Ghost vs Medium
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading news & media solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Ghost if you need Content API and prefer a free starting option. Choose Medium if you prioritize Story publishing and want a free tier to start. Ghost has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Ghost vs Medium: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: Ghost vs Medium
| Feature | Ghost | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Content API | ||
| Membership | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Zapier | ||
| Custom integrations | ||
| Node.js support | ||
| Cloud support | ||
| Self-hosted support | ||
| Story publishing | ||
| Member program | ||
| Earning potential | ||
| Reading time estimates | ||
| Clap reactions | ||
| Highlighting & annotations | ||
| Story recommendations | ||
| Following system | ||
| RSS | ||
| Web support | ||
| Mobile support |
Ghost vs Medium: Pricing Breakdown
Ghost Pricing
Model: open-source-commercial
- Full Ghost
- Content API
- Community support
- Cloud hosting
- Membership
- Analytics
- Advanced features
- Priority support
- Custom themes
Medium Pricing
Model: freemium
- Unlimited reading
- Publishing platform
- Story drafts
- Community engagement
- Unlimited access
- Exclusive stories
- Member earnings
- Ad-free reading
Pros and Cons
Ghost
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong Content API functionality
- Strong Membership functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Medium
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Story publishing functionality
- Strong Member program functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Ghost vs Medium?
Choose Ghost if you:
- Need Content API
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Node.js and Cloud
- Value Membership
Choose Medium if you:
- Need Story publishing
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Mobile
- Value Member program
Frequently Asked Questions: Ghost vs Medium
Is Ghost better than Medium?
It depends on your needs. Ghost has a 4.4/5 user rating while Medium has 4.3/5. Ghost excels in Content API and Membership, while Medium stands out with Story publishing and Member program. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Medium?
Ghost offers a free plan and starts at Free. Medium offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Ghost and Medium together?
While both are news & media tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core news & media needs.
What are the main differences between Ghost and Medium?
The key differences include: pricing model (open-source-commercial vs freemium), platform support (Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted vs Web, Mobile), and feature focus. Ghost emphasizes Content API, Membership, Analytics while Medium focuses on Story publishing, Member program, Earning potential. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Ghost and Medium.