Ghost vs Kit (ConvertKit)
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Ghost | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9/mo (self-host free) | Free–$29/mo |
| Free Plan | Self-host only | Yes (1,000 subs) |
| Paid Subs | Yes (0% fee on self-host) | Yes |
| Custom Domain | Yes | Landing pages |
| Discovery | SEO + organic | Creator network |
| Best For | Ownership-focused publishers | Creators selling products |
Ghost — Overview
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform with full website, newsletter, and membership support. Self-hostable for free or managed hosting from $9/mo. Custom themes, native SEO, and complete ownership of your content and audience.
Kit (ConvertKit) — Overview
Kit (ConvertKit) is a full email marketing platform that handles newsletters alongside automations, landing pages, and subscriber tagging. The creator network enables cross-promotion. Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers.
Key Differences
Publishing platform vs email platform. Ghost is a full website and publishing platform with newsletters built in. ConvertKit is email-first with landing pages added. Ghost for writers who want a complete online presence; ConvertKit for creators focused on email list building and product sales.
The Verdict
Choose Ghost for a full website + newsletter with SEO benefits. Choose Kit (ConvertKit) for email marketing, automations, and selling digital products.