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Ghost

Ghost is a free, open-source alternative to Substack, Medium. Appex Technology deploys and customizes it on your own cloud account — you own the code, the data, and the infrastructure, with no per-seat fees and no vendor lock-in.

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Free to license
Open-source core — you pay for infrastructure, not seats.
Self-hosted on your cloud
Your Ghost instance runs on your AWS or other cloud account.
No lock-in
Documented code in your repos. Move providers or take it in-house any time.
About Ghost

What it is and what it replaces

Publishing and newsletters for content-led brands — owned, not rented.

Unlike Substack, Medium, Ghost is open-source and completely free to license. There are no per-user fees that grow with your headcount, no subscription renewals, and no data stored on a vendor's servers. You get the same core capabilities — and, with Appex Technology's customization, a version tailored exactly to your workflows.

Ghost official site ↗
What Appex Technology delivers

From deployment to a running system

  • Cloud deploymentWe deploy Ghost on your AWS, Google Cloud, or other provider — with backups, monitoring, and security hardened from day one.
  • Custom configurationCustom fields, workflows, permissions, and integrations shaped around the way your team actually works.
  • Data migrationWe migrate your existing data from Substack or another source so you start with a live system, not an empty one.
  • IntegrationsWe wire Ghost into your other tools — CRMs, payment systems, ERPs, or anything with an API.
  • Documentation & handoverFull runbook and admin docs so your team can operate it independently. No dependency on us to keep the lights on.

Ghost vs Substack, Medium

Both solve the same core problem. The difference is who owns the data and who writes the monthly check.

Ghost (self-hosted)Substack (SaaS)
License costFreeSubscription / per-seat
Data locationYour cloud accountVendor's servers
CustomizationFull — code-level controlLimited to their settings
Lock-inNoneSwitching costs can be high
Ongoing feesInfrastructure onlyGrows with headcount
SetupAppex Technology handles itSign up + configure
FAQ

Ghost — common questions

What is Ghost?+
Ghost is an open-source, self-hostable platform that can replace Substack, Medium. Publishing and newsletters for content-led brands — owned, not rented.
How does Ghost compare to Substack?+
Ghost is free to license and runs on your own cloud account. Unlike Substack, there are no per-seat fees, no vendor lock-in, and your data never leaves infrastructure you control. Appex Technology customizes, deploys, and maintains it for you.
Can Appex Technology deploy Ghost on our cloud?+
Yes. We deploy Ghost on your AWS, Google Cloud, or other cloud account, configure it to your workflows, integrate it with your other tools, and hand over complete documentation. You own the infrastructure and the deployment outright.
How long does it take to get Ghost running?+
A standard deployment and configuration typically takes a few weeks, depending on the level of customization. We start with a scoping call to understand your requirements, then send a clear estimate before any work begins.
Do we need to manage the server ourselves?+
Only if you want to. We can set up automated backups, monitoring, and update policies so your Ghost instance stays healthy with minimal hands-on effort. We also offer ongoing maintenance retainers.

Ready to replace Substack?

Tell us about your team and current setup — we'll scope a Ghost deployment that fits.

Start a projectinfo@appextechnology.com