How Ghost and Substack compare
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.
Substack made paid newsletters normal. You write, it sends, and readers can subscribe or pay in one click. The network effects are real: recommendations, Notes, the app, and discovery bring new readers you did not have to find. There is no monthly fee, and for a writer who wants to write rather than run software, that is a gift.
Where they are different
Ghost
- Ghost monetises by membership.
- Ghost sends email and stops.
- Ghost is publishing-first.
Substack
- Substack is a network you publish into.
- Substack takes a percentage of paid subscriptions.
- Substack chat and comments live in its app.
Choose Ghost when writing is the business and you want paid subscriptions with no platform cut, on open-source software.
Choose Substack when you want to write, get paid, and be discovered with the least possible setup.
Compare features
What's on Ghost and Substack
A check means that capability is available. Ghost and Substack are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Custom domainGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Theme and fontsGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
Public content
- BlogGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Reader engagementGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Showcase pagesGhost: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Reach and quality
- SEOGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Marketing emailsGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Bulk email workflowsGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
Messaging
- Built-in chatGhost: Not includedSubstack: Included
Team
- Admin usersGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Per-admin permissionsGhost: IncludedSubstack: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Ghost or Substack, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Ghost or Substack may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Ghost vs Substack pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Ghost
Current plans and prices
See what Ghost charges on their pricing page.
Substack
Current plans and prices
See what Substack charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Ghost and Substack
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 Ghost or Substack?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Ghost or Substack when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Ghost and Substack are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Ghost or Substack?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Ghost or Substack for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Ghost and Substack?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Ghost and Substack set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Ghost or Substack 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.