Title: WordPress Apps
Author: admin
Published: August 28, 2026

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# WordPress Apps

WordPress can be more than a place to publish. It can be the platform that runs (
personal) web apps, implemented as WordPress plugins with a twist.

The twist is that they get a little help from the [wp-app library](https://github.com/akirk/wp-app)
to make the frontend plugins: they are not restricted by wp-admin, get their own
subdirectory routing, operate independently of the active theme, and are only available
to logged-in users by default.

I built a landing page explaining the concept in more detail: [wpapps.kirk.at](https://wpapps.kirk.at/)

There I also elaborate on the [professional angle of WpApps](https://wpapps.kirk.at/for-business/).

## The platform idea

It is so easy to get WordPress hosting, even on your NAS, and often cheap.

But getting a WordPress doesn’t mean that you need to publish anything. You can 
also use it for yourself, privately.

I’ve [built a set of apps](https://wpapps.kirk.at/apps/) that I use myself every
day, and you can too! What is more, because they are open source, you can modify
them. With AI this is more feasible than ever. This enables you to get [personalized software](https://alex.kirk.at/2026/05/14/personal-software-needs-a-home/).

It also helps with bundling your data in a place you own, vs. spreading your data
across the web with all sorts of web services, [who all have their own agenda](https://alex.kirk.at/2026/07/20/own-your-apps-alternatives-you-can-run-in-wordpress/)
and need to make money (eventually).

You don’t have to use AI with this, but you can. And then AI can open up interesting
ways to leverage your data. Save the recipe [in your Cookbook](https://wpapps.kirk.at/apps/cookbook/)
that [your friend posted](https://wpapps.kirk.at/apps/rss-reader/), but replace 
an ingredient you don’t like.

## The prerequisite

I’ve been a long-time member of the WordPress world, and I like its pragmatism. 
But you might not be. Would you be willing to get WordPress hosting, just to try
it?

With [my.wordpress.net](https://my.wordpress.net/) you don’t have to! It’s a free
WordPress, interestingly running in your own browser. You can’t access it from the
web, so perfect for private apps. See also my post [Why My WordPress?](https://alex.kirk.at/2026/04/14/why-my-wordpress/)

In the end, I suggest you get hosted at a webhost you trust: you can then access
your WordPress from multiple devices, share it with friends, and backups will be
taken care of for you.