Shield vs WordPress.com: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Shield and WordPress.com. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: WordPress.com starts at $9/mo, making it $6/mo cheaper than Shield ($15/mo). Shield offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Shield vs WordPress.com: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Shield | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $9/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 6 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | flat | freemium |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
WordPress.com is the more affordable option, starting at $9/mo compared to Shield's $15/mo. Both are Other tools with 9 combined pricing plans and 53 features compared. At comparable tiers, the monthly price difference is $3.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget. Shield uses flat pricing while WordPress.com uses freemium pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Other needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Shield Try it free |  WordPress.com Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest | |
| Tier 2 | ProPopular $15/month $12 / year Includes
| Personal $9/monthCheapest $4 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
| PremiumPopular $18/monthCheapest $8 / year Includes
|
| Tier 4 | — | BusinessPopular $40/monthCheapest $25 / year Includes
|
| Tier 5 | — | Commerce $70/monthCheapest $45 / year Includes
|
| Tier 6 | — | Enterprise $2083 / year Includes
|
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WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers a free plan, starts at $6/mo lower ($9/mo vs $15/mo), offers 6 tiers vs 3.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: WordPress.com
Try WordPress.com freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Shield if:
- •You prefer Shield's free tier features—Basic features, Community support
- •Shield's 3-tier flat structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
- •You value Shield's specific feature progression from free to advanced tier levels
Choose WordPress.com if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—WordPress.com starts at $9/mo, saving $6/mo compared to Shield at $15/mo
- •You prefer WordPress.com's free tier features—features
- •You need 6 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—WordPress.com offers 37 additional features across its plans
Both Shield and WordPress.com offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: Shield includes 2 features, while WordPress.com includes multiple features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. When upgrading to paid tiers, Shield offers better value at approximately $3.00/mo difference for comparable tier levels. Plan accordingly if your team will graduate from the free tier within 12 months. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shield vs WordPress.com
Which is cheaper, Shield or WordPress.com?
How many pricing plans does Shield have vs WordPress.com?
Does Shield or WordPress.com offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Shield or WordPress.com?
What is the most popular Shield plan?
What is the most popular WordPress.com plan?
Does Shield or WordPress.com offer custom enterprise pricing?
Sources
- Shield Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- WordPress.com Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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