{"id":6435,"date":"2021-10-06T08:10:23","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T08:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elementor.com\/academy\/?p=6435"},"modified":"2023-02-21T09:41:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T09:41:12","slug":"is-wordpress-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elementor.com\/academy\/is-wordpress-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Is WordPress Free? What Are the Hidden Costs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our last lesson, we touched on how WordPress is free and open-source, with creators all over the globe contributing and developing it further. Since there are two common uses for the word \u2018free\u2019, however, this can be confusing for new users to the platform encountering premium builders<\/a>, plugins and tools over WordPress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you understand both aspects of WordPress\u2019 freedom, the whole philosophy of WordPress<\/a> becomes clear, along with the reasons premium products exist in the ecosystem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this lesson, we\u2019ll look to explain WordPress\u2019 inherent freedoms along with other related concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Open-Source Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next, let\u2019s talk about WordPress\u2019 relationship to open-source. For the unaware, this means the code used to create a piece of software is available to view by anyone. What\u2019s more, you\u2019re also able to contribute to the project with the correct skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WordPress has a whole community of developers and other contributors to the platform.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, proprietary software is \u2018closed\u2019. This means the source code is private unless you\u2019re on the development team (which often means you\u2019re being paid for your efforts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordPress itself is derived from an older blogging solution called b2\/cafelog<\/a>, and this also had an open-source license. We\u2019ll talk more about this license and what it entails later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, know that because WordPress is open-source, this means there are lots of developers with eyes on the platform\u2019s source code. Because the platform has thousands of contributors, any issues can be worked on fast. This makes WordPress a safe and secure solution for publishing your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The WordPress platform has thousands of contributors, any issues can be worked on fast.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Are There Two Meanings of \u201cFree\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve mentioned it already, but \u201cfree\u201d isn\u2019t just related to price. Of course, WordPress does<\/em> have no cost to download<\/a>, but you also have other freedoms when using the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there\u2019s a saying often attributed to open-source solutions in general: \u201cFree as in speech, and as in beer\u201d. In other words, the software costs nothing (like a free beer), and you also have the freedom to use it however you like (similar to free speech).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordPress\u2019 philosophy dictates that there are four core freedoms<\/a> that all users have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n