Is wordpress still free? WordPress as a content management system (CMS) is still free and open-source. You can download the WordPress software from WordPress.org and install it on your own web hosting server without any cost. You’ll only need to pay for your domain name and web hosting services, which are separate from the WordPress software itself.
However, it’s essential to differentiate between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org refers to the free, open-source software that you can download and install on your own server. WordPress.com is a fully hosted platform managed by Automattic, the company behind the open-source WordPress software. WordPress.com offers various hosting plans, including a free plan with limited features and storage.
The free plan on WordPress.com allows you to create a basic website with a WordPress.com subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com). It comes with limited storage (3 GB) and displays WordPress.com ads on your website. To access more features and remove limitations, you can upgrade to one of their paid plans, which include Personal, Premium, Business, and eCommerce options.
In summary, the WordPress software (WordPress.org) remains free and open-source. WordPress.com offers a free hosting plan with limited features, and you can upgrade to their paid plans for additional features and customization options.