Substack vs Ghost vs Postion: A Full Fee & Pricing Comparison 2025
Choosing a platform is one of the most consequential decisions a creator can make. It's not just about features; it's a long-term financial partnership. High creator platform fees and hidden costs can quietly siphon thousands of dollars from your business.
Many creators default to the most familiar option without running the numbers. Let's change that with a full platform fee comparison for creators.
Here is a transparent, head-to-head cost breakdown of three popular choices in the great Substack vs Ghost debate, plus a modern challenger: Postion.
1. Substack: The Simple Starter (with a Scaling Penalty)
Substack's appeal is its simplicity. But the Substack pricing model comes at a steep, scaling price.
- Platform Fee: 10%
- Payment Processing (Stripe): ~2.9% + $0.30
- Total Fee: ~13% of your total revenue.
This percentage-based model punishes your growth. The more you earn, the more they take. This is a key reason creators search for a Substack alternative.
Earning $5,000/month? You're paying Substack ~$6,000 per year. That's a significant business expense for a simple newsletter tool.
2. Ghost: The DIY Powerhouse (with Hidden Costs)
Ghost is a powerful, open-source Substack alternative with a 0% platform fee, which sounds incredible. But the Ghost pricing model has its own costs.
- Platform Fee: 0%
- Hosting Costs (Ghost Pro): $9 to $249+ per month, depending on your subscriber count.
- Payment Processing (Stripe): ~2.9% + $0.30
- Hidden Costs: Premium themes ($50-$200+), and the time cost of technical setup and management.
For a non-technical creator, Ghost can become a complex and expensive project, leading many to search for a Ghost alternative.
3. Postion: The All-in-One Growth Engine (The Smart Balance)
We built Postion to offer the best of both worlds: the ease of use of Substack with the power and low cost of a modern growth platform.
- Platform Fee: 5% (Half of Substack)
- Payment Processing (Stripe, etc.): Standard rates (~2.9% + $0.30)
- Hosting Costs: Included. No matter your subscriber count.
- Key Features Included: Free custom domain, advanced SEO tools, AI writing assistants, and multiple monetization options.
Postion provides a predictable, low-cost model that scales with you, not against you.
At-a-Glance Comparison: Substack vs Ghost vs Postion
Let's put it all in a table. Assume a creator is earning $2,000 per month.
| Feature | Substack | Ghost (Pro) | Postion (The Winner) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 10% | 0% | 5% |
| Monthly Cost | ~$260 (13% of revenue) | ~$89 ($30 hosting + ~$59 Stripe) | ~$160 (8% of revenue) |
| Annual Cost | ~$3,120 | ~$1,068 | ~$1,920 (BUT...see below) |
| Tech Skill Needed | None | Moderate | None |
| Advanced SEO Tools | Very Poor | Good | Excellent (AI-Powered) |
| Monetization Options | Subscriptions Only | Subscriptions, requires integrations | Multiple (Subs, Tips, 1-time sales) |
| Custom Domain | $50 one-time fee | Included | Included (Free Binding) |
Wait, Ghost looks cheaper annually? Only if you ignore the hidden costs of creator platforms, like the value of your time and missing features. Ghost requires technical upkeep and lacks the integrated AI and growth tools that Postion provides out of the box.
The Choice is Clear
- Substack is for hobbyists who don't mind overpaying for simplicity.
- Ghost is for developers who enjoy technical tinkering.
- Postion is for serious creators who want to build a sustainable business with powerful tools, minimal hassle, and fair, transparent pricing.
Don't let high creator platform fees silently eat away your income. Make the smart business decision.
Ready to switch to the cheapest Substack alternative with the most power? See how easy it is to migrate to Postion today.