WordPress is free: everything you need to know
If you’ve ever looked into building a website, you’ve probably heard that WordPress is free. But what does “free” really mean in this case? Can you actually create and run a professional website without spending a cent?
In this guide, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about WordPress being free — how it works, what you get, what might still cost money, and why this open-source platform powers more than 40% of the web.
🧩 What Does “Free” Mean in WordPress?
Yes — WordPress is 100% free to download, use, and modify.
That’s because WordPress is open-source software, released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This license guarantees you four essential freedoms:
- Freedom to use the software for any purpose.
- Freedom to study how it works and change it.
- Freedom to redistribute copies.
- Freedom to improve the software and share your improvements.
In other words, “free” doesn’t just mean no cost — it means freedom. You have total control over your website’s design, functionality, and data.
🌐 WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com: What’s the Difference?
Here’s where a lot of beginners get confused — there are actually two versions of WordPress:
| Platform | What It Is | Free? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org | Self-hosted, open-source WordPress software | ✅ Yes | Full control and customization |
| WordPress.com | Hosted service run by Automattic | ⚙️ Partly (limited free plan) | Beginners who want simplicity |
If you want total freedom — install any theme, plugin, or custom code — go with WordPress.org.
If you prefer an all-in-one platform with hosting included (but more limits on what you can do), try WordPress.com.
💻 What You Get for Free
When you download WordPress from WordPress.org, you get access to:
- The full content management system (CMS) — no license fees, ever.
- Thousands of free themes to customize your design.
- Tens of thousands of free plugins to add features like SEO, security, and contact forms.
- A huge global community that creates tutorials, offers support, and keeps improving the platform.
That’s everything you need to build and launch a website — absolutely free.
💰 The Real Costs of Running a WordPress Website
Even though the software is free, you’ll likely pay for a few essentials to get your site online:
| Expense | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Name | Your site’s address (like yourwebsite.com) | $10–15 per year |
| Web Hosting | Space on a server to store your site | $3–10 per month |
| Premium Themes/Plugins (Optional) | For advanced design or features | $0–100+ per year |
If you’re on a tight budget, you can use free themes, plugins, and low-cost hosting. But most serious websites invest a small amount to get better performance and branding.
🚀 Why Free Doesn’t Mean Low Quality
It might surprise you that a free platform powers some of the world’s biggest brands, including:
- TechCrunch
- BBC America
- The Walt Disney Company Blogs
- Sony Music
The open-source nature of WordPress means it’s constantly updated, secure, and highly customizable. Thousands of developers contribute code, test features, and release updates — ensuring WordPress stays modern and powerful.
💼 How WordPress Makes Money
If WordPress is free, you might wonder: how does it sustain itself?
Here’s the answer — the software itself is free, but companies and professionals build businesses around it:
- Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) earns from premium plans and services.
- Developers and agencies sell premium themes, plugins, and hosting.
- Freelancers and designers offer custom WordPress site development.
This creates a thriving ecosystem where everyone benefits — users get free software, and businesses provide valuable services built on top of it.
🔓 Freedom Over Fees: The Real Value of WordPress
The real power of WordPress isn’t just that it’s free — it’s that you own your content and control your site.
No proprietary platform restrictions, no forced ads, no hidden fees. Just freedom.
Whether you’re building a simple blog, a portfolio, or a business website, WordPress gives you the flexibility to start free and scale when you’re ready.
So yes — WordPress is free. But more importantly, it’s yours.
✅ Ready to Get Started?
You can download WordPress for free from WordPress.org and start building your dream website today.
If you’d rather start fast, choose a beginner-friendly host that offers one-click WordPress installation — most will get you up and running in minutes.
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