How to choose a Ghost theme: 8 checks before you pay

A good-looking demo does not tell you how many sites the licence covers, whether support ends after six months, or how a long post looks on a phone. Those details matter after you buy.

Start with the product page and demo. Work through the eight checks below, and ask the seller about anything you cannot test. The GScan check needs access to the theme zip; the rest can usually be checked before purchase.

Check the Ghost version

Look for stated support for your Ghost version and a clean compatibility report.

1. Read the product page. Find the Ghost version it states.
2. If the theme is free or the seller provides a trial zip, download it. Otherwise ask the seller for a recent GScan report before buying.
3. Upload the zip to gscan.ghost.org. GScan is Ghost's official theme checker.
4. If you use the command line, run npm install -g gscan, then gscan -z theme.zip. Check that the result covers your Ghost version.
5. Open package.json in the zip. Read the engines line.

An entry such as "ghost": ">=5.0.0" sets a minimum version. It does not tell you when the theme was last tested with the Ghost version you use.

Read the result: errors need fixing. Review warnings and recommendations too. Ghost also runs GScan during upload and blocks themes with fatal errors. See the Ghost 6 upgrade checklist if you are updating an older theme.

Check the last update and update policy

Look for a recent version and a stated update policy.

1. Find the changelog or release notes.
2. Read the date of the last release.
3. Look for fixes and compatibility updates for the Ghost version you use.
4. Find the words on updates: free for life, one year, or paid upgrades.

Check the licence

Check how many sites the licence covers.

1. Open the licence page.
2. Look for "one site", "unlimited sites" or "per client".

Agencies and people running several publications need to read this line twice.

Check support and documentation

Find out who answers questions, for how long, and where to read the setup guide.

1. Find the support page.
2. Write down the channel (email, forum, chat) and the length of support.
3. Find the docs. Ghost's own marketplace review looks for public documentation, or a clear statement that private docs come with the theme.

Check editor card support

A theme should handle the editor cards you plan to use, including wide and full-width images.

1. Open the demo's style guide, or a post that uses many cards.
2. Scroll to the image cards. Ghost's docs say the editor offers three image sizes: normal, wide and full. Wide and full come from the classes kg-width-wide and kg-width-full.
3. Scroll to the other cards: gallery, bookmark, callout, toggle, button, audio, video, file, signup.
4. Narrow the browser to phone width. Check the page again.

Check members, Portal, comments and search

Ghost supports members through Portal. Test how the theme leads readers into signup, paid posts and account access.

1. Signup: find a subscribe form or Portal link. Click it. It must open.
2. Search: Ghost has native search. Themes add it with the {{search}} helper or a data-ghost-search attribute. If the theme has search, press Cmd/Ctrl + K on the demo.
3. Comments: find a comments section on a post, if you need it.
4. Tiers and paywall: open a members-only post. It must show a clear subscribe box.

Check image handling and speed

Watch for oversized images, loading delays and layout jumps.

1. Right-click an image on the demo. Choose Inspect.
2. Look for a srcset list. It means the theme serves several sizes. That list comes from image_sizes in the theme's package.json. Ghost recommends no more than 10 sizes.
3. Run the demo through PageSpeed Insights.
4. Resize the demo to phone width. Check that images fit, text stays readable and the menu works. For the full routine, read testing responsive Ghost themes.

Check the demo content and the refund policy

Look beyond the demo's best-looking posts.

1. Look for long titles, posts with no image, many tags and a long article. A demo with only perfect posts hides problems.
2. Read the refund page before you buy. Write down the number of days. Note if you must give a reason.
3. Confirm that your Ghost hosting plan allows custom themes before paying for one.

Copy-paste checklist

GHOST THEME CHECKLIST
1. The theme supports my Ghost version and passes the GScan check.
2. The theme is still being updated. I know whether future updates cost extra.
3. The licence covers all the sites where I plan to use the theme.
4. I know how to get support, how long it lasts and where to find the setup guide.
5. The demo shows the content I plan to publish, including wide images and galleries.
6. Readers can sign up, search and access members-only posts. Comments work if I need them.
7. Images load quickly, and the demo is easy to use on my phone.
8. I have checked ordinary posts, not just the homepage, and read the refund terms.
9. My Ghost hosting plan allows me to install custom themes.

What to do with the results

A missing feature only matters if you need it. A licence that excludes your use, or a fatal compatibility error, needs resolving before purchase. For the rest, prioritise what your readers will use:

• Several sites or client work: the licence check matters most.
• Newsletter or paid members: the signup, paywall and search checks matter most.
• Photo-heavy site: the card and image checks matter most.
• Not sure yet: a free theme is a low-risk way to learn what you need. Start there and keep a note of anything you find missing.

Keep a note of the seller's answers alongside your purchase. If setup later falls short of what was promised, you have something specific to refer to.