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Ghost’s publishing software is open source, but running a self-hosted site is not automatically free: you still need a server and must handle setup, updates, security, and any services you choose to add. Ghost(Pro), its managed hosting, lists annual-billing plans at $18, $29, and $199 per month, plus a custom-quoted tier. The right choice depends on the features you need and whether you want to operate the infrastructure yourself.
What does Ghost cost in 2026?
There are two ways to run Ghost: host the open-source software yourself or pay for Ghost(Pro), Ghost’s managed hosting service. Ghost’s pricing page, checked October 7, 2026, lists these monthly prices when billed yearly:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Muxiziu Halloween Ghost Figurine, Spooky & Cute Reading Ghost Statue for Bedroom, Desk, Party Decor,... | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Pink Ghost | $9.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Ghost Goes Boo! An Interactive Book with 5 Sounds! (Five Funny Sounds!) | $8.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Ghost Book | $10.80 | Buy on Amazon |
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Getting Started with Ghost | $10.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| Ghost(Pro) plan | Price with annual billing | Member limit | Staff limit | Notable listed features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $18/month | 1,000 | 1 | For solo blogs and newsletters |
| Publisher | $29/month | 1,000 | 3 | Custom themes and paid subscriptions |
| Business | $199/month | 10,000 | 15 | Higher usage limits and priority support |
| Custom | Price on request | Unlimited | Unlimited | Custom service requirements |
These are Ghost’s displayed plan prices and limits, not a guarantee they will remain unchanged. Check Ghost’s current pricing page before subscribing. Ghost says all Ghost(Pro) plans include unlimited email sends. It lists no additional Ghost transaction fee for paid subscriptions, but payment processors still charge their own fees; “no Ghost fee” does not mean processing is free.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Is self-hosted Ghost free?
The Ghost software can be used without paying Ghost for a managed subscription, but a production site still needs hosting and someone to operate it. You may also choose to pay separately for services such as email delivery, backups, analytics, or a content delivery network (CDN). The total depends on your server, service choices, traffic, and the value of your maintenance time.
#1 Best Overall
- Charming Design: Adorn your space with our charming resin ghost figurines, a perfect blend of whimsy and warmth. This cute ghost decor depicts a ghost holding a book and reading, emitting a soft glow. Crafted from high-quality resin materials, this cute ghost serves as an enchanting halloween decor item and a year-round home decor accent, ideal for book lovers and those who adore spooky home decor.
- Soft Warm Glow: Create a cozy ambiance with the gentle illumination of our cute ghost statue. The warm light is easy on the eyes, making it perfect for use as a halloween bedroom decor, spooky home decor, or cute bookshelf decor. It provides just the right amount of light for nighttime reading or creating a calming atmosphere without being too bright or harsh.
- Multifunctional designed: This mini ghost figurines is designed to be portable, so you can place it anywhere. Use it as halloween indoor decorations, desk decor, mantel decorations, or a centerpiece for your halloween party. Its compact size (5 inches) makes it great for bookshelf decor, spooky office decor, or halloween decorations indoor.
- Perfect Gift for Halloween & Book Lovers: Searching for a thoughtful gift? This cute ghost figurine is an ideal present for halloween lovers, readers, collectors, and fans of funny home decor. It makes a memorable halloween gift, birthday gift, or holiday surprise that combines humor, function, and charm—sure to delight anyone who enjoys spooky gifts or book lover gifts.
- Portable and Easy to Use: Enjoy hassle-free decorating with our portable halloween ghosts statue. Allowing instant placement on tables, shelves, or nightstands. Whether used for halloween 2026 decor, year-round indoor figurine, or party decorations, this ghost decor adds a playful yet elegant touch with zero setup required.
Ghost’s hosting guide displays an illustrative comparison with Ghost(Pro) base hosting from $15/month and self-hosted base hosting from $10/month. It separately lists self-hosting estimates of $20/month for CDN/WAF, $15/month for email delivery, $10/month for analytics, $5/month for full backups, and $12/month for image editing. These are figures in Ghost’s guide, not current quotes from specific providers or services every installation must buy. Check provider prices and decide which services your site actually needs. See Ghost’s hosting guide for its comparison and operational details.
Ghost says self-hosting can be cheaper for lightweight blogs, while for heavy users it generally works out more expensive than Ghost(Pro). That is Ghost’s broad guidance, not a universal cost calculation: actual expenses vary with usage, chosen services, and how much work you do yourself.
Rank #2
What does each Ghost(Pro) plan include, and when should you upgrade?
Starter: a solo publication within its limits
Starter is listed at $18/month with annual billing and supports up to 1,000 members and one staff user. It suits a solo blog or newsletter that does not need the paid-subscription or custom-theme features listed on higher tiers.
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Publisher is listed at $29/month with annual billing. It keeps the 1,000-member limit but raises the staff limit to three. Ghost lists custom themes and paid subscriptions on Publisher and above, making this the first tier to consider when either capability is needed.
Business: higher listed limits and priority support
Business is listed at $199/month with annual billing, with a 10,000-member limit and room for 15 staff users. Ghost highlights higher usage limits and priority support on this tier. Consider it when your publication’s membership, team size, or support needs no longer fit the lower plans.
Custom: for requirements beyond the fixed plans
Custom has no displayed fixed price and lists unlimited members and staff. Contact Ghost for pricing if you need this tier’s scale or custom service requirements.
Rank #4
Use the feature or limit you actually need as the upgrade trigger: member capacity, staff seats, custom themes, paid subscriptions, or Business-level support and usage. Verify the live comparison because plan features and limits can change.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat does Ghost(Pro) manage for you?
With Ghost(Pro), Ghost handles the managed hosting work described in its guide, including setup, weekly updates, SSL, backups, CDN/WAF, and email newsletter delivery. Ghost provides product support. You pay a recurring plan price in exchange for that operational work and managed service.
Best Value
With self-hosting, you get more control, including direct SSH and database access and the ability to modify Ghost’s core. In return, you handle installation, updates, server maintenance, SSL configuration, and the services you decide to source separately. Ghost’s guide recommends Ghost(Pro) for most people focused on publishing and says technically capable teams seeking maximum control may prefer self-hosting; this is Ghost’s recommendation, not an independent performance comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does self-hosting require?
For production, Ghost’s documentation lists a recommended and officially supported stack of Ubuntu 24, Node.js 22 LTS, MySQL 8.0, NGINX, and Systemd. It calls for a server with at least 1 GB of memory and a non-root user for Ghost CLI commands. Ghost notes that other operating systems, databases, and web servers may work, but are not officially supported or widely adopted.
Self-hosting also means keeping the installation secure and maintained. Ghost’s guidance includes ongoing software updates and security measures such as HTTPS, secure MySQL configuration, firewall rules, and disabling SSH root and password login. Include the time and expertise for this work when comparing costs; a low server bill alone does not capture the full operating burden.
How to choose between Ghost(Pro) and self-hosting
- Choose Ghost(Pro) if publishing is your priority and you would rather have Ghost manage hosting operations and provide product support.
- Consider self-hosting if you have the technical ability to maintain the server and specifically value SSH/database access or the ability to modify core.
- Compare total cost, not just the server price. Include any email, CDN, analytics, backup, or image-editing services you choose, as well as setup and maintenance time.
- Choose a plan by capability and capacity. Check member and staff limits alongside the features you need, rather than upgrading simply because a higher tier exists.
Ghost offers a 14-day free trial link on its pricing page. Its billing help says new accounts begin with a 14-day free trial, are not billed when it expires, and must select a plan to continue. Confirm the current signup terms at Ghost’s subscription help page.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
