Ghost is open-source publishing software for blogs, newsletters and paid memberships. Ghost(Pro) is the official hosted version, so you don't manage servers. It's for writers, creators and founders who want a professional publication on their own domain. Starter is $15 a month billed yearly, or $18 billed monthly, for up to 1,000 members, with your own website, a free custom domain, an email newsletter, one staff user and official themes.
What it can do for you
Write in a clean editor, publish each post to your site and your subscribers' inboxes at once, and own your list and domain. When you want to charge readers, Publisher ($29 a month billed yearly at 1,000 members) adds paid subscriptions and custom themes, with no Ghost fee on payments.
What people like
Reviewers praise the writing editor, built-in newsletters and memberships, and that Ghost takes no cut of your subscription revenue. On Reddit, Ghost(Pro) users value the speed and low maintenance.
The honest downsides
- Starter can't charge readers. Paid subscriptions and custom themes need Publisher.
- Prices rise with your audience. Plans are priced by members, and Reddit users complain about how expensive the plans have become.
- Theme restrictions on cheaper plans, and some Reddit users report Gmail deliverability problems.
- No free hosted plan. Self-hosting the open-source version is possible, but you run the server.
Skip it if
- you want to start for free
- you need plugins and shop features
Alternatives
There's nothing we list that's better for a professional blog and newsletter on your own domain.
- Substack to start free and pay 10% only when you earn.
- beehiiv if newsletter growth tools matter more than the blog.
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