Ghost vs Surfer SEO
Full side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and use cases to help you pick the right tool.
Bottom line: Ghost is both cheaper and competitive - a strong pick for most teams.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Ghost | Surfer SEO |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No | No |
| Starter | $9/mo | $89/mo |
| Pro | $25/mo | $129/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo vs $89/mo).
Feature Matrix
| Feature | Ghost | Surfer SEO |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter publishing | Yes | - |
| Membership and subscriptions | Yes | - |
| 0% transaction fees | Yes | - |
| SEO-optimized | Yes | - |
| Self-hosting option | Yes | - |
| Content Editor with NLP scoring | - | Yes |
| SERP Analyzer | - | Yes |
| Keyword Research | - | Yes |
| Audit tool | - | Yes |
| AI content writer Surfy | - | Yes |
When to Choose Each
Choose Ghost if you need...
- +No revenue cut
- +Clean writing experience
- +Great SEO
- +Self-host option
Choose Surfer SEO if you need...
- +Best-in-class content scoring
- +Clear optimization guidance
- +Integrates with Google Docs
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Ghost or Surfer SEO?
Surfer SEO scores higher in our review (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). However, Ghost may be a better fit depending on your specific needs and budget.
Is Ghost cheaper than Surfer SEO?
Yes, Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo).
What is the difference between Ghost and Surfer SEO?
Ghost focuses on newsletter publishing and membership and subscriptions, while Surfer SEO emphasizes content editor with nlp scoring and serp analyzer. Ghost is best for Content Creatorss, Solopreneurss, Freelancerss, while Surfer SEO suits Content Creatorss, Marketerss, Agenciess, Freelancerss.