Hosting Ghost on a Custom VPS vs Ghost(Pro)

Ghost is one of the most popular content management systems for modern publishing, offering a clean writing experience and powerful features for bloggers and businesses alike. When it comes to hosting Ghost, you have two main options: self-hosting on your own VPS or using the official Ghost(Pro) service.

Ghost(Pro): The Official Managed Solution

Pros of Ghost(Pro)

Hassle-Free Setup
Ghost(Pro) gets you up and running in minutes. No server configuration, no database setup, no SSL certificate management—just sign up and start writing.

Automatic Updates
Ghost(Pro) automatically handles all updates, security patches, and maintenance. You'll always be running the latest version without any manual intervention.

Built-in CDN and Performance
Ghost(Pro) includes a global CDN, automatic image optimization, and performance optimizations out of the box.

Expert Support
Direct access to the Ghost team for technical support and assistance.

Cons of Ghost(Pro)

Limited Customization
You're restricted to approved themes and plugins. Custom code injection is limited, and you can't install custom Ghost apps.

Higher Cost at Scale
Pricing starts at $9/month for basic plans but can quickly escalate as your traffic and feature needs grow.

Vendor Lock-in
Your content and setup are tied to Ghost(Pro)'s platform, making migration more complex.

Self-Hosting on a VPS

Pros of Self-Hosting

Complete Control
Full access to the server, database, and Ghost installation. You can modify anything you need.

Cost Efficiency
A basic VPS can cost $5-10/month and handle significant traffic with proper optimization.

Custom Integrations
Install any Ghost themes, create custom themes, add custom functionality, and integrate with any services you need.

Data Ownership
Your content, database, and backups are completely under your control.

Cons of Self-Hosting

Technical Complexity
Requires knowledge of server administration, database management, and web server configuration.

Maintenance Responsibility
You're responsible for updates, security patches, backups, and monitoring.

Setup Time
Initial setup can take several hours to get everything configured properly.

Our Recommendation

Choose Ghost(Pro) if:
- You want to focus solely on content creation
- You prefer managed solutions
- You don't need extensive customization
- Budget isn't a primary concern
- You value official support

Choose Self-Hosting if:
- You need custom themes or functionality
- You want to minimize long-term costs
- You have technical expertise or team support
- You prefer complete control over your platform
- You're building a business around your content

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Need help setting up Ghost on your own infrastructure? Our team specializes in Ghost installations and can help you get started. Contact us for consultation.