wordpress.com vs wordpress.org themes

  • Unknown's avatar
    gulfstreamlitmag · Member ·

    Hi there,
    I tried researching this but can’t find the answer. Are wordpress.com and wordpress.org *themes* the same? e.g. could I pick a .com theme and it would work on .org and vice versa?
    I realise this question is probably not going to make sense because I don’t understand this topic, but I need some sort of explanation so that I can have a starting point to begin researching and learn about it independently. At the moment, I’m stuck.
    We are soon moving from the free plan of wordpress.com to a self hosted site on wordpress.org. If we want to upgrade our theme now (prior to the move to self-hosting) will any wordpress.com or .org theme work before and after our move?
    Thanks :)

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • staff-totoro · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    I would recommend NOT upgrading here if your plan is to migrate to a new host and self-host your own site.

    To clarify, the version of WordPress we use here on WordPress.com and the version used to self-host are not exactly the same. There are some differences in capabilities, and under the hood the code can be different, especially for themes. If you purchase a premium theme here it will NOT transfer to a site on another host.

    The self-hosted version of WordPress (which is used to set up sites on traditional web hosts like GoDaddy, Bluehost, etc.) is more advanced and completely DIY, but would also allow you to add 3rd party plugins or themes. 

    I should also clarify that the “self-hosted” or “.org” version of WordPress is usually the choice of web designers and developers, as well as advanced users, so it does not come with support like you have here. It is completely DIY

    If you wish however, you can enable the ability to upload 3rd party plugins and/or themes to your WordPress.com site (same as you would for any .org site) by upgrading to our WordPress.com Business Plan. This would allow you to have the same capabilities but with added security, support, and access to live chat help, which is included in the plan. Plus there would be no need to manage a “migration” as you would not actually be leaving WordPress.com, just adding .org functionality via an upgrade.

    You can Learn more about our WordPress.com Business Plan here, and we’re happy to answer any other questions you have: https://wordpress.com/pricing/

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