Ghost vs Kit (ConvertKit)(2026)
Ghost is better for teams that need own your content and list. Kit (ConvertKit) is the stronger choice if best-in-class automations. Ghost is open-source (from $9/mo) and Kit (ConvertKit) is freemium (from $25/mo).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
By Bikram Nath
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Ghost
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform combining a blog, newsletter, and membership/subscription tool in one. Self-host for free or use Ghost(Pro) — ideal for independent publishers.
Starting at $9/mo
Visit GhostKit (ConvertKit)
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is creator-focused email marketing with visual automations, subscriber tagging, landing pages, and paid newsletter support — built for bloggers, podcasters, and creators.
Starting at $25/mo
Visit Kit (ConvertKit)How Do Ghost and Kit (ConvertKit) Compare on Features?
| Feature | Ghost | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Starting price | $9/mo | $25/mo |
| Open source (MIT) | ✓ | — |
| Newsletter + blog combo | ✓ | — |
| Paid memberships | ✓ | — |
| Custom themes | ✓ | — |
| Built-in SEO | ✓ | — |
| Comments | ✓ | — |
| Recommendations | ✓ | — |
| Visual automation builder | — | ✓ |
| Subscriber tagging | — | ✓ |
| Landing pages | — | ✓ |
| Paid newsletter (Creator Pro) | — | ✓ |
| Broadcast emails | — | ✓ |
| Commerce integration | — | ✓ |
| A/B testing | — | ✓ |
Ghost Pros and Cons vs Kit (ConvertKit)
Ghost
Kit (ConvertKit)
Should You Use Ghost or Kit (ConvertKit)?
For most teams, Ghost is the better default: it offers own your content and list and is open-source (from $9/mo). Choose Kit (ConvertKit) instead if best-in-class automations matters more than requires self-hosting expertise. There is no universal winner — the right pick depends on your budget, team size, and whether you value own your content and list or best-in-class automations more.
Choose Ghost if…
- •Own your content and list
- •No transaction fees self-hosted
- •Beautiful publication design
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- •Best-in-class automations
- •Strong creator ecosystem
- •Good deliverability