Our verdict
Being tested. An editor is using WordPress.com hands-on; the verdict and score appear here once they sign it off.
What it does
WordPress.com is a hosted version of WordPress, run by Automattic. You choose a theme and write pages and posts in its editor, and it handles the hosting. On paid plans its AI, the WordPress AI Assistant, can help you write, design and manage your site.
Paid plans add your own domain, plug-ins and online selling, so a site can grow from a blog to a business site.
Why use it
- It is built on WordPress, so there are themes and plug-ins for almost anything.
- Hosting is handled for you.
- On paid plans, an AI assistant helps you write and manage your site.
- A free plan lets you start without paying.
How it works
- Sign up on WordPress.com and choose a free or paid plan.
- Pick a theme for your site.
- Write pages and posts in the editor, using the AI assistant if your plan has it.
- Connect your own domain on a paid plan, then publish.
How hard is it to use?
Intermediate Some set-up, or a little practice, to get good results.
Starting a blog is easy, but the editor and settings take some learning, which is why we rate it Intermediate.
What it costs
Free plan; paid plans. A free plan with ads, a WordPress.com address and a small number of AI requests. Paid plans (Personal, Premium, Business and Commerce) remove the ads and add your own domain, plug-ins and the AI assistant, and the higher plans add online selling.
Prices change often, so check WordPress.com’s own site before you pay.
Watch out for
- The free plan shows WordPress.com ads to your visitors.
- Check AI-written text before you publish it.
Your data
If your site collects visitors’ details, you are responsible for them. Check Automattic’s privacy policy for how its AI assistant uses your content.
We haven’t confirmed that WordPress.com can keep your data in the UK, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.