Forem vs Medium: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Forem and Medium side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Forem
Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Medium requires payment)
Medium
Publishing platform for ideas and stories
Best for you if:
- • You want built-in audience
| At a Glance | Forem | Medium |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $5/mo, billed monthly Member plan |
Category | Community Platforms Blogging Platforms | Writing & Content Blogging Platforms |
Rating | n/a | 4.7/5 G2 4.6 · TrustRadius 5.0 5,708 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | You pay Postgres, Redis, object storage, and whoever runs Kamal. | n/a |
Choose Forem or Medium?
Choose Forem if
- You want a fully free tool (Medium requires payment)
- You want open-source nature allows for transparency and customization
- You want focuses on building inclusive and sustainable communities
- You work in community platforms, not writing & content
Choose Medium if
- You want built-in audience
- You want clean reading experience
- You work in writing & content, not community platforms
In-Depth Analysis
Forem
Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections.
Forem the software is $0.
Watch out
You pay Postgres, Redis, object storage, and whoever runs Kamal.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source nature allows for transparency and customization
- Pro: Focuses on building inclusive and sustainable communities
- Pro: Backed by the team behind DEV, a successful developer community
- Pro: Encourages knowledge sharing and meaningful connections
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires technical understanding for self-hosting and advanced customization
- Con: Specific hosting and maintenance responsibilities for community owners
- Con: May require development resources for unique features
Key features
Medium
Publishing platform for ideas and stories
Medium's pricing is quite fair, offering a robust Free tier for creators and a generous Member tier at $5/month for avid readers.
Strengths
- Pro: Built-in audience
- Pro: Clean reading experience
- Pro: Monetization options
- Pro: Easy to publish
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Medium owns the platform
- Con: Paywall can limit reach
Key features
Plans and prices: Forem vs Medium
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Forem |
| github.com/forem/forem read Oct 1, 2026 |
| Medium |
| medium.com read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Forem pricing and Medium pricing.
Key Takeaways
Forem
- Choose if you want empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections
Medium
- Choose if you want publishing platform for ideas and stories
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Medium has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 5,708 reviews); Forem has none we can show.
- Medium starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Forem has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Forem and Medium compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Medium has a published user rating (4.7/5 from 5,708 reviews); Forem has none we can show. Medium starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Forem has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Forem and Medium used for?
Forem: Empower communities with open-source software for knowledge sharing and meaningful connections. Medium: Publishing platform for ideas and stories.
What does Forem cost vs Medium?
Forem is free. Medium's cheapest paid plan is Member at $5/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Forem and Medium?
Forem's main strength: open-source nature allows for transparency and customization. Medium's main strength: built-in audience.