Squarespace vs Ghost

Head-to-head comparison of two popular website builders tools. See which one is right for your needs.

Last updated: March 2026

Quick Verdict

Ghost has a higher rating (4.5/5) compared to Squarespace (4.4/5). Plus, Ghost offers a free tier while Squarespace does not. Ghost also starts at a lower price point ($9 vs $16/month).

Squarespace

4.4

Squarespace is a premium website builder known for stunning, designer-quality templates. It's the go-to choice for creatives, photographers, and small businesses wanting professional aesthetics. Squarespace includes hosting, domains, e-commerce, and marketing tools in one platform.

Pricing

$16/month

Key Features

  • Designer Templates
  • E-commerce
  • Scheduling
  • Email Marketing
  • Analytics
  • Member Areas
  • Video Studio
  • SEO Tools

Pros

  • + Beautiful templates
  • + All-in-one platform
  • + Professional results
  • + Good e-commerce

Cons

  • No free plan
  • Less flexible than competitors
  • Limited app integrations
View full profile →

Ghost

4.5

Ghost is an open-source publishing platform built for professional publishers. It offers native newsletters, memberships, and paid subscriptions. Ghost is fast, focused, and powers publications seeking independence from platforms like Substack and Medium.

Pricing

Free / $9/month

Key Features

  • Publishing Tools
  • Native Newsletters
  • Memberships
  • Paid Subscriptions
  • SEO
  • Open Source
  • Custom Themes
  • API Access

Pros

  • + Built for publishing
  • + Native monetization
  • + Fast and clean
  • + Open source option

Cons

  • Limited design flexibility
  • Developer-friendly focus
  • Smaller ecosystem
View full profile →