Ghost vs WordPress.com

Full side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and use cases to help you pick the right tool.

Bottom line: Both tools are competitively priced. Ghost edges ahead with a 4.4/5 rating.

Ghost

Open-source publishing platform for newsletters and membership sites

4.4 / 5From $9/mo
WordPress.com

The world's most popular CMS powering 43% of the web

4.2 / 5From $9/mo

Pricing Comparison

PlanGhostWordPress.com
FreeNoYes
Starter$9/mo$9/mo
Pro$25/mo$18/mo
EnterpriseCustomCustom

Both tools are the same price at the Starter tier ($9/mo).

Feature Matrix

FeatureGhostWordPress.com
Newsletter publishingYes-
Membership and subscriptionsYes-
0% transaction feesYes-
SEO-optimizedYes-
Self-hosting optionYes-
Massive plugin ecosystem-Yes
WooCommerce for ecommerce-Yes
Block editor Gutenberg-Yes
SEO plugins Yoast-Yes
Multisite-Yes

When to Choose Each

Choose Ghost if you need...

  • +No revenue cut
  • +Clean writing experience
  • +Great SEO
  • +Self-host option
Content CreatorsSolopreneursFreelancers

Choose WordPress.com if you need...

  • +Largest ecosystem
  • +Total ownership and flexibility
  • +Huge community
Content CreatorsAgenciesSolopreneursEnterprise

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Ghost or WordPress.com?

Ghost scores higher in our review (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5). However, WordPress.com may be a better fit depending on your specific needs and budget.

Is Ghost cheaper than WordPress.com?

Pricing varies by plan. Ghost starts at $9/mo and WordPress.com starts at $9/mo.

What is the difference between Ghost and WordPress.com?

Ghost focuses on newsletter publishing and membership and subscriptions, while WordPress.com emphasizes massive plugin ecosystem and woocommerce for ecommerce. Ghost is best for Content Creatorss, Solopreneurss, Freelancerss, while WordPress.com suits Content Creatorss, Agenciess, Solopreneurss, Enterprises.

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