Ghost vs Jekyll

Ghost and Jekyll are both popular static site generators, but they have some key differences. Ghost is a fully-fledged CMS with a user-friendly interface, while Jekyll is more developer-focused and requires knowledge of Markdown and HTML.

General information

Ghost
Jekyll
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 :
Jekyll is a static site generator that was launched in 2008 and is open source. It has gained popularity for its simplicity, speed, and security. Jekyll is widely used by developers and bloggers who prefer a lightweight and flexible platform for creating websites. Its ease of use and compatibility with version control systems like Git make it a popular choice for those looking to build fast and secure websites.
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 :
  • Easy to use and setup for beginners
  • Large community for support and resources
  • Customizable with themes and plugins
  • Fast performance with static site generation
  • Secure with built-in features and updates
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 built-in features compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less user-friendly interface for non-developers
  • Limited theme options and customization capabilities
  • Smaller community support and resources
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 : Over 1 million websites
Jekyll is a popular choice for static websites, with a significant user base due to its simplicity and flexibility.
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 Jekyll requires basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Markdown. Some technical skills are needed, but resources are available for assistance.
Year launched : 2013
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Year launched : 2008
Jekyll was launched in 2008, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for users to create websites.
Official website : https://ghost.org/
Official website : https://jekyllrb.com/


Commercial details

Ghost
Jekyll
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Ghost is partially open source, with the core platform being fully open source but certain features and services being proprietary.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Jekyll is fully open source, written in Ruby. The entire platform is available for modification and customization by the community.
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.
Jekyll offers a free option with basic features. Users can host their site for free on platforms like GitHub Pages.
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.
Jekyll offers a paid option for added features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance for their websites.


Platform details

Ghost
Jekyll
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.
Jekyll can be hosted on various platforms, including free options like GitHub Pages or paid options through hosting providers.
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 Jekyll, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control and customization.
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.
Jekyll does not natively support headless functionality but can be extended with plugins to enable headless features via 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.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Jekyll natively supports static content generation, making it efficient for creating and managing static websites without the need for additional plugins.


Key features

Ghost
Jekyll
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Ghost offers robust native content management features, making it a strong platform for managing content efficiently and effectively.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Jekyll requires plugins for advanced content management features, making it less user-friendly compared to platforms with native content management capabilities.
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.
Jekyll can be enhanced by popular plugins for blogging features, but it may require additional setup compared to platforms with native blogging capabilities.
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.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Jekyll is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality. It may require significant customization or integration with third-party plugins for e-commerce capabilities.
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.
Jekyll can be used for a community/forum with the help of plugins like Jekyll Talk, but it requires additional setup compared to platforms with native forum 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 supported through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing Jekyll's functionality in this area.


Other features

Ghost
Jekyll
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.
Jekyll does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by popular plugins like jekyll-multilingual and jekyll-multiple-languages-plugin.
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.
Multi-language support in Jekyll can be achieved through plugins like jekyll-multiple-languages-plugin, offering flexibility for internationalization needs.
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.
Jekyll does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be enhanced with popular plugins like jekyll-sitemap for this functionality.


Ultimately, the choice between Ghost and Jekyll depends on your needs and technical expertise. If you’re looking for a simple and intuitive platform for blogging, Ghost may be the better option. However, if you prefer more control over customization and are comfortable with coding, Jekyll could be the ideal choice for you.