Today, let’s talk about the difference between WordPress, WordPress.com and WordPress.org. I am really surprised how often I am asked to explain each of them. Hope, this article can help you understand what they all are about.
So what is WordPress?
WordPress is an online, open source website creation tool written in PHP. But in non-geek speak, it’s probably the easiest and most powerful blogging and website content management system (or CMS) that have ever been built. And most importantly, it’s completely FREE!
In November 2015, it became official that 25% of all websites worldwide are powered by WordPress. What an achievement!
Ok, we know now that WordPress is a tool that helps you post content on your website or a blog.
What is WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a commercial site of Automatic, where you can host your own site that will run on WordPress platform for free or you can upgrade to get some additional features.
It means that WordPress.com sort out your hosting and set up everything for you on WordPress and that also means you do not have to deal with servers for example.
BUT the set up has some limitations and I will talk about those limitations in my next article.
And the last but not least…
What is WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is where you can grab your own copy of the WordPress, so the blogging or Content Management System (CMS) software for free. It’s also a great library of all plugins that help you develop more site features.
But that means you have a responsibility to find your own hosting company to house your WordPress site along with your own domain name to point visitors to it.
Setting up WordPress on your own hosting gives you a full control over WordPress software and your site. You can install plugins, use custom themes and most importantly you have access to the code of the site.
Hope, this article will help you understand the difference between WordPress, WordPress.com and WordPress.org. If are thinking about setting up a professional blog or a site I would definitely suggest going for self- hosted WordPress solution.