Ghost vs WordPress
type: Article
description: WordPress is a free, open-source CMS powering 43% of all websites with extensive customization through 58,000+ plugins, while Ghost is a paid, proprietary platform ($29-$199/month) focused on membership and newsletter monetization with a streamlined editor. WordPress excels for flexibility; Ghost excels for content creators seeking built-in monetization.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-07T13:00:22.434Z
date created: 2026-07-07T13:00:22.434Z
date modified: 2026-07-07T13:00:22.483Z
content reference time: 2026-07-07T13:00:22.483Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: WordPress
about: Ghost
abstract: WordPress is a free, open-source CMS powering 43% of all websites with extensive customization through 58,000+ plugins, while Ghost is a paid, proprietary platform ($29-$199/month) focused on membership and newsletter monetization with a streamlined editor. WordPress excels for flexibility; Ghost excels for content creators seeking built-in monetization.
text: Cost Model. Market Share. Built-in Monetization. Plugin Ecosystem. Learning Curve. Customization Depth. Community Support
conclusion text: Choose WordPress if you need maximum flexibility, low cost, and extensive plugin support for any project type (ecommerce, enterprise, portfolio, etc.). Choose Ghost if you're a content creator or publisher seeking simplicity, built-in membership/subscription features, and a distraction-free writing environment without worrying about technical configuration.
additional property: Web Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 43% | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Customization Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 5/5 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Ease of Use Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 3/5 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 30-60 minutes (with hosting) | Ghost: 30-60 minutes plus hosting
additional property: Starting Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $100-200 (hosting only) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: SEO Capabilities Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 5/5 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Current Version
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 6.9 (RC 7.0 March 2026) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Hosting Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Self-hosted (user managed) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Base Monthly Cost (Annual Billing)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $4 (WordPress.com) + $20-100 hosting | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Total Annual Cost (All-In)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $260-2200+ (hosting, plugins, maintenance) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Average Page Load Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 3.4 seconds | Ghost: N/A
additional property: CMS Content Item Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Unlimited | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Maximum Pages
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Unlimited | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Setup Time (Professional)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 40-100+ hours | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Monthly Maintenance Hours Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 5-20+ hours | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Monthly Cost (Entry Level)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $4 (managed) / $0 (self-hosted) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Time to Live Website
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 24-72 hours | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Global Market Share (CMS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 43% | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Available Plugins/Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 58,000+ | Ghost: 200+
  value reference: WordPress
additional property: Native CMS Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Yes - requires plugins for advanced features | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Collaboration (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Yes - Yjs CRDT engine in WP 7.0 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Page Load Speed (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 2.5-4.0s (varies with plugins) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: AI-Powered Features (Native)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Partial - WordPress 7.0 adds core AI (plugin-dependent before) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Average Monthly Cost (Managed)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $24.50 | Ghost: $99
  value reference: WordPress
additional property: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: ~58,000 plugins | Ghost: 200+
  value reference: WordPress
additional property: Setup Time for Beginners
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 4-8 hours | Ghost: 0.5-1 hour
  value reference: Ghost
additional property: Native Membership Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Via plugins (WooCommerce, MemberPress) | Ghost: Built-in (native feature)
additional property: SEO Plugin Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 15+ top options | Ghost: 2-3 limited options
  value reference: WordPress
additional property: Page Speed (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 2500-3500 | Ghost: 1200-1800
  value reference: Ghost
additional property: Annual Hosting Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $60-300+ per year | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Design Templates Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 90,000+ themes | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Monthly Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: ~810 million (43% of web) | Ghost: Not disclosed (smaller ecosystem)
additional property: Revenue Share on Ad Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 100% (you keep all) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Content Export Difficulty
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Easy via XML export (9/10) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Technical Maintenance Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 2-5 hours (updates, security, backups) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Starting Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $0-15 | Ghost: $18 (starter plan)
  value reference: WordPress
additional property: Transaction Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 2-3% via Stripe/PayPal plugins | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Available Plugins/Apps
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 58,000+ | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Setup Time to Launch
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 7-21 days | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Customization Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 10 (full code access) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Security Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: You manage updates, SSL, backups | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Product Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Unlimited | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (100K Revenue)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $240 + hosting ($10-50/month) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Average Development Time (Basic Site)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 1-2 days | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Required Developer Experience Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Beginner (0-6 months experience) | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Reported Security Vulnerabilities (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 156 plugin/theme CVEs | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Monthly Hosting Cost (Basic)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: $2-10 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Maximum Concurrent Users (Optimized)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: 10,000-50,000 | Ghost: N/A
additional property: Customization Without Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value: WordPress: Extensive—drag-drop, theme customizer, page builders | Ghost: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/wordpress
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/wordpress
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/ghost
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/ghost
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/ghost-vs-wordpress)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/ghost-vs-wordpress)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-wordpress
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wordpress-vs-wix
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/framer-vs-wordpress
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/medium-vs-wordpress
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/wordpress-vs-shopify
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/patreon-vs-ghost
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-medium
teaches: How to choose between WordPress and Ghost
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Ghost vs WordPress — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

WordPress
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: Wordpress
language: en-US
description: Open-source CMS powering 43% of websites with 58,000+ plugins and themes
image: ImageObject
  caption: WordPress
subject of: Ghost vs WordPress
image: ImageObject
  caption: WordPress

Ghost
type: Thing
language: en-US
description: Membership-focused publishing platform with built-in subscriptions and newsletters
image: ImageObject
  caption: Ghost
subject of: Ghost vs WordPress
image: ImageObject
  caption: Ghost

Ghost vs WordPress — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Ghost vs WordPress. Contains 140 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Web Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Customization Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Ease of Use Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: Starting Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: SEO Capabilities Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Current Version
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Release Cycle
variable measured: Hosting Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Maintenance
variable measured: Base Monthly Cost (Annual Billing)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Total Annual Cost (All-In)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Page Load Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: CMS Content Item Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Pages
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Setup Time (Professional)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Implementation
variable measured: Monthly Maintenance Hours Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operations
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Entry Level)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Time to Live Website
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Speed
variable measured: Global Market Share (CMS)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
variable measured: Available Plugins/Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Native CMS Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Page Load Speed (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: AI-Powered Features (Native)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Capabilities
variable measured: Average Monthly Cost (Managed)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecosystem
variable measured: Setup Time for Beginners
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Native Membership Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: SEO Plugin Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: SEO
variable measured: Page Speed (Average)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Annual Hosting Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Templates Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Revenue Share on Ad Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: Content Export Difficulty
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Data Ownership
variable measured: Technical Maintenance Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: Starting Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Transaction Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Plugins/Apps
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Setup Time to Launch
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Setup
variable measured: Customization Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Security Management
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Product Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Annual Cost (100K Revenue)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Development Time (Basic Site)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Development
variable measured: Required Developer Experience Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Expertise
variable measured: Reported Security Vulnerabilities (2024)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Monthly Hosting Cost (Basic)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost
variable measured: Maximum Concurrent Users (Optimized)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Customization Without Code
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Flexibility
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Entry-Level Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Total Plugins/Apps Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Average Page Load Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Required Technical Knowledge
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: Data Portability / Export
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Flexibility
variable measured: SEO Control Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: SEO & Marketing
variable measured: Initial Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operational Efficiency
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Basic Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: 3-Year Total Cost Ownership
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Themes/Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Plugin/Extension Ecosystem
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Functionality
variable measured: E-Commerce Product Limit
variable measured: Average Website Speed (Page Load)
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Minimum)
variable measured: Monthly Cost (Fully Managed Equivalent)
variable measured: Plugin/Integration Count
variable measured: Global Market Share
variable measured: Setup Time (No Technical Knowledge)
variable measured: E-commerce Market Share
variable measured: Hosted Server Uptime Guarantee
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-wordpress)

Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Ghost vs WordPress.
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Release Cycle
has defined term: Maintenance
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Implementation
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Speed
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: AI Capabilities
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Monetization
has defined term: SEO
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Data Ownership
has defined term: Setup
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Development
has defined term: Expertise
has defined term: Cost
has defined term: Flexibility
has defined term: SEO & Marketing
has defined term: Operational Efficiency
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: E-Commerce
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Reliability
has defined term: Support
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Design
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Growth
has defined term: Data Control
has defined term: Technical
has defined term: Payments
has defined term: Scalability
has defined term: Legal
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Developer Features
has defined term: Integration

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Release Cycle
type: DefinedTerm
term code: release-cycle
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Maintenance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: maintenance
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Implementation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: implementation
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Speed
type: DefinedTerm
term code: speed
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-capabilities
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Monetization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: monetization
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

SEO
type: DefinedTerm
term code: seo
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Ownership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-ownership
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Setup
type: DefinedTerm
term code: setup
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Development
type: DefinedTerm
term code: development
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Expertise
type: DefinedTerm
term code: expertise
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Flexibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: flexibility
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

SEO & Marketing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: seo-&-marketing
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operational Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operational-efficiency
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

E-Commerce
type: DefinedTerm
term code: e-commerce
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary
name: E-commerce

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reliability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reliability
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: support
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Data Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: data-control
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Payments
type: DefinedTerm
term code: payments
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scalability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scalability
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Legal
type: DefinedTerm
term code: legal
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer-features
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Ghost vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-07T13:00:22.483Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: ghost-vs-wordpress)
main entity: Is WordPress really free compared to Ghost?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: WordPress.org (self-hosted) is completely free to download and use, though you'll pay for hosting ($2-$50/month typically). WordPress.com managed hosting starts at $4/month. Ghost has no free tier—it costs $29-$199/month. For budget-conscious users, WordPress self-hosted is significantly cheaper; for managed simplicity, Ghost is still more expensive than WordPress.com.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I set up memberships and charge readers on WordPress?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, but only through plugins like WooCommerce, MemberPress, or Restrict Content Pro. These add complexity and cost ($50-$500+ annually). Ghost has memberships built-in as a core feature with member management, email newsletters, and payment processing all native to the platform—no additional plugins needed.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which is faster—WordPress or Ghost?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ghost typically loads 50-60% faster (600-900ms vs 1,200-2,500ms) because it uses modern Node.js architecture and fewer dependencies. WordPress requires optimization through caching plugins, image compression, and CDN services to match Ghost's baseline performance. However, a well-optimized WordPress site can equal or exceed Ghost's speed.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I move my WordPress site to Ghost later?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Migration is possible but manual—there's no automated importer. You'll need to export WordPress content (posts, pages, users) and re-import it into Ghost, which may require technical assistance. Ghost supports direct import from some platforms, but full feature parity (custom post types, complex taxonomies) isn't guaranteed.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform has better security?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ghost's managed hosting is inherently more secure (automatic updates, DDoS protection). WordPress requires active maintenance: regular updates, security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri), and secure hosting. Self-hosted WordPress can be as secure as Ghost if properly maintained, but requires ongoing vigilance. WordPress.com managed is also secure by default.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between WordPress and Ghost
type: HowTo
description: WordPress is a free, open-source CMS powering 43% of all websites with extensive customization through 58,000+ plugins, while Ghost is a paid, proprietary platform ($29-$199/month) focused on membership and newsletter monetization with a streamlined editor. WordPress excels for flexibility; Ghost excels for content creators seeking built-in monetization.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Cost Model
step: Consider: Market Share
step: Consider: Built-in Monetization
step: Consider: Plugin Ecosystem
step: Consider: Learning Curve
step: Consider: Customization Depth
step: Consider: Community Support
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose WordPress if you need maximum flexibility, low cost, and extensive plugin support for any project type (ecommerce, enterprise, portfolio, etc.). Choose Ghost if you're a content creator or publisher seeking simplicity, built-in membership/subscription features, and a distraction-free writing environment without worrying about technical configuration.

Consider: Cost Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Cost Model: WordPress has Free (self-hosted) or $4-$300/month (managed), while Ghost has $29-$199/month (subscription-based).

Consider: Market Share
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Market Share: WordPress has 43% of all websites, while Ghost has <1% of websites.

Consider: Built-in Monetization
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Built-in Monetization: WordPress has Requires plugins (WooCommerce, etc.), while Ghost has Native memberships, subscriptions, newsletters.

Consider: Plugin Ecosystem
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Plugin Ecosystem: WordPress has 58,000+ plugins available, while Ghost has 200+ integrations (no plugin system).

Consider: Learning Curve
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Learning Curve: WordPress has Moderate to steep (many options), while Ghost has Gentle (simplified interface).

Consider: Customization Depth
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Customization Depth: WordPress has Near-unlimited (code access), while Ghost has Limited to Ghost's design framework.

Consider: Community Support
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Community Support: WordPress has 500,000+ developers, forums, agencies, while Ghost has 15,000+ active users in community.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Ghost vs WordPress
review body: WordPress is a free, open-source CMS powering 43% of all websites with extensive customization through 58,000+ plugins, while Ghost is a paid, proprietary platform ($29-$199/month) focused on membership and newsletter monetization with a streamlined editor. WordPress excels for flexibility; Ghost excels for content creators seeking built-in monetization.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Ghost vs WordPress

Monthly Cost (Entry-Level Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $5-15 (hosting only) | Ghost: N/A

Total Plugins/Apps Available
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 50,000+ | Ghost: N/A

Average Page Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 2.5 (optimized) | Ghost: N/A

Required Technical Knowledge
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Intermediate to Advanced | Ghost: N/A

Data Portability / Export
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Full export capability | Ghost: N/A

SEO Control Level
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Full (robots.txt, schema, redirects) | Ghost: N/A

Initial Setup Time
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 20-40 hours (with learning) | Ghost: N/A

Monthly Cost (Basic Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $5-15 hosting | Ghost: N/A

3-Year Total Cost Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $180-360 (hosting only) | Ghost: N/A

Available Themes/Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 10,000+ free & premium | Ghost: N/A

Plugin/Extension Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 60,000+ plugins | Ghost: N/A

E-Commerce Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Unlimited (WooCommerce) | Ghost: N/A

Average Website Speed (Page Load)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 1.5-2.5 seconds (optimized) | Ghost: N/A

Monthly Cost (Minimum)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $0 (self-hosted, domain only) | Ghost: N/A

Monthly Cost (Fully Managed Equivalent)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $25-50/month (WP Engine, Kinsta managed hosting) | Ghost: N/A

Plugin/Integration Count
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 58,000+ plugins | Ghost: N/A

Global Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 43% | Ghost: <1%
value reference: WordPress

Setup Time (No Technical Knowledge)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 2-4 hours (theme selection, plugin setup) | Ghost: N/A

E-commerce Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 38% (WooCommerce dominates) | Ghost: N/A

Hosted Server Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 99% (varies by host) | Ghost: N/A

Annual Cost (Base Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $120-500/year | Ghost: N/A

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) | Ghost: No additional fees
value reference: Ghost

Available Extensions/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 58,000+ plugins | Ghost: N/A

Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Depends on host (typically 99.9%) | Ghost: N/A

Customer Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Community forums + paid support | Ghost: N/A

SEO Customization Control
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Complete control via robots.txt, .htaccess, code injection | Ghost: N/A

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Full export and migration flexibility | Ghost: N/A

Monthly Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $3-10/month + free software | Ghost: N/A

Available Plugins/Themes
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 58,000+ plugins + 10,000+ themes | Ghost: N/A

Setup Time for Non-Developers
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 60-120 minutes | Ghost: N/A

Hosting Included
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: No, separate purchase | Ghost: N/A

Customization Flexibility Score
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 9.5 out of 10 | Ghost: N/A

SEO Control Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 9 out of 10 | Ghost: N/A

Base Monthly Cost (Managed Hosting)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: $4-$300/month | Ghost: $29-$199/month
value reference: WordPress

Self-Hosted Option
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Yes, completely free | Ghost: No, managed-only

Built-in Membership/Subscription System
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: Requires plugins (WooCommerce, MemberPress) | Ghost: Native, built-in feature

Developer Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 500,000+ | Ghost: 15,000+
value reference: WordPress

Page Speed (Typical Setup)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 1,200-2,500ms | Ghost: 600-900ms
value reference: Ghost

Available Themes
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: 100,000+ | Ghost: 50+
value reference: WordPress

Monthly Platform Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $99/month

Revenue Retention Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 100%

Average Subscriber Payment
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Variable by creator

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 8-40+ hours

SEO Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Advanced (meta tags, sitemaps, structured data)

Design Customization
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Full custom themes and CSS control

Audience Discovery Strength
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Minimal, relies on external traffic

Monetization Methods
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Subscriptions, memberships, ads, sponsorships

Platform Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $9-$199/month or $0 self-hosted

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Full creator ownership (self-hosted)

Built-in Community Features
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Newsletter, comments, member walls

Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Complete; full white-label

Payment Payout Speed
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 2-5 days (processor dependent)

Monthly Subscriber Management Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Unlimited (self-hosted limits by server)

Native Mobile App
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Web-only; no native apps

Base Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $199/year (Ghost Pro)

Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 9/10 (full code access)

Time to First Publish
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 30-60 minutes (with setup)

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 400+ (through open-source ecosystem)

Content Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 100% (creator owns all)

Average Writer Earnings (Partner Program)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Variable (unlimited potential)

SEO Customization
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 10/10 (full control)

Base Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $29 (Ghost Pro) / Free (self-hosted)

E-commerce Transaction Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: No built-in limit; integrates Stripe/PayPal

Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 15-20 professional themes

Email Newsletter Features
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Native segmentation, automation, design builder

Membership Management
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Built-in tiers, gating, paywalls, analytics

SEO Tools Included
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Basic XML sitemaps, structured data, redirects

Free Trial Length
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 14 days for Ghost(Pro)

Starting Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $29

Mid-Tier Plan Price
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $79

Newsletter Subscriber Limit (Mid-Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 10,000

Design Template Library
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 100+

Bandwidth Allowance (Starter Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Unlimited

Custom Domain Support
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Unlimited

REST API Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: All plans

CMS Collection Items (Performance Drop)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Scales to 1,000,000+

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Self-hosted only

Price for 10,000 Subscribers
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $29 (unlimited)

Email Template Library Size
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: ~20 templates

Native Membership/Paywall Features
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Yes (full tier support)

Setup Time to First Email
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 30-60 minutes

Blog/CMS Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Full-featured publishing platform

Data Ownership (Self-Hosted Option)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Yes (full self-hosting available)

API Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Yes (extensive public API)

Minimum Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $29 (Professional plan)

Commission on Sales
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: 0% on memberships

Email Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Unlimited

Newsletter Automation Features
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Segmentation, A/B testing, automation workflows

Membership Tiers
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Unlimited custom tiers

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: Full REST API with custom code access

Annual Investment (Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value: WordPress: N/A | Ghost: $348 (Professional) + hosting

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
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WordPress — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Ghost — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare WordPress vs Ghost
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-wordpress)
object: WordPress
object: Ghost

E-Commerce Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: E-Commerce

Average Website Speed (Page Load)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Monthly Cost (Minimum)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Cost (Fully Managed Equivalent)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Plugin/Integration Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Global Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Position

Setup Time (No Technical Knowledge)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

E-commerce Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: E-commerce

Hosted Server Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

Annual Cost (Base Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Extensions/Apps
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Uptime Guarantee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reliability

Customer Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

SEO Customization Control
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Data Portability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Monthly Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Plugins/Themes
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Setup Time for Non-Developers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Hosting Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

Customization Flexibility Score
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Flexibility

SEO Control Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: SEO

Base Monthly Cost (Managed Hosting)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Self-Hosted Option
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Built-in Membership/Subscription System
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Developer Community Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

Page Speed (Typical Setup)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Available Themes
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Monthly Platform Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Revenue Retention Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Average Subscriber Payment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

SEO Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Customization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Audience Discovery Strength
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth

Monetization Methods
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Platform Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Data Control

Built-in Community Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technical

Payment Payout Speed
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Payments

Monthly Subscriber Management Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scalability

Native Mobile App
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Base Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Time to First Publish
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Available Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Content Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Legal

Average Writer Earnings (Partner Program)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

SEO Customization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: SEO

Base Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

E-commerce Transaction Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: E-commerce

Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Email Newsletter Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Membership Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

SEO Tools Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Free Trial Length
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Starting Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Mid-Tier Plan Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Newsletter Subscriber Limit (Mid-Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Template Library
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Bandwidth Allowance (Starter Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Custom Domain Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

REST API Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer Features

CMS Collection Items (Performance Drop)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Price for 10,000 Subscribers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Email Template Library Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Native Membership/Paywall Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Setup Time to First Email
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Blog/CMS Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Data Ownership (Self-Hosted Option)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

API Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer Features

Minimum Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Commission on Sales
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Email Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Newsletter Automation Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Membership Tiers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

API Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Annual Investment (Entry Level)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Cost