Interested in building your site with WordPress?
There are actually two different types of WordPress – WordPress.org and WordPress.com. These two options might sound similar, but they’re quite different in how they work and what they offer. If you’re thinking about making a website, it’s important to know the difference between these two choices so that you pick the right platform.
If you choose the wrong platform for your needs, it can lead to frustration, wasted time, and even extra costs down the road as you’ll need to migrate your website.
In this guide, I’ll break down what sets WordPress.org and WordPress.com apart, making it easier for you to decide which one is best for your website plans.
What’s In This Guide?
- What is WordPress.org?
- What is WordPress.com?
- Which is Better: WordPress.org vs WordPress.com?
- What Do I Recommend?
- Getting Started With Your Website
- FAQs
Why Trust WP101?
We’ve been teaching WordPress since 2008, helping over 2 million beginners learn how to use WordPress. We don’t just explain concepts – we show you how to use WordPress to build and manage your site. We break down complex topics into easy-to-understand lessons, perfect for beginners.
Our team includes WordPress developers, designers, and educators who know the platform inside and out.
By choosing WP101, you’re learning from a trusted source that has helped millions of people just like you master WordPress.
What is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org, often referred to as self-hosted WordPress, is the free, open-source version of the popular content management system that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet.
You get complete control over your entire site and its inner workings, making it an ideal choice if you want freedom in how you build, monetize, and grow your online presence. It’s often called “self-hosted WordPress” because you’re in charge of finding a place for your website to live online.
This means you need to buy and manage a domain and hosting plan on your own. Once you have a hosting plan, you download the WordPress software and install it, then you can start building your site. If you need a step-by-step walk through on how to do this, sign up for our free course » Introduction to WordPress.
So with WordPress.org, you’re responsible for things like keeping your site secure, backing up your content, and making sure everything’s up to date. It might sound like a lot, but there are tons of tools available to help you do all this. Plus, this control over the technical aspect gives you the power to shape your site exactly how you want.
Here’s a peek at the WordPress.org dashboard:
Now under the Plugins tab in the left menu, you’ll find thousands of WordPress plugins you can use to change how your site works. You can simply search for the functionality you want to add and then choose one of the plugins available.
One of the best things about WordPress.org is how much you can customize it. You’ll find a whole library of WordPress themes available. Then you can create and customize posts and pages for your site using the block editor that looks like this:
Want to build a blog? An online store? A membership site? You got it. There are plugins and platforms for all of this. If you know how to code, you can even dive in and make changes to your site’s core files.
The only catch is that you need to buy your own domain and hosting plan. Then you can install WordPress for free and start building your site.
Most web hosts give you complete backend access to your files and database using cPanel.
Making money from your WordPress.org site is totally up to you. Unlike some other platforms, there are no rules about how you can monetize. You can run ads, sell products, sell affiliate products, offer courses or membership subscriptions, or try out any other ideas you have to generate income from your site.
There isn’t a dedicated support team available but there is a WordPress forum with a thriving community to help you with anything you need.
Plus most third-party plugins and themes offer their own dedicated support through live chat, phone, and email.
The only catch to using WordPress.org is you need to be comfortable with (or willing to learn about) things like updating software, keeping your site secure, and fixing things if they break. It’s not as scary as it sounds, and there are tons of free resources and tutorials out there to help you. Some of them include WPBeginner, IsItWP, and WP101.
Who Is WordPress.org Best For?
WordPress.org is great for people who see their website as a long-term project. Whether you’re a blogger who wants to grow a large audience, a business owner looking to expand your online presence, or someone with a big idea that needs a flexible platform, WordPress.org gives you room to grow.
WordPress.org Pros
- Free, open-source software
- Complete control over your website with endless customization options
- Thousands of free themes and plugins
- No restrictions on monetization
- Scalable for growing websites
- Full access to your website’s files and database
- Freedom to choose your own web host
- Ability to create any type of website
- Large, supportive community of users and developers
- Regular updates and improvements
- SEO-friendly structure
- Multi-language support
- Flexible user management system
WordPress.org Cons
- Requires web hosting and domain at your own cost
- Learning curve for customizations and website management
- Responsible for your own security, updates, and backups
- Troubleshooting issues falls on you which can be overwhelming for beginners
- No built-in customer support
- Site performance depends on your chosen hosting
- Manual installation process
- Vulnerable if not properly maintained
In a nutshell, WordPress.org is all about freedom and flexibility. You’re in control of every aspect of your site, from how it looks to how it makes money.
While it does require more hands-on work than some other options, many people find that the control and possibilities it offers are well worth the effort.
What is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a hosted version of WordPress that takes care of the technical side of running a website for you. It’s like renting a fully-furnished apartment instead of buying a house and furnishing it yourself.
With WordPress.com, you get a simpler, more streamlined way to create a website without needing to worry about the behind-the-scenes stuff.
When you use WordPress.com, you’re getting a package deal. Your website, hosting, security, and basic features are all bundled together. You don’t need to find separate hosting or install any software.
Just sign up, choose a name for your site, pick a design, and you’re ready to start adding content. It’s quick and easy, making it a great choice for beginners or those who want to focus more on creating content than managing a website.
There’s a setup wizard that takes you through getting started step by step:
When you’re ready, launching your site for the world to see is as easy as clicking a button.
WordPress.com offers different plans to suit various needs. The free plan is great for trying things out, but it comes with some limitations. The biggest drawback is that your free domain name will bear the WordPress.com branding. So it will look something like myblog.wordpress.com.
As you move up to paid plans, you get more features, like using your own domain name, removing WordPress.com ads, and getting access to more customization options.
However, even with the higher-tier plans, you won’t have the same level of freedom as WordPress.org when it comes to using plugins or editing your site’s code.
One of the biggest perks of WordPress.com is that it handles all the technical maintenance for you. You don’t need to worry about updating software, backing up your site, or keeping it secure – WordPress.com takes care of all that. This can be a huge relief if you’re not tech-savvy or if you simply want to concentrate on creating content rather than managing a website.
However, this convenience comes with some trade-offs. You have less control over your site compared to WordPress.org. You can’t install just any plugin you want, and your options for monetization are more limited, especially on the lower-tier plans.
Also, WordPress.com has stricter rules about what kind of content you can publish and how you can make money from your site.
Who Is WordPress.com Best For?
While it might not offer the same level of flexibility as WordPress.org, it provides a user-friendly, low-maintenance way to create a website.
So WordPress.com is ideal for bloggers, personal websites, or small businesses that want a simple, no-fuss way to get online. It’s also great for those who are just starting out and want to test the waters with a completely free plan.
WordPress.com Pros
- Easy to set up and use. No technical knowledge required
- Free plan available with a subdomain
- Hosting included in all plans
- Handles all technical maintenance including automatic updates, backups, and built-in security features
- Mobile-responsive themes
- Basic SEO tools included
- Customer support provided
- Built-in social sharing features
- Stats and analytics included
- Community features (like reader)
- No need to worry about server management
- Optimized for speed and performance
- Regular new feature releases
- Integration with other popular services
- Multi-language support
WordPress.com Cons
- Limited customization options and less control over your website
- Restrictions on plugin usage
- Can’t upload custom themes (except on higher plans)
- WordPress.com branding on free plan, plus WordPress.com ads on free and lower-tier plans
- On lower plans, there’s limited storage, restricted monetization options, no access to Google Analytics, and no eCommerce features
- Can’t access site files directly
- Can’t transfer your site easily to another platform
- Strict terms of service and there’s a risk of account suspension if you violate terms
- Higher costs for advanced features compared to self-hosting
- Limited control over SEO on lower plans
- No access to PHP or database
- Potential limitations on high-traffic sites
- Less flexibility for scaling complex websites
In essence, WordPress.com offers a more guided, managed WordPress experience. It sacrifices some flexibility for ease of use, making it a solid choice for those who want to get a website up and running quickly without dealing with the technical aspects of web hosting and site management.
Which is Better: WordPress.org vs WordPress.com?
The question of which is better, WordPress.org or WordPress.com, doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. Each option has its strengths and is better suited for different types of users and projects.
WordPress.org is better if:
- You want complete control over your website and need extensive customization options
- You’re comfortable with (or willing to learn) basic technical skills
- You plan to monetize your site in various ways
- You want to use any plugin or theme
- You’re building a complex website or online store
- You’re okay with handling site maintenance and security
WordPress.com is better if:
- You want a simple, hassle-free way to start a website
- You’re new to website creation and want an easy setup process
- You don’t want to deal with technical aspects like hosting and security
- You’re primarily focused on blogging or creating basic content
- You’re okay with some limitations on customization and plugins
- You prefer having customer support available
- You want a solution that requires minimal ongoing maintenance
Here’s a quick recap of WordPress.com vs WordPress.org:
| Feature | WordPress.org | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free software, but you have to buy your own domain and hosting | Limited free plan available, paid plans for more features |
| Hosting | Self-hosted (you choose and manage) | Included with all plans |
| Domain Name | You purchase separately | Free subdomain, custom domain on paid plans |
| Setup Difficulty | More technical, requires some know-how | Easy, guided setup process |
| Customization | Unlimited | Limited, especially on lower plans |
| Themes | Access to all WordPress themes | Limited selection, can't upload custom themes on most plans |
| Plugins | Can use any plugin | Limited to specific plugins, none on free plan |
| Monetization | No restrictions | Limited on lower plans, more options on higher plans |
| Maintenance | You're responsible for updates, backups, security | Handled by WordPress.com |
| Support | Community forums, paid support from third parties | Email and live chat support included |
| Ownership | You own and control everything | WordPress.com has some control |
| Scalability | Highly scalable | Limited scalability for complex sites |
| eCommerce | Unrestricted | Only on higher-tier plans |
| SEO Control | Full control | Limited control, especially on lower plans |
| Data & Analytics | Full access, can use any tool | Built-in stats, Google Analytics on higher plans |
| Security | Your responsibility | Handled by WordPress.com |
| Site Transfer | Can move your site freely | Difficult to move to another platform |
What Do I Recommend?
Being in the WordPress realm for 15+ years, I’ve used both platforms extensively.
I personally recommend WordPress.org if you’re serious about building a website. Here’s why:
WordPress.org offers unmatched freedom and flexibility. You have complete control over your site’s design, functionality, and hosting. This means you can customize every aspect to fit your exact needs, whether you’re creating a blog, business site, or online store.
The vast ecosystem of themes and plugins is a major advantage. With thousands of options available, you can easily extend your site’s capabilities as your needs grow. This is crucial for long-term success.
Next, you get full control over monetization. Unlike WordPress.com, which restricts certain revenue streams on lower-tier plans, WordPress.org lets you monetize your site however you choose.
While WordPress.org requires more hands-on management, many hosting providers offer managed services to ease this burden. Plus, there are WordPress Pro Services that you can hire to take care of these tasks for you. If not, you can always learn how to manage your site with free WordPress resources or sign up for a WordPress course.
Importantly, with WordPress.org, you truly own your website. You’re not bound by a platform’s changing terms or pricing, and you have the freedom to move your site if needed.
In short, despite a slightly steeper learning curve, WordPress.org’s control, flexibility, and ownership benefits make it the superior choice for most users. It provides a solid foundation for building and growing a successful website, regardless of your goals or project scale.
I would suggest WordPress.com if you want a completely free plan for a basic website and you don’t mind the WordPress.com branding in your domain name. Or if you have the budget to subscribe to a premium plan and you’d prefer all the technical aspects are handled by them.
That said, let’s show you how to set up your WordPress website right away.
Getting Started: How to Build Your Website
I know getting started with a website on WordPress.org can quickly become expensive so I want to help you set up your site even on a low budget. The WP101 team has worked out a deal with Bluehost to get you a web hosting plan at just $1.99 per month.
The great thing about this plan is that it includes everything you’ll need including a domain, SSL, CDN, and email. There may be a few cheaper web hosts or even free hosting plans but you’ll have to purchase these essentials separately. Overall, it works out more expensive when you do that.
Click Here To Get This Exclusive Bluehost Offer »
Once you have your essentials – a domain and hosting plan- you can learn how to use WordPress by signing up for our WordPress 101 Course »
This course will teach you everything you need to know to build and manage your WordPress site effectively, from basic setup to advanced features.
I hope you found this comparison helpful. Next, I’ll answer frequently asked questions on WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
FAQs on WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
What’s the main difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
WordPress.org is self-hosted and gives you full control over your website, while WordPress.com is a hosted solution with more limitations but easier setup and maintenance.
Which one is free WordPress.org or WordPress.com?
WordPress.org software is free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain. WordPress.com has a basic free plan with limitations and paid plans for more features.
Which is better for beginners?
WordPress.com is generally easier for beginners due to its simpler setup and maintenance. However, WordPress.org offers more room for growth and learning.
Can I switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org later?
Yes, you can migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, though it requires some technical know-how.
Before you get started with your site, you’ll want to read and bookmark our Ultimate Toolkit for WordPress Websites. It has all the products we love and recommend to help you set up your site the right way.