WordPress is without doubt one of the finest website-building instruments out there, however it may be tough to determine use it in your functions finest. One of the complicated elements of utilizing this instrument is deciding between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com. ![Sign up for HubSpot Academy's WordPress Course [Free Online Course]](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/58ef551d-bbc6-4612-b809-3121db467ebc.png)
On this publish, we’ll reply the query, “What’s the distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?” By this examination of the variations between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com, you’ll acquire precious perception into which is healthier for crafting your web site.
What’s the distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
The first distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is concerning your web site’s internet hosting. WordPress.org doesn’t supply internet hosting, so if you happen to construct your web site with the know-how, you’ll need to supply your internet hosting supplier elsewhere. Quite the opposite, WordPress.com affords each internet hosting and a platform on which you’ll assemble your web site.
As a result of WordPress.org vs WordPress.com have loads of overlap, deciphering the variations may be tough. Right here’s a complete breakdown of what differentiates WordPress.org from WordPress.com.
| Characteristic | WordPress.org | WordPress.com |
| Value | Free. | Free, Private ($9/month or $4/month if paid yearly), Premium ($18/month or $8/month if paid yearly), Enterprise ($40/month or $25/month if paid yearly), and Commerce ($70/month or $45/month if paid yearly). There’s additionally enterprise out there, which begins at $25,000 a yr. |
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Internet hosting Supplier and Further Options |
Must buy internet hosting supplier, create a customized area identify, buy plugins, themes, and all different add-ons. Should handle your total web site, code, and safety. | WordPress affords a internet hosting service, area identify, safety, and backups. You may improve your account and create a customized area identify and select a third-party internet hosting supplier as nicely. |
| Customization | Should buy and set up your personal themes to customise your web site. | Customise your web site with any WordPress-compatible theme of your selection. When you improve your account, you too can use premium themes, third-party themes, or customized themes. |
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Integration with Social Networks |
Should set up plugins to allow all social media sharing in your web site. | Your web site can combine with social media networks. When you improve your account, sharing performance with social media accounts is included. |
| Plugins | Discover and set up plugins to boost your web site’s performance. | Options reminiscent of sharing, stats, feedback, and polls are included. You can even add plugins to your web site for different options. |
| Help | WordPress.org help boards. | WordPress.com help boards and private help can be found. With an upgraded account, you’ve entry to stay chat and e-mail help. |
| Hyperlink to Obtain | Get began right here. | Get began right here. |
Let’s dive into these options and evaluate the variations between WordPress.org and WordPress.com in additional depth.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: Value
One other consideration when deciding between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com is price. A very powerful factor to recollect is that WordPress can give you the results you want no matter your finances.
Value of WordPress.org
WordPress.org is all the time free. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s solely a publishing platform, you’ll need to buy each different ingredient of your web site, together with your third-party internet hosting supplier, area identify, in addition to your themes and templates, plugins, and add-ons.
You’ll additionally need to discover a method to handle your web site’s safety and keep and edit your web site’s code. As you might need guessed, this will shortly add up. When you’re interested in how a lot a WordPress web site prices, take a look at our complete information.
Value of WordPress.com
WordPress.com has 4 totally different plans that vary in value.
WordPress.com affords a number of plans that adjust in value: Private ($9/month or $4/month if paid yearly), Premium ($18/month or $8/month if paid yearly), Enterprise ($40/month or $25/month if paid yearly), and Commerce ($70/month or $45/month if paid yearly). There’s additionally enterprise out there, which begins at $25,000 a yr.
As you’re employed your means up by means of the dearer plans, the extra options and customization you possibly can reap the benefits of in your web site.
When you select the free choice, you can be provided WordPress internet hosting, a site identify, and minimal entry to WordPress help. When you select one of many paid choices, you possibly can add a internet hosting supplier and a customized area identify. Additionally, you will be provided intensive help and customization choices.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Internet hosting Suppliers
A internet hosting supplier is essential as a result of it provides your web site a spot to “stay” on-line. By selecting one of the best internet hosting supplier in your WordPress web site, you possibly can increase your web site’s performance, pace, reliability, safety — the record goes on and on.
Internet hosting for WordPress.org
As we talked about, if you happen to determine to work with WordPress.org, it’s essential to safe your personal internet hosting. While you self-host, you’ll buy internet hosting companies from a third-party supplier (Suppose: WP Engine, Kinsta, or InMotion Internet hosting). As a result of there are such a lot of internet hosting suppliers out there, it may be difficult to select the “proper” one in your web site. That’s why we’ve created this useful information to assist.
Internet hosting for WordPress.com
When you’re utilizing WordPress.com, you won’t have to safe internet hosting individually. As a result of WordPress.com affords internet hosting companies (for a price), you possibly can determine whether or not you need to use a third-party supplier or stick to the unique.
Professionals and Cons of Self-Internet hosting
Many advantages come from self-hosting your WordPress web site, as you’d with a WordPress.org web site. Nevertheless, there are additionally loads of challenges to pay attention to that always make WordPress.com plans preferable.
The professionals of self-hosting embody having full management over all the pieces that goes into creating your web site and the power to handle your web site’s safety and edit your web site’s code. You even have the chance to search out, purchase, and set up a third-party internet hosting supplier of your selecting, create a customized area identify, and discover totally different themes, plugins, and add-ons that work in your web site and wishes. When you select the self-hosting route, use the WordPress platform without spending a dime.
The cons to self-hosting embody having to spend time discovering, buying, and putting in a great third-party internet hosting supplier in your web site. Plus, there’s some handbook work related to studying create a site identify, establish the themes, plugins, and improve your web site with add-ons. You additionally want some information in net growth, as you’ll be the one managing your web site’s code and updates.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Customization
Subsequent up, let’s examine WordPress.org vs WordPress.com when it comes to customization. As you already know, WordPress is a completely customizable CMS. Because of a whole bunch of WordPress themes and templates you possibly can entry for little to no price, it’s doable to realize nearly any look conceivable. Right here’s how the 2 differ — and the way they’re the identical.
WordPress.org Customization
With WordPress.org, it’s essential to discover and set up your required third-party themes, reminiscent of StudioPress, Elementor, Pixelgrade, and Stylemix Themes, by yourself. WordPress doesn’t enable entry to free themes the best way WordPress.com does, so the customization degree you need will depend on your theme analysis and the choices you determine to implement in your web site.
WordPress.com Customization
Whereas WordPress.org makes you analysis themes and customization, WordPress.com palms it on to you. Even if you happen to’re working with the free model of WordPress.com, you’ll get entry to dozens of totally free themes to pick from and implement. The free plan doesn’t allow you to add any third-party or premium themes to your web site.
Nevertheless, with a paid plan, you can use premium, third-party themes as you’d with a WordPress.org web site. When you select this route, WordPress.com lets you simply set up your third-party or premium theme so you may get began customizing your web site in simply minutes.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Social Media Integration
When you’re questioning, “What is the distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org concerning social media integration?” We have you lined. Social media advertising and marketing isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a should, and ideally, your WordPress web site makes integrating seamless.
That means, you possibly can handle all your interactions in a single digestible place, broaden your affect, and even enhance your conversions. Plus, guaranteeing your social media is seen in your WordPress web site is a wonderful method to reveal to guests that you’ve got a social media presence — and that they need to have interaction with it!
WordPress.org Social Media Integration
As you probably guessed, WordPress.org has no innate social media integration. So as to add this performance, you’ll set up plugins o your web site. There are many choices to select from, however a few of the hottest ones you’ll spot within the WordPress plugin library embody Social Media Widget by Acurax and Jetpack. These user-friendly plugins simplify tedious duties like social media posting in your web site.
WordPress.com Social Media Integration
You probably have a free WordPress.com account, it’s doable to combine your web site with numerous social media accounts. Sure, it should require some work in your finish, however you are able to do so by publicizing your web site or connecting it to your a number of social accounts. The method is even simpler if you happen to’re working with a paid WordPress.com account. You probably have a paid WordPress account, all social media integration comes included and ready-to-use.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Plugins
One of many main causes WordPress is such a well-liked platform is due to its seemingly countless array of plugins. There are such a lot of causes we love plugins — they will help you add performance to your web site, (most) are cost-effective, and are straightforward to make use of.
Whether or not you’re seeking to combine seamlessly along with your CRM software program or optimize your pictures quicker, there’s a plugin to assist. (Psst: With over 60,000 plugin choices out there, it may be downright unimaginable to find out that are definitely worth the time — and cash. Right here’s our complete information to the 38 finest WordPress plugins.)
WordPress.org Plugins
You probably have a WordPress.org web site, you possibly can add plugins to your web site — however you’ll have to do the legwork to supply them your self. As a result of WordPress.org is only a platform and no options are included along with your plan, you’ll have to put in some plugins your self. When you’re uncertain the place to start, you possibly can take a look at the WordPress plugin library to slender down the 1000’s of search outcomes and discover an choice suited to your particular wants.
WordPress.com Plugins
Another excuse WordPress.com is standard is that with a few of the plans out there, you may get buyer interplay, social media, and analytics options routinely included. These aren’t included with a conventional WordPress.org plan, which is why it’s a sexy choice. All you need to do to get these default options in your WordPress.com web site is to set up WordPress-compatible plugins of your selecting. After all, you too can set up customized plugins, relying in your plan.
WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Help
All through the method of constructing your web site, it’s comprehensible in case you have questions or issues popping up. The excellent news is that relying on which plan you choose, WordPress has help out there that can assist you by means of the rising pains and studying curves that accompany beginning an internet site.
WordPress.org Help
WordPress.org doesn’t supply a lot buyer help, which is why it won’t be the correct choice for novices who know they’re prone to encounter roadblocks. Moreover, with WordPress.org, you don’t get any one-on-one help. After all, there are nonetheless sources out there — reminiscent of accessing the WordPress.org help web page. From there, you should use the out there boards to troubleshoot your downside.
WordPress.com Help
Relying on which plan you utilize, you could have extra help by choosing WordPress.com. When you stick to a free account, you possibly can harness the facility of WordPress’ sturdy group help and boards. (Consider these because the WordPress.com equal to WordPress.org help pages.) Most essential to know is that if you happen to stick with a free account, you’ll need to do most of your personal problem-solving.
That’s the place being a paid WordPress.com person is advantageous. When you’re paying to make use of WordPress.com, you’ll have 24/7 entry to stay chat and e-mail help with WordPress consultants, along with group help and boards. Contemplating that WordPress.com plans don’t need to be extraordinarily expensive, you may discover it a worthwhile funding to have an professional in your nook.
Again To You
Understanding the important thing variations between WordPress.org and the assorted WordPress.com plans is essential to figuring out which sort of web site most closely fits your wants. WordPress.org is a superb choice if you need full management over each facet of your web site. WordPress.com is preferable if you happen to want help constructing your web site and need extra automation.
When you’ve reviewed and thought of all the plan choices, you may get began by downloading your WordPress.org or WordPress.com account and using the number of options you’ve entry to design an internet site excellent in your particular wants.
Editor’s word: This publish was initially revealed in November 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
