Ghost vs Memberful:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ghost had more branded searches than Memberful among paywall platforms worldwide. Ghost had about 10,700 branded searches, while Memberful had 1,600. Ghost made up 31.6% of all paywall platform searches we track, and Memberful accounted for 4.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about paywall platforms, Ghost and Memberful each appeared in three of the five answers. Ghost was mentioned before Memberful in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Ghost, about 7 searches for every 1 for Memberful
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Ghost, named ahead of Memberful in every answer
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Top paywall platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ghost and Memberful were each mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Ghost was listed before Memberful in every answer.
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.
- Ghost3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Memberful3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Leaky Paywall2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Piano2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Zuora1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Poool0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about paywall platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which paywall platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best paywall platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best paywall platform for reader subscriptions?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“paywall platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“subscription paywall”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Ghost or Memberful more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ghost and Memberful by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six paywall platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Ghost, Memberful. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zuora | Ghost | Poool | Memberful | Leaky Paywall | Piano |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.2% | 28.9% | 14.7% | 6.5% | 0.71% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 45% | 31.9% | 16.4% | 5.8% | 0.79% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.8% | 30.9% | 16.4% | 7.3% | 0.64% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.3% | 31.2% | 18.9% | 6.9% | 0.74% | 0.03% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.2% | 31.6% | 16.1% | 7.2% | 0.78% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.5% | 31.3% | 16.6% | 6% | 0.65% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.3% | 35.9% | 18% | 5.2% | 0.71% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 39.2% | 33.7% | 21.5% | 5% | 0.56% | 0.03% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.4% | 30% | 22.7% | 5.3% | 0.59% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 39% | 29.2% | 26.1% | 5.2% | 0.55% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.6% | 29.6% | 20.3% | 4% | 0.52% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.7% | 31.6% | 19.5% | 4.7% | 0.5% | 0.03% |
How has the Ghost and Memberful comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ghost was ahead of Memberful in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ghost’s share of searches among paywall platforms worldwide moved from 28.9% to 31.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10.6K to 10.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Memberful’s share of searches among paywall platforms worldwide moved from 6.5% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 1.6K.
How did search popularity change for paywall platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Ghost gained share of searches among paywall platforms worldwide, from 29.6% to 31.6%.
In September 2026, Memberful gained share of searches among paywall platforms worldwide, from 4% to 4.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ghost’s and Memberful’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.
Other head-to-heads among paywall platforms
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