If you’ve decided to create your own website, you’ve undoubtedly come across the WordPress platform. But did you know there are two versions? WordPress.org and WordPress.com are two completely different platforms.
To help you better understand the difference between the two platforms, I’ll explain below:
WordPress.org
WordPress.org is an open-source platform that is primarily available through hosting companies. This platform gives you complete freedom in creating and managing your website. You only need a domain and hosting, and you install the platform on the hosting of your choice.
Because you have full control over your site, you can install any theme or plugin without restrictions. You can also edit the code of your site, which is great for advanced users and developers.
However, this freedom also comes with some responsibilities. You need to take care of security, updates, and backups yourself. If you’re willing to put in a bit of effort, WordPress.org is an excellent choice for fully customizing your website.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is owned and operated by the company Automattic. You don’t need to worry about hosting or security updates, as WordPress.com takes care of all that for you. Using WordPress.com is simple, allowing you to choose from many free themes and plugins. You can also upgrade to paid plans that offer more features and customization.
On the basic free plan and the cheaper paid plans, WordPress.com has some limitations. For example, you can’t install all the plugins and themes available for WordPress.org. You also have fewer customization options and less control over your site. However, if you choose the Business or eCommerce plan, you can install any plugins and themes, providing greater flexibility and functionality.
Here is the pricing:
- Personal: €4/month
- Premium: €8/month
- Creator: €25/month
- Entrepreneur: €45/month
- Cloud: €60/month
I would only recommend the Business or eCommerce packages, which still have many limitations compared to WordPress.org. The only difference between them is that you cannot accept payments with the Business plan, which you can with the eCommerce plan.
Which is Better?
Personally, I recommend WordPress.org with suitable hosting. This solution offers the greatest flexibility, full control, and unlimited growth potential for your website. Although it requires a bit more technical knowledge, the effort pays off in the long run.
I hope this article has helped clarify the confusion regarding the two platforms. I also didn’t fully understand the differences when I first saw the WordPress.com packages, as I was using WordPress.org with various hosting providers.
