WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a hosted service run by a company called Automattic. You sign up, and they handle hosting, updates, and backups for you — similar to Wix or Squarespace, but built on WordPress software.
Two very different things share one name
WordPress.com is a hosted service run by a company called Automattic. You sign up, and they handle hosting, updates, and backups for you — similar to Wix or Squarespace, but built on WordPress software.
WordPress.org is the home of the free, open-source WordPress software itself. You download it and install it on your own hosting, giving you full control over themes, plugins, and code.
Real-life example: WordPress.com is like renting a fully furnished flat — convenient, but you cannot knock down a wall (limited plugins) without the landlord's permission. WordPress.org is like buying your own plot and building the house — full freedom, but you handle maintenance.
Feature-by-feature comparison
The biggest practical difference is control: plugin installs, theme uploads, and file access are restricted or unavailable on the free WordPress.com plans, but completely open on WordPress.org.
This Rishtaara course focuses entirely on WordPress.org — the self-hosted version — because that is what freelancers, agencies, and most companies actually use in real jobs.
- Hosting: .com hosts for you; .org needs you to buy hosting (e.g. Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround)
- Custom plugins: blocked or limited on free .com plans; unlimited on .org
- Custom themes: limited on .com free plans; unlimited on .org
- Cost: .com has free and paid tiers; .org software is free but hosting/domain cost money
- Monetization: .com restricts ads/affiliate control on lower plans; .org gives full control
- Maintenance: .com handles backups/updates for you; on .org, you (or a plugin) handle it