Memberful vs Ghost
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Membership Site Software (2026) and The 11 Best CMS Platforms for Small Business (2026). Last verified June 13, 2026.
The short answer
Memberful ranks higher on Top 11 (#6 vs #7) for Creators running paid membership communities / Small business owners choosing a content management system. The best tool for adding a payment and access layer to an existing website.
At a glance
| Memberful | Ghost | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #6 / The 11 Best Membership Site Software (2026) | #7 / The 11 Best CMS Platforms for Small Business (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Best for | Add memberships to any site | Best for publishers and newsletters |
| Pricing | $ ($0 to $100/mo + fees) | $$ ($9 to $199/mo) |
| HQ | Remote | Singapore |
| Founded | 2013 | 2013 |
Memberful
The best tool for adding a payment and access layer to an existing website.
memberful.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Membership Site Software (2026)
Ghost
A clean, fast platform built for newsletters and memberships.
ghost.orgSee full entry in The 11 Best CMS Platforms for Small Business (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.