Someone says WordPress, it can mean two separate things, which is usually pretty tricky. It means WordPress.com, which is a profit blog and website builder. Or, it means WordPress.org, which is the home of the free, open-source wordPress program that you can install on your hosting. So what is the difference, and which one you want for your website? Difference b/w WordPress.com vs WordPress.org. What’s the Difference b/w WordPress.com vs WordPress.org?
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: An Introduction.
I will get into some more distinct differences following on but now start with a comprehensive introduction to the distinctions b/w these two famous blogging programs. WordPress.org is the place of the free, open-source WordPress content administration method. It is also called self-hosted WordPress. So, it is a non-profit thing that thousands of people from around the world contribute.
Anyone can go to WordPress.org, download the WordPress program, and install it on web hosting. Most web hosts also make it simple to install the open-source WordPress program with only a few clicks. WordPress.com is one particular implementation of the open-source WordPress program. It is a for-profit service that performs it simpler for people to build WordPress websites.
Though, it also contains the way that WordPress.com users have to the underlying WordPress program. Instead of requiring to buy your hosting, and then install the WordPress program, register for a WordPress.com account, and you can start building content proper way. Typically, when people discuss WordPress. They are leading to the open-source WordPress program.
It can drive to any difficulty. For example, WordPress.com landing page says that 37 percent of the web built on WordPress. While that is right, many of these sites are using self-hosted WordPress, not WordPress.com. Which one is best from WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Also Read on ITVlogs: WordPress vs Blogger? Which is Best Platform to Start Blogging
Why Do They Use The Same Name? It’s Confusing
To know why there is confusion b/w WordPress.com and WordPress.org. It supports to go back to the start of WordPress. In 2003, Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg originated the first version of the open-source WordPress program. Furthermore, WordPress is a free, open-source program anyone can install and manage it. It was WordPress.org.
In 2005, Matt Mullenweg started a company called Automattic, which is the company after WordPress.com. The related person is a section of both WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.org is the home of the open-source non-profit, while WordPress.com is the home of the for-profit setting that Matt Mullenweg started.
High-Level Differences Between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
At a high level, there is a thoughtful distinction b/w WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com adjusts on unity. It gives you the whole honest way to create a website. But, it reduces some flexibility, which means you will restrict how many power you have over your website.
How much flexibility you sacrifice on which WordPress.com system you are utilising. On the free WordPress.com ideas, you lose nearly all of the adaptability of self-hosted WordPress. On the further valuable WordPress.com Business programs. You get a path to some self-hosted WordPress characteristics. Notwithstanding, you still do not have as many flexibilities as you do with self-hosted WordPress.
Key takeaway: WordPress.com provides you with an amazingly easy practice. But the price is that you drop some of the flexibility that the open-source WordPress program allows. On the Business plan and up, you get back some adaptability.
WordPress.org sets a few more on compliance. It is not as easy as WordPress.com. But, the advantage is that you have much more adaptability than you do with WordPress.com mainly if you are utilising the free versions of WordPress.com. Key Difference of WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
Understanding the WordPress.com Business Plan
In 2018, WordPress.com launched an innovative Business program that makes it some more challenging to match WordPress.com vs WordPress.org. The Business program provides you a many more adaptability than you get with the free WordPress.com systems. The two significant differences b/w the free WordPress.com programs and the Business system are that you can:
Install your thoughts and plugins, precisely like you can with self-hosted WordPress. Furthermore, the WordPress.com Business system is a set of like a simplified version of handled WordPress hosting. Moreover, it provides you with much more flexibility than the free WordPress.com systems.
Practical Differences Between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.com Offers the Simplest Way to Create a Website
In 2020, it is simple for a non-technical person to manage both WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
Yet, WordPress.com is still a tiny easier.
With WordPress.com, the planning process seems like this:
- Register for a WordPress.com account
- Begin creating your website.
With WordPress.org, there is an additional track:
- Buy web hosting
- Use your host one-click installer to install the WordPress program
WordPress themes and plugins are a huge part of what gives WordPress so adaptable:
Themes:- Let you modify how your website seems.
Plugins:- You add new functionality to your website. Plugins can be tiny variations, like joining a contact form, to significant differences, like turning your site into a working eCommerce shop.
If you are achieving a free WordPress.com account, yet cannot install your themes and plugins at WordPress.com. So, themes and plugins are a large part of what performs WordPress so flexible.
Self-Hosted WordPress Is Usually Cheaper for Serious Websites
WordPress.com is the most affordable way to get excited. If you are ok with doing a WordPress.com sub-domain, you can build a blog 100% for free. Moreover, there are some restrictions in that you cannot use your domain name. Your blog will have WordPress.com ads.
So, if you are starting a firm blog, a business website, or any other website where you prepare to get money in any way, self-hosted WordPress will reasonably be more affordable.
Manage a self-hosted WordPress site; the minimum prices are around:
- $50/ year of hosting
- $10/year of your domain name
So $60 for a whole year, self-hosted WordPress install where you can install all the plugins and themes you need. To get that same flexibility with WordPress, you would pay at least $300/year for only an individual site.
WordPress.com Does NOT Give You Server Access Unless You Upgrade
If you are a professional user, it’s necessary to know that WordPress.com does not give you any server way except you pay for the Business system or higher. On the Business system and higher, you will be able to connect to your site via SFTP. So, even on the Business system, you still do not get a complete path. For example, you cannot build your databases or edit server contour settings.
Should You Use WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
Maximum people should use WordPress.org, AKA self-hosted WordPress because:
- You have the most versatility, including the capability to install themes and plugins right away and obtain your server.
- You can run many WordPress sites for as small as $60/per year, whereas WordPress.com will get $300 for a single point if you need to be able to install your themes and plugins.
- You can monetize your site yet you require. You do not have to worry about understanding WordPress.com’s rules.
- However, enough for non-technical users to work with most web hosts give you one-click installers that you get up and working with self-hosted WordPress in only a few moments.
Various websites, these benefits are worth a little boost in complexity. So, there are a few differences where WordPress.com make a better decision: As long as you have zero ideas to turn your blog into a business, WordPress.com can be a big decision.
- You are ready to pay for the WordPress.com Business plan and need the full sincere, most hands-off access to create a WordPress site.
- You will pay a reward over self-hosted WordPress, but WordPress.com will check all the pay for you.
Overall, I would suggest that most people prefer self-hosted WordPress like WordPress.org. So, to get excited with self-hosted WordPress on my recommended host. You can understand my guide about how to install WordPress on Bluehost. However, Any questions about WordPress.com vs WordPress.org? Friendly ask in the comments section.