Ghost alternative for builders in tech | Hashnode
The Ghost alternative with a built-in audience
Ownership and headless publishing, plus distribution Ghost cannot give you. Free to start.
Ghost gets ownership right. The catch is everything around it. You self-host and maintain the instance, or you pay for Ghost(Pro), and either way you launch into an empty room. Hashnode gives you the same ownership and headless mode, free to start, on a network where the readers already are.
Headless without the server
Use Hashnode as a headless CMS and power a custom frontend, with no instance to host or upgrade.
Distribution built in
Ghost gives you a blog. Hashnode gives you a blog on a network that ranks and gets cited by AI.
Free to start
Begin for free and add a custom domain, the API, and headless mode on Pro for $5 a month.
Hashnode vs Ghost
| Feature | Hashnode | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Your own domain | Map your custom domain (Pro) | Custom domain on Ghost(Pro) or self-host |
| Own your audience | Your readers and data stay yours | Yours |
| Built for technical writing | Code blocks, syntax highlighting, LaTeX, embeds | Solid editor with code support |
| Found in search and AI engines | Ranks in search and gets cited by AI engines | No discovery network; you bring the audience |
| API and headless mode | GraphQL API and headless mode (Pro) | Headless and API supported |
| Price | Free to start. Pro is $5/mo per publication | Ghost(Pro) from about $9/mo, or self-host and maintain |
Bringing your content over
On Ghost today? Export your posts as Markdown and import them, map your custom domain, and add redirects so your URLs keep resolving.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hashnode support headless mode?
Yes, on Pro. Use Hashnode as a headless CMS through the GraphQL API while keeping the publishing experience.