Ghost vs Grav

Ghost and Grav are both popular content management systems used for creating and managing websites. Ghost is known for its simplicity and focus on blogging, while Grav is a flat-file CMS that offers flexibility and speed.

General information

Ghost
Grav
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.
Introduction :
Grav is a modern open-source flat-file CMS that was launched in 2014. It has gained popularity for its simplicity, speed, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for developers and content creators. Grav's modular architecture allows for easy customization and its Markdown-based content creation simplifies the publishing process. With a growing community and extensive documentation, Grav is a reliable platform for building websites of all sizes.
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
Advantages :
  • Fast performance due to flat-file structure. - Highly flexible and customizable with modular architecture. - Built-in version control for content. - Excellent caching system for improved speed. - Easy to learn and use for beginners.
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
Disadvantages :
  • Limited number of themes available
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Less user-friendly for beginners
  • Smaller community support compared to others
  • Limited built-in features and functionalities
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.
Website users : Thousands
Grav is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice among content management systems for web development projects.
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.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Grav requires some technical knowledge, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
Year launched : 2013
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Year launched : 2011
Grav was launched in 2011, positioning it as a relatively newer content management system compared to others in the market.
Official website : https://ghost.org/
Official website : https://getgrav.org/


Commercial details

Ghost
Grav
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Ghost is partially open source, with the core platform being fully open source but certain features and services being proprietary.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Grav is partially open source, with the core code being fully open source but some premium plugins and themes being proprietary.
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 Free option : Yes.
Grav offers a free option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users looking to build websites without spending money.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Ghost offers a paid option with additional features and support, providing users with more customization and flexibility for their website.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Grav offers a paid option for users seeking additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience for those willing to invest.


Platform details

Ghost
Grav
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 Hosted : Yes.
There are hosted options available for Grav, offering convenience and ease of use for users who prefer a hosted solution.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Ghost can be self-hosted on various third-party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Grav through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
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 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via plugins or APIs.
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.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support static content generation but can achieve this functionality perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

Ghost
Grav
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Ghost offers robust native content management features, making it a strong platform for managing content efficiently and effectively.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Grav offers a robust native content management system, providing comprehensive tools and features for efficient content management without the need for additional plugins.
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.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Grav can be enhanced for blogging with popular plugins like Blog Site and SimpleSearch, offering robust features for content creation and management.
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 E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Grav can be enhanced for e-commerce with popular plugins like Snipcart or Ecwid, offering robust features for online stores.
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 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Grav can support a community/forum with the right plugins/extensions, but it may require additional setup compared to platforms with native community features.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party integrations like Memberful or Patreon, enhancing functionality beyond native capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Grav's functionality in this area.


Other features

Ghost
Grav
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-site : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by the popular 'MultiSite' plugin for managing multiple sites from a single installation.
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 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Grav does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular plugins like 'Grav Multi-Language Plugin' for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin, enhancing Grav's functionality in this area.


When choosing between Ghost and Grav, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a user-friendly blogging experience, Ghost may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you value flexibility and speed in a CMS, Grav could be the ideal option for your website.