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.
Ahmed Aliyu
Thank you for this. Very simple guide to understanding both website providers. opened my eyes to a lot of dark spots about owing a website on WordPress. I appreciate.
WPBeginner Support
Glad our guide could help clarify this for you
Admin
Dennis Muthomi
Your breakdown of monetization options is super helpful. I always tell my clients to go with WordPress.org for their business sites and I always guide them whenever they comae acress any issue
And to add something from my experience: When moving clients from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, I’ve found it’s best to get the domain name separately from the hosting. It’s much easier this way! You’ll have more flexibility to switch hosts later, and it makes the whole migration process smoother.
Olaf
Both Com and Org have their pros and cons. Org certainly offers the advantage of being able to choose the platform on which your website will run, whether it’s hosting or a personal VPS. The benefit is that if you do your own research, you can find really quality and powerful shared hosting for just a few dollars. With Com, you don’t have to deal with these “problems,” but you are limited by functionality. Personally, I lean towards the Org variant because it provides greater flexibility in terms of both options and potential migration. Plus, it often offers better pricing. I believe that with the Org option, you can get much more performance for significantly less money.
Samuel
This guide is a gem for anyone weighing the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. It’s evident that while WordPress.com offers simplicity and quick setup, WordPress.org delivers the customization and control that more seasoned users crave. This distinction is key for tailoring a choice that fits one’s specific technical prowess and website needs. It is also good to know that you can move your website from wordpress.com to wordpress.org. I didn’t know that before now. Thank you
Dayo Olobayo
I own a wordpress blog but I didn’t even know the variant of WordPress I use until now. This is a great infographic that summarizes the key differences both platforms. Thanks a bunch!
WPBeginner Support
Glad we could clarify what to expect with each
Admin
Briana
It should be noted that WordPress.com now auto opts users in to have their content sold to AI companies to train their models. You can opt out, but only if you know that you need to do so. Something for anyone to consider who is thinking about signing up.
THANKGOD JONATHAN
I didn’t know all this fhings before. Thanks to WPBeginner.
I thought it’s all the same thing but now I have the better understanding.
Thank you for this article. It really helps.
WPBeginner Support
Glad we could clear up any confusion
Admin
Moinuddin Waheed
This is one of the most found confusion in the beginner’s mind. they confuse WordPress.org with WordPress.com very often.
this article has clearly demonstrated the difference between the two in a clear and concise manner.
thank you wpbeginner for making the effort to clear the doubts regarding the two very confusing yet related topic.
WPBeginner Support
Glad you found our guide helpful in clearing this confusion
Admin
Lara Carter
This article is amazing and I love reading the comments on people experience and views on these articles, it helps give me a so much better idea the topic.
WPBeginner Support
Glad you found the article helpful
Admin
James Demello
Thanks, you convinced me to use WP.org.
WPBeginner Support
Glad to hear our guide was helpful!
Admin
Alina
Great website! I look forward to exploring your articles.
Question, please. If I use WP.org does it mean that my website will be .org or the two are unrelated?
Which one is better to have anyway? com, org, or ca (since I am in Canada)?
I want to create a website to sell microgreens locally.
WPBeginner Support
The domain for your site does not determine if a site is a WordPress.org or a WordPress.com site. Your hosting provider determines what type of site, our guide below should help with a better understadning
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/whats-the-difference-between-domain-name-and-web-hosting-explained/
We prefer WordPress.org sites but depending on your uses some people find WordPress.com a better fit for them.
Admin
Oghenemase
Thank you for the insightful exposition
WPBeginner Support
You’re welcome!
Admin
Madu Shantel
Thanks alot. This article was indeed helpful.
WPBeginner Support
Glad to hear our article was helpful!
Admin
A. Boateng
Very helpful article, thank you!
WPBeginner Support
You’re welcome, glad our article was helpful!
Admin
Kindeng Simamora
Thanks for the useful information.
I already have a domain and hosting and use a free WP template.
I am planning to move to wordpress.org and take Bluehost webhosting.
Can I keep my domain? Or do I have to make another one that I will get for free from Bluehost?
WPBeginner Support
If you have your own domain and not a site.wordpress.com address you can take that to a new hosting provider like BlueHost
Admin
Christopher Pereira
Your article is straightforward, honest, unbiased, and most important, absolutely informational. In fact, thank goodness for my positive procrastination, because sometimes, I stall a lot, if only to uncover a little more info that may save time and grief in the future, just like your article did, by clarifying the difference between WP.org and WP. com
I HAVE bookmarked you. You ARE an invaluable resource.
Thanks, guys…
WPBeginner Support
Glad you found our content helpful!
Admin
Milzy
Great article!! Thank you so much
WPBeginner Support
Glad you found our comparison helpful!
Admin
Princewill Ejikeme
Very nice clarification. When starting my blog, i actually registered with the free wordpress.com but when i saw the limitations, i decided to upgrade to personal plan. Am now a proud owner of my own domain.
WPBeginner Support
Glad you were able to make it work for you
Admin
Pedro Araújo
Helpful article, but what about page rank, is there any difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org regarding potential site traffic?
Joachim
Wow. This article was really helpful. I’m just getting to know the difference between the two domains. And it appears I’ve been stuck on the Wordpress.com for a long time. I’m making the switch ASAP. Thank you for this.
LEONARD ADOLPHUS
I’m about starting out on blogging, please do I have to input .org extension manually when searching for my domain availability. Secondly, does that mean buying a hosting from bluehost automatically makes my site a .org site?
Thanks.
Sheryl Buckner
So glad I made the right choice to go with .org. Love Word Press. There is a lot of good content which will help me grow my platform without spending days on end trying to learn basic tips and tricks.
WPBeginner Support
Glad to hear you’re happy using WordPress.org
Admin
Azhar
With wordpress.org everything is possible
WPBeginner Support
Definitely
Admin
Roman
I prefer to choose Wordpress.org, because it has tones of features and free to use and do what ever we want.
WPBeginner Support
Thanks for sharing your preference
Admin
RON DEWALD
I’ve used both.
I ended up using the .org one
WPBeginner Support
Thanks for sharing which you’re using at the moment.
Admin
Kyle
I didn’t know there were so many differences lol
WPBeginner Support
Glad we could bring these differences to your attention
Admin
Sufian Mehmood Soomro
Informative and detailed blog post about the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com I really like it and I am noted important point on my book for my information. Thanks
WPBeginner Support
Glad our guide could help clear this up for you.
Admin
Williams
I love wordpress.org more,
#wordpress.org
WPBeginner Support
Glad you enjoy WordPress.org
Admin
Dy Dean
For me wordpress.org is the best
WPBeginner Support
Thanks for sharing your preference
Admin
Purnendu Mukherjee
Finally the conclusion is,
WordPress.org is my own home with own responsibility.
WordPress.com is rented home.
WPBeginner Support
Correct
Admin
Binit
Hi how to change blog on something.wordpress.com to domain
WPBeginner Support
That would be handled through WordPress.com and their plans. You would want to check with WordPress.com for their current method for setting a domain.
Admin
Shriya
What will happen to my wordpress.com site and its followers after migrating o wordpress.org?
WPBeginner Support
Your site will remain unless you decide to remove it or you can use WordPress.com’s redirect to force it to redirect to your new site and you have the option to transfer your followers using the Jetpack plugin.
Admin
Rosco
Thanks a lot for this informative article. Can I build a social network site using wordpress.org?
WPBeginner Support
Yes, you can. We have an article on this below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-turn-your-wordpress-site-into-a-social-network/
Admin
Adeniye Kehinde
Nice post am looking forward to creating a website on WordPress, one question can i creat a website for posting files, also having a store on either WordPress.com or WordPress.org
WPBeginner Support
For what it sounds like you’re wanting, you would want to use WordPress.org.
Admin
ADENIYE KEHINDE
Thanks , I will be starting my Website soon
Claudia
Thank you for your detailed description about wordpress.org and wordpress.com.
I am very curious, is it possible that I buy a domain and web-hosting with another provider and then use it on wordpress.org?
WPBeginner Support
You can, you should be able point the domain to the hosting provider for what you’re wanting. For a better understanding of domains vs hosting, you would want to take a look at our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/whats-the-difference-between-domain-name-and-web-hosting-explained/
Admin
Claudia Marin
Thank you for your response.
Smrithi P
Thanks a lot for this! It’s very enlightening.
I made my first blog recently under wordpress.com…will probably change it to .org after some time.
Will definitely be keeping this article for future reference.
WPBeginner Support
Glad to hear and we hope our transfer guide is something you find helpful when you are ready to transfer
Admin
Nathalie
First of all I wish to tell you that I have been reading your blog and advice for quite a while and I wish to thank you for all of it.
I finally took the plunge last week and bought my domain name and 3 year hosting on bluehost via your link. Thay were very kind to install wordpress directly but now i find out that they installed wordpress.com and not wordpress.org.
Strange given that you recommend them for the .org
How can I switch and get the .org?
WPBeginner Support
If you purchased hosting and the site was installed on your BlueHost hosting you have a WordPress.org site even if your domain ends in .com. You would only have a WordPress.com site if you are hosted on WordPress.com.
Admin
Anjali Dabral
That was a really comprehensive information on WordPress. Everything that a beginner would need!
Thank you!
WPBeginner Support
Glad our comparison was helpful
Admin
Franci Hoffman
I have 2 WordPress blogs – one is a .com and the other .blog. Can I keep my domains if I move both to .org?
WPBeginner Support
You can keep your domains ending in .com and .blog, the end of your URL does not determine if you are on WordPress.com or WordPress.org, who is hosting your site determines that.
Admin
Franci Hoffman
Thanks for the quick response.
David
Overall A great primer! So, thanks! For someone who does not want to keep up with the technical side of WordPress what options does one in my position have; switch to Weebly/Wix..stay with a system I’m kinda’ unqualified to use, or…..I’ve poked around inside my website and it realistically seems as if it’d months to master the technical learning curve, time I don’t have…any insights greatly appreciated
WPBeginner Support
While WordPress can appear daunting, we would still recommend using it as it can appear far more daunting than it actually is. For a starting point, we would recommend taking a look at our page below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/start-here/
Admin
Tammy Friederichs
Can I change my domain title?
WPBeginner Support
You can change the title of your site on both platforms in your general settings.
Admin
john
I am still not sure as to where to start a blog. I don’t intend on making a lot of money, however, if it can help others, offer a light at the end of the tunnel and even make a small profit that would be nice.
What would you recommend as a platform to begin with?
WPBeginner Support
It would depend on how you plan to monetize your site for which would be better for you. If you plan on placing multiple ads on your site then WordPress.org would be best for your goals.
Admin
Matos Cunha
Very usefull !
Thank you !
WPBeginner Support
You’re welcome
Admin
Carol Mestemacher
I bought my domain name and emails at Google G Suite 3 days ago. I want to get my website (for a not for profit company) started asap. Can I start my website at wordpress.org today? And all this works together?
WPBeginner Support
You would need to purchase hosting and then you would be able to connect them, for an explanation of domains vs hosting you would want to take a look at our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/whats-the-difference-between-domain-name-and-web-hosting-explained/
Admin
Keith Keenan
I have a wordpress site which I am locked out of because someone tried several times to log in with the wrong password.
WPBeginner Support
It sounds like you have a plugin that would cause that issue, to disable your plugins to allow you to log in, you would want to take a look at our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-deactivate-all-plugins-when-not-able-to-access-wp-admin/
Admin
Tooba
Thank you so much for explaining everything in detail.
WPBeginner Support
Glad our article was helpful
Admin
John Rahrer
I have both a Bluehost & WordPress site. How can I find out whether or not I have WordPress.org & Bluehost.org ?
WPBeginner Support
As you have created a site using BlueHost’s hosting, you are using a WordPress.org site.
Admin