BigCommerce vs Ghost

BigCommerce is a robust e-commerce platform offering a wide range of features for online stores, while Ghost is a lightweight and modern CMS tailored for bloggers and content creators.

General information

BigCommerce
Ghost
Introduction :
BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2009. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability. BigCommerce is widely used by businesses of all sizes due to its flexibility in customization, seamless integration with various third-party apps, and excellent customer support. It is a reliable choice for online retailers looking to create a professional and efficient online store.
Introduction :
Ghost is a modern and open-source content management system that was launched in 2013. It is known for its sleek and minimalist design, making it popular among bloggers and publishers who prioritize aesthetics and simplicity. Ghost offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features for creating and managing content, making it a strong contender in the CMS market.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and set up for beginners
  • Robust SEO features for better visibility
  • Wide range of customizable themes available
  • Excellent customer support and resources
  • Seamless integration with various third-party apps
Advantages :
  • Clean and minimalist design for modern websites
  • Fast loading times for improved user experience
  • Built-in SEO tools for better search visibility
  • Markdown support for easy content creation
  • Active community for support and resources
Disadvantages :
  • Limited design flexibility compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited third-party integrations available
  • Less customization options compared to competitors
Disadvantages :
  • Limited plugin options
  • Less community support compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Customization options can be overwhelming
  • Higher cost for premium features
Website users : Thousands
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
Website users : 0.1% of websites
Ghost is used by a small fraction of websites compared to other platforms, making it a niche choice for content management.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Ghost requires some technical knowledge, but the platform offers comprehensive documentation and support for users to navigate through the initial learning curve.
Year launched : 2009
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
Year launched : 2013
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Official website : https://www.bigcommerce.com/
Official website : https://ghost.org/


Commercial details

BigCommerce
Ghost
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Ghost is partially open source, with the core platform being fully open source but certain features and services being proprietary.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
BigCommerce offers a free trial but does not have a permanently free option. Limited features may be available during the trial period.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Ghost offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features. Users can upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced functionality.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Ghost offers a paid option with additional features and support, providing users with more customization and flexibility for their website.


Platform details

BigCommerce
Ghost
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Ghost offers a hosted option through its official website, providing users with a convenient and hassle-free way to set up and manage their Ghost site.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Ghost can be self-hosted on various third-party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce supports headless features through APIs, allowing for decoupled front-end experiences with custom-built interfaces or third-party platforms.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
Ghost does not have native headless support but may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed for clarity.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible in Ghost through the use of third-party plugins, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.


Key features

BigCommerce
Ghost
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it may not be as robust as platforms with native content management features.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Ghost offers robust native content management features, making it a strong platform for managing content efficiently and effectively.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
๐ŸŸข Blogging : Support natively.
Ghost offers a native and user-friendly platform specifically designed for blogging, with a focus on clean design and seamless content creation.
๐ŸŸข E-commerce : Support natively.
BigCommerce offers a robust set of e-commerce features out-of-the-box, making it a strong platform for online businesses looking for comprehensive functionality.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Ghost can be used for e-commerce with plugins like Snipcart or Shopify Buy Button, offering flexibility and customization options.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native forum functionality but can be integrated with popular third-party forum plugins for community engagement.
๐ŸŸข Community forum : Support natively.
Ghost offers native support for community and forum features, making it a strong platform for building engaging online communities without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party integrations like Memberful or Patreon, enhancing functionality beyond native capabilities.


Other features

BigCommerce
Ghost
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions for managing multiple sites from a single dashboard.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility for managing multiple sites within the Ghost platform.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Ghost does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by popular plugins for multi-language support.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Support for XML sitemaps in BigCommerce is available through popular third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing SEO capabilities for users.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.


When choosing between BigCommerce and Ghost, consider your specific needs - if you require a comprehensive e-commerce solution with advanced features, BigCommerce is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prioritize simplicity and a focus on content creation, Ghost may be the better choice for your website.