Substack is cheaper to start (free), but Ghost is significantly cheaper at scale once you have a paying audience.

Which is easier to learn?

Substack is much easier; it handles all technical aspects, whereas Ghost requires some configuration.

Can I use both together?

It is difficult to sync them; most creators pick one as their primary 'source of truth' for their email list.

Can I move from Substack to Ghost later?

Yes, you can export your email list and content from Substack and import them into Ghost fairly easily.

Ghost Writing vs

Substack Writing

Ghost vs Substack

Ghost and Substack are the two dominant forces in the creator economy, but they serve fundamentally different philosophies of ownership. Ghost is a professional-grade CMS for building a custom brand, while Substack is a centralized network designed for rapid discovery and ease of use.

Try Ghost → Try Substack →

Side-by-side

Criterion	Ghost	Substack
Pricing	Fixed monthly fee starting at $9/mo (Pro) or $0 if self-hosted; 0% transaction fees.	Free to start; 10% revenue share on all paid subscriptions plus Stripe fees.
Learning curve	Moderate; requires setting up a domain, choosing themes, and configuring integrations.	Low; works like a social media profile where you can start writing in minutes.
Best use cases	Established creators, media brands, and filmmakers needing a custom website and multiple tiers.	Individual writers, journalists, and hobbyists who want built-in discovery and zero overhead.
Notable features	Native integrations with 1,000+ apps, custom CSS/JS, and advanced SEO management.	Substack Notes (social feed), Recommendations engine, and built-in podcast hosting.
Design Control	Total freedom; use any Handlebars theme or build a completely custom front-end.	Very limited; you can change accent colors and fonts, but the layout remains standard.

Pros & cons

Ghost

Pros

No platform tax; you keep 100% of your revenue (minus Stripe fees).
Complete ownership of the design and user experience.
Powerful membership options with granular access levels.
Extensive library of third-party integrations for marketing and analytics.

Cons

No built-in discovery network; you are responsible for 100% of your traffic.
Monthly subscription costs can be high for beginners with small lists.
Technical setup can be intimidating for non-developers.

Substack

Pros

The Substack Network drives significant 'free' growth via recommendations.
Zero upfront cost makes it risk-free to start a paid publication.
Extremely simple 'one-click' setup for newsletters and podcasts.
Built-in community tools like Chat and Notes foster high engagement.

Cons

The 10% cut becomes extremely expensive as your revenue scales.
Every Substack site looks nearly identical, making branding difficult.
Limited SEO tools and no ability to add custom tracking scripts.

Our verdict

Ghost is the superior choice for serious creators and filmmakers who want to build a long-term brand and keep their profit margins high as they scale. It is a business tool for those who value control over convenience. Substack is the better option for pure writers and experimenters who prioritize audience growth and community over custom aesthetics. If you expect to make more than $1,000 a month, Ghost's flat fee will save you thousands compared to Substack's 10% tax.

Get Ghost → Get Substack →

FAQ

Which is cheaper?: Substack is cheaper to start (free), but Ghost is significantly cheaper at scale once you have a paying audience.
Which is easier to learn?: Substack is much easier; it handles all technical aspects, whereas Ghost requires some configuration.
Can I use both together?: It is difficult to sync them; most creators pick one as their primary 'source of truth' for their email list.
Can I move from Substack to Ghost later?: Yes, you can export your email list and content from Substack and import them into Ghost fairly easily.