Ghost vs MailerLite
Ghost is a newsletter platform while MailerLite is a email marketing platform. MailerLite is the more affordable option at $10/mo — that's $8 less than Ghost's $18/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. MailerLite has the edge with marketing automation, A/B testing, landing pages.
Quick Verdict
Ghost wins on integrations.
MailerLite wins on price, deliverability, rating.
Best for most users: MailerLite (small businesses).
Ghost
Open-source publishing platform with built-in newsletters and memberships
Ghost is an independent, open-source publishing platform built for professional content creators who want full control over their audience and revenue. It combines a beautiful writing editor, built-in newsletters via Mailgun, and native membership/subscription billing with zero platform fees. Available as a free self-hosted solution or as managed Ghost(Pro) hosting starting at $18/month.
MailerLite
Email marketing tools for growing businesses
MailerLite is known for its simplicity, affordability, and clean design. It's one of the best options for small businesses and beginners who want professional email marketing without complexity. The built-in website builder and digital product sales features add extra value.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Ghost | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $18/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Plan | Self-hosted open-source version is completely free; no free tier on Ghost(Pro) | 500 subscribers |
| Founded | 2013 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 90 |
| Integrations | 1,000 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 95% | 97% |
| Marketing Automation | ✕ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✕ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✕ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✕ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✕ | ✕ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Language | ✓ | ✕ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✕ | ✕ |
| Live Chat | ✕ | ✓ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
Ghost: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Completely open-source with self-hosting option at zero cost
- +Built-in membership and paid subscription system with 0% platform fees on revenue
- +Distraction-free professional editor optimized for long-form writing
- +Significantly faster page load times compared to WordPress, boosting SEO and reader engagement
- +Native newsletter delivery integrated directly into the publishing workflow
Cons
- −Newsletter emails are limited to Mailgun as the sending provider, which is no longer free
- −No plugin ecosystem or marketplace unlike WordPress — limited extensibility
- −Analytics are basic and only show the last 90 days on the dashboard
- −No drag-and-drop email builder or A/B testing for email campaigns
- −Starter plan limited to only 1 staff user and 1 newsletter with no paid subscription support
MailerLite: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
- +Clean, intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- +Built-in website and landing page builder
- +Sell digital products directly
- +Strong drag-and-drop email editor
Cons
- −Free plan limited to 1,000 subscribers
- −No SMS marketing
- −Fewer integrations than competitors
- −Strict approval process for new accounts
- −Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign
The Verdict
MailerLite edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to Ghost's 4.1/5. The gap comes mainly from ease of use (4.8 vs 3.9) and support (4.7 vs 3.9). On deliverability, MailerLite reports 97% compared to 95% for Ghost — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Ghost | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $18/mo | $10/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 95% | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 1000 | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Ghost if…
- + You're a independent publishers and bloggers
- + You're a newsletter creators who want zero platform fees
- + Completely open-source with self-hosting option at zero cost
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($10/mo)
- + You need marketing automation
- + You need built-in landing pages
- + You need A/B testing