Margin Notes › Guides › Managed Ghost hosting
Managed Ghost hosting for writers and small publishers
Margin Notes runs Ghost for you: a site of your own, its own database, HTTPS, and updates handled. You write and send; we look after the server.
What managed Ghost hosting means
Ghost is open-source publishing software for blogs, newsletters and paid memberships. The software is free, but someone has to run it: install it, keep it updated, renew the security certificate, make backups and fix it when it breaks. Managed hosting means that someone is us.
Two plans
| Basic | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 7.49 € a month | 9.49 € a month |
| Your own Ghost site at yourname.marginnotes.me | Yes | Yes |
| Own container and own database, not shared | Yes | Yes |
| HTTPS | Yes | Yes |
| Nightly backups copied to a second location | Not included | Yes |
| Move to your own domain | Not included | Yes |
| Export of your posts, members and images when you leave | Yes | Yes |
| Newsletters through your own Mailgun account | Not included | Yes |
Prices exclude applicable VAT. See the pricing page for the current details.
Self-hosting, Ghost's own hosting, or Margin Notes
There are three sensible ways to run Ghost. They suit different people.
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Run it yourself on a server | People who enjoy servers and want full control | You do the updates, backups and repairs, and you are on call when it breaks |
| Ghost's official hosting | Publications that want the official service from the people who build Ghost, and room to grow large | Higher prices at scale, and plans are built around member numbers |
| Margin Notes | Writers and small publishers who want a low flat price and someone they can email | A small, independent service with a limited number of sites; not for very large publications |
If you want the official service, Ghost's own hosting is a good choice and your money supports the open-source project. We are a smaller alternative for people who value a flat price and a personal reply.
What we do not do
- We do not take a cut of your paid subscriptions. Payments go from your readers to your own Stripe account.
- We do not give you shell access to the server. Your site runs in its own container, and we look after it.
- We do not promise the traffic capacity of a large hosting company. If you expect a very large audience, tell us first.
How it works
- Choose a site address and pay by card on the pricing page.
- Your site is created automatically, and an email arrives with a link to choose your password.
- Sign in and write. Moving from another platform? We can help; see moving from WordPress or leaving Substack.
Questions
What is managed Ghost hosting?
It means someone else installs, updates, backs up and repairs the server that runs your Ghost site, so you only write and publish.
Is Ghost free?
The Ghost software is open source and free to use. Running it needs a server and upkeep, which is what hosting pays for.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes, on the Standard plan. You start on yourname.marginnotes.me and move to your own domain when you are ready.
Do I own my content?
Yes. You can export your posts, members and images at any time, and on request we export them for you.
What if your service is full?
We host a limited number of sites so each one gets attention. If we are full, write to us and we will say when there is space.
Questions first? Write to hello@marginnotes.me. A person answers.
Last updated 2026-10-30.