Ghost vs KeystoneJS

Ghost and KeystoneJS are both popular content management systems used for creating websites and blogs. While Ghost is known for its simplicity and focus on blogging, KeystoneJS offers more flexibility and customization options for building dynamic web applications.

General information

Ghost
KeystoneJS
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 :
KeystoneJS is a powerful open-source content management system and web application framework that was launched in 2013. It is popular for its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features such as database management, authentication, and dynamic routing. KeystoneJS is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications, making it a popular choice among developers looking for a scalable and customizable platform.
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 customize
  • Built-in user authentication and access control
  • Flexible content modeling with schemas
  • Active community and support
  • Scalable for large projects
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 theme options
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some
  • Less community support than WordPress
  • Not as customizable as other platforms
  • Limited plugins and extensions available
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
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
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.
KeystoneJS requires some familiarity with Node.js and MongoDB, making it average in terms of ease of getting started compared to other CMS platforms.
Year launched : 2013
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Year launched : 2013
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://ghost.org/
Official website : https://keystonejs.com/


Commercial details

Ghost
KeystoneJS
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.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
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.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
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.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.


Platform details

Ghost
KeystoneJS
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.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
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.
KeystoneJS can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
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.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
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.
Static content generation is possible in KeystoneJS through plugins, offering flexibility for users to generate static content if needed.


Key features

Ghost
KeystoneJS
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.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
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.
KeystoneJS can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like keystone-blog, offering basic blogging functionality but may require additional customization.
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.
KeystoneJS is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for online stores. It may require extensive customization or integration with third-party plugins.
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.
KeystoneJS can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
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 using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.


Other features

Ghost
KeystoneJS
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.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
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.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
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 implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.


When choosing between Ghost and KeystoneJS, consider your specific needs and goals. If you prioritize a straightforward blogging platform with a clean interface, Ghost may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you require more advanced features and the ability to create complex web applications, KeystoneJS could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the specific requirements of your project.