Ghost

Ghost is a powerful, open-source publishing platform designed for professional bloggers and journalists. It allows creators to build a website, publish content, and send newsletters. Unlike Substack, Ghost allows you to own your platform completely and takes 0% fees on your subscription revenue.

Creators can charge members for access to premium content. Ghost operates as a non-profit foundation, ensuring its software remains independent. It is a legitimate and professional alternative to WordPress and Substack for writers building a sustainable business.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. specific fees on earnings?

No, Ghost charges 0% transaction fees on your membership revenue. You only pay the standard credit card processing fees to Stripe. This can save significant money compared to Substack's 10% cut.

2. Is Ghost free?

The Ghost software is free and open-source if you self-host it on your own server. However, most users pay for "Ghost(Pro)," a managed hosting service (starting around $9/month) which handles all the technical maintenance for you.

3. Can I send newsletters?

Yes, Ghost has built-in email newsletter functionality. You can send posts directly to your subscribers' inboxes, segment your audience, and track open rates without needing a separate tool like Mailchimp.

4. Do I own my data?

Yes, with Ghost, you own your content and your subscriber list completely. You can export your data at any time and move to another platform, ensuring you are not locked into their ecosystem.

5. Is it hard to set up?

Ghost(Pro) is very easy to set up, similar to Squarespace. However, self-hosting the open-source version requires technical knowledge of servers and command lines.