Forem vs Hashnode: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Forem and Hashnode side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Forem
Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Hashnode requires payment)
Hashnode
Blogging platform for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want free custom domain
| At a Glance | Forem | Hashnode |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $9/mo, billed monthly Pro plan |
Category | Community Platforms Blogging Platforms | Writing & Content Blogging Platforms |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | You pay Postgres, Redis, object storage, and whoever runs Kamal. | n/a |
Choose Forem or Hashnode?
Choose Forem if
- You want a fully free tool (Hashnode requires payment)
- You want open-source nature allows for transparency and customization
- You want focuses on building inclusive and sustainable communities
- You work in community platforms, not writing & content
Choose Hashnode if
- You want free custom domain
- You want good SEO
- You work in writing & content, not community platforms
In-Depth Analysis
Forem
Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections.
Forem the software is $0.
Watch out
You pay Postgres, Redis, object storage, and whoever runs Kamal.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source nature allows for transparency and customization
- Pro: Focuses on building inclusive and sustainable communities
- Pro: Backed by the team behind DEV, a successful developer community
- Pro: Encourages knowledge sharing and meaningful connections
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires technical understanding for self-hosting and advanced customization
- Con: Specific hosting and maintenance responsibilities for community owners
- Con: May require development resources for unique features
Key features
Hashnode
Blogging platform for developers
Hashnode's pricing is very fair and generous, especially with its robust Free tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Free custom domain
- Pro: Good SEO
- Pro: Developer community
- Pro: Own your content
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited design options
- Con: Smaller audience than Medium
- Con: Technical focus only
Key features
Plans and prices: Forem vs Hashnode
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Forem |
| github.com/forem/forem read Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hashnode |
| hashnode.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Forem pricing and Hashnode pricing.
Key Takeaways
Forem
- Choose if you want empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections
Hashnode
- Choose if you want blogging platform for developers
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Hashnode starts at $9/mo, billed monthly; Forem has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Forem and Hashnode compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Hashnode starts at $9/mo, billed monthly; Forem has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Forem and Hashnode used for?
Forem: Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections. Hashnode: Blogging platform for developers.
What does Forem cost vs Hashnode?
Forem is free. Hashnode's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $9/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Forem and Hashnode?
Forem's main strength: open-source nature allows for transparency and customization. Hashnode's main strength: free custom domain.