Head to head · Best CMS Platforms for News Sites
Ghost vs Purple (PurplePublish)
Ghost and Purple (PurplePublish) score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.
| Criterion | GhostStrong Choice | Purple (PurplePublish)Strong Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.4 | 3.9— higher score for Purple (PurplePublish) |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 5.0— higher score for Purple (PurplePublish) |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 4.1— higher score for Ghost | 1.8 |
| 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. | Custom enterprise pricing available upon demo; Purple Essentials serves as a standardized, lower-cost SaaS entry point for mid-sized publishers with faster deployment. |
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
Purple (PurplePublish)
- Simple, lightweight CMS suitable for small teams
- Advanced AI features for content optimization
- Flexible multi-channel publishing potential
- Implementation may involve technical resources
- Limited scope of scalability
Common questions
Is Ghost or Purple (PurplePublish) better?
Ghost and Purple (PurplePublish) score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality. Ghost scores 3.9/5 and Purple (PurplePublish) scores 4.0/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Purple (PurplePublish)?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Ghost scores 4.1/5 and Purple (PurplePublish) scores 1.8/5. 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 Purple (PurplePublish).
