WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: two doors, one name

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: two doors, one name

This trips up almost everyone, so let's clear it up.

WordPress.com is a hosted service (someone else runs the website's engine for you, like renting a furnished apartment). Easy, but the free plan shows their ads and blocks most plugins.

WordPress.org is the free software you install on your own hosting (your own apartment that you furnish). More setup, but you own everything and can add any plugin.

When to pick which:
— Just journaling for fun and never touching code? WordPress.com.
— Want a business site, plugins, or to make money? WordPress.org, every time.

In plain words: .com is rented and simple, .org is owned and flexible. For a real site, choose .org.