Automattic, Inc. Review 2025: Behind the Company Powering WordPress

In the rapidly evolving world of digital publishing and web development, few names have been as influential as Automattic, Inc. Known primarily for powering WordPress.com, Automattic continues to play a massive role in shaping the future of open-source publishing, eCommerce, and online communication.

This in-depth review of Automattic, Inc. in 2025 explores what the company does, the tools and platforms it offers, how it supports the open web, and whether it's the right partner for your digital presence.

What Is Automattic, Inc.?

Founded in 2005 by Matt Mullenweg, co-creator of WordPress, Automattic is a fully remote technology company best known for operating and supporting:

WordPress.com

WooCommerce

Jetpack

Akismet

Gravatar

Simplenote

Day One

Tumblr

Automattic’s mission is simple yet ambitious: "To democratize publishing and commerce so that anyone with a story can tell it, and anyone with a product can sell it."

With a team distributed across the globe, Automattic is at the forefront of the open-source web, empowering millions of websites and creators.

Key Products and Services

1. WordPress.com

This is Automattic’s hosted version of the WordPress CMS. It allows users to build websites without managing their own hosting. It's perfect for bloggers, small businesses, and creatives who want a no-code solution.

2. WooCommerce

A powerful, customizable eCommerce platform built on top of WordPress. It enables anyone to create an online store with flexibility, no matter the scale.

3. Jetpack

A performance, security, and marketing toolkit for WordPress users. Jetpack offers features like backups, malware scanning, CDN, and SEO tools.

4. Akismet

A highly effective spam filtering service for blog comments and form submissions. It’s a go-to plugin for WordPress sites.

5. Tumblr

Once a dominant force in microblogging, Tumblr is now under Automattic’s leadership, focusing on community-driven expression and content creation.

6. Day One & Simplenote

Day One is a journaling app, while Simplenote is a lightweight note-taking tool. Both apps focus on personal content creation and sync across devices.

Automattic’s Open Source Commitment

One of Automattic’s standout qualities is its deep commitment to open-source software. While WordPress.com is a paid hosted service, the underlying WordPress software is completely open-source and free to use.

Automattic contributes significantly to WordPress.org and supports hundreds of developers in the open-source community, making it a cornerstone in the digital public commons.

Why Choose Automattic Services?

Pros

Trusted by millions worldwide

Seamless scalability for blogs, portfolios, and eCommerce

Strong focus on privacy and data ownership

Excellent tools for performance and security

Dedicated support and frequent feature updates

Remote-first company with a progressive, global culture

Cons

Some services can be costly (especially WordPress.com Business plans or premium WooCommerce extensions)

Advanced customizations often require coding knowledge

Tumblr’s monetization options are still limited

Target Users and Use Cases

Automattic’s tools are used by:

Bloggers & Writers (WordPress.com, Day One, Simplenote)

Entrepreneurs & Online Stores (WooCommerce)

Agencies & Developers (Jetpack, WordPress VIP)

Marketers & Publishers (Akismet, Gravatar, Jetpack Boost)

Everyday Users (Tumblr, personal WordPress sites)

From personal journaling to launching large-scale digital stores, Automattic provides tools that scale with your needs.

Pricing Overview

WordPress.com:

Free basic plan with limited customization

Paid plans from $4/month (Personal) to $45/month (Commerce)

WooCommerce:

Free core plugin, with paid extensions and themes available individually or in bundles

Jetpack:

Free basic plan

Paid features like backups, malware scanning, and analytics starting from $9.95/month

Tumblr, Day One, Simplenote:

Mostly free with optional in-app purchases or subscriptions

FAQs About Automattic, Inc.

Is Automattic the same as WordPress?

No. Automattic runs WordPress.com, while WordPress.org (the open-source CMS) is maintained by the broader WordPress Foundation — though Automattic is one of the largest contributors.

Is WooCommerce part of WordPress.com?

WooCommerce is a plugin that can be installed on self-hosted WordPress sites. However, WordPress.com Business or Commerce plans also support WooCommerce.