Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Advanced Custom Fields VS WordPress.com

Compare Advanced Custom Fields VS WordPress.com and see what are their differences

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Advanced Custom Fields logo Advanced Custom Fields

Custom field and custom content plugin for WordPress

WordPress.com logo WordPress.com

Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.
  • Advanced Custom Fields Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02
  • WordPress.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03

Advanced Custom Fields features and specs

  • Flexible Field Management
    Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) allows users to add a wide variety of custom fields to WordPress edit screens, providing flexibility in managing content based on specific needs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    ACF offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create and manage custom fields without needing advanced coding skills.
  • Extensive Field Types
    ACF supports numerous field types including text, textarea, image, file, and more, enabling detailed customization of content and layouts.
  • Integration with WordPress
    Seamlessly integrates with WordPress, making it easy to extend the functionality of a WordPress site without significant alterations to existing systems.
  • Active Development and Community
    Regular updates and a strong community behind ACF ensure that new features are constantly being added and bugs are promptly addressed.

Possible disadvantages of Advanced Custom Fields

  • Performance Overhead
    Implementing numerous custom fields can potentially lead to performance issues due to increased database queries, especially on larger sites.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, users who want to deeply integrate ACF into their custom themes or plugins may face a learning curve.
  • Cost for Pro Features
    Many of the more advanced features, such as repeater fields, are only available in the Pro version, requiring a paid license.
  • Dependence on Updates
    Frequent updates require developers to regularly maintain their setups to ensure compatibility and security, especially on customized installations.
  • Limited to WordPress
    Since ACF is specifically designed for WordPress, its functionality is not transferable to other CMS platforms without significant adaptation.

WordPress.com features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    WordPress.com provides a user-friendly interface that is easy for beginners to navigate. It offers pre-installed themes and plugins, making it simple to get started with a minimal learning curve.
  • Maintenance-Free
    The platform handles all the technicalities such as updates, backups, and security, allowing users to focus solely on creating content.
  • Cost-Effective
    There are free plans available, and even the paid plans are relatively affordable. It eliminates the need for a separate hosting service, reducing overall costs.
  • Built-In Community
    WordPress.com hosts a large community of users, providing opportunities for networking and increased visibility through its social features.
  • Scalability
    Various premium plans allow you to scale up as your website grows. You can start with a free plan and upgrade to more advanced features as needed.

Possible disadvantages of WordPress.com

  • Limited Customization
    You have less control over your website's design and functionality compared to self-hosted WordPress. Custom themes and plugins are often restricted or not allowed.
  • Monetization Restrictions
    Free and lower-tier plans have limitations on monetization options. For instance, you can't use third-party ad networks unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan.
  • Less Flexibility
    The platform is less flexible compared to self-hosted solutions. Certain advanced features and customizations are not available or are limited.
  • Data Portability
    Migrating your site from WordPress.com to another platform can be complicated and may require technical assistance, posing a challenge if you decide to move.
  • Price for Advanced Features
    While the basic plans are affordable, the cost can add up if you choose to add advanced features and services. Some premium options can be relatively expensive.

Analysis of WordPress.com

Overall verdict

  • WordPress.com is generally considered a good platform, especially for bloggers, small businesses, and users who prefer a managed website solution. It strikes a balance between ease of use and powerful features, though it may not offer the same level of flexibility and control as self-hosted WordPress.org for developers and larger businesses.

Why this product is good

  • WordPress.com is a popular choice because it is user-friendly, offers robust customization options, and requires minimal technical skills to set up and maintain. It provides a range of plans, from free to premium, catering to various needs. The platform also handles hosting, security, and updates, which can be advantageous for users seeking convenience.

Recommended for

  • Bloggers
  • Small business owners
  • Individuals who need a simple personal website
  • Users who prefer a managed hosting environment
  • People with minimal technical expertise

Advanced Custom Fields videos

Advanced Custom Fields Allow You To Add Extra Fields To Your Posts, Pages Or Custom Post Types

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Advanced Custom Fields Tutorial: Create a WordPress Movie Review Website
  • Review - Using Advanced Custom Fields And Custom Post Types Together The Right Way

WordPress.com videos

WordPress.COM Review: Is it really easier than WordPress.ORG?

More videos:

  • Review - Wordpress.com Review: Good For Users Familiar with Wordpress
  • Review - WORDPRESS.COM REVIEW 2020: THE BEST WEBSITE BUILDER?! | PROS AND CONS | TECH TIME #110
  • Review - WordPress.org VS WordPress.com: The Confusing Differences Explained!
  • Review - Should You Use WordPress.com? | WordPress.com Honest Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Advanced Custom Fields and WordPress.com)
Web Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
CMS
0 0%
100% 100
Surveys
100 100%
0% 0
Website Builder
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Advanced Custom Fields and WordPress.com

Advanced Custom Fields Reviews

We have no reviews of Advanced Custom Fields yet.
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WordPress.com Reviews

WordPress vs. Proprietary Site Builders: What to Know Before Starting a Website Development Project
WordPress: WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com) is an open-source content management system (CMS). When you build a website on WordPress, you own the code, the design, and the data. This means you can fully customize your site, transfer it to any hosting provider, and have complete control over all aspects of the website. The site can be hosted on any...
Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
WordPress.com claims affordability as one of their best benefits. Their pricing plans are similar to other website platforms like Wix, but many of the plugins and assets that add crucial features like product listings and SEO tools come at a steep cost. Even if you only add one or two plugins, like WooCommerce or Yoast, you’ll spend more on add-ons than on the website...
Source: webflow.com
19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
While WordPress is undeniably popular, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here are the key differences between WordPress.com (hosted platform) and WordPress.org (self-hosted software) to help you understand more about WordPress and why you should look for an alternative website builder:
Source: www.pixpa.com
The 17 Best Wix Alternatives (2024) Who Else Can You Build Your Website With?
WordPress is the undisputed king of CMS or Content Management Systems. From blogs to online stores, there isn’t much you can’t do with this powerful website building solution. Keep in mind that WordPress comes in two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
8+ Best Cheap Domain Name Providers in 2024 [Compared]
WordPress.com has grown to become one of the leading domain registration companies in the industry in the past few years. While they strive to keep their prices competitive, they also maintain a high level of service quality and customer support.
Source: themehunk.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WordPress.com seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1020 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Advanced Custom Fields mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Advanced Custom Fields yet. Tracking of Advanced Custom Fields recommendations started around Mar 2021.

WordPress.com mentions (1020)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Advanced Custom Fields and WordPress.com, you can also consider the following products

Pods Framework - Plugin and framework for adding custom fields and custom content types to WordPress.

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Carbon Fields - Carbon Fields makes it easy for you to create custom fields for post types, taxonomies,

WiX - Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

WPforms - Drag & drop WordPress form builder

SquareSpace - Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.