What is the REAL difference between wp .org and .com?

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  wvmountainmama · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 10:18 pm

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  I know that wp.com is free and hosted somewhere else and wp.org you have to download s/w and pay for hosting. I’ve read the FAQ. But what is the REAL difference? What is so much better about downloading software and hosting yourself that would make people pay for it? Are the templates better? Are there more options? Thanks in advance.

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  mike92 · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 10:27 pm

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  You should read the important notices threads: https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic.php?id=3700&replies=1

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  wvmountainmama · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 10:34 pm

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  I’ve read that. I guess I’m looking for someone to translate it into “layman’s terms.” Thanks!

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  mike92 · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 11:00 pm

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  Basically the difference is that you are more limited on wordpress.com, wordpress.org allows you to install your own theme, use ads etc. WordPress.com will limit you to certain resources.

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  ellaella · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 11:06 pm

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  In plain English: wp.com = totally free, wordpress is your host, wordpress takes care of all maintenance, including upgrades, and problems (server hiccups and downtime, etc. almost non-existent)

  wordpress.org = the blogging software is free, hosting is not, you are responsible for all maintenance and problems, including the oops variety. Downtime is not unheard of.

  On wordpress.com, the company will sometimes run ads on our blogs that you and your regulars can’t see but strangers coming in from search engines can see. You do not have the option of running your own ads or using your blog for commercial purposes.

  With a self-hosted (.org) blog, you can keep it ad free or add as many ads as you wish. You can also use flash, javascript, iframes and forms, which are stripped out at .com for security reasons. Many plugins use those things so those are available on a self-hosted blog too. Yes, there are more themes. Not all are widget-ready and some require a working knowledge of custom fields.

  In essence – .com is worry-free and no-brainer, but with limitations. A .org blog is pretty much only limited by the law, but the blogger is responsible for taking care of all maintenance and problems.

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  wvmountainmama · Member · Mar 27, 2008 at 11:06 pm

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  Thanks a lot!