What is the Difference Between WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
You might be someone who thinks WordPress.com and WordPress.org are the same. Or you know they’re different but don’t know the details. So, what’s the difference between the two? While WordPress.com involves managed hosting, WordPress.org is self-hosted. Keep reading to learn more about WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org, their corresponding pros and cons, and the right platform to use based on your needs.
WordPress.com
To help you understand the differences between the two platforms, you should examine them separately. A hosting service established by Automattic, WordPress.com is managed by Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress. As the founder is the same, users easily confuse WordPress.com with WordPress.org.
With WordPress.com, however, you won’t have to download software or pay for hosting. You can publish your site for free. But if you want upgrades, WordPress.com offers pricing plans—from Personal ($48 annually) to VIP (about $5,000 monthly).
Pros
If you are starting a blog for your hobby or your family, then WordPress.com is perfect for you. The platform gives you up to 3GB of space. If you need more storage space, you should subscribe to a paid plan. For instance, with a Personal plan, you get 6GB for $48 per year, while with a Business plan, you get 200 GB of storage for $300 per year.
Another advantage is you won’t have to deal with updates or backups because WordPress.com will do the work for you. Thus, you can focus on developing your content.
Cons
WordPress.com has its own limitations. Given that you’re using a free website, WordPress.com places ads that your users can see, but you don’t earn anything from it. You need to upgrade to any of their paid plans so users don’t see these ads. You’re also not allowed to sell ads on your site. If your website has high traffic, you can take advantage of WordAds, but you need to share revenue with WordPress.com.
Another disadvantage is that you can’t upload plugins. With the free plan, Jetpack features are already provided. If you get other plans, like Business, you can install from compatible plugin options. Free plans also give you very limited theme collections. You need a paid plan to get custom themes.
In terms of monitoring your stats, free plan users can’t add Google Analytics or any other tracking tool. You need a Business plan to install these platforms. Also, if WordPress.com thinks you’ve violated their terms of service, they can always delete your account.
WordPress.org
Unlike WordPress.com, WordPress.org gives you full control of your website. You can customize as much as you want and need. Also called self-hosted WordPress, WordPress.org is free software; you only need web hosting and a domain name.
Pros
WordPress.org is free and easy to use. You also own your website and all the data. So, as long as you’re not doing something illegal, it can’t be taken down by anyone. You’re also free to add free or paid plugins or apps to your website. Then you can customize it any way you want to.
Unlike WordPress.com, WordPress.org allows you to monetize your website with your own ads without the need to share revenue. You can easily use Google Analytics and other tracking tools as well. WordPress.org also allows you to set up an online store for your products and process credit card transactions.
Cons
Despite WordPress.org’s several benefits, it has its corresponding disadvantages. For instance, you need separate web hosting. You can start with about a $3 to $10 monthly charge. However, this increases once your website brings in more traffic. Also, unlike WordPress.com, you need to manage updates and backups with WordPress.org.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Which One to Choose
By knowing what the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is, you can assess which one works for you and your needs. If you are a personal blogger and making money from your website is not your priority, then use the free WordPress.com service.
If you’re a blogger or a business that aims to gain more revenue from your website, then use WordPress.org software. WordPress.com’s Business plan may offer advanced features, but you can do so much more with WordPress.org at a lower cost.
Use the Right Platform to Achieve Online Success
As you’ve seen, WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org includes pros and cons. Knowing the difference between the two helps you pick the right platform based on your goals and needs. If you want to boost your online presence and generate more revenue, hire trusted professionals from Sayles Industries to handle your WordPress development needs.
