Head to head · Best CMS Platforms for News Sites
Ghost vs Labrador CMS
Ghost and Labrador CMS score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.
| Criterion | GhostStrong Choice | Labrador CMSStrong Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.4 | 3.8— higher score for Labrador CMS |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 4.1— higher score for Ghost | 3.0 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Managed Ghost(Pro) starts at $15/mo (Starter), $29/mo (Publisher), and $199/mo (Business). Software is free to self-host. | Tiered SaaS pricing: Small plans start at approximately €1,109/mo (up to 5 users), Medium at €2,218/mo, and Large at €3,326/mo. Enterprise tiers start at €6,799+/mo. |
Ghost
- Open-source platform with advanced customization designed for publishers
- All-in-one platform with website building, publishing, email newsletters, and premium subscriptions
- Hundreds of templates and extensive third-party integrations including PayPal, Slack, and Instagram
- Starter plan only offers one newsletter and lacks custom themes and integrations
- Creator and Team plans require a minimum of 1,000 subscribers
- Business plan starts at $249/month for 10,000 subscribers, which is expensive
Labrador CMS
- Intuitive visual editing interface
- Transparent component layout pattern
- Built-in paywall and advertisement support
- Limited third-party integrations
- Traffic-based pricing can become costly
- Smaller selection of essential plugins
Common questions
Is Ghost or Labrador CMS better?
Ghost and Labrador CMS score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality. Ghost scores 3.9/5 and Labrador CMS scores 3.9/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Labrador CMS?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Ghost scores 4.1/5 and Labrador CMS scores 3.0/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
Still deciding?
Answer four questions about your publication and we'll recommend a full stack — with the reasoning for each pick and what it will cost.
Both tools are scored in Best CMS Platforms for News Sites. See alternatives to Ghost or alternatives to Labrador CMS.
