Ghost vs Thinkific
Side-by-side comparison of Ghost and Thinkific for content creators.
Open-source publishing platform built for serious creators
Host and sell online courses without technical headaches
What they are
Ghost
Ghost is an independent publishing platform that combines a CMS, email newsletter tool, and membership system in one place. It is used by independent writers, journalists, and media companies who want to own their audience without relying on third-party platforms. The open-source core can be self-hosted for free, while Ghost Pro handles hosting at a monthly fee. The tradeoff is that it is more opinionated than WordPress and has a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
Thinkific
Thinkific is a course platform where creators build, host, and sell self-paced or live courses directly to students. Coaches, educators, and subject-matter experts use it to package knowledge into paid products without needing a developer. The drag-and-drop builder is approachable, though the lower-tier plans restrict features like communities and advanced analytics behind higher paywalls.
Which to choose
Full editorial comparison coming soon. For now, check the side-by-side data above and read the individual reviews for Ghost and Thinkific.