Many beginners struggle to choose between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. In fact, this is one of the most frequently asked questions by our readers.
Due to the similarity of the names, users are not sure what the difference is and which one is better for their needs.
WordPress.com offers a fully hosted WordPress platform for creating websites. Its free and low-tier plans are quite limited, but upgrading to the Business or Commerce plans removes many restrictions.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, is home to the open-source WordPress website builder. It is ideal for users who want full control and unlimited customization options for their website.
This guide will explain the differences, highlight each platform’s strengths, and help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Since choosing the right platform is crucial for your online success, we have created the most detailed comparison of WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org (text comparison, table-based comparison, and a full infographic).
You can use the links below to jump to a specific section:
If you just want to start a blog or make a website the RIGHT way, then you can skip this article and head over to our guides here:
- How to Start a Blog with WordPress (step by step)
- How to Create a Website with WordPress (step by step)
- How to Start an Online Store with WordPress (step by step)
- How to Create and Sell Online Courses with WordPress (step by step)
Having said that, let’s take a look at the differences between self-hosted WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org (Infographic)
Note: This infographic and article compare the powerful self-hosted WordPress.org with the free WordPress.com website hosting service. You can unlock additional functionality in WordPress.com by upgrading to their paid service. We have highlighted those features as well.
If you’d prefer a written comparison, please keep reading.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org Comparison
The best way to understand the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is to examine each platform individually.
Here’s a comparison of both versions of WordPress:
WordPress.org
WordPress.org, aka “self-hosted WordPress,” is the popular website platform you have heard all the great things about.
It is an open-source software, and it’s 100% free for anyone to use. All you need is a domain name and web hosting.
Below are the pros and cons of using the self-hosted WordPress.org to build your website or blog.
WordPress.org Benefits
WordPress.org gives you complete control over your website. You can customize every aspect and tailor it to your needs without restrictions.
Here are the main pros of WordPress.org:
- The WordPress software is free, open-source, and incredibly user-friendly. It powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, making it the most popular website builder in the world. (See: Why is WordPress free?)
- You have full ownership of your website and data. Unlike other platforms, your site won’t be taken down unless you violate the law. You’re in total control.
- You can use free, paid, or custom WordPress plugins to add powerful functionality to your website.
- Your website design is completely customizable. Choose from free or premium WordPress themes or create a custom design that suits your brand.
- You can monetize your website by running your own ads without sharing revenue, opening up many opportunities to make money online.
- You have access to powerful tools like Google Analytics for tracking and analyzing your website’s performance.
- It’s an excellent platform for eCommerce. With WordPress.org, you can create an online store to sell digital or physical products, accept payments, and handle shipping, all from your site.
- You can build a membership site to sell premium content, courses, or even access to a private community.
WordPress.org Cons
While WordPress.org is packed with benefits, it does come with a few responsibilities. Here’s what you need to consider before choosing WordPress.org:
- Hosting costs: Since WordPress.org requires self-hosting, you’ll need to pay for a hosting provider. Costs start around $3–$10 per month but may increase as your site grows. That said, a growing website should also generate enough income to cover these costs.
- Installing WordPress: You will need to install the WordPress software yourself. Luckily, most popular hosting providers offer one-click installation, making it super easy to get started. For more guidance, check out our tutorial on how to install WordPress.
- Updates: You’ll need to update your WordPress site manually. Thankfully, it’s just a single click from the dashboard.
- Backups: You’re responsible for keeping backups of your site. However, there are many backup plugins that let you automate this process, so it’s hassle-free.
The total cost of building a WordPress.org website depends on your project. For example, a simple blog costs less than an eCommerce store or a membership site. You can build a website for as little as $46 per year by using free themes and plugins. (See: How much does it really cost to build a WordPress website?)
Why We Recommend WordPress.org
For 99% of users, WordPress.org is the best choice because of its flexibility, ownership, and ability to scale. We have been building WordPress websites for the past 16+ years, and almost all our businesses have websites built using WordPress. You can read more about our experience in our full WordPress review.
If you’re ready to get started, then just check out our guide on how to start a website.
Bonus: Our friends at Bluehost are offering WPBeginner readers 75% off web hosting plus a free domain name. They’re one of the officially recommended WordPress hosting providers.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosting service created by Automattic, which is the company co-founded by WordPress creator Matt Mullenweg. Because of the same founder, many users confuse WordPress.com with the self-hosted WordPress.org platform.
WordPress.com offers several pricing plans to cater to different user needs:
- Free: Basic features with limitations.
- Personal: $48 per year.
- Premium: $96 per year.
- Business: $300 per year ($120 / yr with our WordPress.com coupon).
- Commerce: $540 per year ($270 / yr, 50% off with our WordPress.com coupon).
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large-scale needs.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of using WordPress.com.
WordPress.com Benefits
WordPress.com is an excellent choice for users looking for a low-maintenance platform, especially hobby bloggers or individuals creating personal websites.
Here are the key benefits:
- Managed Maintenance: WordPress.com handles updates, backups, and security, letting you focus on your content.
- Cost-Effective Entry: The Free plan offers an easy way to start with no upfront costs. However, paid plans offer real value with more customization, storage, and features that you will need.
- Scalability: Upgrading to the Business or Commerce plans unlocks powerful features like custom plugins, premium themes, and advanced eCommerce tools.
- Built-In Features: Free plan users get pre-installed Jetpack features, offering basic performance and security tools.
WordPress.com Cons
While WordPress.com is user-friendly, there are some limitations, particularly on lower-tier plans:
- Advertising: Free plan sites display ads that you don’t earn revenue from. Paid plans remove these ads.
- Monetization Restrictions: Selling ads on your site is prohibited on Free and Starter plans. WordAds is available on higher plans but requires revenue sharing.
- Plugin Limitations: Custom plugins are restricted to the Business and Commerce plans, which are more expensive than WordPress.org hosting plans.
- Theme Customization: Free plan users have limited themes. Paid plans allow for premium themes and custom CSS.
- Analytics: Integration with Google Analytics is available only on Pro and higher plans.
- Domain Names: Free plan sites use a WordPress.com subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com). Custom domains require a paid plan.
- Content Control: Sites must follow WordPress.com’s terms of service, with potential removal for violations.
- Branding: Free plan sites display “Powered by WordPress.com,” removable with paid plans.
- eCommerce Features: Available only on the Business and Commerce plans, designed for online stores using WooCommerce.
- Membership Sites: Building membership sites is not supported on low-tier plans.
Why We Recommend WordPress.com
We believe WordPress.com‘s Business and Commerce plans offer an ideal fully managed platform for users who don’t want to worry about technical overhead.
It does have some limitations, but the ease of scalability, security, and safety balance them out. For more details, see our full WordPress.com review.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org (FAQs)
Since this is a popular topic and WPBeginner is the largest free WordPress resource site for beginners, we get tons of questions about WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org.
We have done our best to answer the most frequently asked questions below:
1. WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org – Which one is better?
If you are a personal blogger and you don’t care about making money from your website, then go with the free WordPress.com.
If you are a business or a blogger wanting to make money from your site, then we recommend using the self-hosted WordPress.org. It gives you the freedom and flexibility to grow your website how you want.
On the other hand, the WordPress.com Business plan ($120 / year for each website) offers a powerful platform with fully managed hosting. If you are willing to spend a little exta for a worry-free setup, then you may find it an excellent option.
In our expert opinion, WordPress.org is much better in terms of cost, flexibility, and control. It is the platform that almost every professional blogger, small business owner, and even big-name brands like Disney uses.
2. Can I monetize a free WordPress.com website?
WordPress.com does not allow you to run ads on free WordPress.com websites. If you are on the Premium plan or above, you can join their WordAds program and share your ad revenue with WordPress.com.
You can put some affiliate links on your website, but that’s about it.
Basically, you have very limited options to monetize content on your WordPress.com website.
With WordPress.org, you have full control over your new website’s content management system and unlimited monetization options.
3. WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org – Which one is better for eCommerce?
WordPress.org offers the easiest way to build an eCommerce website. You can use WooCommerce to build your store or choose from many other WordPress eCommerce, membership, and LMS plugins.
WordPress.com also offers a Commerce plan starting at $270 per year, which is a hefty amount if you are just starting. However, it is still limited in features, and you’ll have to follow WordPress.com’s terms of service for your eCommerce store.
See our guide on how to start an online store without a high budget. It includes how to get your domain for free and all the powerful features you need to grow online.
4. How do I start a WordPress.org Website?
To start a self-hosted WordPress website, you need a domain name and WordPress hosting.
A domain name is the address of your website on the Internet, such as google.com or wpbeginner.com. Web hosting is where your website files are stored on the Internet.
We recommend using Bluehost to host your website because it is one of the largest web hosting companies in the world. It is also an official WordPress.org recommended web host. Last but not least, it offers our users a free domain, free SSL, and 75% off hosting.
For step-by-step instructions, you can check out our free guide on how to make a website.
If you need help, the WPBeginner team can even install WordPress and build your website for free. Learn more about how our free WordPress blog setup works.
5. Can I Move From WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Often, new users who don’t know the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org start with the free WordPress.com service. Once they see the platform’s limitations, they want to switch to self-hosted WordPress.org.
Luckily, you can definitely switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org and fairly easily move all of your content.
We have created a step-by-step guide on how to move your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, or you can take advantage of our free blog setup service, and we will transfer your blog for free.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org – Summary
The best way to consider the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is to compare them to renting versus owning a house.
WordPress.com is similar to renting a house. You have limited power and control over what you can and cannot do.
WordPress.org is like owning a house. Where you have full control, no one can kick you out, and you can do anything that you want.
Below is the summary of everything we discussed above in our self-hosted WordPress.org vs WordPress.com comparison:
| Feature | WordPress.org (Self-Hosted) | WordPress.com (Free Plan) | WordPress.com (Business Plan) | WordPress.com (Commerce Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $46 – $100/year | Free | $120/year | $270/year |
| Custom Domain | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hosting Storage | Unlimited | 1 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB |
| Monetization Freedom | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Branding Freedom | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SEO Features | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes (Google Analytics, etc.) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Theme Support | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Plugin Support | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| eCommerce | Fully customizable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Membership Site | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Migration Options | Flexible | Limited | Flexible | Flexible |
| Developer Resources | Extensive | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| Control and Ownership | Full ownership | Limited | Improved | Improved |
| Maintenance | User-managed | Fully managed | Fully managed | Fully managed |
| Community Support | Extensive (forums, docs, etc.) | Limited | Limited | Limited |
Video Tutorial
Final Thoughts
The confusion created by similar domains, WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org, is quite unfortunate for beginners. There is a lot of history behind the decisions, and you can read more about that in our article about how WordPress.com and WordPress.org are related.
We hope that you found this article helpful in understanding the main differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
We wish you all the best with your website and hope that you choose the right platform.
If you have chosen WordPress.org, then you may want to follow these useful guides:
- How to learn WordPress in 7 days or less
- Best WordPress plugins for your website (expert pick)
- Ultimate WordPress security guide to improve your website security
- Ultimate Guide on how to speed up WordPress (including power user tips)
- Ultimate WordPress SEO optimization guide to help improve your own website ranking (without hiring an expert)
- Proven tips to increase your blog traffic
We hope this article helped you understand the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org. You may also want to see our guide on the history of WordPress and proven ways to make money online with WordPress.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Ashley H
So I want to make the switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. Can wordpress.com HOST a wordpress.org? I plan to go with a different domain as well. Complete rebranding.
Its been said over and over that wordpress has the best SEO. I want to make sure that whatever host I use has the best SEO. Thank you.
joseph
Can l use other hosting aside from your reccomendation..a phillipines version.
WPBeginner Support
Hi joseph,
Yes, you can do that.
Admin
Natasha
Thanks for such an insightful article. I have been going back and forth trying to decide on a platform to start on for blogging and ecommerce. This article cleared up a lot of the confusion I had between WordPress.org and WordPress.com., and has helped me make a decision on which would be the best route to take. I have been back and forth with the many different sites such as Shopify, Bigcommerce, Woocommerce, etc. for ecommerce and didn’t feel like any of those had exactly what I was looking for. I felt like they were still missing something. WordPress kept coming up and I was very hesitant on whether or not WP would give me the freedom of customization that I was searching for to make the site truly mine. Cost to get started was also something that was an issue and looking at this nice breakdown that you’ve provided makes it clear for me to choose which would be the best option to accomplish my goals!
Louise
Thank you so much for this article. I am now clear on which site to choose. I am a total beginner. I have made a note to come back and click through to bluehost through this article once I am ready!
Ali
Wow a lot of useful information in 1 info graphic saved me a lot of time. Thanks for the useful post.
Gage Bauer
I am in the process of freelancing websites for small businesses.
When it comes to hosting a bit ignorant on the topic though.
How does self-hosting with Bluehost, for example, work as it relates to plugins, themes and maintenance.
I am assuming I still have access to those things and how much extra maintenance is there are on my end if I self-host?
Daniel
I got a homework from my teacher, it is to make a vlog about making a blog (sooo stupid for me…. Especially when you are an introvert). i don’t want to waste money, so which one that is better for me? :/
WPBeginner Support
Hi Daniel,
If you just want to use it for homework, then you can go for WordPress.com. If you want to grow your website in the future, then you may want to go for WordPress.org.
Admin
Romina
Hi, if I’ve got a Personal plan on WordPress.com, do I lose the subscription fee if I migrate to WordPress.org? Also, am I guaranteed to get the same domain name when I migrate to the new host? Thanks!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Romina,
If you recently signed up for WordPress.com, then you can contact them to see if you are eligible for a refund. As for domain name, you can use your custom domain on your self-hosted WordPress.org site.
Admin
Abdulrehman
If i use hostgator for hosting can i download WP.org
Instead of WP.com in cpenal.
WPBeginner Support
Hi Abdulrehman,
Yes, you can.
Admin
Li Chee
Thank you for your in-depth comparisson between these two platform.This is exactly what i have been looking for.
But,why would some one use wp.com if they can get almost anything they needs for free with wp.org?
I am confused…
WPBeginner Support
Hi Li Chee,
WordPress.org is free as a software, you will still need to purchase domain and hosting. It offers more features and freedoms.
WordPress.com offers a basic free account with limitations. You can upgrade to get more features but it will still not have the same freedom as installing a self hosted WordPress.org website.
Admin
Kat
Is the wordpress app for android for wordpress.com or wordpress.org? Also I am about to be allowed to switch over to wordpress.org I dont have bluehost I have siteground..when I switch who installs wordpress.org on my domain? Me or siteground?
WPBeginner Support
Hi Kat,
The app is for WordPress.com however it works for self hosted WordPress websites as well. You can contact SiteGround support and they will install WordPress on your domain.
Farouq Adegboyega
Thank you for the posts, they’ve been really educating.
I just started my blog on a wordpress.com site and I’m looking forward to taking things to the next level. My questions are:
1. Which plan is best for me. And why?
2. Must i have a backup plan on my site?
3. Must I pay for privacy and hacking, no mater the plan I go for?
Thank you for the support
WPBeginner Support
Hi Farouq,
Please see WordPress.com website for details of the plans they offer. Remember, that if you are using WordPress.com then only the Business plan will give you access to upload themes and plugins.
Admin
Marilyn Mutsune
Hey, thanks for your support it is thoroughly comprehensive.
However, I need your help on the way forward. I am torn between website and blog.
I want to show case my portfolio and attract clients. Meanwhile, I work on various small projects so don’t have the time to throw myself fully into blogging.
Next, I first want to put up my portfolio before I go live. Please help work this out.
I have already installed the WordPress via WordPress.org. But, I can’t rename the file wamp64 in the program file. Keeps telling me the file/folder is open in another location.
Can I work on my platform without going live? I feel comfortable testing it locally before going out bold.
Please help me.
WPBeginner Support
Hey Marilyn,
Why would you want to rename the wamp64 file? You are probably trying to rename the WordPress folder that you downloaded. Yes you can totally work on WordPress locally before going live. See our guide on how to install WordPress locally on your computer using WAMP.
Admin
graynoize
Hey there, thanks for the guide.
Just wondering, let say I have subscribed to the personal plan on wordpress.com.
If I consider moving to self-hosting, can I bring along the domain name purchased from WordPress.com over? How will that work for the transfer?
WPBeginner Support
Hi,
Yes, you can move the domain to self hosted website by simply changing its DNS and pointing it to your hosting provider. Please see our guide on how to properly move from WordPress.com to self hosted WordPress.org site.
Admin
Jo
“While you can get several advanced features with the WordPress.com Business plan ($299 / year for each website), you can make that money go much further on a self-hosted WordPress site which costs $46 per year.”
Does this mean if you buy from Bluehost you can have access to the plugins or do you still have to buy the business plan from WordPress in order to install those plugins, which costs around $245 a year up front? A bit confused about this. As a complete newbie it looks like I can buy web hosting BUT I still have to buy the business plan in order to use the plugins.
WPBeginner Support
Hi Jo,
No. If you buy self hosted plan from Bluehost, then you will not have to pay for WordPress.com business plan to use plugins. You will be able to install all WordPress plugins available.
Admin
Genevieve
My client has a WordPress dot org account, but there is no “Plugin” option in the left column. Nor can I find it anywhere on the dashboard. Any ideas?
Sharon
Hi and thanks so much for your insights and extremely helpful resources.
Just wondering how you know which of the themes available in a market is wordpress.org v .com. I searched specifically for wordpress.org theme but they were limited in comparison to general search. However I did notice themes I had seen previously in general market searches for best themes in that niche; but only one.. I want to start a food blog using wordpress.org. In choosing this does it limit my choice of theme. I may be looking in the wrong place and if so maybe you can point me in the right direction?
Thanks once again for great work.
Madeleine
WordPress.com doesn’t allow for custom themes, so all the themes that you see when searching on markets and other places are to be used with WordPress.org. So no, using WordPress.org doesn’t limit your options, it expands them.
Elisa
I’m a writer, and want to start a blog about a personal subject in order to reach out to others with the same challenges. I have never written a blog before.
There’s nothing more annoying than website ads, so I would prefer not to have them.
On the other hand, I want to own my Blog & my Domain Name.
You’ve often recommended Blue Host. Do you own this hosting site as well? What is the difference between your hosting & theirs.
What type of hosting would you recommend?
WPBeginner Support
Hi Elisa,
No. We do not own Bluehost or any other hosting company. WPBeginner is a WordPress resource site for beginners.
If you want to own your blog and your own domain name, then you will need a self hosted WordPress.org website. Please see our step by step guide on how to start a blog.
Admin
lawrence
pls can i used wordpress.org with google adsense
WPBeginner Support
Hey Lawrence,
Yes you can use Google Adsense on your self hosted WordPress.org website.
Admin
Calum Labrador
Hello! I want to migrate to wordpress.org but temporarily, I would like to try out the personal plan of wordpress.com as I cannot afford hosting yet. If I migrate to wordpress.org, will I still have to pay for the plan I was using prior to the transfer in wordpress.com? Thanks!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Calum,
If you signed up for a self-hosted WordPress.org site and wanted to move it to WordPress.com, then you’ll have to pay for the domain name. Most hosting companies do not offer trial plans. So make sure you understand their policies before signing up.
Similarly, if you signed up for WordPress.com’s free plan and bought a domain name, then you will have to pay for the domain name. The personal plan is free so you can migrate to a self hosted WordPress.org site when you are ready to do so.
Hope this helps
Admin
Hitesh Sharma
Very informative comparision
Saviour Erim
Wow! Am Most impressed with this article, but my question is, will my wordpress.org hosted blog provide auto email respoder services for my blog subscribers?
WPBeginner Support
Hello,
Auto email sending feature is not built-in to the WordPress core itself. However, there are plenty of third party services and plugins that you can use for that.
Admin
Evelyn Ofori
Hi,
Thanks for this article super helpful!
I have a personal plan with a G Suite account attached to it on wordpress.com. If I want to transfer it to a self hosted wordpress.org site, will my G Suite account be ‘transferred’ as well or will I have to cancel the subscription I ordered on wordpress.com and set up a new G suite account for my wordpress.org site? I hope that makes sense.
Thanks!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Evelyn,
You Gsuite account uses your domain name which is currently managed by WordPress.com. You can manage your domain name on WordPress.com and point it to your WordPress.org hosting provider. You can also move your domain to your new WordPress.org host. You will have to add G Suite A records to your domain settings. Contact Google, WordPress.com, and your new self hosted WordPress.org hosting provider to ensure smooth transition and detailed instructions.
Admin
Nitz
Hi, I have a self hosted wordpress site hosted by hostmonster. If I sign up for bluehost services, how can I migrate my site’s content from hostmonster to bluehost? Thank you.
WPBeginner Support
Hey Nitz,
Please see our guide on how to move WordPress to a new host or server. You can also take advantage of our free blog setup service.
Admin
Naresh
I want to change default currency in my website, from USD to INR what should be done.
Daniel U
Hi,
i’m new to the whole wordpress and website scene but am considering to do some work on a website for my comapny myself to learn the basics and to have full control over the process.
We do already have a domain and a host – does it make sense to purchase a theme and use it with wordpress.org as a simple way of creating a decent website? Our website is super outdated and was created over 10 years ago by a former employee.
Many thanks!
Daniel
WPBeginner Support
Hi Daniel,
If you already have a hosting account then you can add a domain name and install WordPress.
Admin
Emily
I currently have a blogspot blog but am wanting to rebrand transfer over and have been considering WordPress. I’m trying to decide between com and org. Everyone is cautioning me against org because I am far from tech savvy…how do I know if org is something I will be able to “handle?”
Thomas
I currently have a blog on WordPress.com and find the reader and tags very good to gain more readers and followers.
Does the ‘reader’ become unavailable on self hosted and can people still follow you on self hosted?
Are there any limitions on the WordPress app for iOS between Self Hosted and Hosted?
Vizi
If I switch to WordPress.org + Blue Host – let’s say , Would I be able to start e-mail marketing for my blog? Would I have tools for this? Would I have to pay extra money for e-mail marketing tools?
WPBeginner Support
Hi Vizi,
Yes, you will be able to start email marketing. Yes, you will have to use an email marketing service for best results.
Admin
vo thang
I’m using bluehost.Because it’s free,so it’s some not convinience.
Such as,Google can crawl your website.But bot of another SEO services can’t crawl it.It always have error.
And another services : Ahref…are also.
Midge
Excellent info – thank you! I started on WordPress.com and bought my domain through them with the premium package. Can I transfer that to WordPress.org or do I need to start over with a new domain name?
WPBeginner Support
Hey Midge,
You can use the same domain with your self hosted WordPress.org site. You will just need to change your domain name settings and point them to your new host’s name servers.
Admin
Crystal
Can you add your link to your online store with a different website
Shacree Marr
Thank you sooooooooo much for this article! You guys helped me make the switch from WordPress.com to .org!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Shacree,
You are welcome
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more WordPress tips and tutorials.
Admin
Lotara Charles
WordPress.com turned to be something different. I paid $35 to upgrade but since then, I can’t even install plugins and my site is struggling to survive. Is it daylight robbery? Please work for the betterment of your clients.
tengkuputeh
so I cannot install instant article because use wordpress.com even i pay 99 dollars a year (premium)
Val
I currently am blogging at Blogger but would like to migrate over to WordPress.org . It seems like all the comments below are about WordPress.com/org. Is there an easy way to switch from Blogger?
Anastasia
Thank you for this useful article. I’m trying to create a wordpress.org site but find that I’m being moved to.wordpress.com every move I make.
How do I even create wordpress.org account? I went to their website and was forced to download the app, which I think is .com , and also asked me for $129 to use my ow n domain.
WPBeginner Support
Hey Anastasia,
Please follow the instructions in our how to start a WordPress blog guide.
Admin
Karen
So for someone who just wants a blog that friends can read and does not want to make money from it, I would be OK with WordPress.com? I understand from your notes above that the free version will show adverts but if I pay, I can elect not to have these. However, you quote the cost as dollars. I am in the UK, so if I set up my blog, will I get an option to pay in Sterling? Thanks
Sonny
Hello,
Great article! However, I have a question which some other readers may also experience. I have purchased Go Daddy’s WordPress Website product which includes hosting. Is having this product as good as using WordPress.org or more comparable to WordPress.com?
Thank you
WPBeginner Support
It is a self hosted WordPress.org site.
Admin
Mohua
Hi! Thanks for the informative article. I have the same question as above and would like more clarity on it. I have purchased Go Daddy’s WordPress Website product which includes hosting (I think!) and if this is same as a WordPress.org site (as mentioned above) why am I always being prompted to upgrade to Personal, Premium or Business plans? Why not the WordPress.org plan? And if I am on WP.com and if I make the shift to WP.org how will it affect my URL? Will it be .org? I cannot remember visiting any blog with this sort of URL. Any response to my queries will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
WPBeginner Support
Hi Mohua,
Most likely you are using a self-hosted WordPress.org site. The easiest way to check this is by installing a plugin, if you can install a plugin then you are using self-hosted WordPress.org site. For detailed explanation please contact GoDaddy support and they will be able to help you understand.
Okoto Enigma
Does this mean I can’t apply for google adsense with my WP.com account?
Dave
That’s correct Okoto, you can only use your adsense on a standalone wordpress.org website you own
Best Regards
Susan
Hi!
I read the differences between WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org. What if you don’t care about making money from your site but you do want to post blogs regularly, add plugins etc.
What would be the best suitable option?
Prilan
I have some question
1. Is wp.com cost money for build a site?
2.how will I pay the money?
3.IF I don’t pay money what will they do?
Talha
You cant be able to build a website using wp.com, if you are talking about the blog, then yes you can. For this you have nothing to pay.
Gail
Thanks so much for your wonderful advice here! I am wanting to set up a webhost on Blue Host and then use WordPress.org for blogging. I will be moving my Blogger blog over. I have always worked from another computer (other than my home or phone) on my lunch hour and before and after office hours through my gmail account. If I set everything up that way – from another location than my home computer – will it all actually still be hosted only from my home computer? (I hate to sound so dumb – but I really don’t know or understand how these things work, I just use them.) I don’t want to do anything wrong or illegal, but have time limitations for setting things up at home and want them to work primarily from my homebase but be accessible everywhere that I go. Can I set it all up remotely or do I have to set up from home originally?
WPBeginner Support
Hey Gail,
It will work just like your Blogger blog. Your WordPress site will live on your Bluehost hosting account it will be your website’s home on the internet. You will use your own domain name to access your website like (wpbeginner.com or google.com). You will be able to access your site on the internet from anywhere, using any device or computer.
Admin
Johnny
Wow…
Thanks so much for this great explanation… I didn’t even realize there were 2 different wordpresses… lol… Man..
Sounds like workpress.org is definitely the way to go for a serious commercial or sem-commercial web site…
So of course the big thing today is building a “responsive web site”…
I’ve read things about wordpress that say, yeah you can… but… if have to do this and you have to do that type answers…
I’m not sure what an answer like that means…
So if I want to build a site that works on desktop and mobil, is it easy to do with wordpress..?
Do you build say, a desktop site and just push a button and it converts it into mobil..?
Any thoughts about this are greatly appreciated..!
I used to use NetObjects Fusion which was great back when there was no mobil but things are way different now..
Thanks very much..
WPBeginner Support
Hi Johnny,
Yes your WordPress site will work on both mobile and desktop. You will need to use responsive design template and most modern WordPress templates are responsive by default.
Admin
Dave
Just to make this crystal clear for Johnny.
Wordpress sites don’t work on mobile by default (rather they can look horrible with loads of scrolling).
To have a site work (look good) on mobile is all about which THEME YOU USE and purchase. Although you’d think most themes should now work well on mobiles, there are still many out there that do not.
So when choosing a theme, ensure it is ‘Responsive’ because not all of them are. And ideally check it out live or at least view screenshots of the theme on mobile devices to double check it looks good on mobile, before you buy.
Some themes are better than others for mobile, and although they may say responsive, some cater better for all screen sizes than others do.
So just take a few minutes to check out the theme first before buying it
All the best
Robert
My church created a website on “wordpress.org” The administrator is handing over the administration duties to me because I have some web training. He created a New User and checked the “Administrator” role for me. He emailed me the password. I am able to log in to the /wordpress/wp-admin/profile.php Profile page and the /wordpress/wp-admin/index.php Dashboard page. When I am in the Dashboard page, I do not have any tools or controls present in the left-hand navigation pane. In the main body of the page, I have (2) text sentences with a vertical red bar to the left of them. The first message says “You’re using W3 Total Cache plugin. If Captcha by BestWebSoft doesn’t work properly, please clear the cache in W3 Total Cache plugin and turn on ‘Show CAPTCHA after the end of the page loading’ option on the plugin settings page.” When I click on the hyperlinked settings page, a new page is displayed with the message “Sorry, you are not allowed to access this page.” The second text sentence with the vertical red bar to the left says” No valid license key has been entered, so automatic updates for Envira Gallery have been turned off. Please click here to enter your license key and begin receiving automatic updates.” When I click on the blue hyperlink a new page is displayed that says, “Sorry, you are not allowed to access this page.” I have read several hours worth of help and FAQ’s and haven’t seen this scenario. Any help or suggestions about this matter will be greatly appreciated. My administrator and I are stumped for now.
WPBeginner Support
Hi Robert,
The account you have is not an administrator user account. You should ask the administrator to recheck your profile and assign you the administrator user role.
Admin
Elizabeth nelson
Go to the theme in the dashboard and re enter the license key/product purchase. That should help.
Prasoon
Can you add custom javascript in self hosted WP site?, I know wordpress.com doesn’t allow it for security reasons
WPBeginner Support
Yes you can. See our guide on how to properly add JavaScript and styles in WordPress.
Admin
Sagar Chauhan
Hello,Thanks for this comparison, it helped alot. However I’m still confused about one thing: what if I buy a domain and host my site through a different company (so I don’t go through wordpress itself), and then download WordPress from WordPress.ORG, can I then download a theme from WordPress.COM and use plugins? Ordoes it not matter when you’re hosted somewhere else, as long as you use a WordPress.COM theme, plugins are unavailable?Thank you for your answer!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Sagar,
Yes, you can do that.
Admin
Alexandra
Hello! I’ve been using for some time the free wordpress.com and now I want to go to next level. Normally I was planning to buy a domain and to upgrade my WP to the premium plan. Two days ago I received an email from for collaboration. I’ve read a bit on their site, look like is Self-Hosted WordPress, they have the Blue Host option and they move all your content on the new page. I don’t know what to do! Can I trust this site? Someone knows them? Thank you!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Alexandra,
You can easily move WordPress.com blog to self hosted WordPress all by yourself. You can also take advantage of our free blog setup service.
Admin
Alexandra
Thank you so much for your answer… but even though there is a tutorial on how to go for self-hosting, I’m afraid I’m gonna do something wrong. Plus this site that emailed me, BlueHost plans at different prices. The question is should I trust ? Please and thanx
Heather
This is an informative post. So, thank you for all the detail. I have been looking at WordPress dot com and they appear to have changed their hosting packages. Before you could not monetize but now you can if you have the premium package or above. Do all the above cons you listed still stand or just some of them? I did look at the forum and plug-ins are still not allowed. WordPress dot org does not host anything but rather directs the user to potential hosting companies. It almost looks like WordPress dot com is competing some with those hosts, but maybe not if the only con they appear to have removed is no monetization.
Gabrielle
Hello,
Thanks for this comparison, it helped a lot. However I’m still confused about one thing: what if I buy a domain and host my site through a different company (so I don’t go through wordpress itself), and then download WordPress from WordPress.ORG, can I then download a theme from WordPress.COM and use plugins? Or does it not matter when you’re hosted somewhere else, as long as you use a WordPress.COM theme, plugins are unavailable?
Thank you for your answer!
WPBeginner Support
Hi Gabrielle,
WordPress.com does not allow you to install plugins.
WordPress.org allows you to install any plugin or theme you want.
Admin
A V Koshy
Hi,
I blog at . And I can make out that I am on wordpress.org. However, I cannot add plugins. Why is this so? Do revert. Thanks and regs…
A V Koshy
Er, my blog address was removed by the moderator. How are the commentators going to help me if you don’t know my blog address? I understand that you do not want to direct traffic to my site, which is understandably fine, but I also hope that you guys would help me out with my problem. Just in case, you need the blog address it www dot india hypen travels dot com. Here’s sincerely hoping that you don’t delete this. Once my query is answered, probably I myself can delete this post. Thanks