Introduction
Are WordPress.com and WordPress.org the same? It's a question that may seem obvious, but the truth is that those three little letters after the period make a huge difference and could impact the success of your website in the future.
So, what are the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org? Besides sharing the name 'WordPress', there are significant differences to consider when choosing the platform for your website.
What Is The Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
To make things clear, let's cover all the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, starting with the fundamental difference:
The Fundamental Difference
WordPress.org is managed by the non-profit WordPress Foundation, and it is a self-hosted content management system. This means that you can install it anywhere and buy your own domain to set up a website. It is not only a self-hosted content management system, but it is also the world's leading content management system.
WordPress.com, on the other hand, is essentially the largest WordPress-as-a-Service (WaaS) platform owned by Automattic, the company run by WordPress co-founder, Matt Mullenweg. It is powered by the WordPress.org open-source software.
TL;DR – WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org Differences
In short, WordPress.com is a limited version of WordPress.org that has been simplified for a different demographic.
The main differences between the two are:
WordPress.com:
- Hosting is provided by WordPress.com
- Limited monetization options - no advertising options other than the "official" WordPress.com advertising program
- Limited plugin installation or updates on the free plan (higher-tier plans have similar limitations)
- Limited choice of free themes
- Limited customization options
- No Google Analytics on the free plan
- Upgrade required for the use of custom domains without the WordPress.com subdomain
- No eCommerce features or integrated payment options on the free plan
- No membership websites
WordPress.org:
- Requires external hosting (e.g., using a cloud provider or a shared hosting service)
- More flexibility in monetization options
- Unrestricted plugin installation and updates
- Access to a wide range of free and premium themes
- Customization options are not limited
- Google Analytics and other tracking tools can be used
- Ability to use custom domains
- eCommerce features and integrated payment options available
- Membership websites can be created
Verdict
While WordPress.com may have its advantages, there are more limitations compared to WordPress.org. Your decision on whether to choose WordPress.com or WordPress.org should be based on the requirements and goals of your website.
Pricing and Cost Differences
Budget is always one of the first things you have to figure out when you’re building something. In this case, there are big differences between the pricing and costs of WordPress.com and WordPress.org, so to help you plan your budget better, we have broken down both solutions.
WordPress.com offers four different pricing plans that can be paid annually, upfront, or monthly.
Here’s a detailed pricing breakdown for WordPress.com
Besides these, WordPress.com does offer a free plan, and all you have to do is buy the domain. However, you will have their subdomain displayed e.g www.yourwebsite.wordpress.com.
When it comes to WordPress.org, it’s completely free to use. However, there are other costs that WordPress.org doesn’t cover, which WordPress.com covers for you.
- Hosting – You can either set up a server with a cloud provider like DigitalOcean, Linode or Vultr or using a shared hosting service
- Security — Depending on your hosting, you might need some premium security features or plugins that can cost up to $250 per year.
- Premium themes — there are free ones, but to get the most out of WordPress.org, you’ll probably want to go with premium themes. They usually cost up to $150 per year.
- Premium plugins — another optional thing, but if you’re serious about scaling your website fast, you will probably want to go with some premium plugins like Rank Math for SEO.
Ease of Use
Both WordPress.com and WordPress.org have a learning curve, but the ease of use may vary depending on your level of experience and needs.
WordPress.com is designed for blogging, and its setup is more straightforward. However, it comes with limitations and fewer options for customization.
WordPress.org offers more freedom and flexibility but may require more technical expertise to set up and configure.
Plugins
Plugins play a crucial role in extending the functionality of your website. Here's how plugins are handled on WordPress.com and WordPress.org:
WordPress.com restricts plugin usage to the Business plan. On the free plan and lower-tier plans, you won't have the ability to install or upload plugins. This limits your control over the website's features.
With WordPress.org, you have no limitations when it comes to plugins. You can freely install and configure any plugin, whether free or premium, to customize your website.
After Action Report – Use WordPress.org for Maximum Versatility & Control
Although both platforms have their advantages and disadvantages, there's no question that WordPress.org is the best solution for businesses that are already established or planning significant growth.
With WordPress.org, you have complete control over your website. You can choose from a vast selection of addons and plugins to integrate various functionalities, customize themes, and have full control over your website's appearance.
Happy Coding!!!
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