Self-Hosted WordPress vs. Free WordPress: Which One is Right for You?

Have you ever wondered whether WordPress that you can set up on your own (WordPress.org) or WordPress that is free (WordPress.com) will work better for your website? They both have a huge fan base, but they are more focused on reaching different audiences and tasks. In this blog, we will show the differences among them in detail, helping you choose the right one based on your needs.

What is WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress)?

WordPress.org is a free, open-source platform where you can download its software and host it on your own server. That is the very reason it’s named “self-hosted.” Although the software itself is free, you have to pay for web hosting and a domain name. Just compare it to a house which is your property. You are able to do all the things there but at the same time, you are responsible for the supervision of the place.

Key Features of WordPress.org

1. Full Command: You have the power over your site. Everything can be personalized according to your choice.
2. Themes and Plugins: Through access to thousands of both free and paid theme and plugin options, you can extend your website’s functionality as you wish.
3. Monetization: You can easily go ahead with running ads and making money from your website without any obstacles.
4. No Branding: Your website will never show WordPress ads and branding.
5. SEO-Friendly: You are able to mount up with SEO plugins to create a quality website for search engines.

What is WordPress.com (Free WordPress)?

WordPress.com is a managed hosting platform where you do not have to worry about setting up the hosting. However, the free plan only has the basic features, and it has certain restrictions. It is kind of like renting an apartment, where you are not responsible for many things but, at the same time, you have limited options as well.

Key Features of WordPress.com

1. Free Plan: Get your website hosted free of charge with a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com).
2. Ease of Use: There is no need for you to handle computing problems such as hosting or backups.
3. Limited Customization: The free plans do not offer a variety of themes and plugins.
4. WordPress Ads: Its ads displayed on free plans are non-dismissible.
5. Upgrade Options: Though you can upgrade to paid plans for further features, they do not get near to the flexibility level of WordPress.org.

Key Differences Between WordPress.org and WordPress.com

Let’s compare both platforms depending on the most important aspects:

1. Cost

• org: You will have to buy hosting (starting as low as $3/month) and pay for a domain name (around $10-$15/year). Premium themes and plugins are other costs, which are not compulsory.
• com: While it is free for basic use, choosing these options can make ads go away and let you access more features for as little as 4 to 45$/month

2. Customization

• org: Offers absolute customization. You can install any theme or plugin, even custom ones.
• com: Limited customization, especially on the free plan. Paid plans offer some options but still don’t provide full control.

3. Ownership

• org: You retain 100% ownership of your website and its contents.
• com: WordPress has the right to deactivate, or suspend your account if you aren’t following their terms of service.

4. Monetization

• org: You are allowed to display ads, affiliate links, or sell products.
• com: The free plan does not allow monetization. The higher tier plans come with conditions but are still not entirely free.

5. Ease of Use

• org: It takes more time and effort to set up and support this platform but it allows more flexibility.
• com: It was designed to be simple, and it perfectly fulfills its purpose. It is the best choice for beginners who are reluctant to solve technical issues by themselves.

6. Support

• org: The community gives you help through forums or you can also get paid advice by hiring professionals.
• com: You receive the support you need via live chat and email, but only with the paid plans.

Who Should Choose WordPress.org?

WordPress.org is ideal for:

• Businesses and Professionals: Use WordPress.org to gain the necessary brand-building or expert online presence.
• E-Commerce Sites: Take advantage of the WooCommerce plugin to launch a virtual store effortlessly.
• Bloggers and Content Creators: The bloggers and content creators will have full authority on this platform if they want to make money from their content.
• Developers: In case you are fluent in coding, WordPress.org is the platform that enables you to build your site as you want.

Who Should Choose WordPress.com?

WordPress.com is a good choice for:

• Hobby Bloggers: The free plan is suitable if you just want to write for fun and don’t need the advanced functions.
• Small Projects: Ideal for small projects such as individual portfolios or event pages.
• Beginners: Suppose with a website, you want to be up and running immediately without any maintenance. If that is the case, WordPress.com is a good choice because it is easy to use.
• Budget-Conscious Users: The free plan is perfect if you don’t want to spend money.

Pros and Cons of WordPress.org

Pros:

1. You can make your website turn out just as you imagine.
2. You are the sole owner of the website and all content on it.
3. There are no limitations as to how you can make money with your site.
4. There is a possibility of incorporating advanced SEO tools to your site to make it more visible.

Cons:

1. You should make a payment for web hosting and a domain name.
2. It may be a tough thing for beginners to set up and manage.
3. For instance, you have to do the updates, backups, and passwords.

Pros and Cons of WordPress.com

Pros:

1. It does not cost you anything and it is simple to make a basic website quickly.
2. You are not required to be a techie in order to use it.
3. With WordPress.com, hosting and maintenance are taken care of for you.

Cons:

1. The free plan has a few features and options to use only.
2. Its ads will remain on your site.
3. Customizing and monetizing are the additional options that are restricted in the free plan.

Final Thoughts

Which one to choose between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is dependent upon the goal, budget, and what you exactly need from your website. If you are looking for complete freedom and flexibility and want to keep your website growing, WordPress.org is the solution. Whereas, in case you are at the beginning phase or want an uncomplicated and hassle-free platform, the free-of-charge version of WordPress.com is the best place, to begin with.