WordPress.com vs WordPress.org Key Differences Which One to Pick

WordPress is the most popular way to build a website. But despite its popularity, theres one question that many new users still struggle with   whats the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org?If you search for WordPress on Google, the two websites will rank #1 and #2. And if you’re new to WordPress, you might not know which one to use.This article will explain the key differences between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org and help you pick the best one for your needs. WordPress.org, you host your own site (we recommend this). WordPress.com, on the other hand, takes care of all of this for you (easier to start, less freedom). And thats the major difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org.Nowadays, hosting companies like Bluehost or SiteGround are as easy to start with as WordPress.com, cheaper and with more freedom.The cost of using WordPress.com vs WordPress.orgWordPress.com does allow you to set up a website entirely for free, but there are some downsides to this:You can only place your site under a subdomainYou cannot remove WordPress.coms own ads and branding from your siteYou get limited disk space of 3GBYou cant monetize your blog or websiteYou cant install plugins or any themes that arent available on the platform by defaultIf you do want to use your site for a commercial purpose, you will have to pay at least $8 / month on your WordPress.com plan + the cost of a custom domain name usually in the range of $15 / year. In total, this means at least $111 annually to run a site on WordPress.com.With WordPress.org, on the other hand, you can launch a completely functional website at $35 for the first year and then $50 every year after that.To make that happen, you first need to pick a web host. We have some suggestions for you here, but if youre in a hurry, just go with Bluehost. Theyre a respected company with tons of options for WordPress. Heres whats good about Bluehosts offering:You can get started at $2.95 / monthYou get a free dom ain name for the first yearWordPress will be installed for you automaticallyFrom a users point of view, Bluehost works similarly to WordPress.com as in, you sign up, pick a hosting plan, tell them to install WordPress for you, finalize the purchase and youre good to do.Plus, what you also get is complete freedom over what you want to do with your site something that WordPress.com doesnt give you. Go here to get started with Bluehost and WordPress.org.If you need some more info before making up your mind, heres a more in-depth look at the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org:WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Pros and consEach version has its own pros and cons. (Although, I personally think the .com version has more cons than pros. But you can decide for yourself!)When to use WordPress.comWith WordPress.com, you don’t have to worry about purchasing hosting or maintaining your site. It also  can  be free, though there are paid plans as well.The free plan limit s you to 3GB of data and a subdomain (like mywebsite.wordpress.com). It also includes WordPress.com ads.Furthermore, you wont be able to install your own plugins or themes unless you pay for the expensive business plan. Plugins and themes are one of the most helpful things about the WordPress software because they make it easy to customize your site, so thats a pretty big loss.If the thought of changing a domain name server (DNS) or backing up your website data sounds incredibly daunting, WordPress.com may be the way to go to create a basic blog/website. But if you want any kind of flexibility, plan to monetize your site, or want your site to grow in the long run, WordPress.com can be very limiting.When to use WordPress.orgWordPress.org has to be set up with your hosting provider. In most cases, this is a simple one-click install, and is really easy.In fact, if you purchase your domain name from your hosting provider, you don’t even have to worry about changing DNSs. It will be done for you!Plus, WordPress.org has much better customization options. You’re able to install plugins, use custom website themes, and do just about anything you want with your site.You can also monetize your website however you want, which is great if youre planning to make it a business.If you want full control over your site and the best possible options, go with WordPress.org.Even though there’s a bit more of a learning curve, in the long run you’ll thank yourself for making this decision.Ready to get started? As mentioned, we recommend Bluehost as the place to launch your WordPress website. The setup is easy and they help you along the way, too. For more guidance, heres our 15 minute tutorial to starting a WordPress website.Have any other questions about WordPress.org vs WordPress.com? Leave a comment and well try to help out!. * This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then purchase the product, w ell receive a small fee. No worries though, youll still pay the standard amount so theres no cost on your part.