VideoPress hosts videos outside your WordPress site’s own media storage and plays them in a WordPress-integrated, ad-free player. On WordPress.com, the documented VideoPress block is included with Business and Commerce; on a self-hosted WordPress site, VideoPress is a separate Jetpack service. Those routes have different eligibility and upload guidance, so choose the one that matches your site before you upload.
What VideoPress does—and which version to use
VideoPress combines hosted video delivery with a player that can be embedded in WordPress pages and posts. WordPress.com describes its player as unbranded and ad-free. Jetpack describes adaptive playback for its self-hosted service; these are vendor descriptions, not independent performance tests. See the WordPress.com VideoPress overview and the Jetpack VideoPress plugin listing.
| Route | Who it is for | Eligibility and account | Hosting and player |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com VideoPress | Sites hosted on WordPress.com | The current support guide lists Business and Commerce plans. | Upload through WordPress.com and use its VideoPress player. |
| Jetpack VideoPress | Self-hosted WordPress sites | Use the dedicated VideoPress plugin or Jetpack service. A connected WordPress.com account is needed for the uploader and dashboard. Jetpack documents a one-video trial and paid service options. | Video hosting and playback are provided through the Jetpack service, rather than relying only on the self-hosted site’s file delivery. |
| WordPress Video block | WordPress.com users who want to upload a video without VideoPress | The WordPress.com guide lists the Video block on Premium and above. | Plays an uploaded file in a standard player; WordPress.com contrasts this with VideoPress conversion and its branding-free player. |
For plan details and differences between the two WordPress.com blocks, consult WordPress.com’s guide to working with video and the Jetpack VideoPress support page. Do not treat WordPress.com plan inclusion as the price or storage terms for the separate self-hosted service.
How to host videos on WordPress with VideoPress
On WordPress.com
- Confirm that the site is on a Business or Commerce plan, as listed in the current VideoPress support guide.
- In the WordPress editor, add a VideoPress block, then upload a video or select one already in the site’s VideoPress library.
- Set the video’s playback and privacy options as needed, then publish or update the page or post.
WordPress.com says it converts uploads to MP4 using H.264 video and AAC audio and stores them across multiple data centers. Its overview lists MP4/M4V, MOV, WMV, AVI, MPG, OGV, 3GP, and 3G2 as accepted formats, with a maximum upload size of 6 GB. Videos longer than three hours are converted to standard resolution and are not available in higher-resolution formats. These are WordPress.com’s stated specifications, not independent availability or quality measurements. Details are in the VideoPress overview.
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On self-hosted WordPress
- Install the dedicated Jetpack VideoPress plugin or use the Jetpack route documented for VideoPress, and connect the site to a WordPress.com account.
- Open the VideoPress uploader or dashboard and upload a video. For the service’s current setup and trial terms, see Jetpack VideoPress support.
- Insert the uploaded video into a post or page using the available VideoPress block or embed workflow, then publish and check playback on the live page.
Jetpack’s upload guide recommends source files under 5 GB, 1080p, and shorter than three hours. It says larger source files can be accepted, that the player’s highest resolution is 4K, and that videos over three hours are available only at standard resolution. These are Jetpack’s self-hosted-service guidelines, distinct from WordPress.com’s 6 GB maximum upload statement. Jetpack also says videos from Vimeo, YouTube, or other hosts must be uploaded individually; it does not document an automated bulk migration. See Jetpack’s upload guide.
Video settings and upload limits
For WordPress.com, the recommended source settings are intended to work well with other editor blocks as well as video playback. The guide recommends:
- 1920 × 1080 resolution and H.264 video.
- 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 frames per second, or 12 Mbps for 1080p at 60 frames per second.
- AAC audio at a minimum of 160 kbps.
- Fast-start, web-optimized, or progressive-download encoding.
The same guide lists 3840 × 2160 (4K) as the largest size currently available in the WordPress.com player. These are recommendations and a documented player ceiling, not a promise that every source will display at its original resolution. See WordPress.com’s recommended video settings.
| Documented item | WordPress.com VideoPress | Self-hosted Jetpack VideoPress |
|---|---|---|
| Upload size | 6 GB maximum, per the WordPress.com overview. | Jetpack recommends less than 5 GB; it says larger source files can be accepted. |
| Long videos | Over three hours: converted to standard resolution and unavailable in higher-resolution formats. | Over three hours: available only at standard resolution. |
| Resolution statement | Player size listed up to 3840 × 2160 (4K) in the recommended-settings guide. | Jetpack says 4K is the highest player resolution. |
| Migration from another host | Not stated in the cited WordPress.com overview. | No automated bulk migration; files from other video hosts must be uploaded individually, according to Jetpack’s upload guide. |
The figures above come from separate product documentation paths; they should not be combined into one universal VideoPress limit. Sources: WordPress.com overview, WordPress.com settings guide, and Jetpack upload guide.
Privacy, member access, and downloads
WordPress.com’s privacy settings distinguish a public video from a private one and from a site’s default privacy setting. On Business sites, the guide also documents an option to restrict uploaded videos to logged-in site members even when the site itself is public. If a visitor lacks the required access, they may see an unauthorized message. The available audience ratings are G, PG-13, and R; these communicate suitability but do not block viewers. See WordPress.com’s VideoPress privacy guide.
You can enable or disable the player’s sharing and download controls for an individual video. Hiding those controls is not copy protection: WordPress.com warns that it is not possible to fully prevent downloading when a video can be viewed in a browser, because advanced users may save it with browser tools or extensions. VideoPress should not be treated as DRM or as a way to guarantee that a video cannot be copied. See the sharing and download settings guide.
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Video statistics
The WordPress.com Videos stats card documents impressions, hours watched, retention rate, and views, and supports CSV export. Detailed traffic reporting and the VideoPress dashboard are plan-dependent; the support guide names Business and Commerce for both. Check the current video stats guide before relying on a specific report being available to your account.
Video playlists
The Video Playlist block can play multiple VideoPress videos sequentially in a single player. WordPress.com suggests it for course or lesson series, product demonstrations, event recordings, showreels, and video back catalogs. Setup and block details are in the Video Playlist block guide.
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When VideoPress is a good fit
- Consider it if you want video hosting and an integrated, ad-free player rather than serving the video file directly from your WordPress site.
- Choose WordPress.com VideoPress if your site is on a documented eligible plan and you want the WordPress.com workflow.
- Consider Jetpack VideoPress for a self-hosted site if you are comfortable connecting a WordPress.com account and uploading files through its service.
- Look elsewhere or use the standard Video block if the required plan or service terms do not fit, or if you need stronger guarantees against copying than browser-based playback can offer.
WordPress.com documents a standard Video block as an alternative for uploaded files, but it uses a standard player rather than VideoPress’s converted, branding-free player and additional features. For self-hosted Jetpack, check the current service terms directly: the product page’s storage and pricing are separate from WordPress.com plan inclusion and may change.
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