Head-to-head
beehiiv vs Ghost
Growth platform against publishing platform: two strong Substack alternatives with different DNA.
Our pick
For creators
beehiivbeehiiv Inc.
beehiiv
Built by newsletter people, with growth tools nobody else has.
For creators
GhostGhost Foundation
Ghost
Own your publication: open source, 0% fees on memberships.
beehiivGhost
Our score4.6 / 54.4 / 5
PriceFreeFree
Free plan
Best forNewsletter-first creatorsIndependent publishers
CategoryFor creatorsFor creators
Providerbeehiiv Inc.Ghost Foundation
Our verdict
Ghost is the publisher's choice: open source, a beautiful website with memberships built in, 0% fees, and complete ownership. beehiiv is the operator's choice: referral programs, an ad network, boosts, and analytics tuned for growing a newsletter business fast. Both let you keep your subscription revenue. If you are building a publication with a website at its heart, take Ghost; if the newsletter and its growth curve are the product, beehiiv wins.
“The platform that treats your newsletter as a business from day one. Free up to 2,500 subscribers, a referral program and ad network built in, and no cut taken from paid subscriptions. The strongest growth story in this lineup.”Editorial team, on beehiiv
“A full publishing platform with newsletters built in, open source, and 0% fees on paid memberships. For writers who want to own their website and their list, the most independent option there is.”Editorial team, on Ghost