WordPress status

Launched in 2003 as a fork of b2/cafelog, WordPress.org provides the free, open-source software that powers over 43% of all websites. Unlike its commercial counterpart WordPress.com, the .org version offers complete control, allowing users to self-host on any server with unlimited customization through themes and plugins. The platform's strength lies in its massive ecosystem—58,000+ plugins and 12,000+ themes—that enable everything from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites (via WooCommerce). Its Gutenberg block editor modernized content creation while maintaining backward compatibility. Supported by a global community of developers rather than a single company, WordPress.org remains the democratizing force behind independent web publishing. Despite competition from website builders, its flexibility, scalability, and zero licensing fees cement its position as the internet's most popular CMS.