WriteFreely vs Ghost Pro

Compare WriteFreely and Ghost Pro to find the best tool for your needs.

WriteFreely

An open-source, minimalist blogging platform focused on simplicity and federation with the Fediverse.

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VS
GP

Ghost Pro

Official hosted version of Ghost publishing platform, focused on professional publishing and newsletters.

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Quick overview

Pricing

Free (self-hosted), or Write.as Pro hosting from $6/month
Starting at $9/month for individuals, $25/month for teams

Pros & Cons

WriteFreely

Pros

  • Open-source and self-hostable
  • Federated with Mastodon and ActivityPub
  • Clean, distraction-free writing
  • Multiple blogs under one account

Cons

  • Limited styling and customization
  • Fewer features than major platforms
  • Self-hosting requires technical skills
  • Small developer community

Ghost Pro

Pros

  • Purpose-built for professional publishing
  • Built-in newsletter and membership features
  • Clean, distraction-free writing experience
  • No technical setup required

Cons

  • More expensive than basic hosting
  • Fewer themes and integrations than WordPress
  • Less flexibility for non-publishing features
  • Less intuitive for complete beginners