Intro - Top 10 Ghost Alternatives for Bloggers & Newsletters in 2025
Looking for Ghost alternatives that better fit your workflow, budget, and growth goals? You’re in the right place. As a platform built for content velocity and SEO-led growth, we at BlogBowl evaluate the best blogging platforms, newsletter tools, and Ghost competitors through a practical lens: simple setup, strong SEO, clean design, and scalable monetization - without technical headaches.
Why consider a Ghost alternative in 2025
When Ghost feels too technical, limited on integrations, or pricey at scale, these alternatives give you simpler setup, richer customization, or faster growth tools.
Who this guide is for: solo creators, SaaS teams, startups, content/marketing teams, and anyone who wants to blog and/or run a newsletter without friction.
What this list covers
Platforms compared on: ease of use, customization, SEO, newsletter capability, and monetization options.
How to read this guide: each tool includes quick pros/cons, best-fit scenarios, and a concise specs table.
Quick tip
Start from where you are today (skills, time, team), then choose a platform that won’t block you 6 months from now.
BlogBowl - Launch SEO-first blogs and newsletters on autopilot
Who it’s best for
SaaS companies, startups, and content teams that want a fast blog + newsletter with AI automation and zero code.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Automated SEO workflows: daily AI articles, keyword research, internal linking, and auto-publishing.
Built-in newsletter + privacy-friendly analytics; optimized to rank on Google and AI search.
Launch a professional blog in under a minute with fast, SEO-optimized templates.
Limitations to consider
Hosted, not open-source; advanced dev customization is lighter than a self-hosted stack.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS. Free trial options typically available. Subscription-based.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SEO-first blogging + newsletter platform with AI automation | Fully hosted (no code) | No | Built-in, integrated with blog | Subscriptions, audience growth, SEO-driven traffic | Subscription (hosted SaaS), free trial often available | SaaS teams, startups, content/marketing teams needing speed, SEO, and automation |
WordPress.org - Maximum flexibility and ownership
Who it’s best for
Teams that want full control, huge plugin/theme ecosystem, and long-term scalability.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Tens of thousands of plugins/themes; deep SEO control and extensibility.
Works for blogs, docs, membership sites, and eCommerce under one roof.
Limitations to consider
Requires hosting, maintenance, and basic admin know-how.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Open-source (free software). Pay for hosting, domain, and any premium add-ons.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full CMS/platform with vast plugin/theme ecosystem | Self-hosted (choose provider) | Yes | Via plugins (e.g., email/ESP integrations) | Ads, affiliates, memberships, eCommerce | Free core; pay for hosting, domain, premium add-ons | Teams needing maximum flexibility, scalability, ownership |
"WordPress powers 43.3% of all websites and holds 60.8% CMS market share." - Source
Medium - Easiest path to a built-in audience
Who it’s best for
Writers who want a clean editor and instant distribution without site setup.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Built-in network/distribution; start publishing and reach readers fast.
Limitations to consider
Limited customization and brand control; you don’t fully own the platform.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Free to publish. Reader membership available. Hosted.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Writing and publishing platform with built-in audience | Fully hosted | No | Built-in email to followers | Partner Program for member reads | Free to publish; reader membership optional | Writers seeking speed-to-audience and minimal setup |
Substack - Simple newsletters with built-in paid subscriptions
Who it’s best for
Creators who want the fastest route to paid newsletters without setup.
Where it shines vs Ghost
All-in-one email publishing and subscription management with minimal friction.
Limitations to consider
Less site customization; revenue share on paid subs.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Free to use; revenue share on paid subscriptions. Hosted.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newsletter-first publishing platform | Fully hosted | No | Native email editor, lists, and delivery | Paid subscriptions with platform revenue share | Free to start; platform takes a cut on paid subs | Creators prioritizing fast paid newsletter launch |
"Substack charges a 10% fee on each paid subscription." - Source
Beehiiv - Newsletter growth engine with referrals and ads
Who it’s best for
Growth-focused newsletters that want referral programs, boosts, and an ad network.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Built-in growth levers (referrals, boosts) and sponsorship marketplace.
Limitations to consider
Heavier on newsletter growth than on full website/CMS capabilities.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS. Free plan available; paid tiers unlock growth/monetization.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newsletter platform with built-in growth and monetization | Fully hosted | No | Native editor, automations, segmentation, referrals | Ads, sponsorships, paid subs, boosts | Free plan + paid tiers | Creators prioritizing rapid list growth and revenue |
Squarespace - Polished, design-first blogging with commerce options
Who it’s best for
Creatives and brands that want beautiful templates and an all-in-one stack.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Rapid setup, elegant themes, and optional commerce/memberships.
Limitations to consider
Less flexible than open-source stacks; app ecosystem is curated.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS with subscription plans.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Design-first website and blogging platform with commerce | Fully hosted | No | Built-in email campaigns | Store, subscriptions, appointments, courses, memberships | Subscription (hosted SaaS) | Creatives/brands prioritizing visuals and integrated commerce |
Wix - Beginner-friendly drag‑and‑drop blogging
Who it’s best for
Beginners who want fast, visual site building plus a capable blog.
Where it shines vs Ghost
True drag-and-drop builder, large template library, and built-in email tools.
Limitations to consider
Harder to switch templates later; less flexible than WordPress.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS. Free plan available; paid tiers unlock more features.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visual website builder with integrated blogging | Fully hosted | No | Built-in email marketing and automations | Store, bookings, events, paid content | Free plan + paid tiers | Beginners seeking visual control and quick launch |
Webflow - Pixel-precise design control with a powerful CMS
Who it’s best for
Designers/marketers who need visual control and a structured CMS.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Advanced design system, component-based layouts, and CMS collections.
Limitations to consider
Learning curve for classes/responsive design; newsletters via integrations.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS. Free tier available; paid site/CMS plans.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visual web builder with component system and enterprise-ready CMS | Fully hosted | No | Via integrations (ESP/automation tools) | eCommerce, memberships via add-ons/integrations | Free tier + paid site/CMS plans | Teams needing pixel-precise design and structured content |
Hyvor Blogs - Privacy-first blogging with built-in SEO tools
Who it’s best for
Writers and teams that want fast performance, multilingual support, and privacy.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Real-time SEO checks, native comments (Hyvor Talk), subdirectory hosting options.
Limitations to consider
Smaller ecosystem than WordPress; newsletters typically via integrations.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted SaaS with subscription plans.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Privacy-first blogging platform with built-in SEO and comments | Fully hosted | No | Via integrations | Subscriptions via add-ons, audience growth | Subscription plans (hosted SaaS) | Writers/teams seeking speed, privacy, multilingual reach |
Write.as - Minimal, distraction‑free publishing
Who it’s best for
Writers who value speed, simplicity, and privacy over bells and whistles.
Where it shines vs Ghost
Zero-friction editor, anonymous posting, and Markdown simplicity.
Limitations to consider
Limited customization, analytics, and built-in growth features.
Pricing & licensing (at a glance)
Hosted service with free tier; open-source WriteFreely available separately.
Quick specs
Type | Hosting | Open source | Newsletter | Monetization | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimal publishing platform focused on writing | Fully hosted | Partially (WriteFreely is open-source) | Email subscriptions built in | Micropayments, paid tiers via integrations | Free tier + paid Pro/Team plans | Writers who want privacy-first, distraction-free publishing |
Overall comparison - Ghost alternatives at a glance
Platform | Best for | Ease of use | Customization | SEO stance | Newsletter | Monetization | Hosting | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BlogBowl | SaaS/startups/content teams needing SEO automation | 5/5 | 3/5 | SEO‑first automation | Built-in | Subscriptions, audience growth | Fully hosted | Subscription (free trial) |
WordPress.org | Teams needing full control and scale | 3/5 | 5/5 | Strong | Via plugins | Ads, affiliates, memberships, eCommerce | Self-hosted | Free core + hosting/add-ons |
Medium | Writers seeking built-in audience | 5/5 | 1/5 | Network-led, limited SEO | Built-in | Partner Program | Hosted | Free to publish; reader membership |
Substack | Creators launching paid newsletters fast | 5/5 | 2/5 | Basic (email-first) | Native | Paid subscriptions (rev share) | Hosted | Free + revenue share |
Beehiiv | Growth-focused newsletters (referrals/ads) | 4/5 | 3/5 | Good | Native | Ads, paid subs, boosts | Hosted | Free tier + paid plans |
Squarespace | Creatives/brands wanting elegant sites | 4/5 | 3/5 | Good | Built-in campaigns | Store, memberships, courses | Hosted | Subscription |
Wix | Beginners wanting visual builder + blog | 5/5 | 3/5 | Good | Built-in | Store, bookings, events | Hosted | Free tier + paid plans |
Webflow | Designers/marketers needing precise control | 3/5 | 5/5 | Strong | Via integrations | eCommerce, memberships (add-ons) | Hosted | Free tier + paid site/CMS plans |
Hyvor Blogs | Privacy-first, multilingual blogging | 4/5 | 3/5 | Strong (built-in tools) | Via integrations | Subs via add-ons | Hosted | Subscription |
Write.as | Minimal, distraction-free writing | 5/5 | 2/5 | Basic | Built-in | Micropayments, integrations | Hosted | Free tier + paid Pro/Team |
Conclusion - Pick the platform that matches your next 12 months (then grow)
Quick recap: if you want automation + ranking + newsletters with no code, start with BlogBowl.
For full control and extensibility, WordPress remains a top pick. For speed to paid subscriptions, try Substack or Beehiiv. For the quickest publishing to an audience, Medium is hard to beat.
Final recommendation: Try BlogBowl to launch an SEO-fast blog and integrated newsletter in minutes, and let AI handle the heavy lifting while you focus on your message.