What’s the Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

WordPress.com:

1. Hosted Service: WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform. This means that your website is hosted on WordPress.com’s servers, and you don’t need to worry about server management, updates, or technical aspects of hosting.
2. Ease of Use: It’s designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible for beginners. You can sign up for an account and start building your website without much technical knowledge.
3. Limited Customization: WordPress.com offers a range of templates and themes, but customization options are limited compared to WordPress.org. You can’t install custom themes or plugins, and your ability to modify the site’s code is restricted unless you opt for a paid plan.
4. Maintenance and Updates: WordPress.com takes care of updates, backups, and security, which can be a relief for those who don’t want to handle these tasks themselves.
5. Pricing: There is a free plan available, but it comes with limitations. To access more features and customization options, you’ll need to subscribe to one of the paid plans, which can become expensive depending on your needs.

WordPress.org:

1. Self-Hosted: WordPress.org is an open-source content management system (CMS) that you download and install on your own web hosting server. You have full control over your website, including hosting, domain name, and customization.
2. Full Customization: You can use custom themes and plugins, modify the code, and create a website that suits your specific needs. This flexibility allows for unlimited customization.
3. Responsibility: You are responsible for hosting, security, backups, and updates. While this gives you more control, it also means you need some technical knowledge or access to technical support.
4. Cost: The WordPress software itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for web hosting, a domain name, and potentially premium themes and plugins. Costs can vary depending on your choices and requirements.
5. Ownership: You own all the content and data on your self-hosted WordPress site. With WordPress.com, there are restrictions on certain types of content and how you can use your site, especially on the free plan.

In summary, the main difference is that WordPress.com is a hosted platform with limited customization options, while WordPress.org is a self-hosted solution offering full control and flexibility but requiring more technical expertise and responsibility. Your choice between the two depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical proficiency.