TL;DR
The Best Ghost Website Hosting prioritizes ease of setup, strong performance, and dedicated support for Ghost-specific features. As the official managed hosting solution, Ghost(Pro) seems like a no-brainer for those who want hassle-free management and optimal performance. However, other platforms (like Cloudways) may offer greater flexibility, better pricing, or enhanced control – making them strong contenders based on your specific needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the best options for hosting Ghost, covering both managed and self-hosted solutions to help you choose the right fit.
Here’s a summary table of the hosting platforms recommended for Ghost on the HostScore page:
Platform | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting with DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, AWS options | High performance, flexible data centers, good support | Limited trial, getting expensive recently |
KnownHost | VPS with dedicated Ghost hosting, uptime and stability focus | Strong support, scalable, good starting prices | Limited locations, no free domain on basic plans |
Magic Pages | Simple Ghost hosting, email support, unlimited members and staff on higher plans | Affordable, unmetered bandwidth, fully managed, support with a personal touch | Limits on file uploads (128mb & 1024mb per file) in Starter & Pro Plans. |
Kamatera | Customizable cloud server options for full hosting control | High speed, flexible configurations | Requires technical expertise, no built-in Ghost support |
Ghost(Pro) | Official Ghost hosting, fully managed, Ghost-specific optimizations | Hassle-free setup, optimized for Ghost, secure | Limited staff users on low tiers, restricted customization, limited file uploads (5mb per file for starter plan) |
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our hosting picks below address this by offering tailored suggestions for Ghost bloggers.
1. Cloudways
Visit Online: https://www.cloudways.com/
Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform offering support for Ghost CMS through a range of cloud infrastructure providers like DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, AWS, and more. What sets Cloudways apart is its unique balance of control and convenience, allowing you to launch, scale, and manage Ghost websites using an easy-to-manage platform.
With Cloudways, you can choose from 60+ data centers worldwide which makes it ideal for users looking for flexible hosting locations and reliable infrastructure.
Why Cloudways is Good for Hosting Ghost Websites?
Cloudways provides a performance-optimized stack with features like dedicated firewalls, auto-healing servers, free SSL certificates, and a staging environment to test changes safely. The platform includes advanced caching solutions, such as Object Cache Pro, for free on higher plans, typically worth $95/month.
Additionally, Cloudways offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which ensures you only pay for the resources you use. This is cost-effective if you want to scale projects.
Cloudways Pros
- Topnotch server uptime and speed performance
- Good abstration over complex cloud server setups with integrated dashboard
- Outstanding customer support
- High scalability; Autonomous plan supports auto-scaling
- Easy server cloning, site staging, and website transfer
- Host unlimited applications in one account
- 25% discount for first two months with coupon "HOSTSCORE"
Cloudways Cons
- Getting expensive - Prices increased steadily for the past few years
- Limited trial period
2. KnownHost
Visit Online: https://www.knownhost.com/
KnownHost is a well-established provider offering a variety of hosting solutions, including specialized Ghost hosting on its VPS plans. Known for its strong performance and reliability, KnownHost combines solid infrastructure with top-tier customer support to deliver an exceptional hosting experience.
Why KnownHost is Good for Ghost Websites?
KnownHost’s VPS plans are tailored to provide the resources needed for running Ghost seamlessly. With fully managed support, automatic backups, and a focus on uptime, KnownHost ensures that your Ghost site remains stable and accessible at all times. It’s an excellent choice for users who want dedicated server resources but need professional assistance to manage their hosting environment.
KnownHost Pros
- Strong customer support team
- Scalable solutions
- App hosting packages are a big plus
- Reasonable starting prices
KnownHost Cons
- Limited data center locations
- No free domain name
- Limited features on cheaper plans
3. Magic Pages
Visit Online: https://www.magicpages.co/
Magic Pages is a hosting service with a personal touch, created by Jannis Fedoruk-Betschki, a developer and entrepreneur with a passion for making Ghost CMS hosting accessible. From humble beginnings—starting out as a self-taught developer – Jannis built Magic Pages to offer a simple, affordable solution for creators wanting to focus on their content, not their hosting.
With plans starting at just $3.33 per month, Magic Pages includes essentials like easy deployment, automatic updates, and built-in email support, making it a go-to option for Ghost CMS users who want ease without the bloat.
Why Magic Pages is Good for Hosting Ghost Websites?
What makes Magic Pages stand out? The human touch! In addition to offering custom domains and unmetered traffic, the platform provides concierge migration, making it especially attractive for growing content creators and small publishers.
For those looking for a long-term investment (and don’t mind gamble a little), Magic Pages even offers a unique lifetime plan, perfect for creators who want dependable hosting without constant renewals.
Magic Pages Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Fully managed Ghost hosting
- Built-in email newsletter support
- Premium features at all levels
- Concierge migration service
- Lifetime plan option
Magic Pages Cons
- No custom theme for Starter Plan
- File upload limits – 128mb & 1-24mb for Starter and Pro plans
Visit Magic Pages to learn more about the features.
4. Kamatera
Visit Online: https://www.kamatera.com/
Kamatera is a cloud hosting provider that offers a range of customizable cloud server options for hosting Ghost websites. Kamatera has data centers around the world and focuses on providing granular control. It is ideal for tech-savvy users who want to build a hosting environment from the ground up.
Why Kamatera is Good for Ghost Websites?
Kamatera’s cloud servers allow users to configure everything from the number of CPUs to the type of storage, providing unmatched flexibility for Ghost projects. For developers who want full control over their hosting setup, Kamatera offers powerful options, including SSD storage, low-latency networking, and the ability to deploy new servers in seconds.
This level of customization is perfect for scaling Ghost websites that require a fine-tuned environment.
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Wide range of support and use cases
- Affordable pricing at bare server unit
- Choice of 24 distributed data centers
- Free to create a $100 worth server during the first 30 days
Kamatera Cons
- Confusing pay-as-you-go pricing model
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
5. Ghost(Pro)
Visit Online: https://www.ghost.org/pricing/
Ghost(Pro) is the official managed hosting service provided by the creators of Ghost CMS. It’s designed to offer a seamless experience with full support for all Ghost-specific features and optimizations. It is truly the top choice for anyone looking to run a Ghost blog (or site) with minimal setup.
Why Ghost(Pro) is Good for Hosting Ghost Websites?
Ghost(Pro) is specifically optimized for running Ghost CMS and comes with tons of free integrations, ready made professionally-designed themes, and automatic server updates. Ghost(Pro) users get a fully managed setup that includes enterprise-level security, daily backups, and automatic updates – meaning you can focus entirely on content creation without worrying about the technicalities.
With plans starting at $9/month, it’s a reasonable choice for readers seeking managed solutions without the hassle of self-hosting.
Limitations of Ghost(Pro)
Despite its strong feature set, Ghost(Pro) has some notable limitations:
- The lower-tier plans (Starter, Creator, and Team) restrict the number of staff users to between 1 and 5, which could be limiting for multi-author publications and website administration.
- Custom themes are only available starting from the Creator plan, and entry-level users are restricted to using free official themes.
- Larger Ghost sites may find the limited storage and custom configuration options in lower-tier plans too restrictive.
These factors make Ghost(Pro) less suitable for teams needing flexibility or custom design elements.
Ghost(Pro) Pros
- Fully managed Ghost hosting
- Optimized for Ghost CMS
- Enterprise-level security and daily backups
- Free integrations and ready-made themes
Ghost(Pro) Cons
- Limited on staff users
- Limited customization for lower-tier plan
- Storage and configuration restrictions
- Not suitable for complex websites
Visit Ghost(Pro) to learn more about the features.
Ghost: Things to Know About This Open Source CMS
What is Ghost CMS?
Initially released in October 2013, Ghost is an open-source content management system (CMS) specifically built for professional bloggers and publishers. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Ghost prioritizes speed, simplicity, and a focused content creation experience.
The platform is built on Node.js, making it lightweight and extremely fast compared to PHP-based CMS options like WordPress. It offers a minimalist interface, support for Markdown. The platform also includes a built-in SEO structure. These features make it a popular choice for tech enthusiasts and professional writers who want a streamlined, high-performance publishing tool.
What Makes Ghost CMS Unique?
Ghost’s unique architecture includes native integrations for newsletters and memberships, allowing users to run subscription-based sites or manage email campaigns without relying on third-party plugins. This focus on modern content distribution sets Ghost apart as a “headless CMS,” where the front-end and back-end are decoupled. This structure enables developers to deliver content through APIs and customize the front-end freely.
These capabilities make Ghost an ideal solution for creators seeking a fast, content-centric platform that’s flexible enough for both personal blogs and complex multi-author publications.
Ghost vs. Traditional CMS
Ghost is built for speed and simplicity, making it ideal for bloggers and publishers. In contrast, traditional CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal offer greater flexibility and extensive features for building more complex sites.
Criteria | Ghost CMS | WordPress | Joomla | Drupal |
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary Use Case | Blogging, membership sites, newsletters | General-purpose: blogs, eCommerce, news, and more | Complex, multi-user websites, community sites | Large-scale, high-traffic websites, portals |
Speed & Performance | Fast and lightweight due to Node.js | Can be slower with too many plugins | Moderate performance, more resource-intensive | High performance with proper optimization |
Ease of Use | Minimalistic interface, limited customizations | Beginner-friendly, with intuitive UI | Steeper learning curve, more complex admin panel | High learning curve, requires advanced knowledge |
Customization | Limited themes and integrations | 55,000+ plugins, endless themes and customizations | Extensive plugin library, flexible configurations | Highly flexible, can be fully customized |
Built-in Features | SEO, memberships, newsletters, native Markdown support | SEO, blog, eCommerce, and extensive plugin ecosystem | SEO, multi-language support, access control | Advanced content types, custom fields, scalability |
Security | Minimal vulnerabilities due to limited extensions | Higher risk due to numerous plugins | Moderate risk, regular patches available | Very secure, built with enterprise security in mind |
Technical Skill Needed | Requires basic knowledge of Node.js or managed hosting | Beginner-friendly; can get complex with advanced setups | Intermediate skill level for full control | Advanced; suitable for developers |
Best For | Bloggers, publishers, and content creators | Small to large-scale websites | Community-based sites, portals, intranets | Enterprise-level websites, large organizations |
Our Take?
Choose Ghost if you need a streamlined platform focused on content (blog) publishing and minimal setup. Opt for WordPress if you want flexibility and a broad ecosystem of plugins. Consider Joomla for community-driven sites, or Drupal if you need a ultra-scalable, secure platform for complex web applications.
What Are the Challenges of Hosting Ghost Blogs?
Hosting Ghost comes with its own set of challenges due to its technical requirements and Node.js architecture. First, Ghost cannot run on typical shared hosting environments built for PHP-based platforms. This makes it incompatible with many low-cost shared hosting solutions. Instead, it requires a server with support for Node.js, which often means using more specialized providers or cloud-based VPS hosting.
Additionally, configuring and maintaining a Ghost site involves a higher learning curve, especially for beginners unfamiliar with server management. Tasks like installing dependencies, setting up Nginx for reverse proxy, and ensuring proper SSL configuration can be daunting. This complexity increases the need for more advanced technical skills or managed hosting solutions that take care of these details.
Therefore, for users without technical expertise, managed hosting providers like Cloudways are often the preferred choices.
What is Ghost Hosting?
Ghost Hosting refers to web hosting services that are specifically optimized to run the Ghost CMS. Since Ghost is built on Node.js – the application has different server requirements compared to traditional CMSs like WordPress. Ghost hosting providers offer either managed or self-hosted solutions that are configured to meet these requirements. These solutions provide a smooth and optimized environment for Ghost websites.
Two Types of Ghost Hosting
There are typically two types of Ghost hosting options: Managed Ghost Hosting and Self-hosted Ghost Hosting.
Managed Ghost hosting, like Ghost(Pro), handles everything from server setup to maintenance which makes it ideal for those who want a hassle-free experience. On the flip side, the self-hosted Ghost options offer greater flexibility but require a good understanding of server management and command-line configurations.
What to Look for in a Ghost Self-Hosted Platform?
When choosing a Ghost hosting platform, consider the following key factors:
- Node.js Support: Ensure that the hosting environment is compatible with Ghost’s Node.js-based architecture and supports the required versions for smooth performance.
- Ease of Setup: Look for platforms that offer one-click installations, pre-configured environments, or managed Ghost hosting to simplify the setup process, especially if you are not technically inclined.
- Performance and Uptime: Ghost’s speed advantage can be undermined by slow servers. Prioritize hosts with robust infrastructure, SSD or NVMe storage, and high availability. Low latency and data center location options can also enhance performance for your audience.
- Scalability: A Ghost hosting that offers easy scaling options allows you to handle traffic spikes without compromising your blog speed.
- SSL and Security: Built-in support for HTTPS, firewalls, and malware scanning is essential to secure your Ghost site. Look for automatic SSL certificate installations and regular security updates to keep vulnerabilities at bay.
- Pricing Transparency: Make sure the pricing model is straightforward, with no hidden costs for essential features like backups, server migrations, or technical support. Understand the renewal rates to avoid unexpected price increases.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN can significantly improve the loading speed of your Ghost blog, especially for global audiences. Hosts that include integrated CDN services or easy third-party integration are advantageous.
- Support and Documentation: Quality support is crucial for resolving issues quickly. Choose a host with 24/7 customer support and comprehensive documentation, including Ghost-specific guides and community forums.
- Backup and Restore Options: Regular backups are vital for data safety. Ensure the hosting provider offers automated backup options and easy restore capabilities to prevent data loss during updates or migrations.
Final Thought
Ghost is a powerful CMS designed for those who value speed, simplicity, and a great content creation experience. While it lacks the broad functionality of traditional CMS platforms, it excels at delivering a seamless, optimized environment for publishing.
When choosing a hosting platform for Ghost, consider whether you want a managed solution like MagicPages or Cloudways for ease of use, or a self-hosted option for maximum control. Whichever you choose, ensure the hosting provider meets Ghost’s technical requirements and aligns with your long-term goals for performance and scalability.