Self-hosted Ghost
NewsletterSelf-hosted Ghost is Ghost’s software on a server you rent and run yourself. Ghost’s code is open source under the MIT license, so the software costs nothing. The server is your bill.
The verdict
Pick self-hosted Ghost if you can run a server and want Ghost’s software for free. You pay for the server, and you run its updates yourself. Ghost(Pro), Ghost’s hosted service, has no free plan as of October 26, 2026. Its Publisher plan is $29 a month billed yearly, or $35 a month billed monthly, at 1,000 members.
Self-hosted Ghost skips that bill and adds server work. Export your data before you move off Ghost(Pro). Ghost’s export includes post analytics, a spreadsheet file with sends, opens, clicks and conversions for each post.
Best for
Builders who can run a server and want Ghost’s software for free. Ghost(Pro) users who want to stop paying for hosting and can take on server updates.
Not for
Writers who don’t want to run a server. Ghost Publisher is $29 a month billed yearly at 1,000 members. Anyone who needs Ghost to handle hosting and updates for them.
When we use it
- The software is free under the MIT license.
- No Ghost(Pro) plan to pay for. Ghost Publisher is $29 a month billed yearly at 1,000 members as of October 26, 2026.
- Ghost’s export includes post analytics, so you keep a file of sends, opens, clicks and conversions for each post.
Margin notes
- Self-hosted means you rent a server and run it and its updates yourself. If no one on your team can do that, Ghost Publisher at $29 a month billed yearly at 1,000 members needs no server work.
- Your post analytics leave Ghost(Pro) as a spreadsheet file. Check Ghost’s docs to see what your new site can do with that file before you move.
What to do next
Write down who on your team would run the server and its updates. If no one can, price Ghost Publisher on Ghost. If someone can, export your Ghost(Pro) data first and keep the post analytics file. Compare the hosted plans on Ghost alternatives.