Ghost vs The Old Reader
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 The Old Reader if you prioritize RSS reading and want a free tier to start. Ghost has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Ghost vs The Old Reader: At a Glance
| Criteria | Ghost | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | open-source-commercial | freemium |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2013 | 2012 |
Feature Comparison: Ghost vs The Old Reader
| Feature | Ghost | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Content API | ||
| Membership | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Zapier | ||
| Custom integrations | ||
| Node.js support | ||
| Cloud support | ||
| Self-hosted support | ||
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support |
Ghost vs The Old Reader: Pricing Breakdown
Ghost Pricing
Model: open-source-commercial
- Full Ghost
- Content API
- Community support
- Cloud hosting
- Membership
- Analytics
- Advanced features
- Priority support
- Custom themes
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
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
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
Who Should Use Ghost vs The Old Reader?
Choose Ghost if you:
- Need Content API
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Node.js and Cloud
- Value Membership
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Frequently Asked Questions: Ghost vs The Old Reader
Is Ghost better than The Old Reader?
It depends on your needs. Ghost has a 4.4/5 user rating while The Old Reader has 4.3/5. Ghost excels in Content API and Membership, while The Old Reader stands out with RSS reading and Social sharing. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Ghost or The Old Reader?
Ghost offers a free plan and starts at Free. The Old Reader 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 Ghost and The Old Reader 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 The Old Reader?
The key differences include: pricing model (open-source-commercial vs freemium), platform support (Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted vs Web, Ios, Android), and feature focus. Ghost emphasizes Content API, Membership, Analytics while The Old Reader focuses on RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Ghost and The Old Reader.