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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWordPress core is free because it is open-source software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2 or later. You can run it, study and modify its code, redistribute it, and use it for commercial projects without paying a WordPress licensing fee. A working website can still cost money for hosting, a domain, premium themes or plugins, training, and professional help.
What “free WordPress” actually means
The downloadable WordPress project is licensed under GPLv2 or later. That license gives users four practical freedoms:
- Run the software for any purpose, including commercial work.
- Study how it works.
- Modify the code and create extensions.
- Redistribute the original or modified software under the license terms.
WordPress.org’s Features page summarizes the commercial point this way: “You are also free to do whatever you like with the WordPress code, extend it or modify in any way or use it for commercial projects without any licensing fees.” The project began in 2003 as a fork of b2/cafelog and is developed by a worldwide community. It is not simply a product being given away by Automattic.
Which parts of a website may cost money?
The software license is only one component of a website. The following expenses are separate from the WordPress core license and vary by provider, location, features and renewal terms.
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| Choice or need | Possible cost | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Use WordPress core | No WordPress licensing fee | The GPL permits personal and commercial use without a WordPress software charge. |
| Run a self-hosted site | Web hosting and possibly a domain | You select and pay for the infrastructure, or choose a host to provide it. |
| Customize the site | Some themes and plugins | Free extensions exist, alongside products sold by independent developers. |
| Learn, configure or maintain it | Training or professional services | You can learn and manage the site yourself or pay someone for assistance. |
| Use WordPress.com | Potential paid service upgrades | WordPress.com sells hosted plans; those prices are service charges, not a WordPress GPL license fee. |
Hosting and a domain
With a self-hosted installation, a hosting company supplies server space and related infrastructure. A domain name is the address visitors type, and it may be purchased separately or bundled by a host. Some providers include extras such as backups, email, security tools or support, while others leave more administration to you.
There is no defensible universal “WordPress cost.” The total depends on the host, the domain extension, the initial and renewal rates, traffic and storage needs, and any services you add. Compare current quotes and renewal prices for your country rather than relying on a generic monthly figure.
Themes and plugins
WordPress can be extended with free themes and plugins, but many developers sell premium versions, subscriptions or paid support. A paid theme or plugin is a purchase from that developer; it is not a fee imposed by the WordPress project. Check whether a product includes updates, support, site limits and recurring renewals before buying.
Training and professional help
Documentation and community resources allow many owners to learn independently. Others pay for a course, a beginner book, a designer, a developer, maintenance or troubleshooting. Those costs buy time or expertise and do not change the licensing status of WordPress itself.
WordPress.org versus WordPress.com
These names refer to different arrangements:
| WordPress.org | WordPress.com | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The open-source project and downloadable software. | A hosted service operated by Automattic that uses WordPress software. |
| Hosting responsibility | You choose a host and are responsible for the hosting arrangement, unless a provider manages much of it for you. | The service supplies hosting as part of its plans. |
| Domain arrangement | You arrange a domain yourself or through your host. | Domain options depend on the service and plan. |
| Customization | You control the installation and can select compatible themes, plugins and outside tools. | Available features and extensions depend on the service’s current plan rules. |
| Updates and support | You or your chosen provider handle setup, updates, backups and support according to the arrangement. | The hosted service manages the underlying environment, with support and features determined by the plan. |
WordPress.org’s explanation of the distinction was last updated October 5, 2024. Current WordPress.com plans, limits and prices change, so evaluate them separately from the free software license. A free WordPress.com site, where offered, is a hosted-service option and should not be confused with downloading WordPress and choosing your own host.
What self-hosting requires today
For a self-hosted installation, WordPress.org currently recommends (as checked September 30, 2026):
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- PHP 8.3 or newer.
- MariaDB 10.11 or newer, or MySQL 8.0 or newer.
- HTTPS support.
Older PHP 7.4+ and MySQL 5.5.5+ versions may still run WordPress, but WordPress.org identifies them as end-of-life and warns that unsupported software can expose a site to security vulnerabilities. Requirements can change, so confirm the current requirements page before purchasing a hosting plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The tradeoff behind the zero-license price
You gain control
The GPL model lets you inspect and change the software, move it between hosts, build custom functionality and use it for a commercial site without requesting permission or paying a per-site license.
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You also take on decisions
Self-hosting means deciding where the site lives, keeping software and extensions updated, arranging backups, configuring security and solving compatibility problems. A managed host or hosted service can reduce that workload, but its convenience is part of a paid service or a plan with defined limits.
“Free” does not mean “risk-free”
Even without a license charge, neglected updates, insecure passwords, incompatible plugins or missing backups can create downtime and recovery costs. Budget for reliable operations if the site matters to a business or publication.
How to estimate your own WordPress budget
- Choose the operating model: compare a hosted WordPress.com plan with self-hosting based on control, maintenance and included features.
- List required infrastructure: identify hosting, domain registration, storage, bandwidth, email and backup needs.
- Separate essentials from upgrades: start with free themes and plugins where they meet your requirements; price premium tools only when their features or support justify them.
- Check recurring terms: record renewal prices, subscription intervals, update access and cancellation rules.
- Confirm compatibility: verify the host meets the current PHP, database and HTTPS recommendations before signing up.
- Value your time: include training, maintenance or professional help if you will not handle setup and troubleshooting yourself.
WordPress.org maintains a hosting-provider list and notes that some providers return part of a fee to WordPress.org when visitors click through and purchase. The list is not a neutral price ranking, and any provider’s current price, performance, support and referral terms should be checked directly.
Optional ways to learn
You do not need a book or course to use WordPress. If you prefer print instruction, WordPress For Dummies, 9th Edition by Lisa Sabin-Wilson is a 480-page softcover released in February 2021. Wiley describes coverage of setup, themes, posts, plugins, multimedia and publishing routines. Because the edition predates current interfaces, verify availability and whether its instructions match your version before buying.
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Bottom line
WordPress is free in the software-licensing sense: GPLv2-or-later rights let you use and modify the core, including for commercial projects, without a WordPress license fee. A complete website is not automatically free. Hosting, a domain, optional extensions, learning and labor create the real budget, while hosted services such as WordPress.com charge for convenience and included infrastructure. Decide which responsibilities you want to manage, then price that specific setup using current provider and renewal terms.
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