Ghost vs Payload
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Ghost and Payload are credible cms tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Ghost — Independent publishing and newsletters.
Payload — The TypeScript-native headless CMS.
Ghost vs Payload: side by side
| Dimension | Ghost | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $9/mo | Free – $35/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Publishers, Creators | Developers |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted | Web, Self Hosted, Api |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Ghost key facts
- Vendor
- Ghost Foundation
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $9/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Publishers, Creators
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Remote
Payload key facts
- Vendor
- Payload (Figma)
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $35/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Remote
Frequently asked questions
Is Ghost better than Payload?
Neither is universally better — Payload edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Ghost or Payload cheaper?
Ghost is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $9/mo. Ghost starts at free – $9/mo; Payload starts at free – $35/mo.
Can Ghost replace Payload?
Yes for most teams — both are cms tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.