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Ghost

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Framer

Ghost vs Framer

Ghost vs Framer: which is right for your project? Ghost is modern publishing platform built for professional content creators. Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Ghost and Framer serve different use cases well. Choose Ghost for Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content. Choose Framer for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.

Official docs: Ghost Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGhostFramer
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Ghost

Pros

  • Beautiful, focused writing experience (Markdown + rich editor)
  • Built-in membership and subscription payment system
  • Newsletter/email delivery built right into the platform
  • Fast Node.js architecture — much faster than WordPress

Cons

  • Limited to blogs and newsletters — not a general CMS
  • Small theme ecosystem compared to WordPress
  • Self-hosting requires Node.js server expertise
  • Managed hosting (Ghost Pro) is relatively expensive

Framer

Pros

  • Stunning animations and interactions with no code
  • Ships real React components — not just visual mockups
  • Excellent performance with static generation
  • CMS with localization and scheduling built in

Cons

  • Limited CMS capabilities for complex content structures
  • Proprietary hosting — cannot self-host or export code
  • Smaller community and fewer resources than established builders
  • Complex logic still requires React code components

Platform Details

DetailGhostFramer
Language / Stack
Node.jsReact (custom components)
Type
bloggingwebsite builder
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed)Free / $5-15/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize contentDesigners creating marketing sites with polished animations
Export Method
Built-in JSON export or Content APINo code export — API for CMS content only

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Ghost if…

  • You need professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content
  • Your team is comfortable with Node.js
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Framer if…

  • You need designers creating marketing sites with polished animations
  • Your team is comfortable with React (custom components)
  • Budget is a top priority — free / $5-15/month
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Ghost and Framer depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Ghost is a blogging built with Node.js, while Framer is a website builder built with React (custom components). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Framer's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Ghost is open-source (Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed)), while Framer (Free / $5-15/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ghost better than Framer?
They're closely matched (19/30 vs 20/30). Ghost is best for Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content, while Framer excels for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Ghost to Framer?
Yes. Export your Ghost content via Built-in JSON export or Content API, then import it into Framer. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Ghost and Framer?
Ghost is modern publishing platform built for professional content creators, while Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. Key differences: performance (Ghost: 4/5, Framer: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed) vs Free / $5-15/month), and scalability (Ghost: 3/5, Framer: 3/5).
How much does Ghost cost compared to Framer?
Ghost: Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed). Framer: Free / $5-15/month. Ghost is open-source and free to self-host, while Framer is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Ghost or Framer?
They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). Ghost uses Node.js, while Framer uses React (custom components). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Ghost or Framer?
Both score equally on performance (4/5). The real difference depends on your setup: Ghost uses Node.js, Framer uses React (custom components). Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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