How BookBub and Ghost compare
BookBub Author Websites is made for writers who would rather be writing. Import an ebook from Amazon or BookBub and its cover, description, and retailer links fill in, and each book gets its own page that you update in one place. Templates are designed around genres, the Author Bio, Blog, and Contact pages are ready on day one, and a built-in newsletter pulls your book details into every email. Pro adds series pages, a press kit and events, and reader magnets that trade a free download for a signup, and the Free plan has no time limit.
Ghost is what serious independent publishing looks like. A fast, beautifully themed site, newsletters sent from your own domain, paid memberships with zero platform fees, comments, and a clean editor, all open source and portable. Ghost(Pro) hosting removes the ops, and the whole thing respects the writer and the reader.
Where they are different
BookBub
- BookBub's book pages send readers to Amazon, Apple Books, and other retailers, with no checkout on the site.
- BookBub's newsletter sends 1,000 emails a month on Free and 10,000 on Pro, from a no-reply address on your domain on Pro, and replies go to your personal email.
- BookBub's blog has an RSS feed but no comments, and its only automation is a welcome email.
- BookBub's Events page lists your appearances.
Ghost
- Ghost monetises by membership.
- Ghost sends email and stops.
- Ghost is publishing-first.
Choose BookBub when your books sell through retailers, you want a polished author site in an afternoon, and a simple monthly newsletter is all the email you need.
Choose Ghost when writing is the business and you want paid subscriptions with no platform cut, on open-source software.
Compare features
What's on BookBub and Ghost
A check means that capability is available. BookBub and Ghost are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Custom domainBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Theme and fontsBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
Public content
- BlogBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Reader engagementBookBub: Not includedGhost: Included
- Showcase pagesBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Shop pagesBookBub: IncludedGhost: Not included
Reach and quality
- SEOBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Email on your domainBookBub: Not includedGhost: Included
- Marketing emailsBookBub: IncludedGhost: Included
- Bulk email workflowsBookBub: Not includedGhost: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of BookBub or Ghost, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but BookBub or Ghost may add or remove features that are not shown here.
BookBub vs Ghost pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
BookBub
Current plans and prices
See what BookBub charges on their pricing page.
Ghost
Current plans and prices
See what Ghost charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
BookBub and Ghost
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to BookBub or Ghost?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace BookBub or Ghost when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where BookBub and Ghost are marked.
Can I use Cardel with BookBub or Ghost?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep BookBub or Ghost for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with BookBub and Ghost?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. BookBub and Ghost set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from BookBub or Ghost to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.