HeyNews vs Ghost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between HeyNews and Ghost comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
HeyNews
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
Best for you if:
- • You need email marketing features specifically
- • Browser-based newsletter creation and publishing.
- • Enables quick newsletter drafting and sending in minutes.
Ghost
Professional publishing platform
Best for you if:
- • You need blogging platforms features specifically
- • Open-source publishing platform combining a blog, newsletter, and paid membership system with 0% platform fees
- • Self-host free or use Ghost(Pro) managed hosting starting at $18/mo for up to 1,000 members
| At a Glance |  HeyNews |  Ghost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $10/mo/moBasic | $18/mo (billed yearly)/moStarter |
Best For | Email Marketing | Blogging Platforms |
Rating | - | - |
Choose HeyNews or Ghost?
Choose HeyNews if
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
- Extremely fast publishing process (5 minutes)
- Simple and intuitive to use, no technical skills required
- Accessible directly from a web browser
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not blogging platforms-shaped
Choose Ghost if
Professional publishing platform
- Zero platform transaction fees on paid memberships, only standard Stripe fees apply
- Purpose-built for content monetization with native newsletters and subscriptions
- Open source and fully self-hostable with no vendor lock-in
- Your work is blogging platforms-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | HeyNews | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★3.5/5 5 reviews | ★4.5/5 94 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingWriting & Content | Blogging PlatformsCMS |
In-Depth Analysis
HeyNews
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast publishing process (5 minutes)
- +Simple and intuitive to use, no technical skills required
- +Accessible directly from a web browser
Weaknesses
- -Limited information on advanced features or integrations
- -No explicit mention of a free tier or trial
- -Specific customization options are not detailed
Key features
Ghost
Professional publishing platform
Strengths
- +Zero platform transaction fees on paid memberships, only standard Stripe fees apply
- +Purpose-built for content monetization with native newsletters and subscriptions
- +Open source and fully self-hostable with no vendor lock-in
- +Clean, fast editor that stays out of the way for long-form writing
- +Strong SEO defaults including structured data, canonical URLs, and sitemaps
Weaknesses
- -Managed Ghost(Pro) pricing scales with member count, which gets expensive at scale
- -Theme customization requires Handlebars knowledge, no drag-and-drop page builder
- -Plugin ecosystem is limited compared to WordPress
- -Self-hosting requires Node.js server management and manual updates
- -No built-in commenting system, requires third-party integration
Key features
Pricing: HeyNews vs Ghost
| Plan | HeyNews | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Self-Hosted |
| Tier 2 | $10/mo Basic | $18/mo (billed yearly) Starter |
| Tier 3 | $25/mo Pro | $29/mo (billed yearly) Publisher |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $199/mo (billed yearly) Business |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Contact us Custom |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on HeyNews pricing and Ghost pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: HeyNews
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: HeyNews
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Ghost
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
HeyNews is a email marketing tool. Ghost is in blogging platforms. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Ghost
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 3.5/5
- Larger review base (94 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
HeyNews
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
Ghost is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HeyNews or Ghost better?
Ghost is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are HeyNews and Ghost used for?
HeyNews: Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.. Ghost: Professional publishing platform.
What does HeyNews cost vs Ghost?
HeyNews is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Ghost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.