Ghost(Pro) Basic alternatives
Killing $9+/mo (~$108/yr) — here are 3 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.
Same exact software, on your VPS, for the price of a coffee per month.
you stop paying $9+/mo → keep ~$108/yr
head-to-head
| Ghost(Pro) Basic | Ghost (self-hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| price | $9+/mo | Free |
| self-hostable | no | yes |
| license | proprietary | MIT |
| verified | — | 2026-08 |
| migration | — | medium effort |
free & open source (2)
Same exact software, on your VPS, for the price of a coffee per month.
trade-offs: You handle updates/backups
github →The web's default CMS — infinite themes/plugins, runs anywhere.
trade-offs: Maintenance burden · Plugin bloat risk
github →cheaper, but not open source (1)
Minimal, fast blogging with zero tracking — great default-cms escape hatch.
trade-offs: Deliberately minimal features
faq
What is the best free alternative to Ghost(Pro) Basic?
Ghost (self-hosted) is the top free option — Same exact software, on your VPS, for the price of a coffee per month.
How much can I save by switching from Ghost(Pro) Basic?
Ghost(Pro) Basic costs $9+/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $108/year per seat.
Can Ghost(Pro) Basic be self-hosted?
Yes — Ghost (self-hosted) and WordPress.org can be self-hosted for free.