About Ghost
Overview
Ghost is an open-source platform for creators, publishers, and businesses to build custom websites, publish content, and manage email newsletters and paid subscriptions. It replaces traditional blogging platforms and newsletter tools by combining website design, content publishing, membership management, and analytics into a single application.
The platform serves independent publishers, content creators, journalists, and media outlets who want full control over their audience and revenue. Unlike closed platforms like Medium or Substack, Ghost gives users complete ownership of their content, design, and subscriber data.
Ghost Pros & Cons
- Zero payment processing fees on subscription revenue
- Open-source code with full ownership of content and data
- Professional editor with rich media support built-in
- Combined publishing, newsletters, and memberships in one platform
- Over $100M in annual revenue earned by Ghost publications
Key Features
Custom Site Design
Users control website branding and layout through design settings, custom themes from a marketplace, or fully custom code.
Professional Editor
The web-based editor supports rich media including image galleries, video, audio, GIFs, downloadable files, and dynamic content cards.
Email Newsletters
Posts auto-deliver to subscribers via email with audience segmentation to send different newsletters based on member preferences.
Paid Memberships
Native signup forms convert anonymous visitors into members with support for free tiers and paid monthly or yearly subscriptions.
Audience Analytics
Detailed engagement tracking shows which content performs best, member signup rates, and subscriber activity.
Offers & Promotions
Create discounts and special promotions like Black Friday sales or event-specific offers to grow subscriber base.
Integrations
Connects with 30+ third-party tools including Stripe, Slack, Zapier, Google Analytics, and social media platforms.
Payment Processing
Native Stripe integration with zero payment fees so publishers retain 100% of subscription revenue.
Ghost Pricing
View full pricing →Pricing extracted from the product website and may change. Check the source for current details.
Frequently asked questions about Ghost
How much does Ghost cost?
Ghost offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. The platform is open-source and can be self-hosted for free, or use Ghost's managed hosting with paid plans. There are no payment processing fees on subscription revenue.
Can I own my own content and audience data?
Yes. Ghost is open-source, giving you complete control over your website, content, and subscriber data. Your audience, brand, and revenue are owned entirely by you, not the platform.
What kinds of content can I publish?
Ghost supports text, images, video, audio, GIFs, galleries, downloadable files, bookmarks, info boxes, accordion toggles, and more. You can also publish content via web editor or email newsletter.
Is Ghost free?
Ghost offers a free plan with optional paid upgrades. See the pricing section for what's included in each tier.
How Ghost compares
G GhostThis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | from $0/month | Free | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | — | Web | Web | Web |
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| Rating | — | — | — | — |
