beehiiv vs Ghost
Compare beehiiv vs Ghost for newsletters. Growth tools vs open-source, pricing, features, and our verdict for writers.
Quick Verdict
Choose beehiiv for the best growth tools and managed platform. Choose Ghost for complete control, open-source flexibility, and lower costs at scale. beehiiv for growth, Ghost for control.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | beehiiv | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 2,500 subs | Self-hosted free |
| Starting Price | $39/mo | $9/mo (hosted) |
| Growth Tools | Excellent | Basic |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Self-Hostable | No | Yes |
| Ad Network | Yes | No |
| Best For | Growth-focused writers | Control-focused writers |
Growth vs Control
beehiiv offers powerful growth tools: referral programs, ad network, SEO optimization, and publication analytics. It's designed to help newsletters grow fast.
Ghost offers complete control. Open-source, self-hostable, full customization. You own everything but must build growth yourself.
Pricing at Scale
Ghost becomes cheaper at scale. Self-hosted is free, and Ghost Pro starts at $9/month with no revenue share. beehiiv charges more but provides growth tools.
Calculate whether beehiiv's growth features are worth the premium over Ghost's lower costs.
Best For
**Choose beehiiv for:** Growth tools, referral programs, ad monetization, managed platform, rapid newsletter growth.
**Choose Ghost for:** Complete control, open-source values, lower costs at scale, technical ability, self-hosting needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I self-host beehiiv?
No, beehiiv is a managed platform only. If you need self-hosting, Ghost is the choice.
Which is cheaper at scale?
Ghost is cheaper at scale. Self-hosted is free, and Ghost Pro ($9/mo) has no revenue share. beehiiv costs more but provides growth tools that may justify the premium.
Which has better SEO?
Both have good SEO. Ghost has more customization options. beehiiv has built-in SEO optimization. For most writers, both perform well in search.