WordPress Hosted Plans Just Opened Up Plugins and Third-Party Themes on All Paid Plans

If you’ve ever considered one of the WordPress hosted plans and thought, “Yeah, but I need plugins,” you already know the friction.

For years, that flexibility was treated like a higher-tier feature on WordPress.com. It turned a simple “Which plan fits me?” question into “Am I going to outgrow this right away?” That’s now changed.

Plugin Installation (and Third-Party Theme Uploads)

WordPress.org and WordPress’s hosted plans share the WordPress name, but they don’t work the same way. On hosted plans, plugin access used to sit behind more expensive tiers.

Now, plugin installation is available on all paid hosted WordPress plans. And as of late 2025, their documentation reflects this change. If you’re on a legacy plan, you might need to switch to the current plan framework before plugin installation shows up in your dashboard. 

Free plans still don’t allow external plugins. But once someone’s on a paid plan, plugins stop being a premium unlock.

With plugins and third-party themes available across paid tiers, you can choose a plan based on things like traffic, storage, and support. You’re not paying extra just to unlock plugin-powered features.

Plugin Freedom Can Still Become Plugin Mess

This update lowers a barrier. It doesn’t change the reality that plugins can cause problems if you add too many or choose low-quality ones.

Plugins are powerful because they extend what your site can do. They’re also among the fastest ways to slow a site down or create conflicts when someone installs a long list of overlapping tools.

Many features are already built in. Plugins tend to be most useful when there’s a clear need, not just because they look interesting.

WordPress vs Self-hosted WordPress

For years, comparisons between hosted or managed WordPress and self-hosted WordPress often came down to one idea. If you wanted plugins, you’d hit higher plans anyway, so you might as well go self-hosted.

Now that paid hosted plans support plugins and third-party themes, that no longer holds up. The better question is whether you want convenience or control.

If you value a managed environment where hosting, platform updates, and most security work are handled for you, hosted WordPress is a stronger choice. You can start on a smaller plan, then add plugin-powered features when it actually makes sense.

If you value full control over hosting, server settings, and custom setups, and you’re fine owning more of the maintenance, self-hosted WordPress still makes sense. The difference is that plugins themselves aren’t the automatic tie-breaker anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this update apply to every paid plan, or only certain tiers?
This applies to all paid WordPress hosted plans. Free plans still don’t support installing external plugins.

I’m on a paid plan but I still can’t install WordPress plugins. Why?
Some older subscriptions may be on a legacy plan setup. In that case, plugin access may not show up until the site is moved to the current plan framework.

Can I upload a third-party theme file (.zip), or is it only themes from the WordPress library?
You can upload a third-party theme file on paid plans that support third-party theme uploads.

Are all plugins allowed, or are some blocked?
Not all plugins are supported. Some plugins can be blocked or incompatible with WordPress’s hosted environment.

Do I still need a higher plan for SFTP/SSH and other developer features?
Yes. Plugin access is broader now, but some advanced developer features can still be tied to higher tiers.

Are plugins free, or do I have to pay for them?
Some plugins are free. Others charge for premium features, licenses, or support.

Can I move my site later if I start on hosted WordPress?
Yes. You can export your content and move it to another platform or a self-hosted WordPress setup later.

Does this work during a free trial?
Not always. Some plan trials may have feature limits, so plugin access can differ during the trial period compared to the paid version of that plan.