Quick answer: WordPress.org is the free, open-source WordPress software that you install on hosting you choose and control. WordPress.com is a hosted service run by Automattic that runs the same software for you, with plans from free to $45/month billed yearly in 2026. Choose WordPress.org if you want full control over hosting, code, and costs. Choose WordPress.com if you want WordPress without managing hosting, updates, or security.
The names cause more confusion than anything else in WordPress. Both are “WordPress,” both use the same editor, and most guides online (including mine) mean the self-hosted version when they say WordPress. This guide explains what actually differs, what each costs, and which one fits your site. WordPress.com prices were checked against wordpress.com/pricing in October 2026.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org at a Glance
| WordPress.org (self-hosted) | WordPress.com (hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Free software you install on your own hosting | A hosting service that runs WordPress for you |
| Run by | Open-source community; you host it | Automattic |
| Price | Software is free; hosting and domain are extra | Free plan; paid plans $4 to $45/month billed yearly |
| Plugins | Any plugin | Any plugin on paid plans; none on Free |
| Hosting choice | Any host you want | WordPress.com only |
| Server access | Full (files, database, server settings) | SFTP, SSH and WP-CLI on Business and above |
| Maintenance | You or a developer | Handled by WordPress.com |
| Ads on your site | Only ads you add | WordPress.com ads on the Free plan |
What Is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is where you download the WordPress software. It’s free and open source. You install it on a hosting account (many hosts do this with one click), connect your domain, and you own everything: the files, the database, and the content.
That ownership is the whole point. You can install any plugin or theme, edit any code, move to another host whenever you want, and run as many sites as your hosting allows. The trade-off is that updates, backups, security, and speed are your job, or your developer’s.
What Is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a commercial hosting service run by Automattic. It installs and runs WordPress for you, so you sign up, pick a plan, and start building. Updates, security, backups, and hosting are handled on their side.
WordPress.com used to block plugins on most plans, which is why older guides say it’s limited. That has changed: every paid plan now lets you install plugins from the marketplace or upload your own. The Free plan still has no plugins, shows WordPress.com ads to your visitors, and uses a yoursite.wordpress.com address.
How Much Does WordPress.com Cost?
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 GB |
| Personal | $4/month | $9/month | 6 GB |
| Premium | $8/month | $18/month | 13 GB |
| Business | $25/month | $40/month | 50 GB |
| Commerce | $45/month | $70/month | 50 GB |
All paid plans remove the WordPress.com ads, include plugin installation, and support a custom domain. Business adds developer access (SFTP, SSH, WP-CLI, and GitHub deployments). Commerce adds store features. Enterprise is custom-priced. Two- and three-year billing lowers the monthly price further.
How Much Does WordPress.org Cost?
The software is free. What you pay for is everything around it:
- Hosting: from a few dollars a month for basic shared hosting, about $10 to $30 a month for good hosting for a business site.
- Domain: roughly $10 to $20 a year.
- Premium theme or page builder: optional, about $50 to $200 a year.
- Premium plugins: optional, often $100 to $500 a year for a business stack.
A simple self-hosted blog can cost less than WordPress.com Personal. A business site on good hosting usually lands near WordPress.com Business in price, with more control and the freedom to change hosts.
Which Is Better for SEO and Speed?
On paid plans, both can rank equally well. You can install SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast on either, and the content, structure, and links matter far more than where WordPress runs. The Free WordPress.com plan is the exception: a subdomain and someone else’s ads are a weak start for a business.
Speed is more predictable on WordPress.com because the hosting is managed and tuned. On WordPress.org, speed depends on the host and your setup: cheap hosting can be slow, and good hosting with proper caching can be very fast. My guides on the best caching plugins and fixing a slow WordPress site cover the self-hosted side.
Can You Move From WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Yes, and it’s easier than moving from other builders because both run the same software. WordPress.com lets you export your content (posts, pages, comments, and media references) as a file that any self-hosted WordPress site can import with the built-in importer. Your theme settings and plugin settings usually need to be set up again.
If you’re using a custom domain, keep it and point it at your new host. Your URLs can then stay the same, so you keep your search rankings. If you were on a wordpress.com subdomain, set up redirects so old links still work.
When to Choose WordPress.com
- You want WordPress but not hosting, updates, or security work
- You’re starting a blog or simple business site and want one predictable bill
- You don’t have a developer and don’t plan to edit code
When to Choose WordPress.org
- You want full control of hosting, server settings, and code
- You’re building a store, membership site, or custom project
- You want to choose your own host and move whenever you like
- You have, or can hire, someone to maintain it
Still deciding whether WordPress is right at all? See my comparisons with Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is the free WordPress software you install on hosting you choose. WordPress.com is a hosted service run by Automattic that runs WordPress for you. Same software, different setup: .org gives full control, .com handles hosting and maintenance for you.
Is WordPress.org free?
Yes, the software is free and open source. You pay for hosting and a domain, plus any premium themes or plugins you choose. A simple site can cost under $100 a year, while a business site on good hosting costs more.
Can you install plugins on WordPress.com?
Yes, on any paid plan. In 2026 every paid WordPress.com plan, starting with Personal, lets you install plugins from the marketplace or upload your own. The Free plan does not allow plugins.
Which is better for SEO, WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
On paid plans they are about equal, since both can run SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast. The Free WordPress.com plan is weaker for SEO because it uses a wordpress.com subdomain and shows WordPress.com ads.
Can I move my site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Yes. Export your content from WordPress.com and import it into a self-hosted WordPress site with the built-in importer. Keep your custom domain and point it to the new host so your URLs and rankings stay the same.
Wrapping Up
Both run the same WordPress. WordPress.com rents it to you with hosting and maintenance included. WordPress.org gives you the software and full control, and you bring the hosting and upkeep. If you want simplicity, start on WordPress.com. If you want control, flexibility, or a serious store, go self-hosted.
If you need a self-hosted WordPress site built, moved from WordPress.com, or sped up, that’s the work I do. Get in touch and tell me about your site.
Shahbaz Ali is a senior WordPress developer with 6+ years of agency experience, specializing in WordPress development, speed optimization, and emergency fixes.