As a creator in the Automattic Creator Program, it’s important to understand the difference between WordPress, WordPress.com, and WordPress.org so you can talk about WordPress.com accurately and help your audience make sense of their options.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a type of software called a content management system (CMS), which lets users create, edit, and publish websites. WordPress is open source and powers over 40% of the entire web.
What is web hosting?
Creating a website with WordPress is one part of getting online. To make that website available on the internet, users also need web hosting. Different hosting services include different levels of support, security, performance, and site management.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a website-building and hosting service. Users get the flexibility of WordPress, with setup, hosting, security, and maintenance handled for them. This is the product eligible for promotion in the Automattic Creator Program.
WordPress.org is the website where anyone can download the WordPress software. Web hosting will need to be handled separately. Doing this yourself is also known as self-hosting WordPress.
| WordPress.com | WordPress.org |
| Includes both the WordPress website building software and web hosting, all in one. | The home of the open source WordPress software, which users can download and host anywhere. |
| Includes web hosting, unlimited traffic, security, backups, and support. | Users choose their own web hosting and are responsible for their hosting, backups, security, and support. |
| Offers both free and paid plans with varying features. | While the WordPress software is free to download, it requires separate paid hosting and site management. |
Why choose WordPress.com?
WordPress.com brings the flexibility of WordPress together with hosting, tools, and support in one place. That means users can:
- Launch without piecing together separate tools.
- Focus more on their site, content, or business while WordPress.com handles many technical details.
- Start simple and add more features as their needs grow.
- Use real WordPress with a more guided, managed experience.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org features in detail
| Detail | WordPress.com | WordPress.org (Self-hosted WordPress) |
| Hosting | Includes WordPress-optimized hosting | Users choose and pay for hosting separately. |
| Security | Security features are included and vary by plan. | Security depends on the hosting provider, tools, and setup the user chooses. |
| Updates | Many updates are handled through WordPress.com, with more controls available on some plans. | Updates are usually managed by the site owner, host, developer, or agency. |
| Support | Expert support is included with paid plans. | Support depends on the host, tools, and services the user chooses. |
| Customization | Features and customization options vary by WordPress.com plan. | Users can customize their setup through their host, code, plugins, and themes. |
| Cost | WordPress.com offers free and paid plans with different features. | WordPress is free to download, but hosting and other site needs are separate costs. |
| Migration | WordPress sites can be moved to or from WordPress.com. | WordPress sites can be moved between hosts, including WordPress.com. |
Use the full name: WordPress.com
As we’ve seen here, WordPress, WordPress.com, and WordPress.org are connected, but they aren’t interchangeable. Keep these tips in mind:
- Use WordPress.com when you mean the website-building and hosting service. This is the product that’s available for promotion in the Automattic Creator Program.
- Use WordPress when you mean the open source software.
- Use WordPress.org when you mean the website where people can download the WordPress software.
- Don’t abbreviate WordPress.com to “WordPress.”
- Using the full name, including the “.com,” helps readers understand that you mean the hosted service and not just the software.
