WordPress Plan
A WordPress plan is a paid tier that bundles website hosting, storage, and access to WordPress features—sold either by WordPress.com directly or by third-party hosts (like [SiteGround](https://wp...
What Is a WordPress Plan?
For: First-time site owners choosing between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, or anyone confused by hosting pricing pages.
A WordPress plan is a paid tier that bundles website hosting, storage, and access to WordPress features—sold either by WordPress.com directly or by third-party hosts (like SiteGround or Hostinger) as part of a managed WordPress package.
Answer capsule: A WordPress plan gives you a hosted environment where WordPress is pre-installed, along with storage space, a domain (sometimes), and varying levels of customization. WordPress.com offers five tiers from free to $45/month (as of 2026). Third-party hosts offer self-managed WordPress starting under $3/month.
Why the term confuses beginners
WordPress itself is free, open-source software. The confusion starts because two different things get called “WordPress plans”:
- WordPress.com plans — subscription tiers on Automattic’s hosted platform. You don’t manage the server; they do. Customization is limited on lower tiers.
- Hosting plans with WordPress — plans from independent hosts (Bluehost, SiteGround, Kinsta) where you get a server and install WordPress yourself, or it’s pre-installed. You own full control.
We see this confusion constantly on client sites. Someone signs up for “WordPress” at a cheap host, then is surprised they can’t upload certain plugins—because they accidentally signed up for a WordPress.com Free or Starter plan, not a self-hosted install.
What does a WordPress plan typically include?
| Feature | WordPress.com (Free) | WordPress.com (Business, $25/mo) | Self-Hosted (e.g. Hostinger, $2.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom domain | No (subdomain only) | Yes | Yes (with host) |
| Plugin installs | No | Yes | Yes, unlimited |
| Theme customization | Limited | Full | Full |
| Storage | 1 GB | 50 GB | Varies by plan |
| eCommerce | No | Yes (WooCommerce) | Yes |
| You manage the server | No | No | Yes |
For most business sites, self-hosted WordPress on a shared or managed host is the practical choice. You get full plugin access, complete theme control, and pricing that starts under $5/month.
How to pick the right plan
In our testing across 200+ client setups, the biggest mistake beginners make is choosing a plan based on price alone, then hitting a wall when they need a contact form plugin or a custom checkout.
Three questions to ask before buying:
- Do you need custom plugins? If yes, avoid WordPress.com Free and Starter tiers—plugin installation requires Business tier or above.
- Will you run an online store? WooCommerce requires self-hosted WordPress or WordPress.com Business ($25/month).
- Who manages updates? Managed WordPress hosts handle core and plugin updates. Shared hosting doesn’t—you do it manually or via a tool like MainWP.
Related terms
- WordPress.org vs WordPress.com — the root of the “plan” confusion
- Managed WordPress hosting — what it means and when to pay for it
- Shared hosting — the most common entry-level plan type
- WordPress multisite — running multiple sites under one install
- wp-config.php — the file that holds your plan’s database credentials
Additional reading:
Last verified: April 2026