Compare
Ghost vs WordPress
Short answer: Pick Ghost if you want integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions; pick WordPress if you want flexible block-based website creation. Ghost has a free plan, paid from $24/month; WordPress is free and open source.
GhostOpen-source publishing and newsletter platform
WordPressOpen-source CMS that powers much of the webWhich to pick
Pick Ghost if you want…
- Integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions
- Integrations with Zapier, n8n or Slack (on Ghost's list, not WordPress')
Pick WordPress if you want…
- Flexible block-based website creation
- A free, open-source tool
- Integrations with plugins or block editor (on WordPress' list, not Ghost's)
Side by side
- What it is
- Ghost:Ghost is an open-source publishing platform with built-in newsletters and paid subscriptions for creators and businesses.
- WordPress:WordPress is an open-source publishing platform for building websites, blogs, and apps with block-based editing.
- Best for
- Ghost:Integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions
- WordPress:Flexible block-based website creation
- Who it’s for
- Ghost:Publishers, newsletter writers, and businesses that want to monetize content.
- WordPress:Creators, small businesses, enterprises, and developers building web content
- Pricing
- Ghost:Freemium
- WordPress:Open source
- Starting price
- Ghost:$24/month (Starter)
- WordPress:Free
- Free plan or trial
- Ghost:Free trial
- WordPress:Free to use
- Plans
- Ghost:Starter $24 per month (billed yearly) · Publisher $29 per month (billed yearly) · Business $199 per month (billed yearly)
- WordPress:—
- Open source
- Ghost:Yes, 55,494 GitHub stars
- WordPress:Yes, 21,520 GitHub stars
- Works with
- Ghost:Zapier, n8n, Slack, Content API, Webhooks, Payment gateways
- WordPress:plugins, block editor
Ghost features
- Custom website & themes. Design and brand your site with built-in settings, a theme marketplace, or fully custom themes.
- Rich media editor. Create posts with galleries, videos, audio, product cards, accordions and more.
- Native email newsletters. Send unlimited newsletters, segment audiences and use custom templates directly from Ghost.
- Membership & payments. Offer free sign-ups, paid subscriptions, tips, discounts and tiered pricing without transaction fees.
- Analytics & insights. Track subscriber engagement, email performance and content popularity with native analytics.
- Integrations & API. Connect to 8,000+ services, Zapier, n8n, Slack, custom APIs and webhooks.
WordPress features
- Block Editor. Create and edit pages in real time using a visual block-based interface.
- Theme Customization. Start from a blank canvas or choose a theme and customize without coding.
- Extensible Plugins. Add stores, analytics, newsletters, and more via a vast plugin ecosystem.
- Responsive Styling. Style blocks responsively across screen sizes without writing CSS.
- Media Management. Streamlined media editor with tools for images, video, and rich text notes.
- Community Resources. Access documentation, tutorials, and community events for support.
Ghost vs WordPress FAQ
What is the difference between Ghost and WordPress?+
Ghost focuses on publishing and newsletters with a simpler core, while WordPress offers full site building and plugins.
Should I use Ghost or WordPress?+
Pick Ghost if you want integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions or integrations with Zapier, n8n or Slack (on Ghost's list, not WordPress'). Pick WordPress if you want flexible block-based website creation, a free, open-source tool or integrations with plugins or block editor (on WordPress' list, not Ghost's).
Is Ghost or WordPress free?+
Ghost has a free plan; paid plans start at $24/month (Starter). WordPress is free and open source.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or WordPress?+
WordPress is free, so it costs less. Ghost starts at $24/month (Starter).
Is Ghost or WordPress open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Ghost (TryGhost/Ghost on GitHub, MIT license) and WordPress (WordPress/WordPress on GitHub).
Do Ghost and WordPress integrate with the same tools?+
Their integration lists don't overlap: Ghost lists Zapier, n8n, Slack, Content API and 2 more; WordPress lists plugins and block editor.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.