The Old Reader vs Ghost
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 The Old Reader if you need RSS reading and prefer a free starting option. Choose Ghost if you prioritize Content API and want a free tier to start. Ghost has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
The Old Reader vs Ghost: At a Glance
| Criteria | The Old Reader | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | freemium | open-source-commercial |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
Feature Comparison: The Old Reader vs Ghost
| Feature | The Old Reader | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Content API | ||
| Membership | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Zapier | ||
| Custom integrations | ||
| Node.js support | ||
| Cloud support | ||
| Self-hosted support |
The Old Reader vs Ghost: Pricing Breakdown
The Old Reader Pricing
Model: freemium
- 100 subscriptions
- Social features
- Web access
- OPML import
- 500 subscriptions
- Search history
- Priority refresh
- No ads
- Unlimited subscriptions
- All premium features
- Support development
Ghost Pricing
Model: open-source-commercial
- Full Ghost
- Content API
- Community support
- Cloud hosting
- Membership
- Analytics
- Advanced features
- Priority support
- Custom themes
Pros and Cons
The Old Reader
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong RSS reading functionality
- Strong Social sharing functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
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
Who Should Use The Old Reader vs Ghost?
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Choose Ghost if you:
- Need Content API
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Node.js and Cloud
- Value Membership
Frequently Asked Questions: The Old Reader vs Ghost
Is The Old Reader better than Ghost?
It depends on your needs. The Old Reader has a 4.3/5 user rating while Ghost has 4.4/5. The Old Reader excels in RSS reading and Social sharing, while Ghost stands out with Content API and Membership. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, The Old Reader or Ghost?
The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. Ghost 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 The Old Reader and Ghost 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 The Old Reader and Ghost?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs open-source-commercial), platform support (Web, Ios, Android vs Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted), and feature focus. The Old Reader emphasizes RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends while Ghost focuses on Content API, Membership, Analytics. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both The Old Reader and Ghost.