WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Do you want to know which one to choose?

When it comes to WordPress, there are two main options.

1. WordPress.com
2. WordPress.org

Both platforms have their unique advantages and disadvantages. This fact can make it difficult to choose which one is best for you.

In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision on which platform best suits your needs.

Contents :

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org Comparison

Both WordPress.com and WordPress.org are content management systems (CMS) popular. They each come with their pros and cons, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

What is WordPress.com?

WordPress.com is a blogging platform owned and operated by Automattic. It is a free and open-source CMS based on PHP and MySQL.WordPress.com launched in 2003 as a simple blogging platform. It has since evolved into a powerful CMS.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com works as a hosted platform. This means you don't have to worry about hosting your website. The platform takes care of all the technical aspects of running a WordPress site for you.

WordPress.com: Benefits

WordPress.com is easy to use. You don't need any technical skills or knowledge to create a website on WordPress.com. WordPress.com offers a free plan. You can create a website on WordPress.com without having to pay any money.

WordPress.com provides a secure platform. The Automattic team takes care of all security updates and patches for you. Finally, WordPress.com offers quality customer support. If you have any questions or encounter any issues, you can contact the WordPress.com support team.

They will be happy to help you.

WordPress.com Disadvantages

Although WordPress.com is easy to use, it has some limitations. You don't get full control over your website when you use WordPress.com. Automattic owns and operates WordPress.com, which means they can make changes to the platform at any time.

WordPress.com has strict guidelines on the type of content you can post on your website. If you violate their terms of service, they can take down your website without warning. Using WordPress.com means you are limited in terms of customization. You cannot install certain types of themes or plugins on WordPress.com.

Although known as a free platform, WordPress.com is truly a premium platform. It offers a free plan.

However, the free plan only allows you to create a website basic. If you want to unlock all features, you need to upgrade to a premium plan.

When to use WordPress.com

Consider using WordPress.com when you want to create a simple website or blog. This is also a good option if you want a free option for this basic setup. WordPress.com is not a good option if you need to customize it beyond the limits of what WordPress.com allows.

What is WordPress.org?

WordPress.org is a CMS that you can download and install on a third-party host’s server. It is also a free and open-source platform. Unlike WordPress.com, with WordPress.org you take responsibility for the process of setting up your website.

You must find a web hosting provider and install the WordPress content management system on your server.

WordPress.org: Benefits

You maintain full control over your website when creating a blog. It includes content, themes, plugins and everything else you might need. There is no need to worry about customization limitations. Every WordPress.org website uses a custom WordPress ad-free domain. Free WordPress.com that we mentioned above provides 1 GB of storage space.

On the other hand, most hosting companies you would use with a WordPress.org website offer increased storage space. Using WordPress.org offers enhanced email features. The WordPress.com Pro plan offers free email functionality for three months only.

Most of the hosting companies that you will use with WordPress.org offer unlimited free email accounts.

WordPress.org: Cons

Using WordPress.org requires technical knowledge and skills. You need to install WordPress on your server and keep it up to date. WordPress.org is generally more expensive than WordPress.com.

Consider the cost of web hosting, custom domain name, and other things like premium themes or plugins.

When to use WordPress.org

WordPress.org works great for situations where you want to avoid any limitations in terms of website design, functionality, and content rights.

If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner with plans to grow the business steadily, then WordPress.org is the best option for you.

It's also a good option if you want to build a complex website, such as an online store.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Hosting Requirements

When looking at the similarities and differences within the WordPress.com vs WordPress.org debate, you need to understand the requirements of the hosting service.

WordPress.com: Managed Hosting

Managed WordPress hosting is a type of service where the provider manages the technical aspects of the website for you. This includes things like security, speed, updates, and availability. With managed hosting, you don't have to worry about these technical details.

You can focus on creating content and publishing it on your website. WordPress.com is a managed hosted platform, which means that Automattic manages all the technical aspects of your website for you.

Why do I need managed hosting?

Managed hosting works well for people who don't want to deal with the technical side of building websites. It's also a good option if you don't have the time or skills to manage your website yourself.

This can save money spent on developers or designers.

What is the cost of managed hosting?

The platform simplifies things by offering two plans to its customers. You can choose between the WordPress Free plan and the WordPress Pro plan. You will not pay any money when starting the WordPress plan Free. However, it includes ads on your website and offers limited storage space.

If you want to increase your storage space and get additional features, you should upgrade to WordPress Pro plan.

The Pro plan costs $15 per month and is billed annually. It unlocks the following features that the WordPress Free plan does not provide.

• Free custom domain for one year
• 50 GB storage space
• Full Selection of Premium Themes
• A menu of plugins to choose from
• Premium Support
• Removal of ads from the website
• Social media tools
• SEO tools
• Free email for three months
• Website backups

The WordPress Pro plan includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.

WordPress.org: Self-hosted

WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform, which means you need to find a web hosting provider and install WordPress on your server. After installing WordPress, you can manage all technical aspects of your website.

You will manage activities such as security, speed and updates.

Why do I have to self-host?

Self-hosting works best if you like the control you gain over your website. You will not encounter any restrictions when you create on a self-hosted WordPress website. With this option, you can upload anything you want to the website. It is a process that makes it simple to directly resolve any issues as challenges arise.

Traffic monitoring becomes easier. You will find many options that will help you view traffic numbers. It is essential to monitor this metric over time. Use the information to adjust your search engine optimization to meet your search ranking goals.

Other reasons to opt for self-hosting include the following.

• Access to more plugins and themes
• More storage
• Improved technical support
• Free email accounts

What is the cost of self hosting?

The cost of self-hosting will depend on the web hosting provider you choose and the type of plan you select. Generally, shared hosting plans are the most affordable. They start at around $50 per year.

They can run up to a few hundred dollars per year, depending on the features you need. If you want more control over your website, you may need to select a VPS hosting plan.

These plans give you a virtual private server, which means your website will have its own space on the server. You can expect to pay around $100 per month for this type of hosting plan. For high traffic websites, you will need to select a dedicated server.

With this type of plan, your website will gain a physical server. The price is much higher than other hosting plans, starting at $500 per month. You can also find WordPress hosting providers that offer all-inclusive plans.

These plans include hosting, a domain name, support, and security features. Costs for these plans will start at around $25 per month. Here are two examples of quality hosting companies and the plans they offer.

We'll focus on shared hosting here. This is generally the best way to start a WordPress.org website while keeping costs down.

SiteGround hosts nearly three million WordPress.org websites. It comes with built-in security features and quality website speed features. The website hosting company offers three main plans.

1. StartUp: Introductory price $3.99/mo ($14.99/mo after first year)
2. Growbig: introductory price $6.99/mo (29.99/mo after first year)
3. Gogeek: introductory price $10.69/mo (39.99/mo after first year)

Bluehost offers 1-click WordPress installations and a free SSL certificate.

It offers these four shared hosting plans.

1. Basic: Introductory price $2.95/mo ($10.99/mo after first year)
2. More: Introductory price $5.45/mo ($16.99/mo after first year)
3. Choice Plus: introductory price of $5.45 ($20.99 / month after the first year)
4. Pro: introductory price of $13.95 ($32.99 / month after the first year)

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Which is Better?

The most effective way to select the appropriate WordPress platform is to assess your needs and budget. If you want a simple platform with limited features, WordPress.com is the best option. Costs are reasonable.

You will not need to manage the technical aspects of the website. If you're looking for more control over your website or want to add customizations, self-hosting with WordPress.org is the best solution.

Which is best for e-commerce?

To set up an online store, self-hosting with WordPress.org is the preferred option. With this platform, you can choose from a range of ecommerce plugins and themes. You will also have more control over the security and performance of your website.

WordPress.org lets you integrate your website with the following e-commerce solutions.

• WooCommerce
• Ecwid Shopping Cart
• Shopify
• wp-ecommerce
• Cart66 Cloud
• Easy Digital Downloads
• WP EasyCart
• BigCommerce for WordPress

You need these tools to set up a functional online store. They allow you to add features like a shopping cart, checkout process, and payment gateway.

What is safest?

WordPress.com and WordPress.org are secure platforms. However, self-hosting with WordPress.org gives you additional security options. You can install more advanced security plugins to protect your WordPress site.

If you host your website with a reputable WordPress hosting provider, they will take extra steps to secure your website.

For example, WP Engine provides customers with a managed WordPress security solution that includes firewalls and malware scanning.

What is the cheapest?

WordPress.com and WordPress.org costs will depend on the features you need. If you want a simple website with limited features, WordPress.com will cost less.

When you want to add design customizations, advanced security plugins, and SEO options, you'll spend more on your website with WordPress.org.

Which is easier to use?

WordPress.com is ideal for beginners who want to set up a website without any hassle. You get a more structured way to build your website. Fewer bells and whistles generally equals greater ease of use.

At the same time, you shouldn't think that using WordPress.org requires a degree in rocket science. Most website hosts now provide a 1-click WordPress installation option. Once you log in to the WordPress.org back office, it's relatively simple.

The key is that WordPress.org offers more options inside its CMS area than WordPress.com. Suffice it to say, both platforms make building a website easy. You might consider WordPress.com as the simplest option.

Themes: which one is the most customizable?

When it comes to themes, WordPress.org is the clear winner. The platform provides access to thousands of free and premium themes. In comparison, WordPress.com offers a more limited selection of themes.

With WordPress.org, you can also download custom themes that you create yourself or buy from third-party developers.

If you want maximum control over theappearance of your website, self-hosting with WordPress.org is the best solution.

Plugins: which one is the most flexible?

Like themes, plugins are more numerous on WordPress.org. With over 54 plugins available, you can find a WordPress Plugin for just about anything you want to do. On WordPress.com, you are limited to a few dozen plugins.

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Final Verdict

As you can see, both WordPress.com and WordPress.org have their strengths and weaknesses. The best way to decide which platform is right for you is to evaluate your needs and budget.

Before making a decision, you should invest time in thinking about your long-term goals.

• Are you building a website for personal reasons?
• Prefer to use something easy to use "out of the box"?
• Doesn't making a profit with your blog matter to you?

If the questions above describe your situation, you should strongly consider using a WordPress.com website. On the other hand, your long-term goals may include business-focused goals. Do you anticipate continued growth from any of the following types of businesses?

• Fitness
• Online course
• Affiliate Marketing
• eCommerce store
• SaaS company
• Local businesses
• network marketing
• Digital marketing agency

If this is why you are considering building a website, you should choose WordPress.org. For businesses, WordPress.org is your winner. As a business owner and website owner, you need the WordPress.org customization options described above.

You need the ability to connect your hosting account to SEO plugins that improve website speed, for example. Google takes website speed very seriously when ranking you against your competitors.

You'll also need advanced design options as your business grows. At first, any WordPress theme will work well. However, you will want to have the option to hire designers later.

If you are locked into a WordPress.com website, it will create a hassle to change it to WordPress.org.

If you know you have big business and website dreams, it doesn't make sense to think small now. Invest in a self-hosted WordPress.org website from the start. This means you are starting your business correctly.

FAQ

What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

The main difference between the two versions is how your site is hosted. WordPress.com is a hosting platform that provides you with a turnkey solution, while WordPress.org is a self-hosted solution (you take care of it yourself).

Which WordPress to choose?

WordPress.org is the “real” WordPress if we can use the expression. It is the CMS (content management system) that powers the largest share of sites on the Internet. It is open source and completely free. You will therefore be able to install and use it for free.

What is the official WordPress website?

WordPress.org is the official website of the content management system from which it is possible to download the open-source version of WordPress, themes and extensions.

Why is WordPress free?

WordPress is released under the GNU General Public License (or GPL), meaning anyone can download, modify, customize, use, and even sell the code as long as they is released under the GPL license. The software itself is free but you might end up paying: Accommodation.

Other resources:

• 10 Best YouTube Keyword Research Tools to Get More Views
• YouTube SEO: 11 tips to get your videos noticed
• 10 popular types of blogs that make money
• 10 Best Content Marketing Tools to Use When You Don't Have a Team
• How to make money online without paying anything
• What is an H1 Tag: The Beginner's Guide with Best Practices

Conclusion

The WordPress.com vs wordpress.org debate won't end anytime soon. Make your choice after weighing the pros and cons of each option in relation to your long-term goals. If you need a simple personal WordPress blog, consider WordPress.com.

If you're an entrepreneur, pick the clear winner for business purposes: WordPress.org.