Compare
Ghostvs
Systeme.io
Ghost is open-source publishing with a fast site, newsletters, and fee-free paid subscriptions. Systeme.io packs funnels, email, courses, and affiliates into one low-cost login.
How Ghost and Systeme.io compare
Ghost is what serious independent publishing looks like. A fast, beautifully themed site, newsletters sent from your own domain, paid memberships with zero platform fees, comments, and a clean editor, all open source and portable. Ghost(Pro) hosting removes the ops, and the whole thing respects the writer and the reader.
Systeme.io is a bargain of the all-in-one software category. In this comparison, it is also a clear alternative for a solo marketer who wants every marketing tool under one cheap login: a free plan that never expires with 2,000 contacts, unlimited email sends on every tier, a funnel builder with A/B tests and deadline timers, courses with drip and quizzes, an affiliate program manager, and zero transaction fees. When comparing pricing, plans, and cost, the math is hard to argue with.
Where they are different
Ghost
- Ghost monetises by membership.
- Ghost sends email and stops.
- Ghost is publishing-first.
Systeme.io
- Systeme.io is organized around the funnel: opt-in, sales page, order bump, upsell.
- Systeme.io sends email from your domain and stops there.
- Both take bookings that sync with Google Calendar.
Choose Ghost when writing is the business and you want paid subscriptions with no platform cut, on open-source software.
Choose Systeme.io when you want its marketing features for funnels, courses, or webinars, and want affiliates promoting you at a reasonable cost.
Compare features
What's on Ghost and Systeme.io
A check means that capability is available. Ghost and Systeme.io are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Custom domainGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Theme and fontsGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
Public content
- BlogGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Reader engagementGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Not included
- Showcase pagesGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Shop pagesGhost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Email on your domainGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Not included
- Marketing emailsGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Campaign workflowsGhost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsGhost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
- Orders and fulfillmentGhost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
- Scheduling and bookingsLink to external scheduling available on Starter.Ghost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
Team
- Admin usersGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- Per-admin permissionsGhost: IncludedSysteme.io: Included
- AI AssistantGhost: Not includedSysteme.io: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Ghost or Systeme.io, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Ghost or Systeme.io may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Ghost vs Systeme.io pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Ghost
Current plans and prices
See what Ghost charges on their pricing page.
Systeme.io
Current plans and prices
See what Systeme.io charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Ghost and Systeme.io
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Ghost or Systeme.io?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Ghost or Systeme.io when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Ghost and Systeme.io are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Ghost or Systeme.io?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Ghost or Systeme.io for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Ghost and Systeme.io?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Ghost and Systeme.io set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Ghost or Systeme.io to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.