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Ghost

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Next.js

Ghost vs Next.js

Ghost vs Next.js: which is right for your project? Ghost is modern publishing platform built for professional content creators. Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Next.js wins overall, but Ghost is better for professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content. Choose Ghost for Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content. Choose Next.js for Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies.

Official docs: Ghost Documentation · Next.js Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureGhostNext.js
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

Next.js

Pros

  • Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app
  • Most popular React framework with massive community
  • Built-in image optimization, API routes, and middleware
  • Optimized for Vercel but deploys anywhere (Node.js, Docker)

Cons

  • React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
  • App Router introduced complexity with Server Components
  • Build output tightly coupled to Vercel's infrastructure features
  • Can be overkill for simple static content sites

Platform Details

DetailGhostNext.js
Language / Stack
Node.jsJavaScript/TypeScript (React)
Type
bloggingframework
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed)Free (open-source)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize contentProduction web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
Export Method
Built-in JSON export or Content APIN/A (destination framework)

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 Next.js if…

  • You need production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Ghost and Next.js 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 Next.js is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. Both platforms require some technical comfort — consider which tech stack aligns better with your team's existing skills.

From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. 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 offers a free GhostNext.js migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ghost better than Next.js?
Next.js scores higher overall (28/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Ghost remains the better choice for Professional writers, journalists, and newsletter creators who want to monetize content.
Can I migrate from Ghost to Next.js?
Yes. Export your Ghost content via Built-in JSON export or Content API, then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Ghost and Next.js?
Ghost is modern publishing platform built for professional content creators, while Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. Key differences: ease of use (Ghost: 4/5, Next.js: 3/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed) vs Free (open-source)), and ecosystem size (Ghost: 2/5, Next.js: 5/5).
How much does Ghost cost compared to Next.js?
Ghost: Free (self-hosted) / $9-199/month (managed). Next.js: Free (open-source). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Ghost or Next.js?
Ghost is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Beautiful, focused writing experience (Markdown + rich editor). Next.js React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers.
Which performs better, Ghost or Next.js?
Next.js has the performance edge (5/5 vs 4/5). As a framework, Next.js pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Ghost may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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