Ghost vs Steno
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 Steno if you prioritize AI transcription and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Both are rated 4.4/5 by users.
Ghost vs Steno: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: Ghost vs Steno
| Feature | Ghost | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| Content API | ||
| Membership | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Zapier | ||
| Custom integrations | ||
| Node.js support | ||
| Cloud support | ||
| Self-hosted support | ||
| AI transcription | ||
| Broadcast search | ||
| Real-time monitoring | ||
| Clip creation | ||
| Media analysis | ||
| Slack | ||
| API | ||
| Web support |
Ghost vs Steno: Pricing Breakdown
Ghost Pricing
Model: open-source-commercial
- Full Ghost
- Content API
- Community support
- Cloud hosting
- Membership
- Analytics
- Advanced features
- Priority support
- Custom themes
Steno Pricing
Model: subscription
- Search transcripts
- Clip creation
- Email alerts
- Basic analytics
- All Starter features
- API access
- Team collaboration
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- SLA
- Custom retention
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
Steno
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong AI transcription functionality
- Strong Broadcast search functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Ghost vs Steno?
Choose Ghost if you:
- Need Content API
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Node.js and Cloud
- Value Membership
Choose Steno if you:
- Need AI transcription
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Broadcast search
Frequently Asked Questions: Ghost vs Steno
Is Ghost better than Steno?
It depends on your needs. Ghost has a 4.4/5 user rating while Steno has 4.4/5. Ghost excels in Content API and Membership, while Steno stands out with AI transcription and Broadcast search. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Steno?
Ghost offers a free plan and starts at Free. Steno starts at Contact for pricing. Ghost has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Ghost and Steno 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 Steno?
The key differences include: pricing model (open-source-commercial vs subscription), platform support (Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted vs Web), and feature focus. Ghost emphasizes Content API, Membership, Analytics while Steno focuses on AI transcription, Broadcast search, Real-time monitoring. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Ghost and Steno.