How Ghost and Wix 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.
Wix can build almost anything. A free-form editor, hundreds of templates, an app market, Wix Stores, Wix Bookings, Wix Chat, email marketing, and a business inbox make it a full small-business toolkit, and the AI site builder gets you to a first draft fast. For a business that needs breadth and an app for everything, Wix is a safe bet.
Where they are different
Ghost
- Ghost monetises by membership.
- Ghost sends email and stops.
- Ghost is publishing-first.
Wix
- Wix adds features through apps and plan upgrades.
- Wix's inbox gathers chat and forms.
- Wix is designed for any business.
Choose Ghost when writing is the business and you want paid subscriptions with no platform cut, on open-source software.
Choose Wix when you need breadth: any layout, any app, any business type.
Compare features
What's on Ghost and Wix
A check means that capability is available. Ghost and Wix are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Custom domainGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Theme and fontsGhost: IncludedWix: Included
Public content
- BlogGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Reader engagementGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Showcase pagesGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Shop pagesGhost: Not includedWix: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOGhost: IncludedWix: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Email on your domainGhost: IncludedWix: Not included
- Marketing emailsGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Campaign workflowsGhost: Not includedWix: Included
Messaging
- Built-in chatGhost: Not includedWix: Included
- Messaging CenterGhost: Not includedWix: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsGhost: Not includedWix: Included
- Orders and fulfillmentGhost: Not includedWix: Included
- Scheduling and bookingsLink to external scheduling available on Starter.Ghost: Not includedWix: Included
Team
- Admin usersGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- Per-admin permissionsGhost: IncludedWix: Included
- AI AssistantGhost: Not includedWix: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Ghost or Wix, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Ghost or Wix may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Ghost vs Wix pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Ghost
Current plans and prices
See what Ghost charges on their pricing page.
Wix
Current plans and prices
See what Wix charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Ghost and Wix
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 Wix?
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 Wix when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Ghost and Wix are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Ghost or Wix?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Ghost or Wix for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Ghost and Wix?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Ghost and Wix set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Ghost or Wix 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.