Wordpress
Reviewed by Alexis Morain · Updated July 11, 2026
WordPress.com hosts sites and blogs on the world's most used CMS, with no server to manage. Free plan, paid from 4 $/month, by Automattic.
The simplest way to run a WordPress site with no server to manage, at the cost of plugin-restricted lower plans.
- The most widely used CMS, with no hosting overhead
- Hosting, backups, and security handled by Automattic
- Third-party plugins reserved for the Business plan at 25 $/month
WordPress powers a huge share of the web. WordPress.com is the hosted version, run by Automattic: you get a site or blog on the world's most widely used CMS without installing or maintaining a server, unlike the self-hosted WordPress.org version.
What is WordPress.com used for?
You create blogs, showcase sites, portfolios, and stores, with themes and, on the higher plans, the ability to install plugins and custom code. Hosting, backups, and security are handled by Automattic. It's a solid compromise for anyone who wants WordPress's power without the technical load of self-hosting.
WordPress.com or WordPress.org?
The .org version, free and self-hosted, gives total freedom (every plugin, all the code) but requires managing your own hosting, with a tool like WP Rocket for performance. WordPress.com simplifies everything but restricts the lower plans: third-party plugins and custom themes only unlock from the Business plan up.
What are WordPress.com's limitations?
The entry plans are restrictive: no third-party plugins before the Business plan at 25 $/month, and the free plan displays the WordPress.com brand with a subdomain. For real freedom, self-hosting is often still preferable, at the cost of the technical overhead.
Pros & Cons
- The most widely used CMS, with no hosting overhead
- Hosting, backups, and security handled by Automattic
- A huge range of themes and a massive ecosystem
- A solid balance of power and simplicity
- Third-party plugins reserved for the Business plan at 25 $/month
- Free plan with a forced subdomain and branding
- Less freedom than self-hosted WordPress.org
Key features of Wordpress
Managed hosting
Server, backups, and security taken care of
Themes
Wide choice of templates, premium ones on higher plans
Plugins
Third-party plugin installation from the Business plan
Store
WooCommerce built into the Commerce plan
Wordpress pricing
The free plan works for testing, with a WordPress.com subdomain. Paid plans (annual) range from Personal at 4 $/month to Commerce at 45 $. Note: third-party plugin installation only unlocks from the Business plan at 25 $/month up, a key threshold for a real site.
Free plan / trial
Free plan: 1 GB storage, a WordPress.com subdomain, and branding displayed, no custom domain or third-party plugins.
Free
1 GB storage · WordPress.com subdomain · Branding displayed
0 $
Personal
Free domain for 1 year · 6 GB storage · Ad-free
4 $ per month (annual)
Premium
13 GB storage · Premium themes · Payment buttons
8 $ per month (annual)
Business
Third-party plugins · 50 GB storage · 24/7 support
25 $ per month (annual)
Commerce
WooCommerce · International selling · Store features
45 $ per month (annual)
Pricing verified on July 11, 2026
Try WordpressWho is Wordpress for?
Best for
- Bloggers and showcase sites wanting WordPress without the technical overhead
- Users wanting managed hosting and security
- Small stores via the Commerce plan
Not recommended for
- Sites needing every plugin from the entry tier
- Projects wanting the total freedom of self-hosting
Want to try Wordpress?
Head to the official site and the current offer.
Frequently asked questions about Wordpress
Is WordPress.com free?▼
WordPress.com or WordPress.org?▼
Can you install plugins on WordPress.com?▼
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