Ghost
CMSDeveloper-focused publishing platform with built-in SEO optimization
Overview
Ghost positions itself as the modern alternative to WordPress, built specifically for publishers who prioritize performance and simplicity over endless customization. Created by former WordPress core developers in 2013, Ghost has evolved into a solid headless CMS that consistently delivers superior page speeds and clean SEO implementation. The platform powers sites for major publications like DuckDuckGo, Mozilla, and NASA's blogs.
Unlike traditional CMS platforms that bolt on performance and SEO features through plugins, Ghost builds these capabilities into its core architecture. The Node.js foundation enables faster server response times compared to PHP-based systems, while automatic image optimization and CDN integration happen without configuration. This architectural advantage translates directly into better Core Web Vitals scores, which increasingly impact search rankings.
Ghost's approach appeals particularly to developers and publishers who want modern web standards without the plugin ecosystem complexity that WordPress requires. The platform generates clean HTML, proper semantic markup, and handles technical SEO automatically while maintaining the flexibility for custom implementations through its headless API.
Key features
Performance-First Architecture
Built on Node.js with automatic image optimization, lazy loading, and CDN integration delivering sub-second page loads. Core Web Vitals scores consistently outperform WordPress installations.
SEO Automation
Automatic meta tags, Open Graph data, Twitter Cards, and JSON-LD structured data generation. URL structure and canonical tags are handled without plugins or manual configuration.
Headless API
RESTful and GraphQL APIs allow decoupled front-end implementations while maintaining SEO benefits. Popular with JAMstack developers using Next.js, Gatsby, or Nuxt.
Built-in Newsletter System
Native email marketing with segmentation, automation, and analytics. Eliminates need for separate tools like Mailchimp while maintaining subscriber data ownership.
Membership and Monetization
Native paywall, subscription management, and member-only content features. Stripe integration handles payments without third-party membership plugins.
Developer-Friendly Customization
Handlebars templating system with full theme control and custom post types. Git-based deployment workflows supported through integrations with Netlify and Vercel.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $9/mo | Up to 500 members, newsletter, basic integrations |
| Creator | $25/mo | Up to 1,000 members, premium integrations, priority support |
| Team | $50/mo | Up to 10,000 members, collaboration tools, advanced analytics |
| Business | $199/mo | Up to 100,000 members, white-label options, custom integrations |
| Self-hosted | Free | Open source, unlimited everything, requires hosting |
FAQ
Is Ghost better than WordPress for SEO?
Ghost typically delivers better Core Web Vitals scores and page speeds out-of-the-box due to its modern Node.js architecture. However, WordPress offers more SEO plugins and customization options for complex sites.
Can I migrate from WordPress to Ghost?
Yes, Ghost provides official WordPress migration tools that handle posts, pages, tags, and users. Images and custom fields may require manual cleanup, and theme recreation is typically necessary.
Does Ghost work with Google Analytics and Search Console?
Ghost has built-in Google Analytics 4 integration and generates proper sitemaps for Search Console. Third-party integrations handle advanced tracking needs that aren't built into the platform.
How does Ghost pricing compare to WordPress hosting?
Ghost Pro starts at $9/month including hosting, SSL, and CDN, which is competitive with managed WordPress hosting. Self-hosted Ghost is free but requires technical setup and server management.
Can Ghost handle e-commerce SEO?
Ghost's membership features work for digital products and subscriptions, but it lacks native product catalogs and inventory management. E-commerce sites typically need Shopify or WooCommerce integration.
Review Sentiment
91 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Ghost punches above its weight at $9/mo: beautiful, distraction-free writing experience with excellent content. The main trade-off is limited extensibility, but the value is hard to beat in cms.
People love
- +Beautiful, distraction-free writing experience with excellent content authoring rated 8.9/10 on G2
- +Built-in newsletter and membership features — publish multiple newsletters from one site with native subscriptions
- +Blazing fast performance compared to WordPress, with teams reporting significant SEO improvements after migration
Common complaints
- –Limited extensibility — no plugin ecosystem means you can really only build a fancy blog, not a full CMS
- –Customization requires web development knowledge — not beginner-friendly like WordPress themes and plugins
- –Ghost Pro hosting is pricey for what it offers, and self-hosted setup can be technically challenging
Last updated Feb 2026