WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: Which one should you choose?
You’ve decided to build a website with WordPress – great choice!
More than 43% of all websites worldwide run on it.
But the moment you google “WordPress”, you hit the classic beginner trap:
There are two completely different WordPresses that look almost identical at first glance.
WordPress.org - the free, open-source software you host yourself (the one the pros use)
WordPress.com - a hosted platform owned by Automattic (the company behind WordPress)
One gives you total freedom for pocket money.
The other is easier but can become surprisingly expensive once you want “real” features.
Here’s the no-nonsense, fully updated 2025 comparison – so you can pick the right one in under 5 minutes.
WordPress.org (Self-hosted)
- Cost: Free software + hosting cost €60 and more per year
- Domain: yourdomainname.com from day one
- Ownership: 100% yours
- Control: Full control over design, features, monetization
- Plugins: 60,000+ free & paid – install anything
- Themes: Any theme (free or premium)
- Monetization: No rules, no commission
- E-commerce: WooCommerce, no extra fees
- Backups & updates: You, developer or your host can handle it
- Best for: Blogs, shops, portfolios, memberships, serious projects
WordPress.com (Hosted)
- Cost: Free plan with limited functionality, €60 and more per year for personal use, premium plans up to €540/year
- Domain: Custom domain only on paid plans
- Ownership: Platform owned by Automattic; you own content
- Control: Only on Business plan (€25/mo) and higher
- Plugins: Only on Business plan (€25/mo) and higher
- Themes: Very limited on lower plans
- Monetization: Restrictions on lower plans
- E-commerce: Only on Commerce plan + transaction fees on cheaper plans
- Backups & updates: Fully automatic
- Best for: Hobby blogs, testing ideas, zero technical effort
So which one should you pick
Choose WordPress.org if you…
- Plan to make money with the site
- Need specific features (memberships, courses, advanced SEO, booking systems…)
- Want an online shop without paying extra commission
- Care about speed, branding, and owning everything
- Building something you might sell or scale later
Choose WordPress.com if you…
- Want your blog online in literally 3 minutes
- Are fine with “yoursite.wordpress.com” or willing to pay €48/year for a custom domain
- Never want to think about updates, backups, or security
My recommendation
Web hosting is getting cheaper and easier to use every year that makes WordPress.org the clear winner for 95% of people once they understand the difference – you get unlimited power for the price of a pizza per month.
Only go with WordPress.com if you truly want the “zero-setup” experience and are happy staying inside their walls forever.
Got a specific project in mind (portfolio, blog, shop, local business…)? Feel free to contact me. I’m here to ensure your WordPress site remains secure, fast, and reliable - so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business. 🚀
