Substack vs Ghost
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Substack | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (10% on paid) | $9/mo (self-host free) |
| Free Plan | Yes (full product) | Self-host only |
| Paid Subs | Yes (10% fee) | Yes (0% fee on self-host) |
| Custom Domain | Yes | Yes |
| Discovery | Substack network | SEO + organic |
| Best For | Writers who want simplicity | Ownership-focused publishers |
Substack — Overview
Substack is the simplest way to start a newsletter. Zero setup, built-in audience discovery through the Substack network, and paid subscription support with a 10% platform fee. Notes (social features) and podcast hosting included. Over 35 million active subscriptions.
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.
Key Differences
Platform vs ownership. Substack hosts your newsletter and provides discovery through its network. Ghost gives you complete ownership — your domain, your design, your data. Substack takes 10% of paid subscriptions; Ghost (self-hosted) takes 0%. Substack is easier; Ghost is more powerful and independent.
The Verdict
Choose Substack for zero-setup publishing with built-in audience. Choose Ghost for full ownership, custom design, and 0% platform fees.