Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
What cost items does WordPress have?
With a self-hosted WordPress site, these are the items:
| Item | one-off or ongoing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress software | free | free software |
| Hosting | ongoing | with the host of your choice, price depends on the plan |
| Domain | ongoing | often included in hosting or separate |
| Template (theme) | one-off or yearly | free and paid templates |
| Extensions (plugins) | often yearly | many with a free basic version and a paid Pro version |
| Maintenance | ongoing | do it yourself or service provider |
| Build | one-off | yourself, freelancer or agency |
We have not found reliable average prices for building and maintenance in Germany using a sound method. So we do not give market prices here, we show how to put together your own bill.
What does WordPress.com cost?
According to the WordPress.com pricing page, viewed on 23 October 2026, in US dollars excl. tax:
| Plan | annual, per month | monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | US$4 | US$9 |
| Premium | US$8 | US$18 |
| Business | US$25 | US$40 |
| Commerce | US$45 | US$70 |
With WordPress.com, the provider handles hosting and technology. Billing is in dollars, with taxes on top.
How do I work out my WordPress costs?
Go through a year of your invoices and write down every item:
- 1
Hosting plan per year.
- 2
Domain per year, if separate.
- 3
Licences for template and extensions. Watch for renewals that are charged automatically.
- 4
Maintenance: hours per month times hourly rate, or the maintenance contract.
- 5
Extra costs at the host, for example for an outdated PHP version.
The last item is often overlooked. Hosts sometimes charge extra if a site keeps running on an old PHP version. In October 2026, one business showed us a hosting invoice with such an item of €187.44 a year. That is a clear sign the site has not been updated for a long time.
What does your own time cost?
Most people underestimate it. Installing updates, checking that everything works after an update, backups, spam in the contact form, security warnings. If you do it yourself, plan a few hours a year. If you do not, you risk a site that gets hacked at some point or stops working.
Is WordPress cheaper than a website builder?
Not automatically. The software is free, but licences and maintenance can cost more than a builder subscription. WordPress is cheaper above all when you do the maintenance yourself and manage with free extensions. The advantage lies elsewhere: the site belongs to you. In detail in the comparison WordPress or website builder.
At freeehouse, maintenance is included in the hosting, with no licences and no hourly rates. We rebuild your WordPress site, carry over all content, and you only pay for hosting with care, cheaper than today. Claim your spot on the waiting list
Worked example: how to put together your yearly bill
| Item | your amount per year |
|---|---|
| Hosting plan | according to invoice |
| Domain | according to invoice |
| Template, licence | according to invoice or bank statement |
| Extensions with licence | total of all renewals |
| Maintenance | hours times hourly rate or contract |
| Extra costs from the host | for example for an old PHP version |
| Total |
Enter your figures and compare them with a website builder subscription and with a managed solution, each over three years.
Frequently asked questions
What does WordPress cost per month?
The software nothing. WordPress.com costs, according to the pricing page, from US$4 per month on annual payment, excl. tax. With self-hosted WordPress, the costs depend on hosting, licences and maintenance.
Do I have to pay for WordPress plugins?
Many extensions are free, and for advanced features there are often paid versions with a yearly licence.
What does a WordPress theme cost?
There are many free templates. Paid templates are sold one-off or as a yearly licence, depending on the provider.
Is WordPress hosting at IONOS or STRATO more expensive?
Both offer their own WordPress hosting with their own plans. Compare the price after promotional periods and whether domain and mailbox are included.
Sources
- WordPress.com: Preise, accessed 23 October 2026
- WordPress Developer: Hardening WordPress, accessed 23 October 2026
- WordPress.org: Download, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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