WordPress.com vs WordPress.org — Which One Should You ACTUALLY Use?

The video compares WordPress.com and WordPress.org, explaining that WordPress.com is a fully managed, user-friendly platform ideal for most users, while WordPress.org offers more control but requires handling all technical aspects yourself. It concludes that unless you need advanced customization, WordPress.com—especially the business plan—is the best choice for a hassle-free website experience.

The video explains the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, helping viewers decide which platform is best for building their website. WordPress itself is an open-source framework and software used to create websites, powering over 40% of the web, including major sites like Rolling Stone, NASA, and Microsoft. The main decision for users is whether to use the self-hosted WordPress.org or the fully managed WordPress.com.

WordPress.org is the self-hosted option, meaning you are responsible for hosting, security, updates, and backups. You can run it on your own computer (which is impractical) or use a cloud provider like GoDaddy, DigitalOcean, or Hostinger. The main advantages of WordPress.org are full control over plugins, support for multisite networks, and ownership of your website’s code and data. However, this comes with the complexity of managing all technical aspects yourself, which can be overwhelming, especially for non-technical users.

On the other hand, WordPress.com is a fully managed service run by Automattic, a company founded by one of the original creators of WordPress. With WordPress.com, all the technical details—such as hosting, security, updates, and backups—are handled for you. Users can access the familiar WordPress admin panel and easily set up their site by choosing themes and installing plugins, without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. This makes it much easier and faster to get a website up and running.

The video compares both options side by side, highlighting that WordPress.org offers more flexibility and control, but requires you to be your own IT support. WordPress.com, in contrast, provides 24/7 expert support, straightforward billing with clear pricing plans, and no hidden renewal fees. The business plan on WordPress.com is recommended for most users, as it includes unlimited pages, a free domain, premium themes, plugin support, advanced customization, and integration with tools like Google Analytics and AI features.

In conclusion, the video suggests that unless you specifically need the advanced control and customization of WordPress.org, most users—especially those who want to focus on their business rather than technical maintenance—should choose WordPress.com, particularly the business tier. WordPress.com offers peace of mind, expert support, and a hassle-free experience, allowing users to concentrate on what matters most for their website or business.