Best Ghost Alternatives (2026)
Looking for something other than Ghost for newsletter? Here are the 2 alternatives we track, ranked, with verified pricing for each.
Pricing verified Sep 29, 2026
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Ghost alternatives at a glance
| Product | Entry price | Plans | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost this page's subject | $18/mo | 4 | No | Yes |
| Beehiiv | $43/mo | 4 | Yes | No |
| Buttondown | Custom | 1 | Yes | No |
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Beehiiv
NewsletterNewsletter platform with built-in growth tools.
Sitting in the sub-$100 range with a genuinely free tier, Beehiiv is positioned as the accessible alternative to pricier email/newsletter platforms — not the cheapest possible option, but priced to feel like a no-brainer for solo creators and small teams. They're clearly chasing the wave of writers leaving Substack or outgrowing basic ESPs, not enterprise marketing departments.
Plans: Launch $0/mo · Scale $43/mo · Max $96/mo · Enterprise Contact Sales
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Buttondown
NewsletterMinimal newsletter tool for writers.
Buttondown positions itself as the indie-friendly, pay-for-what-you-use option in a market full of bloated all-in-one platforms — it's cheap to start and stays cheap if you keep things simple. They're clearly courting solo writers and small creators who resent subsidizing enterprise features they'll never touch, rather than competing head-on with feature-loaded platforms like ConvertKit or beehiv on raw capability.
Plans: Buttondown $0/mo
Comparing on features, not just price? Use our feature comparison template →
None of these fit? See every newsletter tool we price →
Ghost Alternatives FAQ
- What is the best alternative to Ghost?
- Beehiiv is the closest Ghost alternative we track for newsletter. Paid plans start at $43/mo, and there is a free plan to start on. Buttondown are also worth a look.
- Are there free alternatives to Ghost?
- Yes — Beehiiv, Buttondown offer a free plan, so you can switch without paying up front.
- How much do Ghost alternatives cost?
- Beehiiv starts at $43/mo. The rest of the list uses custom (contact-sales) pricing.
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Ghost?
- Not on entry price — Ghost starts at $18/mo, which is at or below every priced alternative here. Where you land depends on the tier you actually need.
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