What's the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, and which should I choose?

Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

WordPress.com:

Hosted Solution: WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform where you don’t need to worry about hosting or managing technical details. Everything is taken care of for you (e.g., updates, security).

Limited Customization: The free plan offers limited customization options, and you can't install third-party plugins or themes unless you opt for a premium plan.

Free and Paid Plans: While there's a free plan, it includes ads, and you'll be limited in storage and customization. Paid plans allow for more flexibility but can get expensive.

Maintenance-Free: No need to manage hosting, security, or backups, as WordPress.com handles everything.

WordPress.org:

Self-Hosted Solution: WordPress.org gives you the software to download and install on your own hosting provider. You’re responsible for managing your site, including updates, backups, and security.

Full Customization: You have full control over your site’s appearance and functionality. You can install any theme, plugin, or customization that suits your needs.

Free Software, but Hosting Costs: The WordPress software itself is free, but you need to pay for hosting, a domain name, and possibly premium themes or plugins.

Greater Control: You have more control over your website’s SEO, design, and monetization options.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose WordPress.com if you want a hassle-free, easy-to-manage site with no technical upkeep, and you're fine with some limitations in design and functionality.

Choose WordPress.org if you want full control over customization, functionality, and scalability, and are comfortable managing hosting, security, and technical aspects. It’s the better option if you’re serious about building a professional or long-term site, whether it's a blog, business site, or eCommerce store.

Both are used for running WordPress sites. 

WordPress.com is a managed product of Automattic, where they provide you the hosting infrastructure and manage everything. So it's more like managed WordPress hosting. However it has some limitations, such as the free version cannot let you install custom themes / plugins. While paid version does the job.

On the other side, WordPress.org offers SELF hosted version of WordPress, that you can download and run on your own Shared hosting / VPS / Cloud Hosting or Dedicated Servers. Themes and Plugins can be easily installed on the self hosted version of WordPress. You get more control on self hosted version and can customize it as per your choice.

WordPress.com and WordPress.org are both used for creating websites, but the main difference between the two is in terms of hosting and control.

WordPress.com is a hosted service where all the technical aspects, such as hosting, backups, and security, are handled for the user. It offers a more user-friendly experience, making it the best choice for beginners or those looking for a hassle-free setup. But, this ease of use comes with limitations: such as, customization options are restricted, and advanced features often require a paid premium plan.

WordPress.org provides the self-hosted version of WordPress, which means the user needs to purchase their own web hosting and manage the installation. It requires more technical knowledge and maintenance, but it offers complete control over every aspect of your website. With WordPress.org, the user has the freedom to install custom themes and plugins, modify the website's code, and monetize it as they see fit. It’s best suited for users who want full flexibility and are willing to manage the backend of their site.

If you’re looking for simplicity and convenience, choose WordPress.com. But if you want full control over your website WordPress.org is the way to go.