WordPress.com ZDNET's key takeaways WordPress.com gives you a lot, but you won't get the good stuff like plugins and serious SEO tools unless you're on the pricier Business plan
The block editor works once you figure it out, but it's nowhere near as beginner-friendly as drag-and-drop builders like Wix or Squarespace
It's great for blogs or content-heavy sites, but not the best choice if you're new to building websites or want a cheap way to run an online store. View now at WordPress
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WordPress.com is supposed to be the easy way to run a WordPress site without dealing with the headaches of hosting, security, or server maintenance. You pay them, they keep the lights on, and you get to focus on your content. Simple enough.
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The platform's been around forever, starting life as a humble blogging tool. Now, it powers a huge chunk of the internet. Everyone from travel bloggers to small businesses to online stores leans on it. The problem is, in 2025, WordPress.com looks a little like a landlord who never fixed the wiring but still raised the rent every year. It's powerful, sure. But you've got to put in work, and you're often paying extra for what feels like table stakes.
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
The WordPress.org editor playground is pictured here, not to be confused with WordPress.com. Screenshot by Marshall Gunnell/ZDNET
First, let's clear up the confusion: WordPress.com is the hosted version, where Automattic (the company behind it) handles the servers, updates, and security. WordPress.org is the open-source version, where you do everything yourself. If you want total control, plugins from day one, and the cheapest route in the long run, you go with .org. If you want a turn-key option where someone else unclogs the pipes, you pay WordPress.com.
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