I need some advice about WordPress.org vs WordPress.com and plugins. I’m trying to set up a community site with a newsletter, forum, online courses, etc. I heard .org is better, but it looks like I’ll have to pay for plugins like WPforms, Memberpress, LearnDash, bbPress, and WooCommerce. I don’t mind paying for some, but paying for all would eat up my budget before I even start making money. Are there any free plugins on WordPress.org that are just as good or close to these ones?
Thanks in advance for your help, hope you all have a great week!
All of the plugins you mentioned have free versions on WordPress.org. The paid versions just have extra features. You might find that the free versions are enough for what you need.
Also, keep in mind that WordPress.org and WordPress.com are different. .org is the software you install on your own hosting, while .com is a hosted service where you can’t add plugins or themes on the free plan.
You’re right, I might not need the premium versions. Do you know if I can upgrade later on, for example from MemberPress to a more advanced version, once I start earning or my community grows?
@Arlo
Yes, you can upgrade from a free version to a paid version of the same plugin without any issues. Most premium plugins are subscription-based. If you don’t pay, you’ll still be able to use the plugin, but you won’t get updates. Keeping things updated is recommended for security reasons, though.