WordPress powers 43% of all websites on the internet, making it the most widely used platform for website development. But despite its widespread use, a common query among new users is “what’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?”
The two websites will appear as the top two results on Google when you search for “WordPress.” Additionally, you might not know which one to use if you’re new to WordPress. Despite having extremely similar names, WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two different website-building platforms created by two separate organizations. Therefore, it is crucial to make a distinction between them to select the best option for your online business.
In this blog, we will explore the key difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org to help you choose the platform that best suits your needs.
About WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a hosted blogging service that helps you construct a website using WordPress software, whereas WordPress.org is the self-hosted version, which you can use to develop and run a website on your own.
WordPress.com is a commercial-hosted blogging service that was introduced in 2005. On top of the free and open-source WordPress architecture, the service is constructed with a few additional plugins and modifications. As a result, the internal operations of both platforms are very similar. WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a fully functional hosted alternative that handles all hosting-related concerns for its users.
WordPress.org, however, requires that you download and install the software on your computer and locate your own hosting company because it is a self-hosted content management system (CMS). It’s also regarded as the more sophisticated model of the two because it gives you limitless customization options. BlueHost hosting offers dedicated wordpress hosting services, you can always find discounts for the same with our bluehost coupons.
- About WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
- What are The Differences between WordPress.com & WordPress.org?
- 1. Cost and Domain Names
- 2. WordPress Plugins
- 3. WordPress Themes
- 4. Storage
- 5. Ease of Use
- 6. SEO
- 7. Security and Backup
- 8. eCommerce Features
- 9. Help & Support
- 10. Customizability
- WordPress.com Vs. WordPress.org: Which one is better?
What are The Differences between WordPress.com & WordPress.org?
Let’s take a closer look at the distinction between WordPress com and WordPress org in this section.
1. Cost and Domain Names
WordPress.com is free for most users, but you need to use a premium subscription for additional features. These range in price from $7 to $59 per month. Although the free version includes a unique subdomain, such as bhicoupons.wordpress.com, a domain name is necessary if you want complete customization (bhicoupons.com). Most host companies offer a free, personalized domain name for the first year while using WordPress.org. If you are looking for an affordable domain name, you can cash in the blue host domain coupons on our website.
2. WordPress Plugins
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to argue that WordPress.org has the most robust marketplace for plugins among website builders. Its marketplace offers a wide selection of more than 59,500 free and paid plugins that you can use to improve and increase the functionality of your website.
The variety of plugin possibilities on WordPress.com is depending on the payment plan you are on, much like themes. Users of the Free, Personal, or Premium plans will only have access to the standard built-in features. You must upgrade to a Business or eCommerce plan to add plugins and expand the functionality of your store. These plans provide you access to more than 50,000 WordPress plugins, amongst which you can also find popup plugins that can help transform the visitors on your website to subscribers and loyal followers.
3. WordPress Themes
Users of WordPress.com are only permitted to utilize a limited number of the themes that are available in the WordPress theme repository; they are not permitted to submit or modify custom themes. Users get rapid access thanks to the pre-installed themes. Depending on the premium Plan chosen by the user, only bespoke themes can be installed.
Users can search for, find, and install themes on WordPress.org, which offers full theme support. Additionally, users can choose paid, unique, or free themes. Depending on their requirements, they can also alter the themes they have chosen.
4. Storage
Depending on the package you select, WordPress.com offers different kinds of backup and storage options. You can have up to 200 GB of storage with its premium plans, which start at 3 GB. The amount of storage for WordPress.org is determined by the package you have with your host company. Lots of companies provide limitless storage, especially with higher-tiered services.
5. Ease of Use
The use of WordPress.org and WordPress.com both call for a certain amount of technological expertise. This is especially true for the former because it offers customers the opportunity to modify their websites by delving deeper into the underlying code. Even if you have zero coding knowledge, you can completely build a brand-new website from zero to meet your primary business objectives. You don’t need assistance from a developer for the same.
The procedure of setting up a website with WordPress.com is substantially simpler than with the open-source version. It is a fully functional hosting solution created to provide people with everything they need to start using the internet. You can simply set up and create a website in just a few clicks.
6. SEO
When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), some eCommerce platforms are intrinsically superior, and WordPress is one of them. Both WordPress.com and WordPress.org provide powerful SEO tools, the most well-known of which is Yoast SEO, which you may be aware of. By utilizing the great SEO functionalities of this plugin, you can greatly enhance your store.
Also, be aware that the Yoast SEO plugin can only be installed by subscribers of WordPress.com’s Business or Ecommerce plans. Aside from that, WordPress.com is still an SEO-friendly platform even without using third-party plugins. In the free edition, users have excellent control over SEO analytics and files, alt tags, headers, and 301 redirects.
WordPress.org would be a better choice, nevertheless, if your market is crowded. Due to its open-source nature, users have full control over SEO, enabling them to manually alter various aspects of SEO performance that are not possible with a hosted solution.
7. Security and Backup
WordPress.com users do not need to worry about security or backup requirements because the core WP software is already installed. Their website’s performance is taken care of by the business Automattic, which also handles backups, security upgrades, SSL certificates, optimization, and other tasks. Users will also have access to several pre-configured features that are already included in the platform without the need for extra plugins.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, mandates that website owners perform their website maintenance, whether for backup or security reasons. Google Analytics is an excellent platform for monitoring website performance because users can install it for free. Users are also accountable for the functionality of their sites.
8. eCommerce Features
The simplest platform to create an e-commerce website is WordPress.org. To create your store, you can use WooCommerce or one of the many other WordPress eCommerce, membership, and LMS plugins available.
WordPress.com also provides eCommerce plans, although they start at a costly $540 per year if you’re just getting started. You must adhere to WordPress.com’s terms of service for your eCommerce store, and its functionality is still limited.
9. Help & Support
Users can get assistance from a sizable community at WordPress.org if they encounter any difficulties. You can find guidance and suggestions from programmers and other experienced users here. In addition, WordPress.org offers its users a wealth of online documentation.
On its free plan, WordPress.com does not provide any specialized help. The knowledge must be independently discovered from the online documentation, user-created FAQs, or discussion boards in the community. To get an email and live chat support, you can subscribe to the Personal plan or Premium plan if you require additional assistance. You will have access to 24/7 priority live chat help after you purchase a Business plan or above.
10. Customizability
One of the biggest advantages of adopting WordPress.org to expand into the digital world is the limitless customization options it offers its users. It is possible to modify and code all plugins, extensions, and themes to customize your website’s appearance and functionality. As a result, you have more control over how your website looks and can include particular features that are tailored to your company’s requirements.
However, you will only be allowed to do what the platform permits when managing a WordPress.com website. The software is restricted depending on your level of subscription. Because of this, unlike WordPress.org, you cannot update your store freely. Apart from differences we have seen so far, let’s also talk about the difference between the extensions or top level domains extensions .org and .com.
WordPress.com Vs. WordPress.org: Which one is better?
There is no absolute good or bad option when comparing WordPress.com vs WordPress.org. These two versions of WordPress differ greatly. However, the type of WordPress you choose will rely on your specific needs (such as intriguing themes, plugins, etc.) and your financial situation. However, WordPress.org provides stronger and more advanced functionality. In addition, you can set up free, premium, and custom themes and plugins. Additionally, you have full website ownership and more creative power over your website.
Learn more about more such WordPress facts with some interesting statistics found in our guide: WordPress Statistics – Everything You Need To Know!
Leave a Reply