WordPress.org and WordPress.com share a name, a logo style and the same underlying software, which is why so many people confuse them. They are different things. WordPress.org is the home of the free, open-source WordPress project, where you download the software to run on hosting you choose. WordPress.com is a commercial hosting service that runs WordPress for you. This guide explains what each one is, how they differ on cost, control and plugins, and how to decide which suits your site.
What WordPress.org is
WordPress.org is the website of the WordPress open-source project. The software is licensed under the GPL (version 2 or later), which means anyone can download, use, modify and redistribute it at no cost. The WordPress trademark is held by the WordPress Foundation, a nonprofit.
When people say “WordPress.org” in the context of building a site, they usually mean self-hosted WordPress: you rent hosting from any provider, install WordPress on it, and you are in full control of the files and database. If you are new to the platform, our explainer on what WordPress is covers the basics.
What WordPress.com is
WordPress.com is a hosted platform run by Automattic, a company co-founded by Matt Mullenweg, who also co-founded the WordPress project. You sign up, pick a plan and get a working WordPress site without installing anything. Hosting, security, updates and backups are handled for you.
WordPress.com offers a free plan and several paid tiers. What you can do depends heavily on the plan. Lower tiers are more like a managed website builder, while higher tiers unlock plugins, custom themes and developer tools such as SFTP and database access. Plan names and features change, so check the current plans page for specifics.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com at a glance
| Factor | Self-hosted (WordPress.org) | Hosted (WordPress.com) |
|---|---|---|
| Software cost | Free | Included in plan |
| Hosting | You choose and pay a host | Included |
| Custom domain | Yes, registered separately or via your host | On paid plans |
| Plugins | Any plugin you choose | Higher-tier plans only |
| Custom or premium themes | Any theme you choose | Full choice on higher-tier plans |
| Updates, backups, security | Your responsibility or your host’s | Handled by WordPress.com |
| Ads | Only if you add them | Shown on the free plan |
| Server and code access | Full, depending on host | Limited, more on higher tiers |
Costs compared
Neither option is truly free for a serious site. The question is where the money goes.
With self-hosted WordPress, the software is free, but you pay for hosting, a domain name and any premium themes or plugins you choose. Hosting ranges from inexpensive shared plans to managed WordPress hosting that costs more but handles maintenance for you. Many hosts offer introductory rates that renew higher. Our guide to hosting WordPress walks through the options.
With WordPress.com, you pay one plan fee that bundles hosting and maintenance, often billed annually, with the domain typically included for the first year on paid annual plans. The plan that allows plugins costs noticeably more than the entry tiers, so if plugins are essential, compare that tier against self-hosting rather than the cheapest plan. Check the current pricing page, as plans are revised from time to time.
Control, plugins and ownership
Control is the biggest practical difference. On a self-hosted site you can install any plugin or theme, edit code, run WP-CLI, configure caching and choose your server location. That freedom also means responsibility: a bad plugin or missed update is yours to deal with. Our guide to WordPress plugins explains how to choose them safely.
On WordPress.com, the platform sets the rules. On lower tiers you work within the features provided. On plugin-enabled tiers you get much closer to a self-hosted experience, while the platform still manages the server, core updates and security.
On ownership, both options let you export your content. WordPress.com provides an export of posts, pages and media in the standard WordPress format, which you can import into a self-hosted site. Moving the other way also works. The main difference is that a self-hosted site gives you direct access to the full database and files at all times.
Who should choose which
Choose WordPress.com if
- You want to write or publish without thinking about servers, updates or backups.
- You are starting a personal blog or simple site and a free or entry plan covers your needs.
- You want managed hosting from the company most closely associated with WordPress and are happy to pay for a higher tier when you need plugins.
Choose self-hosted WordPress.org if
- You need specific plugins, a premium theme or custom code from day one.
- You want to choose your own host, server location and budget.
- You are a developer, agency or freelancer building sites for clients.
- You run a store, membership site or anything with complex requirements.
Most commercial WordPress themes, including those in our theme catalogue, assume you can upload a theme and install plugins, which means either a self-hosted site or a WordPress.com plan that allows it. If you only want to experiment before paying anything, see our guide to free WordPress hosting, which covers WordPress Playground and local installs.
What else lives on WordPress.org
WordPress.org is far more than a download page. Even if you host on WordPress.com, these resources are useful:
- Download: the latest release, older versions and beta builds. Our guide to downloading WordPress covers this safely.
- Plugin directory: tens of thousands of free plugins, each reviewed when first submitted, with ratings, support threads and changelogs.
- Theme directory: free themes that pass a review, filterable by features such as full site editing or accessibility-ready.
- Support forums: volunteer-run help for self-hosted WordPress and for directory plugins and themes.
- Documentation and Learn WordPress: user guides, developer handbooks at developer.wordpress.org, and free courses and workshops at learn.wordpress.org.
- Make WordPress: the contributor teams for core, design, accessibility, translation and more, coordinated on make.wordpress.org.
- News and events: the official WordPress News blog, release announcements and information about WordCamps and meetups.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress.org really free?
The software from WordPress.org is free to download and use. Running a public site still requires hosting and usually a domain, which you pay a provider for.
Can I move from WordPress.com to self-hosted later?
Yes. Export your content from the WordPress.com dashboard, import it into a self-hosted install with the WordPress Importer, then point your domain at the new host. Re-check themes, plugins and redirects after the move.
Is WordPress.com the same software?
It runs WordPress, the same open-source core, along with platform-specific features and services that Automattic adds. The editing experience will feel familiar on either.
Key takeaways
- WordPress.org is the open-source project; self-hosting means you install its free software on hosting you choose.
- WordPress.com is Automattic’s hosted service, with a free plan and paid tiers that unlock more features.
- Self-hosting gives maximum control and plugin freedom in exchange for handling maintenance yourself or through your host.
- On WordPress.com, plugins and custom themes require higher-tier plans, so compare that tier with self-hosted costs.
- WordPress.org also hosts the plugin and theme directories, support forums, documentation and the Make contributor teams.
