Ghost vs Kit: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Ghost is the better pick for independent publishers wanting ownership. Kit is the better pick for creators selling products via email.

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At a Glance

Feature	Ghost	Kit
Best For	Independent publishers wanting ownership	Creators selling products via email
Pricing	Free self-hosted; paid Ghost(Pro)	Free tier with paid plans
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Open source	Proprietary
Deployment	Self-hosted or managed cloud	Managed cloud
Link	Visit Ghost	Visit Kit

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Detailed Breakdown

Ghost

Open-source publishing platform for newsletters and memberships

Pros:

• Open source
• Built-in memberships with no platform revenue share
• SEO-friendly

Cons:

• Self-hosting requires work
• Managed Ghost(Pro) is paid

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Kit

Email marketing for creators (formerly ConvertKit)

Pros:

• Visual automations
• Built-in commerce
• Creator recommendation network

Cons:

• Pricing scales by subscriber count
• Limited email design options

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Ghost — open-source publishing platform for newsletters and memberships. Kit — email marketing for creators (formerly ConvertKit).
• Licensing differs: Ghost is open source while Kit is proprietary.
• Deployment: Ghost — self-hosted or managed cloud. Kit — managed cloud.
• Pricing: Ghost — free self-hosted; paid Ghost(Pro). Kit — free tier with paid plans.
• Signature strength: Ghost — open source. Kit — Visual automations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ghost better than Kit?

It depends on your requirements. Ghost is a strong fit for independent publishers wanting ownership, while Kit suits creators selling products via email.

Is Ghost free to use?

Yes, you can start with Ghost for free. Pricing model: Free self-hosted; paid Ghost(Pro).

Is Kit free to use?

Yes, you can start with Kit for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Can I self-host Ghost or Kit?

Ghost can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud. Kit is offered as a managed service: managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Ghost and Kit?

Ghost: self-hosting requires work; managed Ghost(Pro) is paid. Kit: pricing scales by subscriber count; limited email design options.