News · head to head
Ghost CMS vs Payload CMS
Payload CMS
APIs
Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Payload CMS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Ghost CMS ghost Pro plans cap members, at 1,000 on both Starter and Publisher and 10,000 on Business; Payload CMS payload is a Next.js fullstack framework and installs into a Next.js app, so it is not framework-agnostic
- They diverge on capability: Ghost CMS covers Publishing platform, Payload CMS covers REST API.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ghost CMS and Payload CMS actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ghost CMS | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $18/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted | Node.js, Self-hosted |
| Category | News | APIs |
| Founded | 2013 | 2020 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Ghost CMS
- Publishing platform
- Email newsletters
- Membership management
- Analytics
- Paywall support
- SEO optimization
- Media library
- API access
Only in Payload CMS
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Versioning
- TypeScript
- Node.js
- Databases
- Custom plugins
- Node.js support
Both cover
- Self-hosted support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ghost CMS
- Running a publication or newsletter with paid subscriptionsnot Payload CMS
- Self hosting a headless or full stack publishing platformnot Payload CMS
Payload CMS
- Running a headless, TypeScript-configured CMS you self-hostnot Ghost CMS
- Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Ghost CMS
- Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Ghost CMS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Ghost CMS
- Ghost Pro plans cap members, at 1,000 on both Starter and Publisher and 10,000 on Business
- Staff users are limited to 1 on Starter and 3 on Publisher
- Custom themes and integrations require the Publisher plan at $29 a month billed yearly
- The jump to 10,000 members is the $199 a month Business plan, with nothing between
- Self hosting is free but installing under a subdirectory needs a custom reverse proxy that Ghost does not officially support
Payload CMS
- Payload is a Next.js fullstack framework and installs into a Next.js app, so it is not framework-agnostic
- Database support is limited to MongoDB and Postgres
- SSO is an Enterprise-only feature
- Publishing workflows, the visual editor, static A/B testing and AI auto-embedding are listed as Enterprise features
- Enterprise is sold through a Schedule a Demo form with no published price
- Free support is through a Discord community rather than a vendor support channel
Pricing, plan by plan
Ghost CMS
$18/month- Starter$18/month
- For solo blogs and newsletters
- Your own website
- Email newsletter
- Publisher$29/month
- For custom publications
- 3 staff users
- Custom themes
- Business$199/month
- For teams scaling up
- 15 staff users
- Priority support
- Custom$null/contact
- For organizations with complex needs
- Unlimited staff users
- Dedicated IP addresses
Payload CMS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full PayloadCMS
- Self-hosted
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Ghost CMS if
- You need publishing platform.
- You work on Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want email newsletters.
Choose Payload CMS if
- You need rest api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- You also want graphql api.
Questions people ask
- Is Ghost CMS or Payload CMS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ghost CMS starts at $18/month and Payload CMS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ghost CMS or Payload CMS?
- Payload CMS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $18/month for Ghost CMS and Free for Payload CMS.
- Does Ghost CMS or Payload CMS run on more platforms?
- Ghost CMS runs on Web, Self-hosted. Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Payload CMS for free?
- Yes. Payload CMS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ghost CMS starts at $18/month.
- What is Ghost CMS best used for?
- Ghost CMS is most often used for running a publication or newsletter with paid subscriptions, self hosting a headless or full stack publishing platform. Of those, running a publication or newsletter with paid subscriptions and self hosting a headless or full stack publishing platform are not what Payload CMS is typically brought in for.
- What can Ghost CMS do that Payload CMS cannot?
- Ghost CMS covers Publishing platform, Email newsletters, Membership management, Analytics. Payload CMS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Versioning, TypeScript. Both handle Self-hosted support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Ghost CMS: How much does Ghost CMS cost?
Ghost(Pro) pricing starts at $18 per month when billed yearly for the Starter plan, with Publisher at $29 per month and Business at $199 per month. All plans include unlimited email sends and enterprise-grade security.
SourcePayload CMS: How much does Payload CMS cost?
Payload CMS does not publish detailed pricing information on its main website. The site indicates a divide between self-hosted open-source development solutions and premium features, but specific costs and billing periods are not listed.
SourceGhost CMS: Can I cancel my Ghost subscription anytime?
Yes, users can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel their Ghost subscription anytime without penalties.
SourcePayload CMS: Does Payload CMS offer an open-source option?
Yes, Payload offers an open-source option for self-hosted development solutions, with additional enterprise features available.
SourceGhost CMS: Are there any additional fees with Ghost?
Ghost waives transaction fees on all plans, though payment processor fees still apply. There are no setup fees or hidden charges.
SourcePayload CMS: How do I learn about Payload CMS pricing?
Users can visit the /get-started page for pricing details or schedule a demo through the website to discuss pricing and enterprise options.
SourceRelated pages
More on Payload CMS
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- Payload CMS vs 10x Banking
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- Payload CMS vs Temenos Transact
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