Ghost vs Kinsta
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Ghost and Kinsta are credible cms tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Ghost if you want a lower starting price (free – $9/mo) and a free plan to start on. Independent publishing and newsletters.
Kinsta — Premium managed WordPress hosting.
Ghost vs Kinsta: side by side
| Dimension | Ghost | Kinsta |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $9/moWinner | From $35/mo |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Publishers, Creators | Agencies, Wordpress Businesses |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted | Web |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Ghost key facts
- Vendor
- Ghost Foundation
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $9/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Publishers, Creators
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Remote
Kinsta key facts
- Vendor
- Kinsta
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $35/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Agencies, Wordpress Businesses
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Ghost better than Kinsta?
Neither is universally better — Kinsta edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Ghost or Kinsta cheaper?
Ghost is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $9/mo. Ghost starts at free – $9/mo; Kinsta starts at from $35/mo.
Can Ghost replace Kinsta?
Yes for most teams — both are cms tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.