and Joomla will require that you set it up to be used as a blog, you decide. If you add a product like Easyblog for Joomla then Joomla wins hands down as a better blogging platform. Sure EasyBlog costs  about $75.00 but you get a solid platform with tech support. Try call WordPress for help.
2. Templates
   • With good quality Templates for both platforms from places like Rocket Themes this is a mute point as they can both now be made to look much the same. however the Joomla templates tend to be more choices so Joomla wins this as well.
3. Auto Update
   • WordPress has a built in auto update and Joomla does not so WordPress wins this hands down
4. Search Engine Friendly URL's are configured in both platforms without a plugin now so this is a mute point.
5. Backup
   • WordPress does not have a backup solution Joomla has slick products like Akeeba Backup so Joomla wins this one
6. Ease of use

• WordPress is known for ease of use However I find no difference except if i was a nubile i may find it quicker to pick up on the simple featureless WordPress system. 

Now Before you all freak out and say I am Joomla biased let me say you are right I do prefer Joomla but not because I am biased but because it is clearly a better more flexible environment with a much larger developer base for both free and commercial adons. 

So although most will say use WordPress if you want to have a Blog and Joomla if you want a website, I say hogwash. if you want a Blog Joomla is the better product because it also gives you a way to grow add to and expand. and this way your site does not look like every other WordPress blog page out there. Lets face it why do you want to look like everyone else you want to be unique right?

So from my perspective if you want to start your first website or blog site and want to have something that will grow with you as you learn. And something that will look like a professional did it not just like another WordPress site then Joomla is by far the better choice.