WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org

WordPress is one of the most popular and preferred content management systems, powering millions of websites.

WordPress offers vast capabilities and features for any business that wants a website, from large corporations to local companies.

Popularity

As of February 2024, WordPress powers 43.2% of the websites that exist on the web. (w3techs, 2024)

People often confuse the two platforms affiliated with WordPress (WordPress.org and WordPress.com). And because of this, it can be tricky to figure out the best fit for your future website.

WordPress.com and WordPress.org, while sharing the same name, offer different benefits and features.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. We will provide a straightforward comparison to help you understand their benefits and determine which platform suits your needs and goals.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a user-friendly, hosted platform. It’s ideal for beginners and those seeking a hassle-free experience. It offers various plans, including a free option, with automatic updates and maintenance handled by WordPress.

However, it has limited customisation options, and advanced features may require premium plans.

Ease of use
As already noted, WordPress.com is accessible for beginners. It also offers pre-built website templates and handles technical aspects like hosting and security.

Customisation
Customisation capabilities are limited compared to WordPress.org. It provides basic customisation tools, but for advanced customisation, users will need to upgrade to a premium plan.

Security
WordPress.com protects against hackers, malware, and vulnerabilities. Backups, upgrades, and free domain SSL are automated procedures to guarantee the security of users and websites.

Price
Prices range depending on your chosen plan. The plans are Free, Starter, Explorer, Creator, Entrepreneur, and Enterprise. Each plan offers different features and customisation options to fit multiple budgets and needs.

Hosting
WordPress.com includes managed hosting with its plans. This option simplifies the management process and hosting setup for users who do not possess advanced technical skills and knowledge.

Required Experience
As mentioned above, this platform is user-friendly for beginners and experienced professionals. The platform offers an all-in-one solution for website creation and hosting, making it easy for users to build websites.

Plugins
Plugins are only available for Creator, Entrepreneur, or Enterprise plans.

Support
You can access, free of charge, forums, webinars, and videos. However, live chat support is only available for the Explorer package and higher tiers.

Social Media Integration
WordPress.com simplifies social media integration with built-in features for social sharing and automatic post sharing to connected accounts.

WordPress is Older Than Facebook and Twitter

WordPress was launched before Facebook and Twitter. With its first version released on May 27, 2003, WordPress is older than the two social media platforms. (wpbeginner, 2023)

WordPress.org

WordPress.org is free and open source. It provides complete freedom and flexibility for individuals and businesses alike. Users need to self-host, allowing greater control over the website.

It’s perfect for users with coding skills or those willing to learn. This option suits those wanting vast personalisation, plugins, and themes.

Ease of Use
WordPress.org is self-hosted, offering complete control and flexibility over website customisation. Users have access to a wide range of themes and plugins.

Customisation
WordPress.org users can customise websites by installing their preferred plugins and themes.

There are no limits regarding personalisation, making this platform convenient for users who want a precise design that requires specific functionalities.

Security
The security of your website will depend on your hosting provider and hosting package. Users are responsible for implementing security measures such as updates, backups, and SSL certificates.

Price
As mentioned above, WordPress.org itself is 100% free of charge. However, third-party hosting providers, plugins, and themes may require payments.

Hosting
The users must find and pay for separate hosting.

Required Experience
Building and managing a WordPress.org website requires intermediate technical skills and knowledge. This platform primarily caters to users who want and know how to personalise their websites according to their preferences or implement specific functionalities.

Plugins
WordPress.org allows custom plugins for extra features. However, always be cautious when installing plugins as some might present security risks.

More Than 60,000 Free Plugins

There are currently over 60,000 free plugins available for download on WordPress. (wpbeginner, 2023)

Support
Dedicated support for users is not available. For support, users can only visit WordPress.org support forums or talk to the hosting provider.

Social Media Integration
Integration of social media platforms is flexible through a wide range of plugins.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: which is better?

By understanding these differences, you can make the most suitable choice for what type of website you want to build and manage. Once you’ve reviewed their features and plans, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and needs.

When comparing the two, your choice comes down to simplicity and convenience (WordPress.com) versus control and customisation (WordPress.org).

With .com, users benefit from an effortless experience where hosting, maintenance, and updates are taken care of by the platform itself.

On the other hand, .org offers more control and freedom, allowing users more autonomy over their design, functionalities, and hosting.

Available in More than 70 Languages

WordPress is accessible in more than 70 languages. It has complete translations available for each language and partial translations for dozens more languages. (wpbeginner, 2023)

Our Advice

If you’re a beginner, WordPress.com might be the best solution and choice. If you’re striving for long-term growth and personalisation, WordPress.org is the go-to.

In terms of advice, it depends on your goals. For a straightforward blog or website without much tailoring, WordPress.com is convenient. If you prefer total control, more features, and room to grow, WordPress.org is the more suitable option.

Conclusion

In the WordPress.com vs WordPress.org battle, when trying to decide, consider your needs, technical comfort and skills, and your long-term vision for your website.

In our opinion, WordPress.org is the better choice simply because it offers the freedom and flexibility you need to bring your (or your clients’) creative ideas to life.