For any new WordPress user who wants to create a website, it is important to know what the difference is between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. It’s always a dilemma about where to build their first website.
I hope you have already realized that both are two different platforms that sound similar; the difference is only the extension. But the actual features make a lot of difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Key Differences Between
If you are in a hurry, then here is a quick comparison between both platforms, so then you can decide which one fits the best for you regardless of our recommendation.
What is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com comes with inbuilt hosting, but you won’t get complete freedom to create a money-flowing website as it has a lot of limitations. You can upgrade for the advanced features, though the prices are way too high compared to hosting your website on a third-party server.
What is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is an open-source CMS, which means the software is free to download and install on your server. Enjoy the flexibility and freedom to create the blog or website you want.
The shared servers start at just $2.95 a month. Get full control.
WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com Comparison On a Glance
Although there is a lot of difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org, let me walk you through some key elements.
| Features | WordPress.com | WordPress.org |
|---|---|---|
| Use a custom domain | Yes | Yes |
| Buy Hosting | No | Yes |
| Install themes and Plugins | No | Yes |
| E-commerce capabilities | No | Yes |
| Edit code and Add Styling | No | Yes |
| E-commerce capabilities | No | Yes |
| SSL Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| Detailed Analytics | No | Yes |
| SEO Freedom | No | Yes |
| Storage space | 3 GB | Unlimited |
| Membership and E-commerce Site | No | Yes |
| Flexibility and full control | No | Yes |
I am sure the above comparison table will give you an idea of both content platforms. As you can see, WordPress.org provides more power and features. Moreover, you cannot avoid the flexibility it offers after creating a website.
This is why I strongly recommend going with WordPress.org. Apart from the hosting support area, it has a huge community around to get help from.
Detailed Walk-through of WordPress.com Vs WordPress.org
Okay, I’m still curious to know more, I understand. It’s always great to have a closer look at what each of the platforms has to offer and what both of them are good enough for. Let’s drill this down and help you choose the best blog platform for you.
WordPress.org
I do not just love this platform; I have millions of users. You want to know that WordPress.org is the largest CMS around the globe, hosting more than 36% of the websites on the web. That is a huge number for an individual product, which is in a hugely competitive industry.
Several platforms can be used to create a website easily, but WordPress.org always stands out because of its flexibility and easy-to-use features. You can create a dynamic website, with website effort, as it has a huge community of developers who offer their themes and plugins for free. And those can be downloaded from the WordPress repository.
Pros of WordPress.org
- The software is Free to download
- Use Themes and Plugins for Free
- Easy to use (even for non-techies)
- Flexibility and let you customize the website, the way you want
Cons of WordPress.org
- You need to pay the hosting provider, where you store all your files.
- You need to take care of manual backups and updates.
- You need to install WordPress, though now most of the hosting providers come with 1 click installs.
Should I use WordPress.org for my blog?
wordPRess.org being an open-source software and a self-hosted platform gives you full control of your site. Unlike other blogging platforms, you build a house on your land.
There are several platforms to make your blog or website for free but FREE things come with several catches. Control, Flexibility, Optimization, and several other aspects. It’s highly recommended to start a blog on WordPress.org if you are serious about your business and make money from it.
WordPress.com
On wordPress.com you can start a blog or website for free, though it has several limitations. But, you can register for free with the subdomain given by them.
Although there are upgrades available too, which will let you customize some aspects of your site, you can not get closer to WordPress.org features.
Pros of WordPress.com
- Free with the basic features
- Make Setup Easy without configuring servers
- Paid upgrades are available
Cons of WordPress.com
- In the Free version of WordPress.com, you have to go with the subdomain i.e yoursite.wordpress.com
- Non-removal of WordPress.com branding on your site
- comes with limited disk space with 3GB only
- No option to monetize your site.
- External sources, themes, and plugins can not be installed (you have to go with default ones)
- No SEO and Analytics Control, in fact quite limited
Should I use WordPress.com for my blog?
Well, this is entirely a personal choice, although I would not recommend it as it will bind the growth of your online empire with a lot of limitations.
FAQ’s on WordPress.com and WordPress.org
I have segregated to common FAQs asked all the time about WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
Is WordPress.com and WordPress.org the same company?
No, there is not the same company. WordPress.com is owned by a company called “Automattic,“ and WordPress.org has its own company started in 2003.
Can I transfer my WordPress.com to wordpress.org?
YES, you can transfer your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org anytime you want. Typically, those who start their blog on the WordPress.com platform sooner realize the limitations of it and eventually move to wordpress.org to get more control and flexibility.
Does BlueHost use WordPress.org or wordpress.com?
You can deploy Bluehost servers to use WordPress.org, a self-hosted platform. BlueHost is the oldest and most popular platform to create your WordPress website.
Can I transfer my WordPress.com to wordpress.org?
YES, you can transfer your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org anytime you want. Typically, those who start their blog on the WordPress.com platform sooner realize the limitations of it and eventually move to wordpress.org to get more control and flexibility.
Does BlueHost use WordPress.org or wordpress.com?
You can deploy Bluehost servers to use WordPress.org, a self-hosted platform. BlueHost is the oldest and most popular platform to create your WordPress website.
Should I use WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is the best Content Management System I have used so far. Not just me, the whole world experiencing it, and the number of users keeps on growing. If you don’t want to waste your time, go for WordPress.org.
Final Words – Which one to Choose
I have tried to walk you through all the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. I am sure you have made up your mind. If you still need an answer for me. I would suggest going with WordPress.org, it makes the work easier and is better in the long run.
Although, there is the possibility to move to any platform from any platform. It is a personal preference, but in honesty, not its just a waste of time.
Get wings for your website with WordPress.org