If you want to start a new blog with Ghost, the next thing you need to do after setting up your Ghost account is to install a new theme. A theme allows you to have a unique blog in terms of appearance. We have curated the best Ghost themes (premium themes more precisely) you can consider to be installed on your blog.
Why choosing the right theme matters?
Theme is a Ghost component that governs the appearance of your blog. From the homepage layout, blog post layout, header layout, footer layout, and so on. Unlike, for instance — WordPress, Ghost offers minimum customization options as Ghost is developed with simplicity in mind. In Ghost, you can only do the following things when it comes to appearance customization:
- Setting up the accent color
- Setting up the site logo
- Setting up the favicon
- Setting up the fonts
The rest, you have to follow what’s your theme offers. That is why choosing a theme is a crucial step in Ghost.
Where to Download Ghost Themes
Ghost offers an official theme directory where you can explore the Ghost themes. You can find free themes and paid themes here. Most free themes are developed by the Ghost team, while the paid themes are developed by third-party developers.
Although some themes available on the theme directory are paid, Ghost offers no actual marketplace functionality whereby Ghost users can sell and buy themes directly from the platform. Instead, when you click the Purchase button, Ghost will redirect you to a third-party website (mostly ThemeForest).
The following marketplaces are great to go to get a Ghost theme:
How to Install a Ghost Theme
A brand-new Ghost blog comes with a default theme called Casper. In addition to Casper, there twelve other official themes you can install.
To install a new theme, first, login to your Ghost dashboard (yourblog.com/ghost). Once logged in, click the gear icon on the bottom side of the left panel to open the Settings screen. Click the Design menu.
Ghost will redirect you to the Site design screen. On this screen, click the active theme on the bottom side of the left panel.
Select one of the themes you like by clicking it and then click the Use [Theme Name] button top bar.
On the appearing dialog, you will be asked to install theme you chose. Simply click the Install button to install.
Wait a moment until Ghost is done installing your theme.
How to Install a Ghost Theme Downloaded from a Third-Party Source
While you can download a Ghost theme from a third-party source like ThemeForest and Creative Market, you can’t install it unless you use the Creator plan ($25/month) or the higher plans. The ability to install a custom theme is not available on the free plan and the Starter plan. Yes, it’s one of the parts we don’t like about Ghost. Too many restrictions for basic things like installing theme.
If you own Creator plan (or even the higher plan), you can simply click the Upload theme button on the Themes screen. You can then select the ZIP file of your theme to install it.
Top-Rated Premium Ghost Themes
1. Genki
- Price: $69
- Rating: [usr 5]
Looking to create a magazine-style blog? If yes, then Genki is the Ghost theme you can consider. The theme has a clean design just like most Ghost themes. The blog posts are displayed in the grid style whereby in each post you will a label pulled from the post tags. Genki is available in three versions:
- Light
- Dark
- Sephia
The header of the theme contains three useful elements for your blog visitors: a search icon, Sign in link, and Sign up button. The Genki theme offers customized pages for pages like the membership page, the account page for member, and so on. On the membership page, you will find a pricing table and FAQ elements.
2. Artixi
- Price: $39
- Rating: [usr 4.4]
Do you like slider? Artixi is the theme for you if you are looking for a Ghost theme with a slider. You can find the slider element on the hero section of the homepage. You can use the slide to showcase the featured posts on your blog.
Artixi also comes in a minimalist nuance just like other Ghost themes. You have two versions to choose from: the light version and the dark version. In Artixi, your blog posts are displayed in three columns. It has a load more button to load more posts in case you like this type of pagination. There is a search icon on its header to make it easier for your readers to find the blog posts they need. On the footer area, you can place your site logo, email opt-in form and the key pages of your blog. Speaking of pages, Artixi also offers customized pages for the base pages of Ghost such as the membership page, account page, sign in page, sign up page, and so on.
3. Ubud
- Price: $149
- Rating: [usr 4.3]
There is a place in Bali called Ubud. The name of this theme might be inspired by the place. The Ubud Ghost theme offers six layouts for the homepage whereby in each layout, there is a static section — the hero section — that you can use to place the introduction of yourself or your business. Beneath this section lies blog posts, which are divided into two categories: the featured blog posts and latest blog posts.
The Ubud theme is especially a great option if you are looking for a Ghost theme that has as social media icons on the header, but you will find no search icon or field, which is we crucial enough. Ubud also offers customized pages for the core pages of Ghost, including the membership page.
4. Clako
- Price: $59
- Rating: [usr 5]
If you write technical articles on your blog (i.e., tutorials) related to programming, then the Clako theme is a perfect option. The theme comes with a code syntax highlighter to allow you to display the code in a different style than the regular text on your blog post. Also, Clako offers features like sticky header and search. The developer of the Clako theme says that the theme has the focus on typography and reading experience.
5. Krabi
- Price: $149
- Rating: [usr 4.8]
Looking for a Ghost theme with a two-column layout? Krabi is a great option to consider, then. The left column for the main content and the right column is used as the sidebar to place the email opt-in form, social media icons, featured images, and blog authors.
Krabi offers an option to hide the feature image of the blog posts on the homepage. This option makes your homepage looks unique. Krabi is also a great option if you are looking for a Ghost theme that offers a back to top button.
The header of Krabi is divided int two sections. The top section to display the main navigation menu that point to the static pages of your blog (about page, contact page, and so on), search icon, login button, and subscribe button. While the lower section is used to place the post tags. Your visitors can click the tags on the header to see the blog posts of the associated tags, without being redirected to another page.
6. Pidkast
- Price: $39
- Rating: [usr 4.6]
Do you have a podcast channel and plan to post the recorded episodes to a blog? If you plan to use Ghost to create your blog, Pidcast is a great theme for your blog. The theme is designed specifically for podcasters who want to own a blog. You have two homepage layouts to choose from.
One of the unique features offered by Pidcast is the social media sharing buttons which will appear when you hover your cursor over a blog post (podcast episode). On the homepage, there is also a testimonial section displayed in a slider style. Pidcast is especially a great option if you are looking for a Ghost theme with an off-canvas menu.
7. Okiro
- Price: $69
- Rating: [usr 5]
Okiro is a Ghost theme from Fueko, the developer of the Genki theme above. This theme comes in a feminine nuance, so it might be a great option if you are a female blogger. The Okiro theme has a great typography selection to make your blog looks pleasant to read. It is available in two versions: the dark version and the light version. The overall features offered by Okiro are not much different from Genki whereby it also offers customized pages for the base pages of Ghost.
8. Hue
- Price: $149
- Rating: [usr 5]
Hue is another Ghost theme designed specifically for podcaster just like Pidkast. So, if you have a podcast channel and are looking to create a blog using Ghost, Hue is the perfect option. One of notable features offered by Hue is dark mode. Yes, your readers can switch between the dark mode and light mode. Hue also comes with an instant search feature. You can simply type a certain letter on the search field and the search feature will display the blog posts related the letter.
Another notable feature offered by Hue is the ability to sort the content/posts. It will show all blog posts with the podcast tag on the homepage with an auto-generated number for each post/episode (E1, E2, E3, etc.). While for the posts with blog tag are put together in a separate blog page (e.g., yourblog.com/blog).
9. Renge
- Price: $69
- Rating: [usr 5]
Renge is a very well-designed Ghost theme. It is another theme developed by Fueko. Renge comes in a clean nuance with a great typography selection. It uses two font families: Mulish and Spartan. The Renge Ghost theme is aimed specifically at illustrators and designers, but you can also use it regardless of the field you are on.
10. Auden
- Price: $99
- Rating: [4.6]
If you are looking for a Ghost theme that has a dark mode feature, Auden is one of the items you can consider. Apart from this feature, Auden also offers features like custom pages for core Ghost pages (membership page, author page, and so on). In Auden, you have three homepage layouts to choose from.
- Homepage layout 1: 3 columns (2 post + sidebar)
- Homepage layout 2: 3 columns (1 post + sidebar)
- Homepage layout 3: 3 columns (3 posts)
Also, Auden offers some layout options for the blog posts. You can choose a blog layout with or without sidebar. Furthermore, Auden allows you to add table of contents to your blog posts.
11. Korima
- Price: $59
- Rating: [4.7]
Korima is a Ghost theme that has a unique blog post layout, with a great typography as well. On the blog posts, you will see elements like reading progress bar, estimated reading time, social media sharing buttons, and related posts. On the homepage, the featured posts are displayed in a slider style while the recent posts are displayed in a grid style (three columns). Furthermore, Korima comes with features like dark more and search box.
12. Shoji
- Price: $69
- Rating: [usr 5]
We have mentioned three themes developed by Fueko and will mention another one: Shoji. This theme has one thing in common as Renge whereby it has a rounded load more button. It also offers two versions you can choose from: the light version and the dark version. Shoji displays your blog posts in a grid style.
Shoji is especially a great theme if you have multiple authors on your Ghost blog. On the homepage of this theme, you will find a section that displays the list of the blog authors.
13. Veen
- Price: $39
- Rating: [usr 4.4]
Veen is a simple Ghost theme. It has no other elements on the homepage apart from blog posts. The featured blog posts are placed on the hero section — in a slider style — while the recent posts are displayed beneath the slider. Veen offers 3 blog post layouts. Two of them have a sidebar with an ad banner spot. Additional features like back to top button and search box are available.
14. Maido
- Price: $59
- Rating: [usr 5]
Maido is another Ghost theme from Fueko. It is a perfect option if you are looking for a theme with some animation effects. First, the elements on the homepage come with an entrance animation. Second, the post cards have a hover effect. Maido allows you to add pinned blog posts, which will be displayed on the hero section of the homepage. Maido comes integrated with Disqus to allow you to have conversation with your readers.
There are 4 homepage layouts you can choose from and 22 colors of posts in the loop. On the blog posts, you will see a reading progress bar, social media sharing buttons, and related posts. Furthermore, Maido comes with customized pages for the base pages of Ghost.
15. Melaka
- Price: $149
- Rating: [usr 5]
Melaka is a great theme for a Ghost blog with multiple authors. It comes with a customized author page to display the authors of your blog. The list of the authors is also displayed in a dedicated section on its homepage.
The homepage of the Melaka theme is divided into several sections. The top section (the hero section) is used to display a featured image. There is also a section to display the recent posts (of course), a section to display posts under certain tags, a section to display post tags, and a section to display the blog authors. Additional features offered by Melaka include dark mode and instant search.
16. Ikken
- Price: $59
- Rating: [usr 5]
Ikken is a Ghost theme designed specifically for fashion blogs, travel blogs, and photography blogs. It is another theme from Fueko. Ikken is available in two versions: the light version and the dark version.
You can consider Ikken if you are looking for a Ghost theme that has a slider section on its homepage to display the featured blog posts. Each blog post displayed on the homepage has an estimated reading time. On the detailed blog post, you will see a circular reading progress bar. Ikken is especially a great option if you are looking for a theme with an off-canvas menu.
The Bottom Line
Ghost is a simple blogging tool with minimum features. Sometimes — when it comes to blogging –, fewer features is better as you can focus on your content. If you are an old blogger, blogging with Ghost will remind you to the early state of WordPress when it had no complex features like it is today. In Ghost, you have minimum features to customize your blog. The only way to create a unique blog (in terms of appearance) is by installing a theme from third-party developers unless you have programming skills to create your own theme.
On the official theme directory of Ghost, you can find some themes developed by third-party developers, but Ghost offers no e-commerce functionality to handle the theme purchase. Instead, you will be directed to a third-party website where the associated theme is marketed. We have curated the best premium Ghost themes to make it easier for you find a theme that match your idea. If you really want to have a unique Ghost blog while you have no programming skills (Ghost is written with Node.js), you can hire a Ghost expert on the Ghost marketplace.
It’s crucial to note that if you use Ghost.org for your blog, you can only install a custom theme if you use the Creator plan or higher. The Creator plan itself costs $25 per month.
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