WordPress

Name: WordPress
Author: WordPress

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhoneSelf-hostedWeb

What WordPress is

WordPress is an open-source publishing platform and content management system for websites, blogs, portals, and applications. It is free software under the GPLv2-or-later license, which permits users to run, study, change, and redistribute it, including for commercial projects without licensing fees. Users can build sites with blocks and themes and customize them without code. Plugins can add stores, analytics, newsletters, social integrations, forms, and spam protection. Publishing features include drafts, scheduled posts, revisions, public or private content, and password-protected posts and pages. WordPress also provides media tools and roles for administrators, editors, authors, contributors, and subscribers. Developers can extend it with plugins, themes, custom content types, and a REST API. It is available in more than 70 languages. Users install it with their own hosting and domain or set it up through a hosting provider. The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later, MariaDB 10.11 or later or MySQL 8.0 or later, and HTTPS. WordPress.org offers documentation and community support forums.

Who it suits

WordPress suits creators, small businesses, enterprises, first-time bloggers, and professional developers. It can fit users who want to host and manage their own site or work through a hosting provider.

What it does well

Free open-source software under GPLv2-or-later.
Sites can be customized without code.
Plugins add a range of site capabilities.
Publishing includes scheduled posts and revisions.
Available in more than 70 languages.

What to know first

Self-hosted use requires your own hosting and domain.
The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later.
Only the latest version is officially supported.

Limits

The self-hosted plan is free software but requires your own hosting and domain. The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later, MariaDB 10.11 or later or MySQL 8.0 or later, and HTTPS; only the latest version is officially supported.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
WordPress (self-hosted)	Free open-source software · Requires your own hosting and domain	Free
WordPress software	Self-hosted software; hosting and domain are obtained separately	Free

As wordpress.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the WordPress website.
Choose a self-hosted setup with your own hosting and domain, or use a hosting provider.
Check that the hosting environment supports the recommended PHP and database versions and HTTPS.
Download and install WordPress yourself, or arrange setup through the hosting provider.
Build your site with blocks and themes, then add plugins as needed.

Verdict

WordPress offers a flexible publishing foundation with options for both nontechnical site builders and developers. The self-hosted plan is free, but requires hosting and a domain of your own.

Questions

How much does WordPress cost?

The self-hosted software is free: free. It is GPLv2-or-later software and has no licensing fees.

Is there a free plan or trial?

The self-hosted plan is free. There is no free trial.

Which platforms does WordPress support?

The listed platforms are API, self-hosted and web.

Is WordPress open source?

Yes. It is licensed under GPLv2 or later, allowing users to run, study, modify and redistribute it, including for commercial projects.

Who makes WordPress?

The listed maker is WordPress. The maker was founded in 2003.

What do I need to install the self-hosted version?

You need your own hosting and domain, or you can set it up through a hosting provider. The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later, MariaDB 10.11 or later or MySQL 8.0 or later, and HTTPS support.

Facts from WordPress's own pages

Audience: WordPress describes itself as suitable for creators, small businesses, enterprises, first-time bloggers, and professional developers. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Company facts: Automattic Inc. lists its founding as August 2005, headquarters in San Francisco, and staff of 1,447 across 81 countries. · automattic.com, 21 Oct 2026
Data and license: WordPress is GPLv2-or-later software that users may run, study, modify, and redistribute, including for commercial projects without licensing fees. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Design: The block-based design tools and themes let users customize a site without writing code. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Developer resources: Developer documentation includes the REST API Handbook, Code Reference, and WP-CLI commands. · developer.wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Developer tools: Developers can extend WordPress with plugins, themes, custom content types, and a REST API. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Documentation and support: The documentation hub links to overview, technical, support, and customization guides, including installation, maintenance, and security material. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Editing: The editor previews content as it is added and rearranged. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Extensibility: Developers can extend or modify WordPress using themes and plugins, and the project says the software can be used for commercial work without licensing fees. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Extensions: Plugins can add functions such as stores, analytics, newsletters, and social media connections. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Founded: 2003 · wordpress.org, 23 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · wordpress.org, 22 Sept 2026
Hosting requirements: The project recommends PHP 8.3 or later, MariaDB 10.11 or later or MySQL 8.0 or later, and HTTPS support. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Installation: Users can download and install WordPress themselves with their own hosting and domain or set it up through a hosting provider. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Integrations: Capterra lists integrations including Google Docs, Google Drive, PayPal, Slack, Trello, Dropbox, Salesforce Sales Cloud, and Microsoft 365. · capterra.com, 21 Oct 2026
Language: WordPress is available in more than 70 languages. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Latest notable release: WordPress 7.1.3, released October 6, 2026, included seven security fixes and four bug fixes. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Licence: WordPress is free and open source under GPL version 2 or later. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: performance and upkeep: Capterra reviewers report that many plugins, heavy themes, or large media files can slow sites and increase maintenance work. · capterra.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: plugin conflicts: Capterra summaries identify plugin incompatibilities and update-related bugs as recurring sources of troubleshooting and maintenance. · capterra.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: reliability and security: Trustpilot reviewers report site disruptions after updates and concerns about hacking and security. · trustpilot.com, 21 Oct 2026
Limit: usability: Trustpilot reviewers complain that building and editing a site can feel difficult for people without technical experience. · trustpilot.com, 21 Oct 2026
Media and roles: WordPress includes media uploading and editing tools and user roles including administrators, editors, authors, contributors, and subscribers. · wordpress.org, 9 Oct 2026
Media management: The media uploader supports drag-and-drop uploads, alt text, captions, image galleries, and basic image editing. · wordpress.org, 21 Oct 2026