What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

Are you ready to create a website or blog using the powerful WordPress platform? Maybe it’s a blog, a portfolio, an online shop, or just a place to show off your dog’s modelling career. Whatever your plan, chances are you’ve heard of WordPress. Then the confusion hits. WordPress.com or WordPress.org? Wait… there are two of them?

Yep, and while they share a name (and some core technology), they’re quite different under the bonnet. Choosing the right one from the start can save you a lot of faff down the line, so let’s break it down in plain English.

WordPress.org: The Self-Hosted Powerhouse

Let’s start with WordPress.org. This is the proper, full-fat version of WordPress. It’s open source, free to download and gives you full control to build whatever kind of website you like. Want something bespoke? Go wild. Prefer to keep it simple? No problem. With WordPress.org, you download the software and install it on your own hosting. That means you’ll need a domain name and a web hosting provider (like SiteGround, Kinsta, or anyone else who doesn’t vanish when things go wrong).

What makes it great? Full control, including custom themes, plugins, code edits, integrations… it’s all yours. No platform restrictions, monetise your site however you like: ads, affiliates, memberships – you name it. Limitless potential, you can build a blog, an online shop, a booking system, a forum or something totally random. Your call.

And the catch? Well, you’ll need to get your hands a little dirty. You’re responsible for things like hosting and domain setup, backups and updates, security and general site maintenance. It’s not rocket science, and there are plugins to help with most of it, but it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for.

Who’s it for? WordPress.org is ideal if you want full ownership of your site, need maximum flexibility, or just like the idea of being able to tweak everything. It’s the version developers, designers and agencies (like us) prefer working with.

WordPress.com: The Simplified, Hosted Version

On the flip side, WordPress.com is more of a “WordPress-as-a-service” setup. It’s managed by Automattic (the folks behind the WordPress project), and it takes a lot of the legwork out of launching a site. No need to sort out hosting or worry about security patches, they handle all of that for you. You just sign up, pick a template and you’re off.

What’s good about it? No hosting faff, everything’s looked after for you: uptime, backups, updates – you don’t have to lift a finger. Beginner-friendly, the dashboard is streamlined and it’s quick to get something up and running. Free to start, there’s a free plan (great for dabbling), with paid options that unlock more features.

What’s not so good? Limited customisation (unless you pay), free plans don’t allow custom plugins or advanced themes. Monetisation comes with strings, want to run ads or use third-party services? You’ll need a Business plan or higher. You’re on a subdomain unless you pay and your URL might look like yourwebsite.wordpress.com unless you shell out for a custom domain. You’re in their garden, it’s a tidy garden, but you’re still playing by their rules.

Who’s it for? WordPress.com is a solid choice if you just want to get online without the tech headache. It’s especially good for personal blogs, hobby projects, or simple websites where you don’t need complex features or monetisation options.

A Quick Head-to-Head Comparison

Which One’s Right for You?

It really comes down to how hands-on you want to be. If you’re just starting out and don’t want to worry about hosting, backups or security, WordPress.com is a no-stress way to get online quickly. If you want the freedom to build whatever you like, customise your heart out and monetise how you want, WordPress.org is where it’s at.

Think of it like renting vs buying a home: WordPress.com is renting a fully furnished flat, easy, but you can’t knock down walls or install a hot tub. WordPress.org is buying the house, more responsibility, but it’s all yours to renovate however you like.

Final Thoughts

Whichever route you go, you’re still working with the same powerful WordPress engine under the hood. Both are backed by a huge global community, tonnes of resources and a world of possibilities. If you need something simple and done-for-you, WordPress.com ticks the boxes. If you’re dreaming bigger and want something truly bespoke, WordPress.org gives you the creative freedom to build exactly what you need.

And if all this still sounds like a bit much? That’s where we come in. Priority Pixels design and build WordPress websites that look the part, work flawlessly and are built to last – so you don’t have to worry about the technical bits.

Get in touch if you’d like some help figuring out which option is best, or if you’re ready to turn your website ideas into something brilliant.