Ghost vs Podia
Side-by-side comparison of Ghost and Podia.
Open-source publishing platform built for serious creators
Sell courses, memberships, and digital products together
What they are
Ghost
Ghost is an independent publishing platform that combines a CMS, email newsletter tool, and membership system in one place. It is used by independent writers, journalists, and media companies who want to own their audience without relying on third-party platforms. The open-source core can be self-hosted for free, while Ghost Pro handles hosting at a monthly fee. The tradeoff is that it is more opinionated than WordPress and has a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
Podia
Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators who want to sell online courses, digital downloads, webinars, and memberships without stitching together separate tools. It includes built-in email marketing and a simple storefront, making it practical for coaches, educators, and independent creators. The tradeoff is that its course builder and analytics are less advanced than dedicated competitors like Teachable or Kajabi.
if you need hosting and monetization. It has a usable free tier to start with.
- +No platform cut on membership revenue, unlike Substack
- +Built-in email newsletter delivery included on paid plans
- +Clean, distraction-free editor focused on writing
if you need monetization and course platforms. Starts at 33/mo.
- +Single platform covers courses, downloads, memberships, and email
- +No transaction fees on paid higher tiers
- +Clean, beginner-friendly interface with fast setup
Which to choose
Ghost and Podia both cover monetization, email marketing, so this is a real either-or for some teams. The right pick depends on which one's wider feature set and pricing fit how you work.
Read the full reviews for Ghost and Podia.
Pricing checked 3 Jun 2026.