Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org: Which One is Best For You

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Difference Bewtween WordPress.com and WordPress,org

WordPress is the most popular platform for website creation. Despite its popularity, there is one point of confusion for many new users: what is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

If you conduct a Google search for “WordPress,” the two websites will rank #1 and #2. And if you’re unfamiliar with WordPress, you may be unsure which one to choose.

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This post will compare WordPress.com with WordPress.org and will assist you in selecting the best option for your needs.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

The fundamental distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is who hosts your website.

You may host your own website with WordPress.org (we recommend this).

On the other hand, with WordPress.com, WordPress.com takes care of all of this for you (easier to start, less freedom). That is the critical distinction.

Nowadays, hosting firms such as Bluehost or SiteGround offer the same ease of use as WordPress.com, but at a lower cost and with greater flexibility.

The price difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

While WordPress.com does allow you to create a website for free, there are several drawbacks:

  • You may only use a subdomain to host your website.
  • You are unable to remove WordPress.com’s advertisements and branding from your site.
  • You are allotted a maximum of 3GB of disk space.
  • Your blog or website cannot be monetized.
  • You cannot add plugins or themes that are not pre-installed on the platform.

If you wish to use your site commercially, you will need to pay at least $8 per month on your WordPress.com plan, in addition to the cost of a custom domain name, which is often around $15 per year. In sum, this equates to at least $111 per year for a WordPress.com site.

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On the other hand, with WordPress.org, you can establish a fully functional website for $35 the first year and $50 each year thereafter.

To begin, you must choose a web host. We have various recommendations for you here, but if you’re pressed for time, simply go with Bluehost. They’re a reputable firm with a plethora of WordPress alternatives. What’s great about Bluehost’s offering is the following:

  • You can begin for as little as $2.75 per month.
  • For the first year, you receive a complimentary domain name.
  • WordPress will be installed automatically for you.

From a user perspective, Bluehost is very similar to WordPress.com – you sign up, choose a hosting package, instruct them to install WordPress for you, complete the purchase, and you’re done.

Additionally, you receive complete control over how you choose to use your site – something that WordPress.com does not provide. To get started with Bluehost with WordPress.org, click here.

If you require additional information before making a decision, here is a more detailed examination of the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org:

WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org: Advantages and disadvantages

Each version offers a number of advantages and disadvantages. (However, I believe the.com version has more disadvantages than advantages. However, you may make your own determination.

When is it OK to use WordPress.com?

You don’t have to bother about acquiring hosting or maintaining your site when you use WordPress.com. Additionally, it may be free, however, paid options are available.

The free plan provides three gigabytes of data and a subdomain (like mywebsite.wordpress.com). Additionally, it contains advertisements for WordPress.com.

Additionally, unless you pay for the pricey business plan, you will be unable to install your own “plugins” or “themes.” Plugins and themes are one of the most beneficial aspects of the WordPress program since they enable easy customization, therefore this is a significant loss.

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If the prospect of changing your domain name server (DNS) or backing up your website data sounds overwhelming, WordPress.com may be the best option for creating a simple blog/website. However, if you require any degree of flexibility, intend to monetize your site, or wish for your site to grow over time, WordPress.com can be extremely restrictive.

When is it OK to use WordPress.org?

WordPress.org must be configured through your hosting provider. In most cases, this is a straightforward one-click installation that is really simple.

Indeed, if you acquire your domain name through your hosting company, you avoid the need to change DNSs entirely. It will be taken care of for you!

Additionally, WordPress.org offers significantly more customization choices. You can install plugins, create custom website themes, and pretty much do whatever you want with your site.

Additionally, you can monetize your website in any way you choose, which is advantageous if you intend to turn it into a business.

Summary

The best example of the distinctions between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is renting vs. buying a property.

WordPress.com is comparable to renting an apartment. You have limited authority and control over what you are permitted to do and what you are not permitted to do.

WordPress.org is comparable to owning a home. When you have complete control, no one can evict you, and you can do whatever you want.

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