WordPress is an open-source CMS platform. This means that there are many features and services within WordPress that you can use directly for free. One of the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is also in the features. What are the other differences? Check out the full explanation below.
1. Price
The most obvious difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is the price. Although WordPress is an open-source platform, if you're using WordPress.org, you still need to pay for it.
Instead of buying the software, you'll have to pay for hosting and a domain. On the other hand, if you're using WordPress.com, you don't have to pay anything at all. WordPress will provide hosting and domain for your blog at once. However, since it's free, the features you can enjoy are limited.
2. Domain
One of the restrictions for WordPress.com users is the domain. If you use this free service, your domain will be given an extension from WordPress. WordPress.com user domains are usually namablog.wordpress.com.
If you want to have a website with a more varied and professional domain, then you are more suitable to use WordPress.org. This service allows you to choose domains with various extensions such as .com, .net, .co.id, and others.
To get the domain, you have to buy it from a domain provider. Although you have to spend more money, this can make your website look more professional in the eyes of visitors or target consumers.
3. Hosting
Another difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is in terms of hosting. If you use WordPress.com, you will have a hosting facility from WordPress with a storage capacity of 3 GB of disk space. This is a small amount of disk space, and may limit your ability to create content for your blog or website as it grows.
If you're using WordPress.org, you can customize the disk space to suit your website's needs. You can choose from 3GB, 5GB, or unlimited disk space.
4. Theme
Themes are an important aspect to make your website more attractive. The wide selection of themes on WordPress.org gives you more freedom to customize the look of your website or blog.
You can use these themes for free or for a fee. On the other hand, if you use WordPress.com, you'll have limited theme options. You can only use themes from WordPress.com and cannot use themes from other parties either free or paid.
5. Plugins
WordPress.com does not support the use of plugins. You can't install and use them at all with this free service.
For a website owner who wants to develop a website seriously, this will certainly limit you. That's because plugins allow you to add a wide range of features that allow your website to perform at its best.
Examples of features that can be added through plugins include anti-spam, caching, SEO, security, and others. To use the full feature set with the help of plugins like these, you can use WordPress.org.