write.rocks vs Ghost: Which is Better in 2025?
Compare write.rocks and Ghost for your developer blog
Ghost is a powerful publishing platform used by many professional bloggers. But is it the right choice when you consider pricing, ease of use, and feature set? Let's compare.
Quick Comparison Summary
At a glance: Key strengths of each platform
- More affordable: $19/mo vs $9-299/mo Ghost Pro
- No server management or technical setup required
- Multi-site support on single Pro plan
- Built-in analytics without third-party tools
- Unlimited sites, posts, and pages on Pro plan
- Advanced membership and subscription features
- Native newsletter capabilities with Mailgun
- Custom theme development with Handlebars
- Self-hosting option for full control
- Designed for professional publishers and media companies
Detailed Feature Comparison
See how write.rocks compares to Ghost across all key features
Pricing & Value
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0 (100 posts free) | $9/mo (Starter: 500 members) |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $19/mo (unlimited everything) | $31/mo (Creator: 1,000 members) |
| High-Tier Plan | $19/mo (one tier only) | $79/mo (Team) or $299/mo (Business) |
| Self-Hosting Option | No (fully managed only) | Yes (free, but requires technical skills) |
Performance & Speed
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Page Load Speed | <1s (Lighthouse 95+) | 1-2s (Lighthouse 85-90) |
| CDN Included | Only on higher tiers ($79+/mo) | |
| Server Management | Fully managed, zero config | Managed on Ghost Pro, manual if self-hosted |
| Caching | Automatic with ISR | Requires configuration |
Editor & Writing Experience
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Notion-like block editor + Markdown | Minimal Markdown editor |
| Writing Features | Slash commands, drag & drop, keyboard shortcuts | Markdown with limited formatting |
| Code Block Support | 200+ languages with Shiki | Basic code blocks |
| Live Preview | Real-time preview mode | Split-screen preview |
Data Ownership & Control
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Content Ownership | ||
| Export Format | Markdown + JSON | JSON (Ghost-specific format) |
| Platform Lock-in | Low (standard formats) | Medium (Ghost-specific structure) |
| Migration Tools | Import from Ghost, WordPress, Medium | Import from WordPress |
Customization & Design
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Themes Available | 7 curated themes (2 free, 5 Pro) | 100+ themes (varying quality) |
| Custom Themes | Custom CSS on Pro plan | Full theme development with Handlebars |
| Theme Performance | All optimized for speed | Varies by theme |
| Custom Domains | Unlimited on Pro ($19/mo) | 1 domain on Starter, unlimited on higher tiers |
Technical Features
| Feature | write.rocks | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-site Support | Unlimited sites on Pro | One site per plan (need multiple plans) |
| Analytics | Built-in (Basic free, Advanced Pro) | Requires Google Analytics integration |
| Memberships & Subscriptions | ||
| Newsletter Features | Built-in with Mailgun | |
| Comment System | Built-in with Markdown | Requires third-party (Disqus, etc.) |
| RSS & Sitemap |
Key Differentiators
Deep dive into the most important differences
Pricing: Simple vs. Tiered
Ghost uses a member-based pricing model that can get expensive quickly. As your audience grows, your costs increase dramatically.
write.rocks
write.rocks has simple, flat pricing: Free (up to 100 posts) or Pro ($19/month for unlimited everything). No surprises, no member limits, no scaling costs.
Ghost
Ghost Pro starts at $9/mo (500 members) but scales to $31/mo (1,000), $79/mo (10,000), and $299/mo (100,000). Self-hosting Ghost requires technical expertise with Node.js, MySQL, and server management.
Multi-Site: One Plan vs. Multiple Plans
If you want to run multiple blogs (personal blog, project blog, work blog), Ghost requires a separate paid plan for each site.
write.rocks
write.rocks Pro ($19/month) includes unlimited sites. Create as many blogs as you want under one account with no additional cost.
Ghost
Ghost charges per site. Running 3 blogs costs $27/mo (3x Starter) or $93/mo (3x Creator). This adds up quickly for developers managing multiple projects.
Developer Experience: Modern vs. Minimal
Ghost has a minimal Markdown editor that's clean but lacks modern features developers expect from tools like Notion.
write.rocks
write.rocks provides a Notion-like editor with slash commands, drag-and-drop blocks, keyboard shortcuts, and syntax highlighting for 200+ languages. It's built for developers who code.
Ghost
Ghost's editor is intentionally minimal, focusing on distraction-free writing. While elegant, it lacks advanced formatting, code block features, and the productivity shortcuts developers love.
Analytics: Built-in vs. Third-Party
Understanding your audience is crucial. Ghost doesn't include analytics, requiring you to set up Google Analytics or other third-party tools.
write.rocks
write.rocks includes analytics out of the box (basic in free plan, advanced in Pro). Track pageviews, popular posts, and engagement without any third-party setup.
Ghost
Ghost requires integrating Google Analytics or other analytics platforms. This means additional setup, privacy concerns, and managing yet another tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about write.rocks vs Ghost
Can I migrate from Ghost to write.rocks?▼
Yes! We provide import tools that convert your Ghost JSON export to write.rocks format. Your posts, pages, authors, and tags are preserved. Most migrations take under 30 minutes.
Does write.rocks support memberships and subscriptions like Ghost?▼
No, write.rocks is focused on blogging, not membership sites. If you're running a subscription newsletter business with paid tiers, Ghost is better suited. For straightforward developer blogging, write.rocks is simpler and more affordable.
Is Ghost better for professional publishers?▼
Ghost excels at membership-based publishing with built-in newsletter features and subscription management. If you're building a media business with paid content, Ghost is a better choice. For developer blogs focused on technical content, write.rocks offers better value and developer experience.
What about self-hosting? Ghost is free if I self-host.▼
Self-hosting Ghost requires managing a Node.js server, MySQL database, SSL certificates, backups, updates, and security patches. Unless you enjoy server administration, the time cost exceeds the $19/month write.rocks Pro plan. Ghost Pro (managed hosting) costs $9-299/month depending on scale.
Can I run multiple blogs on write.rocks?▼
Yes! write.rocks Pro ($19/month) includes unlimited sites. With Ghost, you'd need a separate paid plan for each blog ($9+/month each).
Which platform has better SEO?▼
Both platforms are SEO-friendly with clean URLs, meta tags, and sitemaps. write.rocks has a slight edge due to faster page load speeds (Lighthouse 95+ vs 85-90), which Google prioritizes in rankings.
Does write.rocks have newsletter features like Ghost?▼
Not currently. Ghost has robust newsletter capabilities with Mailgun integration, member management, and email analytics. If newsletters are critical to your strategy, Ghost is the better choice. write.rocks focuses on blogging excellence.