Ghost vs Buttondown
Neither is cheaper at every size: it depends on your subscribers. The table shows where each one wins.
At 5,000 subscribers
ButtondownCheaper
$29/mo
Basic plan at 5,000 subscribers.
Free planUp to 100
Paid newsletters$9/mo add-on
At every list size
✓ marks the lower monthly price.
| Your newsletter | Ghost | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 subscribers | $18 | $9 |
| 5,000 subscribers | $74 | $29 |
| 10,000 subscribers | $105 | $79 |
| 25,000 subscribers | $166 | $239 |
| 50,000 subscribers | $245 | $319 |
| 100,000 subscribers | $327 | $459 |
| 5,000 subscribers · 250 paying $8/mo | $74 | $38 |
| 25,000 subscribers · 1,500 paying $8/mo | $166 | $248 |
Free newsletter rows assume no paid subscribers. Paid rows add each platform's fee on paid revenue; card processing fees are excluded.
Which one to pick
Choose Ghost if
Open-source and fee-free on paid subscriptions: the best value for paid newsletters at mid-size lists.
Choose Buttondown if
Cheap, simple and privacy-first; features like paid subscriptions or analytics are $9/month add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Buttondown?
Neither is cheaper at every size: it depends on your subscribers. The table shows where each one wins.
Does Ghost have a free plan?
No. The cheapest plan is Starter at $18 a month (Up to 1,000 members; no paid subscriptions).
Does Buttondown have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0: first 100 subscribers.