WordPress
PHP and MySQL publishing platform and CMS for blogs, business sites and stores, extended by themes and plugins.
Build a site with blocks, themes and plugins on your own hosting, with no per-seat licence.
WordPress is a publishing platform and content management system that runs on PHP and MySQL or MariaDB. You get a block editor, themes and a plugin library. It suits anyone who wants to own their site and publish content without paying a platform subscription.
What it is
You install WordPress on a web host, then design pages with blocks and themes and add features such as a store, analytics or newsletters through plugins. The readme describes a five-minute install and a plugin API for developers. Updates can run from wp-admin or manually.
Who it's for
It suits bloggers, small businesses, agencies and publishers who want a site they control. It is less suited to people who want a fully hosted, zero-maintenance builder, because you manage hosting, backups, updates and plugin choices yourself.
Key features
Block editor
Design and edit pages visually with blocks and see changes as you build.
Themes and plugins
A large library of themes and plugins adds stores, analytics, newsletters and social integrations.
Famous 5-minute install
Upload the files, open wp-admin/install.php and follow the setup to create wp-config.php.
Built-in importers
WordPress can import content from a number of other systems after installation.
Plugin developer API
A documented plugin API lets developers extend the core without modifying it.
Automatic updater
Run updates from wp-admin/update-core.php, or update files manually.
Up and running in 3 steps
Our honest verdict
What's great
- The plugin and theme library adds a store, newsletter or analytics without custom development.
- The block editor lets non-developers change layouts without writing code.
- Runs on common LAMP hosting; the readme lists PHP 7.4 as the minimum and recommends PHP 8.3 or newer.
- Importers help you move content in from other systems.
Where it falls short
- You need web hosting with PHP and MySQL or MariaDB, and the readme recommends HTTPS and mod_rewrite, so there is ongoing server upkeep.
- You are responsible for backups and for applying updates; the readme tells you to back up modified files before updating.
- Features come from third-party plugins whose quality and upkeep vary, and the readme says not to modify core code.
- The GitHub repository has no releases listed, so you download WordPress from wordpress.org rather than from GitHub.
Pricing & license
WordPress itself is free under GPL version 2 or later. wordpress.org shows no paid plan for the software, so your costs are hosting, a domain and any paid themes or plugins you add.
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FAQ
What does WordPress need to run?
The readme lists PHP 7.4 or greater and MySQL 5.5.5 or greater as the minimum, and recommends PHP 8.3 or greater, MySQL 8.4 or MariaDB 10.11 or greater, mod_rewrite and HTTPS.
Is WordPress free?
The software is released under GPL version 2 or later. You still pay for hosting and any paid themes or plugins you choose.
Can I move an existing site into WordPress?
The readme says WordPress can import from a number of systems once it is installed and working.
