learn.wordpress.org/workshop/what-is-the-difference-between-wordpress-org-and-com
The difference between WordPress .Com and .Org explained.
Which one is this subreddit for?
Tbh I find the names needlessly confusing. Why didn't they use a slightly amended name for one such as "pro" etc?
This subreddit is for WordPress, the software. No matter where you host it (WordPress.com, GoDaddy, Kinsta, Liquid Web ...).
The Business plan on WordPress.com is just like any other web host. It gives you a place to host a WordPress site.
The FREE version of WordPress.com is a more limited in terms of plugins and custom themes... but then again, it's free. So you don't pay for it. So it sort of makes sense that it's limited.
I used to have a free WordPress.com site like something.wordpress.com , which is not good enough for a business or if you want an actual domain. Now I host it myself.
what does "host it myself mean"? that you do it through a hosting site like bluehost etc?
asking the real questions
Do both have free hosts without paying?
"With WordPress.org, you host your own site"
There are loads of hosting options for wordpress.org that are really cheap, like bluehost or hostgator, they set up wordpress for you, so it's pretty simple.
Wordpress.org does not offfer free hosting
There are free hosting services that use WordPress .org
Hey, sorry to ask on an old thread, but what does this mean? You can get free hosting through Awardspace and the other one?
Yes
Cool, did not know that. Do you know what any of them are called?
Awardspace is one. There is also cloudaccess.net
It seems like there's a lot of people in fact a surprisingly large number of people who just do not understand the differences and even with some explanations still don't get it because obviously there's hosting and everything else that has to be taken into consideration.
Do you think it's worth doing some videos on this topic or even offering to do some videos for people who post requests in their subreddit and that maybe text-based answers or suggestions given on this subreddit are not enough to fully help people?
I can't monetize my videos because I'm not a YouTuber lol, but I'd be happy to post stuff that people would find useful.
You think people would find that kind of thing useful?
If people are asking, it's useful, and you should monetize it if you're putting in the work. Get some ad revenue, most people searching would be happy to support someone helping them out like that.
It seems like there's a lot of people in fact a surprisingly large number of people who just do not understand the differences
Honestly it's set up in a way that seems needlessly vague. Just use "premium" "pro" or similar buzzwords.
Always wondered. Now you said it, it sounds obvious. Thank you
WordPress.com is a service that helps you build a website using the WordPress software, while WordPress.org is the software itself, which you can use to build and maintain a website on your own
Your explanation is the best imo. The rest are over-complicating it.
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1.9y
This only applies to the free and starter Plans on WordPress.com. For the Pro Plan, you are able to install both plugins and custom themes:
Doesn't look like that's true anymore. You can only install custom themes with a Business Plan, apparently?
You're right. When I answered this question, the Pro Plan was a newly released Plan. However, since then, WordPress.com has returned to its old Plan structure, so the Business Plan is indeed the Plan you now need to install custom themes and plugins.
WordPress
-> Hosting by WordPress
-> There is no coding knowledge that requires
->Limited your SEO options and where you can upload plugins designed will be monitored by the SEO
->There is no backup needed because wordpress.com makes regular backups
->Extremely safe, WordPress serves continuously monitored the updates
WordPress.org
->Self hosting by you
->It requires some coding knowledge
->No SEO limitations
->Responsible for making own backup
->You are responsible to take plugins updates
I fucked up and bought the. Com version. Am I completely screwed with seo now
this person doesn't know what they're talking about. SEO on .com is just like .org
The difference being that you can't install an SEO plugin for more advanced stuff.
yes you can :)
All the same plug-ins are available on wordpress.com but you need a paid account.
WordPress.com is a service that helps you build a website using the WordPress software, while WordPress.org is the software itself, which you can use to build and maintain a website on your own.
The .com VS .org thing trips up newbies frequently :(
It definitely does. I believe the dotcom support doc does a good job of deliniating the two:
WordPress .Com is a Web 2.0 website. it has provided free hosting and added a prefix to your domain name. WordPress .Org is open source software you can use to create a beautiful website, blog, or app. Beautiful designs, powerful features.
I have experience of 4 years in designing and developing WordPress Websites.
Important note that newbies may not be aware of.
If you ever want to leave and migrate your site from Wordpress.com you need your FTP (File Transfer Protocol) credentials.
Unlike almost every other hosting service Wordpress.com DON'T automatically give these to you if you start with a basic or lower level plan.
You can only get them by paying hundreds of dollars and upgrading to PRO and if, like me, you aren't a new customer then there's no refund period. Extortionate.
If your export method requires FTP, then WordPress.com is going to be a bit of a hassle unless you are on a plan that allows it (Business/eCommerce). But if you just want to export so you can host elsewhere, these instructions will help:
You can only get them by paying hundreds of dollars and upgrading to PRO and if, like me, you aren't a new customer then there's no refund period. Extortionate.
I've refunded before in the past, and I am an existing customer. You would normally have 14 days to cancel for a full refund according to this: https://wordpress.com/support/refunds/
Great presentation ! Thanks
This was great
Oh god I went for wordpress.com and paid for the yearly subscription and then realized that it's wordpress.org that I want. I want to keep my domain though. Does anyone know what I should do?
You can take your domain with you. You can even export what you've already built and import it into your .org environment. You'll be ok and you'll learn how to move a WordPress site!
WordPress.com has great support. Contact them right away and try to get a refund.
You can keep your domain with the registrar you purchased it from and point ithe nameservers to your new host. It's easy to do.
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1.8y
I have been using Wordpress. How can I tell if I'm using the .com or .org?
Have you purchased hosting anywhere (Bluehost, GoDaddy, Knownhost, etc)? To access your site, do you log into a URL that looks like this yourgroovysite.com/wplogin.php? Then you are using the open-source WordPress software from WordPress.org.
Do you log into WordPress.com to access your site? Does it say something like "A WordPress.com website" down in the footer of your site? Is your URL something like yourgroovysite.wordpress.com? Have you purchased ahosting plan from WordPress.com? If any of these things are true, then you have a site with WordPress.com.
Thank you for the clarification. definitely wordpress.org. I would think that a serious website wouldn't be using a subdomain on wordpress.com.
To be clear, only the free plan websites on WordPress.com generally have the _____wordpress.com URLs. All the paid plans offer the ability to use a custom domain:
The key difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is who’s actually hosting your website.
With WordPress.org, you host your own site (we recommend this). You’ll purchase your own web hosting service and install the WordPress software on that hosting.
WordPress.com, on the other hand, it’s WordPress.com that takes care of all of this for you (easier to start, less freedom). You just register for an account, and you can start building. And that’s a major difference.
I've always believed that they should never be compared. But to a newbie, I can understand the need to know. wordpress.org is WordPress software. It's where you go to get a copy and then host it on your own server, whereas wordpress.com is just the founders' self-hosted customized version for money-making purposes. It's essentially a hosting provider. Like Hostgator.com or DomainRooster.us . Why, well some would argue that wordpress.com is a purely blogging platform, but I would agree since they introduced the use of plugins, etc they are now competing with all other web hosts.
Let me rename them so it’s self explanatory: Wordpress Community Edition (dot org) versus Wordpress Cloud Edition (dot com)
Wordpress.com is like renting a fully furnished apartment. You get everything you need to live comfortably without worrying about maintenance or repairs. It's great if you want something simple and hassle-free, but your options for personalizing the space are somewhat limited.
On the other hand, WordPress.org is like owning a house. You have the freedom to customize and renovate however you like, but you're also responsible for things like maintenance, security, and paying the bills (hosting fees). It offers more flexibility and control, but it requires a bit more effort on your part to manage everything.
WordPress.com: Easy, good for beginners, limited control.
WordPress.org: Powerful, flexible, requires technical knowledge.
Imagine WordPress.com and WordPress.org as two siblings in the vast family of website creation.
WordPress.com is like the carefree younger sibling who lives in a managed environment. It's like having your website in a protective bubble – they handle the hosting, security, and updates, leaving you with less to worry about. It's like moving back in with your parents; everything's taken care of, but you may not have complete control over the house rules.
On the other hand, WordPress.org is the adventurous older sibling who wants to explore the world on their terms. With this version, you get to choose your own hosting, install any theme or plugin you want, and have the freedom to tinker with the code. It's like moving into your own apartment – more responsibilities, but also more freedom to personalize and control your space.
So, WordPress.com is like staying with your parents, while WordPress.org is like moving out and having your own place. Both have their perks, but it ultimately depends on how much independence you're looking for in your web development journey!
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WordPress.com is a hosted platform where you can create and manage your website without worrying about hosting or technical details. WordPress.org offers the WordPress software for self-hosted websites, giving you more control over customization and access to a wider range of plugins and themes.
WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two platforms that offer different approaches to using WordPress, a popular content management system known for its flexibility in creating websites and blogs.
.COM is fully hosted service provider where you need to pay for each wordpress installation but at ORG you can host WordPress on your hosting platform without any charges as much as you want.
Wordpress.com is a hosted platform where you can create and manage your website without worrying about hosting, updates, or backups. It's user-friendly and suitable for beginners, offering various pricing plans with different features.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, provides the open-source software for self-hosted websites. You have full control over your site, including customization, plugins, and themes. However, you're responsible for finding hosting, performing updates, and backups. It's more flexible and scalable but requires technical knowledge.
In summary, WordPress.com is like renting a fully managed apartment, while WordPress.org is like owning a house where you're responsible for maintenance.
I’m using.org only because .com was taken. Is that why Word Press ignores my website issues?
WordPress.org is good
Because! It's free services provider . And as a biggner we can experiment through free services
Good presentation. 👍👍
Great post
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2.1y
Please be aware that Wordpress.com has changed very recently, and this article is from 2019. There are now only two hosting plans, a $5/month basics and a $15/month pro which has a lot of capability. The "free" site hosting is if you are ok with a ".wordpress.com" URL, like myname.wordpress.com instead of myname.com.
Now i konw.
wordpress.com provides the service of the whole WordPress.
And wordpress.org is the organization of WordPress where you can learn everything about WordPress, like Development, Customization, Plugins Etc.
Here's a great explanation of the difference between WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com
https://www.a2hosting.com/blog/wordpress-org-vs-wordpress-com/
So, if I have an own domain and am paying for a webhosting I can build my website on wordpress.org without any other charges? (except maybe plugins)
Thank you for sharing this great overview of the differences between .org and .com
thanks lol. tbh always thought they were the same
Here is a dedicated microsite that outlines the differences side by side -> https://wpisnotwp.com
There are a bunch of articles and videos out there to explain the difference but if you want to cut through them and need a simple explanation, you can go through a blog I've written regarding this topic in a non-jargon way - https://www.codecaste.com/blog/wordpress-com-vs-wordpress-org/
The only thing I would change is that your affiliate marketing section is a little inaccurate for WordPress.com :
https://wordpress.com/support/monetize-your-site/#affiliate-linking
Now, depending on how people DO their affiliate stuff, it may not work out. For example, if someone uses an affiliate plugin then yeah, they'd need the WordPress.com Business plan. And then they'd want to consider if the Business plan was a better fit than just setting their site up on a budget host somewhere.
I wish I knew this when I started. I paid for their hosting and the plan where I could add plug ins and now feel kind of stuck.
Does anyone know how to delete a Wordpress.org website? I deleted my Bluehost account and I guess I thought the Wordpress website would get taken down but it’s still there - and it won’t let me in to change anything (refuses my temporary password even if I ask to reset my password). Also I can’t seem to find any support except for forums.
Man do I hate moving sites from WordPress.com to WordPress.org ... what a pain it is, every single time. I don't know why, but I always have so much trouble with that kind of migration
Thanks for this. I created a WordPress account today launching it with MySQL database and the apache2 server.
Hii
I have no coding experience whatsoever. I need a website for my company (not a complex one - it is a bespoke travel agent without any transaction done on the website) and want to build it by myself to save on cost. Is it doable to do it on wordpress.org without coding knowledge (I am ok to spend 2/3 hours watching tutorials)?
hi I have a group about web design . I will share with you my experience and how start a successful business on the internet . welcome
good thing to pin
Why is making a blog so mf complicated? Lmao
WordPress.com is a blog hosting service that is run by Automattic, which is a technology company that specializes in WordPress development. It is a fully hosted platform, which means that WordPress.com will take care of hosting your website and managing the server for you. WordPress.com is free to use, but you will need to pay for additional features like custom domain names, additional storage, and advanced customization options.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, is a self-hosted platform that you can download and install on your own server. WordPress.org is open source software, which means that it is free to use and can be customized to meet your needs. It is a more advanced platform that allows for greater customization and flexibility. With WordPress.org, you have complete control over your website, including the ability to install custom themes and plugins.
The major difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is that the former is a hosted platform while the latter is a self-hosted platform. With WordPress.com, you don’t have to worry about managing your website’s servers or updates, whereas with WordPress.org, you are responsible for managing your own server and keeping your website up-to-date.
If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use platform, then WordPress.com may be better suited for you. However, if you are looking for greater flexibility and control over your website, then WordPress.org may be the better choice.
WordPress.com is a hosted platform wherein customers can create a internet site or weblog without spending a dime or buy numerous plans that provide extra functions consisting of custom domain names and superior layout options. WordPress.org, on the opposite hand, is a self-hosted platform that calls for customers to down load and deployation the WordPress software program on their very own net web website hosting server. WordPress.org affords extra flexibility and manipulate over the internet site`s customization and functionality, however additionally calls for extra technical expertise and obligation for preservation and security.
this explains my confusion as to why why you are all discussing code
Can't deny.. it did confused me initially. The article above makes things pretty clear.
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1.0y
Can you move your site from word press.com to Wordpress.org
Yes. If you are on a plan that allows plugins, you would just install something like the all-in-one migration plugin and export that way. If you are on one of the plans that does not use plugins, you would follow these instructions:
https://wordpress.com/support/export/#export-content-to-another-word-press-site
I’m paying someone to build a fairly simple website for me but they are wanting to use .org instead of .com. I already purchased a domain through godaddy, is .org recommended? The main thing I need to be able to do is work with the SEO and be able to upload content on my own eventually. I’m not savvy with building websites.
WordPress (meaning the software from WordPress.org) is not particularly difficult to learn, many many of us have done it. You just need a domain name and a hosting package. Most hosts these days have one-click WordPress installs. There are a million videos and websites out there to teach you. But it does take some amount of time and effort to gain the knowledge that you need to run and maintain a WordPress site. Do you value that knowledge? Or would you rather just work on your business/content?
I'm a big fan of what's called "managed" WordPress hosting. This is what companies such as Pressable.com, WPengine, Kinsta, WordPress.com's Business plan, etc are. There is a strong argument for going with managed WordPress hosting for a beginner. Yes, it costs slightly more than standard hosting through Hostinger/Knownhost/etc. But it gives you a host who handles backups, security, maintenance, updates, etc. And perhaps more importantly, will have a WordPress specific support team that can help you figure out stuff like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, etc. when you are just trying to get going.
You can always move to different hosting down the road as your WordPress skills improve and/or your site plans change. But if you aren't paying someone to manage your site or do the maintenance/security/backup tasks, and you don't know how to do them yourself, you should probably consider using a managed host.
To me, it's well worth paying a couple hundred dollars more at the start for managed WordPress hosting to have things get rolling smoothly if you don't really know how to build a site. There's already so much work creating content or building a store that I don't understand why people make it any harder than they have to if they can possibly afford to avoid that frustration. Our time has value.
But again, it is going to depend on your budget, your available time, and how much you value the knowledge of knowing how to run and maintain a WordPress site. As I said originally, many of us have learned how to do it, you can too.
I have a basic understanding of how to use WordPress, and I do understand the difference between .com and .org but I'm confused how to tell which one I have... So for some background, my company has a WordPress site that allows plugins and we have our own domain, I kind of muddle around with keeping the site up to date and looking good (it's pretty user-friendly and I find lots of tutorials to help me) but I'm definitely no pro. We just acquired a new company and I now have to add a popup to their website informing visitors about the acquisition etc. but when I try to install a popup plugin there is no plugin option on the menu or dashboard. I did some research and I assumed this must be a free account with .com but it does have it's own domain, there are no free ads on it... Beyond using my powers of deduction, how can I tell what sort of plan they're on? How can I tell who they use for hosting? The obvious answer is to ask people at the company we acquired but there is a small amount of hostility at the moment so I'm hoping you fine folks can advise me :)
can I use woo commerce on wordpress org to create a digital product store with a subscription?
Hello guys.
When I decided to try a blog in April I totally messed up because I went to BlueHost then Wordpress.com instead of org.
Things are going well so I guess it’s okay but in the beginning it was so confusing.
Certainly! WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two different platforms that are both associated with WordPress, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org:
WordPress.com:
Hosting and Simplicity: WordPress.com is a hosted platform, which means your website is hosted on WordPress servers. This makes it easy to set up and manage, particularly for beginners who want a hassle-free experience.
Domain and Subdomain: With WordPress.com, you can choose a subdomain for free (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com), or you can purchase a custom domain (e.g., yoursite.com).
Limited Customization: While WordPress.com provides a range of themes and customization options, there are limitations compared to self-hosted WordPress. You can't upload custom themes or plugins unless you're on a paid plan.
Monetization Restrictions: On the free plan, WordPress.com displays ads on your site. To remove these ads and monetize your site through ads or affiliate marketing, you'll need a paid plan.
Storage Limits: Free and lower-tier plans have storage limitations for images and files. Higher-tier plans offer more storage space.
Automatic Updates and Maintenance: WordPress.com handles updates and maintenance for you, reducing the need for manual management.
E-commerce: E-commerce features are available on higher-tier plans, but they are limited compared to what you can achieve with self-hosted WordPress.
WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress):
Hosting Flexibility: With WordPress.org, you need to find your own web hosting provider and install the WordPress software. This offers more control and flexibility over your hosting environment.
Custom Domain: You can use any custom domain you purchase, giving you full control over your website's branding.
Complete Customization: Self-hosted WordPress allows complete theme and plugin customization. You can install third-party themes and plugins to extend functionality and design.
Monetization Freedom: You have full control over how you monetize your site, without restrictions on ads, affiliate marketing, or other revenue streams.
Storage and Resources: Your storage and resources depend on your chosen hosting provider, allowing you to scale resources as needed.
Manual Updates and Maintenance: With self-hosted WordPress, you're responsible for updates and maintenance. This gives you more control but requires more technical knowledge.
E-commerce and Extensions: You can build comprehensive e-commerce websites using plugins like WooCommerce, with no limitations.
In essence, WordPress.com is a simpler and more user-friendly option for those who want a quick website setup without much technical involvement. On the other hand, WordPress.org (self-hosted WordPress) offers more control, customization, and flexibility, making it suitable for those who want to build a highly tailored and feature-rich website. Your choice between the two depends on your specific needs, technical skills, and long-term goals.
An easy way I think about this is .org is free and .com means biz. Biz cost money, come to think of it everything costs money, but that for another day.
WordPress.com is a hosting platform that provides you with a turnkey solution, while WordPress.org is a self-hosted solution (you take care of it yourself).
is a free Wordpress blog worth it? lol dont have nearly enough to buy a custom domain rn.
Helo
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What if I use a hosting and editor like Elements?
Is siteground a host for .org or .com
WordPress.com is a hosted solution (easier for beginners), while WordPress.org requires self-hosting and offers more customization. If you want ease of use, go for .com; if you need full control, choose .org.
WordPress.com is a hosted platform where you can create a website easily, but with limited customization. WordPress.org provides the open-source software for self-hosted websites, offering full control and flexibility but requiring separate hosting
.com is individual and .org is for official organisation only
WordPress.com and WordPress.org are two different platforms, each offering its own set of features and functionalities for creating websites.
.com refers to company; org refers organization
I think confusion also stems from there being a “choice.”
The choice is who do you want to host your WordPress site? As well as some other things
I have a question about Admin Interface Style. Recently I was curious about ways to edit view of outdated Wordpress admin dashboard and stumbled upon an article on Wordpress.com site about changing between Default and Classic styles. Does anyone know if this could be implemented in Wordpress CMS? I've found only one article from Wordpress.org about redesigning the UI, but it was from some time ago and there is no new information about it.
Simply WordPress org is open source and free repository for WP plugins and themes and more. on the other hand wordpress dot com is the venture of Automattic. It is privately handled company for Hosting and WordPress related services.
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The key difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is who's actually hosting your website. With WordPress.org, you host your own site (we recommend this). With WordPress.com, on the other hand, it's WordPress.com that takes care of all of this for you (easier to start, less freedom)