WordPress is a free, open-source PHP application with a MySQL database. It powers a large share of the web, either self-hosted from WordPress.org or hosted on WordPress.com.
WordPress builds pages with PHP from a MySQL database, usually on each visit unless a cache sits in front. It comes in two forms: free software from WordPress.org that you host yourself, and hosted plans on WordPress.com.
Strengths
Watch out for
What each plan costs and what the bill is counted by: seats, sites, usage or a one-off license. The bottom of each card shows what you pay on top.
Free
Open-source software. You pay for your own hosting.
Anyone who wants full control on their own hosting
Costs extra
Hosting, domain, premium plugins and themes are paid separately.
Free
No expiry date.
Personal blogs on a wordpress.com address
Costs extra
A custom domain needs a paid plan.
$4 per site / month
Billed yearly. $9 if paid monthly.
Personal sites that want a custom domain
Costs extra
The domain renews at the normal price after year one. Monthly plans include no free domain.
$8 per site / month
Billed yearly. $18 if paid monthly.
Creators who need stats, payments and video
Costs extra
The domain renews at the normal price after year one.
$25 per site / month
Billed yearly. $40 if paid monthly.
Businesses that need developer tools and priority support
Costs extra
The domain and business email renew at the normal price after year one.
$45 per site / month
Billed yearly. $70 if paid monthly.
Online stores built on WooCommerce
Costs extra
Payment processor fees still apply. Enterprise (WordPress VIP) is priced on request.
Prices checked See current prices on the vendor's site
Free, included in the cheapest plan, on a higher plan, or enterprise only. Open a feature to compare it across every platform.
