Choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions when starting a website or blog. The two main options are WordPress.com and WordPress.org. While they share the same name, they are quite different in terms of features, ownership, and control. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare WordPress.com vs WordPress.org to help you determine which is better for your needs.
WordPress.com is a free blogging and website hosting service owned by Automattic, the company behind the open-source WordPress software. With WordPress.com, all the hosting is taken care of and your site runs on their servers.
The main benefits of using WordPress.com include:
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It‘s completely free to start a site. You get 3GB of storage space and basic features.
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Easy to set up and manage. Since it‘s hosted by WordPress.com, they handle all the technical aspects like software updates and backups.
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Built-in site stats and traffic analysis.
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Free custom domain name option available.
The downsides of using WordPress.com include:
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Limited customization options with free plan. You can only use WordPress.com themes and have no access to plugins.
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WordPress.com serves ads on free sites. You cannot run your own ads.
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Strict terms of service. Your site can be suspended or deleted for various violations.
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No ability to monetize through products, memberships or affiliate links.
WordPress.com offers premium upgrade plans if you need more space, customization options, and ability to monetize:
- Personal: $4/month – 6GB storage
- Premium: $8/month – 13GB storage
- Business: $25/month – 200GB storage, monetization allowed
The premium plans unlock more features, but still come with some restrictions around custom plugins, themes and advertising.
WordPress.org is the open-source free content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites online today.
Unlike WordPress.com, WordPress.org is self-hosted, meaning you need to have your own hosting account to run it. The basic steps are:
- Purchase a domain name
- Get web hosting
- Install WordPress software on the hosting
The main advantages of using WordPress.org include:
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100% free WordPress software. No recurring license fees.
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Full control and ownership over your site and data.
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Ability to monetize your site through ads, products, memberships, etc.
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Install any plugins, themes or custom code as needed.
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Advanced SEO options like XML sitemaps.
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Built-in ecommerce features for selling online.
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More options for detailed analytics like Google Analytics.
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No restrictions on content or functionality based on terms of service.
The downsides of using WordPress.org include:
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Requires more technical skill to manage hosting and updates.
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Must have your own domain name and hosting account.
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You‘re responsible for site backups and security.
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Some work needed to customize design if using free theme.
The cost of running a WordPress.org site can range from $50 to a few hundred dollars per year, depending on your hosting needs. However, the investment gives you full ownership and control to grow your site.
Now that you understand the basics of each platform, let‘s compare them across some key factors:
Contents
Ownership and Control
WordPress.com – WordPress.com retains ownership and control over your site. They can remove content or disable sites that violate terms.
WordPress.org – You fully own and control your WordPress site. You have complete creative freedom over content, design, features, and monetization.
Customization
WordPress.com – Very limited. Can only use WordPress.com themes. No plugins allowed on free plan. Some custom CSS possible on premium plans.
WordPress.org – Full customization available. Install any theme and any plugin needed. Write your own code or modify existing code as desired.
Plugins and Extensions
WordPress.com – No plugins allowed on the free plan. Some plugins available on premium plans from WordPress.com approved list.
WordPress.org – You can extend site functionality with any of over 55,000 free plugins in the WordPress repository or premium plugins.
Design and Themes
WordPress.com – Choose from WordPress.com‘s free themes. Premium themes available for additional cost on higher plans.
WordPress.org – Thousands of free themes available to download. Option to buy premium themes or create custom theme from scratch.
Advertising and Monetization
WordPress.com – Cannot run your own ads on free plan. Limited monetization through WordAds program on premium plans.
WordPress.org – Full monetization options including ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, memberships, etc. Keep 100% of the revenue.
SEO Capabilities
WordPress.com – Basic SEO options like meta tags and URLs. XML sitemaps available on Business plan.
WordPress.org – Advanced SEO through Yoast SEO or other SEO plugins. Full control over site architecture and optimization.
Ecommerce Features
WordPress.com – No built-in store capabilities. Must upgrade to expensive ecommerce plan.
WordPress.org – Robust ecommerce options through WooCommerce and other store plugins. Sell physical/digital products easily.
Support and Updates
WordPress.com – Support provided by WordPress.com staff. Automatic background updates.
WordPress.org – Access WordPress community support forums. You manage software updates for plugins/themes.
Analytics and Tracking
WordPress.com – Built-in analytics. Google Analytics integration only on Business plan.
WordPress.org – Integrate Google Analytics or any other analytics tools as desired.
Cost
WordPress.com – Free, $4/month for Personal plan, $8/month for Premium plan, $25/month for Business plan.
WordPress.org – Domain ($15/yr), hosting ($5-$15/month), paid plugins if needed.
Let‘s recap the key advantages and disadvantages of using self-hosted WordPress.org for your website or blog:
Pros
- 100% free open-source software
- Full ownership and control over your site
- Monetize your site‘s content and traffic
- Extend functionality with plugins
- Install any WordPress theme
- Advanced customization capabilities
- Built-in ecommerce features
- SEO optimization options like XML sitemaps
- Integrate high-end analytics platforms
Cons
- Requires purchasing hosting and domain
- You manage software updates
- Must install WordPress and manage backups
- More technical skill required
- Responsible for security measures
Here are the notable pros and cons if you decide to use the hosted WordPress.com platform:
Pros
- Free and easy to start a site
- Managed hosting and updates
- Built-in stats and analytics
- Some plans allow monetization
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Cannot use plugins or external themes
- Strict terms of service
- WordPress.com controls site
- Cannot sell products or memberships
- Display WordPress.com ads on free sites
Here are answers to some common questions people have about WordPress.com vs WordPress.org:
Which is better for beginners?
WordPress.com is easier for beginners since there is no technical setup required. WordPress.org is better long-term though, since it allows full control as your site grows.
Can I customize design on WordPress.com?
Very limited customization options. You can only use WordPress.com‘s free or premium themes. No plugins allowed to modify design further.
What are the real downsides to WordPress.com free plan?
The inability to monetize your site through ads, products, memberships, etc. Also, WordPress.com limits plugins and themes, and can remove content violating terms.
Is WordPress.org secure?
Yes, WordPress.org is very secure, especially if you follow basic security precautions like strong passwords and regular backups. There are also security plugins available.
Can I add Google Analytics to WordPress.com?
Only on the Business plan, which costs $25/month. With WordPress.org you can add Google Analytics for free on any site.
Can I sell items through my WordPress.com site?
No, you cannot sell physical/digital items on WordPress.com. You need a self-hosted WordPress.org site to use ecommerce plugins.
Is there a limit to WordPress.org site traffic?
No, your WordPress.org site can grow to accommodate as much traffic as you get. Just upgrade your hosting plan as site traffic increases.
So which WordPress option should you choose? Here are some quick recommendations:
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For hobby blogs, use the free WordPress.com plan. But upgrade to WordPress.org once you want to monetize your site.
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For small businesses, WordPress.org is definitely recommended for full control and monetization capabilities.
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For online stores and membership sites, WordPress.org is required since you need ecommerce and membership plugins.
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For professional bloggers wanting to earn revenue, WordPress.org allows you to fully monetize your traffic.
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For enterprises and online publications, the scalability and flexibility of WordPress.org makes it the best fit.
The one exception would be if you specifically need the full-service management that comes with WordPress.com‘s VIP plan. But that starts at a hefty $5,000/month!
Overall, while WordPress.com is easier to get started with, most users will be better off with a self-hosted WordPress.org site. The investment in hosting and a domain gives you ownership over your platform and content. This freedom and flexibility is crucial for creating a profitable, professional site.
