Ghost vs Zephr:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Zephr had more branded searches than Ghost among digital publishing paywall platforms worldwide. Zephr had about 369,000 branded searches, while Ghost had 11,000. Zephr made up 94.8% of all digital publishing paywall platform searches we track, and Ghost accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about digital publishing paywall platforms, Zephr appeared in three of the five answers and Ghost in two. Ghost and Zephr were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Zephr, about 33 searches for every 1 for Ghost
Who does AI mention more?
Zephr, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Ghost in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top digital publishing paywall platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zephr was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ghost was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Ghost and Zephr were each listed first in two of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Piano4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pelcro4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Leaky Paywall4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Zephr3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ghost2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Poool1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about digital publishing paywall platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which digital publishing paywall platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best digital publishing paywall platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best digital publishing paywall platform for a news site?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best paywall software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“digital subscription platform”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Ghost or Zephr more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ghost and Zephr by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six digital publishing paywall platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Zephr, Ghost. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zephr | Ghost | Poool | Piano | Pelcro | Leaky Paywall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 94% | 3.4% | 1.7% | 0.46% | 0.41% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 94.1% | 3.4% | 1.7% | 0.45% | 0.31% | 0.08% |
| Dec 2025 | 94.2% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 0.45% | 0.28% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 93.7% | 3.5% | 2.1% | 0.45% | 0.23% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 94.2% | 3.4% | 1.7% | 0.37% | 0.28% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 93.1% | 4% | 2.1% | 0.46% | 0.31% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 94.2% | 3.5% | 1.7% | 0.3% | 0.23% | 0.07% |
| May 2026 | 92.7% | 4% | 2.5% | 0.47% | 0.27% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 95.4% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 0.26% | 0.19% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 93.8% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 0.37% | 0.28% | 0.05% |
| Aug 2026 | 94.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.34% | 0.28% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 94.8% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 0.3% | 0.26% | 0.04% |
How has the Ghost and Zephr comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Zephr was ahead of Ghost in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ghost’s share of searches among digital publishing paywall platforms worldwide moved from 3.4% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10.8K to 11K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zephr’s share of searches among digital publishing paywall platforms worldwide moved from 94% to 94.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 302K to 369K.
How did search popularity change for digital publishing paywall platforms worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Zephr gained share of searches among digital publishing paywall platforms worldwide, from 94.1% to 94.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
15 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ghost’s and Zephr’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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