Many new WordPress users are perplexed by the distinction between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.
If you’re perplexed by these two synonymous names, you’re not alone.
But here’s the catch:
Despite their numerous similarities, WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two distinct platforms. And the decision you make will have a significant impact on your website.
As a result, it’s critical to grasp the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
This post will clarify the major differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org and assist you in deciding which is ideal for your requirements.
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WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.org is completely free open-source software. Anyone may install the newest WordPress software on their own site by downloading it from WordPress.org.
WordPress.org is run by the WordPress Foundation, a non-profit organization.
WordPress.com is a customized version of the WordPress.org platform. It’s essentially a tool built on the WordPress.org open-source software.
It is owned by Automattic.
Benefits of WordPress.org
You have complete control over your website using WordPress.org. You have complete freedom to do whatever you want with it and to personalize it as much as you want.
Here are some of the advantages of using WordPress.org to create your website, as well as why we think it’s the finest website builder.
- WordPress is a free, open-source, and extremely user-friendly blogging platform. Over 43% of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress (see Why is WordPress Free?).
- You are the only owner of your website and all of its content. Your site will not be disabled because it is in violation of someone’s terms of service (as long as you are not doing something illegal). You have complete control.
- To your website, you may install free, premium, and custom WordPress plugins/apps.
- You can change the style of your website as needed. You may use any WordPress theme, whether it’s free or paid. You may also make fully unique designs or make changes to anything you like.
Cons of WordPress.org
- The use of a self-hosted WordPress.org site has just a few drawbacks.
- You’ll require web hosting, just like any other website. This is the location on the internet where your website files are kept. Initially, the price ranges between $3 and $10 each month.
- You’ll need to download and install WordPress. Fortunately, the majority of prominent WordPress hosting companies offer one-click WordPress installation. You may also follow our step-by-step guide to correctly installing WordPress.
WordPress.com Advantages
For hobby bloggers and those creating a blog for their family, the free WordPress.com platform is a fantastic option. The following are some of the advantages of utilizing WordPress.com:
- It is free for up to 3GB of storage space. After that, you’ll have to upgrade to a premium plan to get extra storage space. (A Personal plan for $48/year provides 6GB of storage, a Premium plan for $96/year provides 13GB of storage, and a Business plan for $300/year provides 200 GB of storage.)
- There will be no need for updates or backups. WordPress.com will handle it for you.
WordPress.com Drawbacks
There are a few limits to free WordPress.com that set it apart from WordPress.org. The following are some of the drawbacks of utilizing WordPress.com:
- They post advertisements on all free websites. Your users see such adverts, but you don’t get paid for them. If you do not want your users to view advertisements, you may subscribe to a premium WordPress.com plan (beginning at $48 per year).
- You are not permitted to sell advertisements on your website, which significantly limits your options for monetization. If you have a high traffic site, you may apply for their WordAds advertising program, in which you split earnings with them. WordAds is immediately available to Premium and Business plan subscribers.
- Plugins cannot be uploaded. Jetpack features are pre-activated for free plan customers. Users on the Business plan can choose from a list of suitable plugins ($300 per year). The WordPress.com VIP program allows you to install plugins and costs $5000 per month.
Conclusion
WordPress.com is fantastic since it makes launching a website so simple. It’s an excellent choice if you merely want to build a blog to communicate updates with your family while you vacation, for example.
However, if you’re serious about your website, you’ll appreciate the freedom that self-hosted WordPress.org provides.
