Ghost

Ghost is a minimalist, open-source CMS designed specifically for publishing and blogging. Its clean interface and Markdown editor make content creation intuitive, while built-in SEO, AMP, and structured data support help improve search engine visibility. Ghost is especially popular among creators and businesses looking for a straightforward platform focused on content without unnecessary complexity.

With features like membership management, email newsletters, and integrations with payment gateways, Ghost also supports monetization options for creators. It offers fast performance and flexibility, whether self-hosted or managed on Ghost’s own hosting service.

Key features

• Markdown Editor: Write and format content with a simple Markdown-based editor.
• SEO Optimization: Built-in SEO features and support for AMP and structured data.
• Membership & Subscription: Manage memberships and subscriptions with integrated payment support.
• Customizable Themes: Choose from a range of themes or create custom ones.
• Email Newsletter: Publish newsletters directly to subscribers from the platform.
• Fast Performance: Lightweight, optimized for fast loading times.
• Integrations: Connect with tools like Stripe, Google Analytics, and Zapier.
• Self-Hosting or Managed Hosting: Flexibility to self-host or use Ghost’s managed service.

Best use cases

• Professional Blogging: Ideal for writers and bloggers seeking a clean, distraction-free interface.
• Content Monetization: Great for creators who want to monetize with memberships and subscriptions.
• Newsletters and Email Marketing: Efficient for managing newsletters and sending content to subscribers.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ Clean, minimalist editor with Markdown support.
• ✅ Excellent for SEO and search visibility.
• ✅ Built-in membership and subscription tools.
• ✅ Fast, optimized performance.
• ✅ Flexible hosting options.
• ❌ Limited to content-focused features, lacking extensive plugins.
• ❌ Requires hosting setup for self-hosting.
• ❌ Customization can be challenging for non-technical users.
• ❌ Fewer theme options compared to larger CMS platforms.
• ❌ Paid managed hosting can be pricey.