Ghost vs Squarespace
Please select two different options.
Ghost and Squarespace are both popular platforms for creating websites, but they cater to different needs. Ghost is a lightweight and open-source platform focused on blogging and content creation, while Squarespace is a user-friendly website builder with a wide range of design options and e-commerce capabilities.
General information
Ghost
Squarespace
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.
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 :
Squarespace is a popular website building platform that was launched in 2004. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface and beautiful design templates. Squarespace is a preferred choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding skills. Its drag-and-drop functionality and integrated e-commerce features make it a convenient option for those seeking a visually appealing online presence.
Squarespace is a popular website building platform that was launched in 2004. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface and beautiful design templates. Squarespace is a preferred choice for individuals and small businesses looking to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding skills. Its drag-and-drop functionality and integrated e-commerce features make it a convenient option for those seeking a visually appealing online presence.
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 for beginners
- Beautiful and professional templates
- Excellent customer support
- Integrated e-commerce functionality
- Mobile responsive designs
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 customization options compared to WordPress
- Higher cost compared to open-source platforms
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited third-party integrations compared to Shopify
- Limited SEO capabilities compared to specialized platforms
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.
Ghost is used by a small fraction of websites compared to other platforms, making it a niche choice for content management.
Website users : Millions
Squarespace powers millions of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking for a user-friendly website builder.
Squarespace powers millions of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses looking for a user-friendly website builder.
🟡 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.
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.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Squarespace offers intuitive drag-and-drop tools, templates, and customer support, making it easy for beginners to create a website without technical skills.
Squarespace offers intuitive drag-and-drop tools, templates, and customer support, making it easy for beginners to create a website without technical skills.
Year launched : 2013
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Ghost was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to some of its competitors.
Year launched : 2004
Squarespace was launched in 2004, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for website creation and hosting.
Squarespace was launched in 2004, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for website creation and hosting.
Official website :
https://ghost.org/
Official website :
https://www.squarespace.com/
Commercial details
Ghost
Squarespace
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Ghost is partially open source, with the core platform being fully open source but certain features and services being proprietary.
Ghost is partially open source, with the core platform being fully open source but certain features and services being proprietary.
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Squarespace is not open source, but does offer limited customization options through its developer platform and code injection features.
Squarespace is not open source, but does offer limited customization options through its developer platform and code injection features.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Ghost offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features. Users can upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced functionality.
Ghost offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features. Users can upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced functionality.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Squarespace offers a free 14-day trial, but there is no ongoing free plan. Limited features available during trial period.
Squarespace offers a free 14-day trial, but there is no ongoing free plan. Limited features available during trial period.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Ghost offers a paid option with additional features and support, providing users with more customization and flexibility for their website.
Ghost offers a paid option with additional features and support, providing users with more customization and flexibility for their website.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Squarespace offers paid plans with additional features and customization options, providing value for users looking for more advanced functionality.
Squarespace offers paid plans with additional features and customization options, providing value for users looking for more advanced functionality.
Platform details
Ghost
Squarespace
🟢 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.
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.
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
Squarespace offers a fully hosted option, providing users with a seamless and hassle-free website building experience.
Squarespace offers a fully hosted option, providing users with a seamless and hassle-free website building experience.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
Ghost can be self-hosted on various third-party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
Ghost can be self-hosted on various third-party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
⚪ Self host : Unknown.
Squarespace does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors that provide hosting services for Squarespace websites.
Squarespace does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors that provide hosting services for Squarespace websites.
⚪ Headless CMS : Unknown.
Ghost does not have native headless support but may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed for clarity.
Ghost does not have native headless support but may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed for clarity.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support headless CMS, but it can be achieved through third-party plugins and APIs for headless functionality.
Squarespace does not natively support headless CMS, but it can be achieved through third-party plugins and APIs for headless functionality.
🟡 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.
Static content generation is possible in Ghost through the use of third-party plugins, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible on Squarespace, perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.
Static content generation is possible on Squarespace, perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who require this feature.
Key features
Ghost
Squarespace
🟢 Content management : Support natively.
Ghost offers robust native content management features, making it a strong platform for managing content efficiently and effectively.
Ghost offers robust native content management features, making it a strong platform for managing content efficiently and effectively.
🟢 Content management : Support natively.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface for managing content, making it a strong platform compared to others that may require additional plugins or customization.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface for managing content, making it a strong platform compared to others that may require additional plugins or customization.
🟢 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.
Ghost offers a native and user-friendly platform specifically designed for blogging, with a focus on clean design and seamless content creation.
🟢 Blogging : Support natively.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly blogging platform with built-in features for creating and managing content, making it a strong choice for bloggers.
Squarespace offers a user-friendly blogging platform with built-in features for creating and managing content, making it a strong choice for bloggers.
🟡 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.
Ghost can be used for e-commerce with plugins like Snipcart or Shopify Buy Button, offering flexibility and customization options.
🟢 E-commerce : Support natively.
Squarespace is a good platform for e-commerce with native features like inventory management, secure payments, and customizable storefronts.
Squarespace is a good platform for e-commerce with native features like inventory management, secure payments, and customizable storefronts.
🟢 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.
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.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for this functionality.
Squarespace does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for this functionality.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party integrations like Memberful or Patreon, enhancing functionality beyond native capabilities.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party integrations like Memberful or Patreon, enhancing functionality beyond native capabilities.
🟢 Content subscription : Support natively.
Squarespace supports content subscriptions and paywalls natively, allowing users to easily monetize their content and restrict access to paid subscribers.
Squarespace supports content subscriptions and paywalls natively, allowing users to easily monetize their content and restrict access to paid subscribers.
Other features
Ghost
Squarespace
🟡 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.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility for managing multiple sites within the Ghost platform.
🔴 Multi-site : Not supported.
Squarespace does not support multi-site functionality natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension.
Squarespace does not support multi-site functionality natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Ghost does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by popular plugins for multi-language support.
Ghost does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by popular plugins for multi-language support.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for this feature.
Squarespace does not natively support multi-language functionality but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for this feature.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Squarespace does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be implemented using third-party plugins or extensions for enhanced functionality.
Squarespace does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be implemented using third-party plugins or extensions for enhanced functionality.
When choosing between Ghost and Squarespace, consider your specific needs and technical expertise. If you prioritize simplicity and design flexibility, Squarespace may be the better option. However, if you value control over your content and prefer a more customizable platform, Ghost could be the right choice for you.