WordPress.com
The dot com version of WordPress is actually run by a specialized company that provides hosting services for users. Those who choose this platform do not have to download or install anything. Everything they need is provided and built into the services. So, you have to decide on how much control, design options or management that you choose to have with your website. So, essentially you have less freedom and that’s a major difference.
If you are trying to promote a commercial venture, the .com version is an excellent resource to utilize. It is easy to use and you pay for the service while understanding it has certain limitations. A yearly fee gives you built in features to take advantage of that works in specific instances. Very little legwork is required and easy to follow instructions are offered to get you started quickly.
The Basic plan option is free of charge and provides benefits that include free blogging, a web address, and general customization. There are no premium themes built into this, so e-Commerce, video storage and community support are not offered in the basic package.
WordPress.org
The game becomes slightly more technical to use WordPress.org which is an open-source content management system licensed under GPLv2. This mean that anyone can use or modify the WordPress software for free. It is one of the world’s most widely used site building software. It’s free and open source so that it can be modified and shared by any user in the WordPress community.
Easy to use software provides lots of flexibility, giving options with multiple plug-ins to help you create a design that best represents your business, your uniqueness, your ideas. Every business is different and WordPress.org gives users a high level of control over the design and management of the website that every business owner can possibly envision.
Another major differences between the.com and the.org arise from the options created between hosted and self-hosted websites. The major difference between both is that WordPress.com will take care of hosting for you, while with WordPress.org you’ll need to use a hosting company like Bluehost or SiteGround. In the end it appears that WordPress.org makes things less expensive with more freedom built into the pot.