Ghost vs Loops — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Ghost and Loops to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Loops takes the lead with a 4.8 rating and is best for saas companies that need product-focused email automation based on user behavior. Ghost (4.0) is the better pick if you need independent publishers and writers who want an all-in-one publishing and membership platform.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Ghost | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.0(42) | ★★★★★ 4.8(8) |
| Pricing Model | open_source | freemium |
| Starter Price | $9/mo | $49/mo |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Learning Curve | easy | easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Independent publishers and writers who want an all-in-one publishing and membership platform | SaaS companies that need product-focused email automation based on user behavior |
| Verdict | recommended | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Ghost | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Blog and newsletter combined | — | |
| Paid membership support | — | |
| Native email delivery | — | |
| SEO optimization | — | |
| Theme customization | — | |
| Self-hosting option | — | |
| Event-based automations | — | |
| Transactional emails | — | |
| Product broadcasts | — | |
| Behavior-based targeting | — | |
| Simple template editor | — | |
| API and webhooks | — |
Ghost
Pros
- ✓All-in-one publishing platform
- ✓Open-source and self-hostable
- ✓Built-in paid memberships
- ✓Clean writing experience
Cons
- ✕Less flexible than WordPress
- ✕Limited plugins
- ✕Self-hosting requires Node.js knowledge
Loops
Pros
- ✓Built specifically for SaaS
- ✓Event-based automation
- ✓Clean simple interface
- ✓Good API
Cons
- ✕SaaS focused only
- ✕Less template variety
- ✕Fewer integrations
The Bottom Line
Both Ghost and Loops are solid tools in the Email Marketing space. Loops edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and is the better choice for saas companies that need product-focused email automation based on user behavior. However, if you prioritize independent publishers and writers who want an all-in-one publishing and membership platform, Ghost is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.