Thinking about starting a website but unsure how much WordPress.com will cost you? You’re not alone—budgeting for a website is often the first step to bringing your ideas online.
Understanding WordPress.com pricing is essential because choosing the right plan can save you money and ensure your site has the features you need.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how WordPress.com charges, explore the different plans available, and share tips to help you decide what’s right for you.
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How Much Does WordPress.com Cost? A Complete 2025 Pricing Guide
Are you considering building your website with WordPress.com and wondering how much it will cost? You’re not alone! With so many plans, optional features, and additional expenses, figuring out what you’ll actually pay can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll break down the WordPress.com pricing structure step by step, explain what each plan includes, and offer tips for getting the best value for your money.
Understanding WordPress.com Costs: The Basics
WordPress.com offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets, from personal blogs to small business websites and e-commerce stores. Here’s what affects the price:
- The plan you choose (Free, Starter, Explorer, Creator, Entrepreneur, or high-tier).
- Optional add-ons, domain registration, and custom features.
- Potential costs for premium themes or third-party plugins.
It’s important to distinguish WordPress.com from WordPress.org. WordPress.com is an all-in-one website platform with hosting, while WordPress.org is open-source software you install on your own hosting.
WordPress.com Plans & Features (2025 Overview)
Let’s walk through the typical plans you’ll find on WordPress.com and explore what each one includes.
1. Free Plan
- Best for personal blogs or testing the platform.
- Includes a wordpress.com subdomain (like yoursite.wordpress.com).
- Offers basic design customization.
- Limited storage (usually around 1 GB).
- Displays WordPress.com ads on your site.
- No ability to use custom plugins, themes, or advanced features.
2. Starter Plan
- Affordable, entry-level paid option (often around $4 per month, billed annually).
- Allows connecting a custom domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com).
- Removes native WordPress.com ads.
- Increased storage (usually around 6 GB).
- Access to basic email support.
- Still limited in plugin/theme choices.
3. Explorer & Creator Plans
- Designed for growing blogs, portfolios, or business sites.
- Prices usually range from $8 to $25 per month (billed annually).
- More advanced design controls and storage (10-50 GB or higher).
- Monetization tools, like collecting payments or selling simple products.
- Enhanced customer support (possibly chat or even priority email).
- Access to premium themes and basic plugin integrations.
4. Entrepreneur & Advanced Plans
- Catered towards businesses, e-commerce stores, and high-traffic sites.
- Prices can range from $45 to $70+ per month.
- Includes integrated e-commerce & payment solutions.
- Advanced marketing tools and integrations.
- Unlimited storage or very high limits.
- Access to install plugins and custom themes.
- Priority or 24/7 support, including phone or live chat.
Additional Costs to Consider
The plan fee is just the starting point for your total WordPress.com cost. Here are a few other potential expenses to keep in mind:
1. Domain Registration
- Free with most paid plans for the first year.
- Typically renews at $10–$15/year after the first year.
- You can transfer an existing domain or buy directly from WordPress.com.
2. Premium Themes and Plugins
- WordPress.com offers a library of free and premium themes.
- Premium themes may incur a one-time or annual fee ($20–$100+ is common).
- With higher-tier plans, you can install premium or custom plugins, sometimes at added cost.
3. Transaction and Payment Fees
- E-commerce or business plans enable payment processing.
- Payment processors (like Stripe or PayPal) charge transaction fees, generally 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- WordPress.com may charge its own additional fees depending on the plan.
4. Additional Storage
- If you need more than what’s included in your plan, you can often buy extra storage.
5. Email Hosting
- WordPress.com does not provide professional email, but you can integrate third-party email services.
- Email hosting services like Google Workspace or Zoho Mail start at around $1–$6 per user per month.
Benefits of Using WordPress.com
Why choose WordPress.com, even with its varying costs? Here are the key advantages:
- All-in-one solution (hosting, backups, security, software updates managed for you).
- User-friendly interface for beginners and non-technical users.
- Plenty of free design templates and basic customization.
- Scalable—from a hobby blog to a large e-commerce store.
- Reliable support (depending on plan) and a vast community.
Challenges and Limitations
While WordPress.com is convenient, be aware of some potential downsides:
- Free and lower-tier plans have significant limitations (ads, storage, inability to install plugins).
- Full design and functionality customization is reserved for higher-priced plans.
- E-commerce and advanced marketing features can get expensive.
- Your site is tied to WordPress.com’s infrastructure and policies, which means less flexibility than self-hosted WordPress.org.
How to Choose the Right WordPress.com Plan for You
Picking a plan depends on your needs and future goals. Here’s a simple decision tree:
- Are you creating a personal blog or testing the platform?
- Consider the Free plan or Starter plan.
- Do you want a professional look with a custom domain and no ads?
- Starter plan or Explorer plan.
- Are you building a business website, portfolio, or need more design/tools?
- Explorer or Creator plans offer flexibility and more resources.
- Are you launching an online store or need advanced marketing tools?
- Entrepreneur plan or higher is best for e-commerce and full-scale businesses.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Will you need to sell products or accept payments?
- Do you require email, live chat, or phone support?
- Is full design customization important (custom themes, plugins)?
- What is your estimated site traffic/storage need?
- What is your budget now and in the future?
Tips for Saving Money on WordPress.com
- Start with a lower-tier plan, then upgrade as your site grows.
- Take advantage of free trials or promotional discounts.
- Use free themes and plugins when possible.
- Register your domain through WordPress.com to get the first year free.
- Review renewal costs—these sometimes jump after the first year.
Best Practices for Managing Your WordPress.com Budget
- Set a clear budget and compare annual vs. monthly billing—annual often saves you money.
- Review your real needs—don’t pay for features you won’t use.
- Regularly audit your plugins and themes to avoid unnecessary purchases.
- Back up your site and keep up with renewals to avoid service interruption.
- Check if any nonprofit or educational discounts are available for your organization.
Summary of WordPress.com Costs
WordPress.com offers a variety of plans to fit most website needs and budgets. Essential costs start with your selected plan, but domain registration, premium themes, plugins, email hosting, and payment processing fees can add up. For most users:
- Expect $0–$10/month for basic sites.
- $10–$25/month for growing blogs or small businesses.
- $25–$70+/month for e-commerce or high-traffic sites.
Carefully consider your needs, start small where possible, and scale up as your requirements grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to use WordPress.com for a year?
Your cost depends on the plan you choose. For example, the Starter plan is about $4 per month, which totals around $48 per year (billed annually). Higher-tier plans cost more, and you should also consider additional fees for domains, premium themes, or plugins.
Do I need to pay separately for my domain name on WordPress.com?
Most paid WordPress.com plans include a free domain for the first year. After that, you’ll pay an annual renewal fee (usually $10–$15/year for standard domains).
Can I use plugins and custom themes on all WordPress.com plans?
Only higher-tier plans (usually Creator and above) allow you to install custom plugins and third-party themes. Lower-tier plans offer a curated selection of features but restrict full access.
Is WordPress.com cheaper than other website builders?
For simple sites, WordPress.com’s Starter or Free plan is very affordable. However, add-ons and unlocking advanced features can make it as expensive—or more so—than other website builders. Always compare plans and included features for the best value.
Can I start on a free plan and upgrade later?
Absolutely. Many users start with the Free plan to test the platform or build a basic site, then upgrade as their needs grow. Upgrading is quick and retains your site content and design.
WordPress.com gives you powerful website-building tools at almost any price point, but your total cost will depend on how far you want to go. Take time to explore your options, understand what’s included, and choose the plan that fits your vision and budget best.