my.wordpress.net vs playground.wordpress.net: Your Browser Is Now Your Full WordPress
In March 2026, WordPress took a massive leap forward. On March 11, the official team launched my.wordpress.net — a brand-new way to run a complete, permanent WordPress website directly in your browser. No hosting bills. No domain registration. No account creation. Just open the page and start writing, building, or experimenting.
But wait — you’ve probably already used playground.wordpress.net, the original browser-based WordPress demo that’s been around since 2023. Both sites look similar at first glance and run on the exact same technology: WordPress Playground (PHP and MySQL compiled to WebAssembly so everything happens inside your browser).
So what’s the real difference? And which one should you use?
This detailed guide breaks it all down with real-world use cases, a side-by-side comparison, and everything you need to decide.
What Is WordPress Playground?
WordPress Playground is an open-source project that lets anyone run a full WordPress site instantly — without a server. It uses modern browser technology (WebAssembly) to execute PHP, MySQL/SQLite, and the entire WordPress core right in your Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge tab.
It powers:
- Quick plugin/theme testing
- Live demos in documentation
- Learning environments
- Rapid prototyping
playground.wordpress.net is the public demo version everyone has been using for years.
my.wordpress.net is the brand-new “personal” version launched in March 2026 that turns the same technology into a persistent, private workspace.
The Big Difference in One Sentence
- playground.wordpress.net = Temporary demo (great for testing, gone when you close the tab)
- my.wordpress.net = Permanent personal WordPress (your changes are saved in your browser forever)
Side-by-Side Comparison (2026 Updated)
| Feature | playground.wordpress.net | my.wordpress.net (New – March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2023 | March 11, 2026 |
| Main Purpose | Quick demos, testing, learning | Permanent personal workspace & daily use |
| Persistence | Temporary – disappears when tab closes | Persistent – saved locally across sessions |
| Storage | None (or very limited) | ~100 MB local browser storage |
| Privacy | Can be shared via URL | Completely private (runs only on your device) |
| First Load Time | Fast | Slightly longer (downloads & initializes once) |
| AI Features | Basic (via URL blueprints) | Built-in AI assistant that can edit/create plugins, blocks, and turn your site into a personal knowledge base |
| Best For | Developers testing plugins/themes, tutorials, one-off experiments | Writers, creators, note-takers, private projects, long-term personal sites |
| Public Sharing | Easy | Not designed for public use |
| Extra Tools | URL parameters for specific WP/PHP versions | AI Workspace + future App Catalog-style experiences |
Deep Dive: playground.wordpress.net
This is the original Playground experience.
You visit the URL, wait a few seconds, and boom — a fresh WordPress dashboard appears. Perfect for:
- Trying 50 plugins without installing them locally
- Showing clients a live theme demo
- Learning WordPress safely
- Embedding interactive previews in blog posts or docs
Biggest limitation: Everything resets when you close the tab (unless you manually export/import the site). It’s designed to be disposable.
Deep Dive: my.wordpress.net (The Game-Changer)
This is what everyone is talking about in 2026.
When you open my.wordpress.net, you’re dropped straight into a complete WordPress site that remembers everything. Your posts, plugins, settings, media — all stored locally in your browser.
Key highlights from the official launch:
- Permanent by design — your site survives browser restarts, computer shutdowns, even switching devices (though data stays per-device for now).
- Built-in AI assistant — because everything runs in Playground, an AI can safely modify plugins, create new blocks, or answer questions about your own content. It literally turns your WordPress into a smart personal knowledge base.
- Privacy-first — nothing is uploaded to any server. Your data never leaves your device.
- No friction — zero signup, zero hosting, zero cost.
Storage starts at roughly 100 MB (plenty for personal writing, notes, or small projects). The first load takes a little longer while it downloads the necessary files, but after that it’s lightning fast.
Which One Should You Use?
Choose playground.wordpress.net if you want to:
- Test plugins or themes quickly
- Create throwaway demos
- Teach or learn WordPress
- Share temporary links
Choose my.wordpress.net if you want to:
- Write blog posts or newsletters privately
- Build a personal knowledge base or CRM
- Experiment long-term without losing work
- Use AI to customize WordPress to your exact needs
- Have a private “second brain” that feels like your own site
Many people will use both — Playground for quick tests, my.wordpress.net for serious personal work.
Pro Tips for Both Tools
- Export/Import — Both support full site export/import so you can move work between them.
- URL Blueprints — On Playground you can add
?wp=6.7&php=8.3&theme=twentytwentyfiveetc. to pre-configure everything. - Performance — Works best in Chrome/Edge. Close other tabs if you notice slowdowns.
- Mobile — Both work on phones and tablets, though my.wordpress.net feels more like a real app on desktop.
- Backup — For my.wordpress.net, regularly export your site as a backup (data is local only).
The Future of Browser WordPress
WordPress Playground (and my.wordpress.net) is one of the most exciting developments in the WordPress ecosystem in years. It removes every technical barrier and makes WordPress accessible to millions who would never set up hosting.
Developers are already building on top of it. Expect more AI integrations, pre-built “apps” (like one-click personal CRM or RSS readers), and even native app exports in the future.
Ready to Try Them?
- Temporary Demo: https://playground.wordpress.net/
- Permanent Personal Workspace: https://my.wordpress.net/
Open both in different tabs right now and feel the difference yourself.
Which one are you more excited to use — the quick tester or the permanent personal site? Drop your choice (and why) in the comments below!
This article was updated March 30, 2026, based on the official WordPress announcement and early user feedback.
| Feature / Metric | Playground (.net) | My WordPress (.net) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Quick Demos & Testing | Permanent Personal Workspace |
| Data Persistence | Disposable (Wiped on tab close) | Saved locally in browser storage |
| Launch Date | 2023/2024 | March 11, 2026 |
| Storage Limit | None (Temporary RAM) | ~100 MB Local Storage |
| AI Assistants | No | Yes (Built-in code modifiers) |
👍 The Strengths (Pros)
- Zero Server Costs: Run isolated environments without ever paying for hosting or domains.
- Insanely Fast Setups: Spin up a clean WordPress dashboard in under 10 seconds.
- Absolute Privacy: “My WordPress” data stays 100% offline on your device storage.
- Great for Education: Perfect for teaching clients how to use Gutenberg without risking production sites.
👎 The Limitations (Cons)
- No Public Access: You cannot map a domain or share these sites with live visitors.
- Tab Dependant: Standard Playground loses all modifications the moment you accidentally refresh or close the browser.
- No Cross-Device Syncing: Your files cannot magically transfer from your laptop to your smartphone.
Browser WordPress FAQs
What is WordPress Playground?
WordPress Playground is an official project that runs a full WordPress site entirely in your web browser using WebAssembly to run PHP and SQLite client-side.
Is data on my.wordpress.net saved?
Yes. Unlike the standard playground, my.wordpress.net saves your changes to your browser’s local storage, preserving your content across sessions.
Can people visit my browser-based site?
No. These environments are strictly private and hosted on your local machine. They are meant for testing, drafting, and developing, not public viewing.
Do I need an internet connection to use it?
You need a connection to load the initial script from the URL, but the actual processing of the site happens locally on your computer.
Can I test themes and plugins on it?
Yes! Both platforms allow you to upload and test ZIP files of themes and plugins safely without threatening live servers.
Is there a storage limit on my.wordpress.net?
Yes, it typically allows up to 100 MB of local browser storage to keep your site files and database intact.
What was the release date of my.wordpress.net?
The my.wordpress.net platform was officially launched on March 11, 2026.
Quiz: Test Your Playground Knowledge
Which tool saves your WordPress site across browser sessions?
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