Ghost vs Substack
Substack costs less at 6 of the 8 list sizes we priced.
At 5,000 subscribers
SubstackCheaper
$0/mo
Free plan at 5,000 subscribers.
Free planYes
Paid newsletters10% of revenue
At every list size
✓ marks the lower monthly price.
| Your newsletter | Ghost | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 subscribers | $18 | $0 |
| 5,000 subscribers | $74 | $0 |
| 10,000 subscribers | $105 | $0 |
| 25,000 subscribers | $166 | $0 |
| 50,000 subscribers | $245 | $0 |
| 100,000 subscribers | $327 | $0 |
| 5,000 subscribers · 250 paying $8/mo | $74 | $200 |
| 25,000 subscribers · 1,500 paying $8/mo | $166 | $1,200 |
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 Substack if
Free at any list size; you pay only when you earn, but 10% of paid revenue becomes expensive as a paid newsletter grows.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Ghost or Substack?
Substack costs less at 6 of the 8 list sizes we priced.
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 Substack have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0: free to publish at any size; Substack keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue.