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Ghost vs Substack
If you're evaluating Ghost and Substack, you're looking at two of the strongest tools in the software space — and they're more different than they appear at first glance. Ghost is known for no revenue cut on memberships, while Substack tends to win on high roi channel for smbs. This guide cuts through the marketing to give you a straight answer on which one fits your situation.
Our Pick
Ghost
Wins for most teams. Choose Substack if high roi channel for smbs is your top priority.
Ghost
🏆 WinnerOpen-source publishing platform for creators — combining blog, newsletter, and paid membership in one.
Starting price
Free plan available
Substack
Publishing platform for paid and free newsletters.
Starting price
Free plan available
⚡ Category-by-Category Breakdown
Ghost: 3 wins · Substack: 1 winsWho Should Choose Which?
Choose Ghost if you…
- →Need no revenue cut on memberships
- →Need fastest loading of all cms
- →Need open source option
Starting price
Free plan available
Choose Substack if you…
- →Need high roi channel for smbs
- →Need good automation depth
- →Need strong template ecosystem
Starting price
Free plan available
🔍 Feature Details
Ghost
- ✦Newsletter + blog combined
- ✦Paid memberships
- ✦Native SEO
- ✦No transaction fees
- ✦Open source
Substack
- ✦Audience segmentation
- ✦Campaign automation
- ✦A/B testing
- ✦Signup forms and landing pages
- ✦Performance analytics
🎯 How Teams Use These Tools
Ghost
Build weekly digest newsletters
Curate and distribute weekly summaries of company news, product updates, and team highlights.
Grow your subscriber list
Add signup forms to your website to build an audience and send regular updates.
Substack
Build re-engagement campaigns for inactive customers
Create sequences that win back lapsed customers with targeted offers and new use case messaging.
Segment by engagement and send responsive emails
Split your list by activity level and tailor content — active users get new features, dormant users get wins.
Test subject lines and send times scientifically
Run A/B tests on openers and delivery times, then auto-apply winners to future campaigns.
💰 Pricing Compared
Verify current prices on each vendor's site — SaaS pricing changes frequently.
Ghost
Substack
👍 Strengths & Weaknesses
Ghost
Substack
Our Verdict
🏆 Ghost wins — a close call
After comparing features, pricing, and real-world fit, Ghost comes out ahead — a close call. Its advantage is clearest when it comes to no revenue cut on memberships and fastest loading of all cms. That said, Substack is the smarter pick if high roi channel for smbs is your top priority, and you're comfortable with the fact that deliverability requires good hygiene.
Not sure which tool is right for your team?
ToolStack Radar is run by an independent IT consultant specialising in SaaS selection, Salesforce, and AI tool implementation for European businesses. We can help you choose, integrate, and get ROI from your software stack.
- ✓15+ years Salesforce experience
- ✓Swiss & EU B2B specialist
- ✓CRM, automation & AI tooling
- ✓Free 30-min discovery call
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ghost better than Substack?▼
Ghost is the stronger all-round pick for most users, thanks to no revenue cut on memberships. However, "better" depends on your priorities — Substack is a strong choice if high roi channel for smbs.
Which is cheaper — Ghost or Substack?▼
Both tools offer paid plans only. Check their pricing pages for the most current numbers, as SaaS pricing changes frequently.
Can Ghost and Substack be used together?▼
In many cases, yes — some teams use both tools for different purposes. That said, if you're choosing one, focus on which covers your primary workflow. You can always add the other later.
Who is Ghost best for?▼
Ghost is best for teams that prioritise no revenue cut on memberships. It tends to suit users who need fastest loading of all cms without the overhead of more complex platforms.
What are the main drawbacks of Substack?▼
The most common criticisms of Substack are: deliverability requires good hygiene, and advanced automations can be complex. Whether these matter depends heavily on your specific use case.
🔗 Related Comparisons
Make your decision
Ready to try Ghost?
Most teams see results within the first week. Start with the free plan if available.