WordPress without worries
WordPress.com runs the same WordPress as WordPress.org, and handles the hosting, updates, backups, and security for you. Get the full power, freedom, and ownership of WordPress with none of the site management and overhead.
Plans start free, with paid plans from US$4/month.
What they say about us
The WordPress.com platform has made it simple and effective to publish stories with no developer efforts. We also have confidence it’s secure and maintenance-free compared to a self-hosted solution we would have to maintain ourselves.
From quickly updating our page to implementing our online store, our WordPress.com site has become the online center for everything we do.
WordPress.com was a great choice of platform to start a blog. The platform grew with my ideas and I was able to build a website around my blog in a few clicks.
Real WordPress, fully managed
WordPress.com runs on the same open source software trusted by 39.5%* of the web, without the server maintenance.
Managed WordPress hosting
WordPress is free to download, but you’ll need to buy hosting to publish your site. WordPress.com includes hosting and handles the technical setup. Plans start free, with paid plans from US$4/month.
Your site, not your server
WordPress.com takes core updates, plugin security patches, database backups, and server configuration off your plate, so your time goes to running and growing your site, not maintaining it. Since 2005, WordPress.com has delivered more than 99.99% uptime.
Install WordPress plugins and themes
WordPress.com paid plans, starting with Personal, give you access to 60,000+ plugins, thousands of themes, and full customization.
Start simple and scale without limits
When your needs grow, WordPress.com grows with you. When you’re ready to sell products, send a newsletter, or build a subscriber base, there’s no need to start again when your business evolves.
Launch in minutes
Launch a WordPress.com site in minutes using professional themes, a visual block editor, or an AI website builder. No hosting to arrange and no software to install.
Tools for your business included
WordPress.com includes built-in tools you won’t find on a standard WordPress install. You’ll get newsletters, monetization features, site analytics, and more, plus support from WordPress experts who know the software inside out.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org FAQ
What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is where you download the free, open source WordPress software. To publish a site with it, you need to buy hosting and manage updates, plugins, backups, and security yourself.
WordPress.com runs the same WordPress software as a managed platform. Hosting, updates, backups, and security are handled for you, and plans start free. For a feature-by-feature breakdown, see WordPress.com vs WordPress.org on WordPress.com Support.
Should I use WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
WordPress.com is right for you if:
- You want to launch a professional WordPress site quickly, without arranging hosting or installing software.
- You want the full WordPress plugin and theme ecosystem, plus built-in tools you’d otherwise have to set up separately.
- You’re a creator, small business, developer, or agency who’d rather spend time creating, running your business, or building — not maintaining a server.
Self-hosted WordPress is right for you if:
- You or your team are comfortable managing WordPress installations, security, and updates, and have the time to do it well.
- You need full control over your server environment, with specific configurations, custom PHP setups, or niche hosting requirements for your stack.
Is WordPress.com more expensive than self-hosting?
Self-hosted WordPress is free to download, but you’ll still pay for hosting and a domain name, and spend your own time managing updates and security. WordPress.com plans start free, with paid plans from US$4/month — and hosting, security, and updates are already included. Compare WordPress.com plans.
Is WordPress.com free?
You can start on the free plan, which includes hosting on a WordPress.com subdomain, like example.wordpress.com. Paid plans, from US$4/month, add a custom domain name, remove ads, and let you install plugins and themes.
Can I install plugins and themes on WordPress.com?
Yes. All paid WordPress.com plans, starting with Personal, let you install plugins and themes, with access to 60,000+ plugins from the WordPress plugin directory.
Can I access the server on WordPress.com?
Yes. On Business plans and above, you get full developer-grade access: SSH, WP-CLI, and GitHub deployments.
Do I own my site and content on WordPress.com?
Yes. With WordPress.com, your site, your content, and your data all belong to you. That’s what makes open source truly different from platforms that try to lock you in, like Wix, Squarespace, Instagram, and Facebook.
Can I use my own domain name on WordPress.com?
Yes. Every paid WordPress.com plan includes a free domain name for the first year when you pay annually. You can also connect a domain name you already own, or transfer it to WordPress.com.
Can I move my site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org later?
Yes. Your content belongs to you, so you can export it from WordPress.com at any time and import it into a self-hosted WordPress site. Moving the other way works too: WordPress.com’s migration tools bring an existing WordPress site over.
Who runs WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is built and maintained by Automattic, the company created by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg.
*Market share statistic source: W3Techs, accessed November 1, 2026
