The main difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org boils down to control and flexibility:
WordPress.com:
Easier to Use: Great for beginners. They provide a hosted platform with WordPress pre-installed. No need to worry about finding web hosting or installing software.
Free Option Available: You can create a basic website for free with a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com).
Limited Customization: You have less control over the design and functionality of your website compared to WordPress.org. Themes and plugins are restricted on free plans.
Monetization: Monetization options are limited on free plans. You can upgrade to paid plans for features like custom domain name, ad removal, and access to more themes and plugins.
WordPress.org:
More Control and Flexibility: You have complete control over your website's design, functionality, and content. Ideal for businesses and those who want a fully customized website.
Self-Hosted: You need to find your own web hosting provider and install the WordPress software yourself (although many hosts offer one-click installs).
Cost: There's no cost for the WordPress software itself, but you'll pay for web hosting and a custom domain name (optional, but recommended).
Monetization: You have full control over how you monetize your website (ads, e-commerce, etc.).
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
In short:
Choose WordPress.com if: You're a beginner, need a website quickly and easily, and don't mind limitations on customization or monetization.
Choose WordPress.org if: You want a fully customizable website, have more control over design and functionality, and plan to grow your website in the future.
Websites built with WordPress.com:
FreeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/ - A popular platform for learning to code, uses a free WordPress.com plan with a custom domain name.
The Blog of TED: https://blog.ted.com/ - Features content from the well-known TED Talks, leverages WordPress.com's ease of use for publishing blog posts.
Refinery29: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us (Limited Use) - While Refinery29 uses a custom CMS now, it started on WordPress.com, showcasing the ability to handle high-traffic websites with paid plans.
It's important to note: Identifying a specific website as built on WordPress.com can be trickier because they remove some branding elements on paid plans.
Websites built with WordPress.org:
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/ - A leading news organization, utilizes WordPress.org for its flexibility and scalability to handle massive traffic.
Sony Music: https://www.sonymusic.com/ - A global music giant, leverages WordPress.org for its powerful content management and ability to showcase artists.
TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/ -A prominent tech news website, utilizes WordPress.org for its ease of updating content and staying current with the fast-paced tech world.
Additional Resources:
WordPress.org Showcase: https://wordpress.org/showcase/archives/ - Features a variety of websites built with WordPress.org, categorized by type and style.
WPBeginner - Excellent WordPress Website Examples: https://www.wpbeginner.com/ - Offers a curated list of impressive websites built on WordPress.org, showcasing the platform's capabilities.
This list provides a mix of website types to demonstrate the versatility of both WordPress.com and WordPress.org.