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Substack vs Ghost
Both sit in newsletters & publishing. Here is how they differ on the things you can actually check.
Substack
substack.com
Free to run; takes a percentage of paid subscriptions. Includes a discovery network, notes and podcast hosting.
Free planNewsletters & Publishing
Visit SubstackGhost
ghost.org
Independent publishing platform with newsletters, paid memberships and a proper CMS. Self-host free or use Ghost(Pro).
Newsletters & Publishing
Visit Ghost| Substack | Ghost | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Custom / not published | $18/mo |
| Entry plan | — | Starter |
| Paid annually | — | $18/mo |
| Price checked | 28 Sept 2026 | 21 Sept 2026 |
| Pricing model | Free | Free trial |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Category | Newsletters & Publishing | Newsletters & Publishing |
| Around since | 2017 | 2013 |
Every price here was read from the vendor's own pricing page, most recently on 21 Sept 2026. Entry tier only — vendors change pricing without notice.
Substack vs Ghost, answered
- Do Substack or Ghost have a free plan?
- Substack publishes an ongoing free plan; Ghost does not.
- What is the difference between Substack and Ghost?
- Substack: Free to run; takes a percentage of paid subscriptions. Includes a discovery network, notes and podcast hosting. Ghost: Independent publishing platform with newsletters, paid memberships and a proper CMS. Self-host free or use Ghost(Pro).
