WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.org is the free WordPress software you install on hosting you pay for; WordPress.com is Automattic's hosted service, where the free plan uses a wordpress.com address and plugins need a higher paid plan. A business site or shop usually fits WordPress.org; WebJi® hosting for it starts at ₹299 a month before 18% GST.
For bloggers and business owners choosing between hosted WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress.org, or planning a move from one to the other.
knowledge
- Read time
- 3 min
- Sections
- 5
- Updated
- 14 Nov 2026
- Written by
- WebJi® team
Last editorial update: 14 November 2026. Prices follow the dated sources on this page; checkout confirms current charges.
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is the free, open-source WordPress software you download and run on hosting you choose; WordPress.com is a commercial service from Automattic that hosts WordPress for you inside its own account system. They share a name and a similar editor, but not the owner of the server.
Check the address and the bill. A site at name.wordpress.com, or a plan paid to WordPress.com, is the hosted service. A site you manage at your own domain's /wp-admin, on a host you pay separately, runs the WordPress.org software.
- WordPress.org: software you install; you pick the host.
- WordPress.com: hosting and software in one Automattic account.
- Same editor: the block editor looks alike on both; control behind it differs.
What can you change on each one?
On WordPress.org you can install any plugin or theme and edit any code, but you handle updates and backups unless your host does; on WordPress.com, Automattic runs the server, and plugins, custom code and some features depend on which paid plan you buy.
| Attribute | WordPress.org | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Free software you install | Hosted service from Automattic |
| Hosting | You buy it separately | Included |
| Address | Your own domain | name.wordpress.com on the free plan |
| Plugins | Any you install | Only on higher paid plans |
| Themes and code | Any theme; full code access | Curated themes; code access depends on plan |
| Updates and security | You or your host | Automattic |
| Best for | Businesses, shops, sites needing plugins | A simple blog you do not want to maintain |
WordPress.com plan names and prices are set by Automattic and change over time; check its pricing page before deciding. WebJi® is not affiliated with Automattic.
What does self-hosted WordPress.org cost?
The WordPress.org software is free; you pay for a domain and hosting, which at WebJi® starts at ₹299 a month on Webji Launch, ₹399 on Webji Turbo and ₹699 on Webji Scale, before 18% GST.
| Plan | Monthly | 1 year | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webji Launch | ₹299 | ₹2,868 | One blog or small site, 20 GB |
| Webji Turbo | ₹399 | ₹3,828 | A business site with growing traffic |
| Webji Scale | ₹699 | ₹6,588 | Several sites or a small store |
Free SSL and one-click WordPress deploy are included; see WordPress hosting. A full budget with design, email and upkeep is in WordPress website cost in India.
Which one should you choose?
Choose WordPress.org on your own hosting for a business site, shop or any site that needs specific plugins; choose WordPress.com for a simple blog where you accept its plan limits in exchange for no maintenance.
- A private journal or hobby blog: WordPress.com's free plan is the quickest start.
- A public brand on its own domain: either works, but WordPress.org gives you full control at lower plugin cost.
- An online store: WooCommerce on self-hosted WordPress; Shopify is a separate hosted-shop product, compared in WooCommerce vs Shopify.
- Forms, SEO, memberships, custom code: WordPress.org, where every plugin is available from day one.
How do you move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Export an XML file from WordPress.com, install WordPress on your new hosting, import the file with the WordPress importer, check the content, and only then point your domain. The export carries posts, pages, comments and media references; it does not rebuild a premium theme's design.
- On WordPress.com, go to Tools › Export and download the export file.
- If the site still uses a wordpress.com address, register your domain and order hosting that runs WordPress.
- Install WordPress on the new host; it is done when
/wp-adminshows a login form. Steps are in how to install WordPress. - In the new dashboard, go to Tools › Import, run the WordPress importer, upload the file and tick "Download and import file attachments".
- Check the home page, one post and the media library. Then point the domain, leaving the WordPress.com site online until the new one is confirmed.
For an approved assisted move to a WebJi® plan, email support@webji.services; free migration is subject to terms and approval and is not instant. Quoted end-to-end moves are on the website migration service page.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress.org completely free?
The software is, under the GPL licence, as are thousands of themes and plugins. A public site still needs a domain and hosting, and some premium themes or plugins charge yearly licences.
Can I use my own domain on WordPress.com?
Yes, on a paid WordPress.com plan. The free plan keeps a name.wordpress.com address. With WordPress.org, your own domain is standard because you point it at your own hosting.
Is Jetpack the same as WordPress.com?
No. Jetpack is an Automattic plugin you can install on a self-hosted WordPress.org site to add features such as stats, backups and security, some of them paid. Installing it does not move your site to WordPress.com.
Will my SEO suffer when moving from WordPress.com?
Not if you keep the same permalinks and domain, or set up redirects. If the old site used a wordpress.com address, WordPress.com offers a paid site-redirect option to send visitors and search engines to your new domain.
Last editorial update: 15 November 2026. Prices follow the dated sources on this page; checkout confirms current charges.
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