Ghost
Squarespace
| Feature | Ghost | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $9/mo | From $16/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | bloggers, publishers, newsletter-creators, indie-media | creatives, photographers, artists, small-businesses, restaurants |
| Founded | 2013 | 2003 |
| Editor | ✓ | ✗ |
| Memberships | ✓ | ✗ |
| Newsletter | ✓ | ✗ |
| Seo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Themes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Native Analytics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Templates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce | ✗ | ✓ |
| Blogging | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Email Campaigns | ✗ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Ghost Pros
- Fast and clean
- Built-in memberships
- Newsletter included
- Open source
✗ Ghost Cons
- Limited themes
- No page builder
- Requires technical knowledge
✓ Squarespace Pros
- Most beautiful templates in the industry
- All-in-one (domain, email, analytics)
- Great for portfolios and creative brands
- Excellent blogging platform
✗ Squarespace Cons
- Less flexible than Webflow or WordPress
- No free tier (14-day trial only)
- Transaction fees unless on Commerce plans
The Verdict
Ghost is built for bloggers and publishers, with a focus on editor and memberships. Squarespace targets creatives and photographers and leads with templates and ecommerce.
On pricing, Ghost is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $9/mo compared to $16/mo for Squarespace. That $7/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Ghost has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Squarespace requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Squarespace offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Ghost takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.