Difference Between WordPress.org And WordPress.com

It is a very common thing to confuse WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

Both services may seem similar at a first glance, but in fact, they differ greatly.

WordPress.org

WordPress.org is a service where you can get a copy of the WordPress blog software.

In this case, you will need to take care of the hosting service for your website.

You receive full control over the WordPress software and your website; you are limited only by the resources provided with your hosting plan.

WordPress.org offers documentation and a community forum where you can ask for help and find answers to different questions and issues you come across.

Also, you can find applications, plugins, themes for your website.

No registration is required with WordPress.org.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a commercial service where you can host your website for free.

However, different limitations are applied to your account.

While you can create a free website, you also need to pay for upgrades in order to enjoy such perks as:

• Custom domain usage
• Extensive customization of your website
• HD videos upload
• Automatic security updates, etc.

In order to use WordPress.com hosting, you just need to sign up, select your blog name and create your website.

All software and hosting management are powered by WordPress, and you don’t have to worry about it.

Everything is staffed by full-time developers, designers, and support engineers.

Compare

Comparing WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

Cost

WordPress.org:

The WordPress.org, CMS can be downloaded for free, but the highest expenses for the website creation and maintenance come from domain registration and hosting service.

There are many optional premium themes and plugins which are provided for extra charge, and the price varies a lot.

WordPress.com:

While the Basic WordPress.com plan, which is provided for free, can become rather expensive when it comes to upgrades.

For example:

• Domain registration: Starting from $18/year
• Domain mapping: $13 (always required for newly registered domains)
• Domain privacy: $8/year per domain
• Premium theme: From $20

Maintenance and Development

WordPress.org:

With WordPress.org, you are fully responsible for your website, in other words, for:

• Installing and setting up your WordPress website.
• Making backups. Use this guide to learn how to back up your WordPress installation.
• Regularly updating your themes and plugins.
• Updating your WordPress version.
• Keeping your site secure for your visitors and protecting your site against hacker attempts and spam. Check out these useful tips on improving the security of your WordPress website.
• Dealing with all issues occurring on the website.

WordPress.com:

WordPress.com maintenance and development of your website are handled by the WordPress team, including breaking after upgrade, issues with plugins and themes, upgrading to the latest versions, backups, etc.

Conclusion

It’s easy to get lost in details when you are not very familiar with something.

Same goes here, If you’re still undecided which platform is the best option for your next website, let’s make things even simpler.

So, is it WordPress.org or WordPress.com?

• WordPress.org:
  
  Is for website owners who want to be independent.
  
  That means that you build everything on your own from the ground up.
  
  Most importantly, you’re free to install any tools you like and control the overall website functionality.
  
  This is the best choice if you want to be completely on your own.

• WordPress.com:
  
  Is good for you if you don’t want to get your hands dirty with hosting, third-party tools, and custom website functionality.
  
  You just sign up and get an online space of your own instantly.
  
  The downside is that you won’t be able to customize it much unless you go with an expensive plan.

If you want full control over your site and the best possible options, go with WordPress.org.

If the setup part is what scares you, I recommend Bluehost, a popular host that will install WordPress for you during the checkout. You sign up for a monthly $2.95 and your WordPress site will be ready to use in just a few minutes. I'm always vouching for Bluehost because it’s cheap and basically does all the ugly work for you. Plus, you get a domain name for free.

-- shoaiyb sysa

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