Medium vs Substack: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Medium and Substack comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Substack wins this matchup. Our overall Writing & Content pick is WordPress. Our free Writing & Content pick is WordPress. Pick Medium if you need blogging platforms.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Medium
Publishing platform for ideas and stories
Best for you if:
- • You want built-in audience
- • You want clean reading experience
Substack
Newsletter platform for writers
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free to start
- • You want built-in payments
| At a Glance | Medium | Substack |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Blogging Platforms | Newsletter Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 2.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Medium or Substack?
Choose Medium if
Publishing platform for ideas and stories
- You want built-in audience
- You want clean reading experience
- Your work is blogging platforms-shaped, not newsletter tools-shaped
Choose Substack if
Newsletter platform for writers
- You want completely free to start
- You want built-in payments
- Your work is newsletter tools-shaped, not blogging platforms-shaped
| Feature | Medium | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 5,708 reviews | ★2.4/5 179 reviews |
| Categories | Blogging PlatformsWriting & Content | Newsletter ToolsWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
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
- +Built-in audience
- +Clean reading experience
- +Monetization options
- +Easy to publish
Weaknesses
- -Limited customization
- -Medium owns the platform
- -Paywall can limit reach
Key features
Substack
Newsletter platform for writers
Substack's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a full-featured free tier and only taking a 10% cut of revenue for paid newsletters.
Watch out
Stripe payment processing fees (approx. 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
Strengths
- +Completely free to start
- +Built-in payments
- +Simple to use
- +Large network
Weaknesses
- -10% revenue cut
- -Limited customization
- -Basic features
Key features
Pricing: Medium vs Substack
| Plan | Medium | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | 0 forever Free |
| Tier 2 | $5 month Member | 10% of revenue Paid newsletters |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Medium pricing and Substack pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Medium
Want the highest-rated option?
Medium: 4.7/5 (5,708 reviews). Substack: 2.4/5 (179 reviews).
Go with: Medium
Value user reviews?
Medium: 5,708 reviews (4.7/5). Substack: 179 reviews (2.4/5).
Go with: Medium
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Medium is a blogging platforms tool. Substack is in newsletter tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Medium is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 2.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Substack
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Medium
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 2.4/5
- Larger review base (5,708 reviews)
- Better fit for blogging platforms
The Bottom Line
Substack wins this matchup. Our overall Writing & Content pick is WordPress. Our free Writing & Content pick is WordPress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medium or Substack better?
Substack is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Medium and Substack used for?
Medium: Publishing platform for ideas and stories. Substack: Newsletter platform for writers.
What does Medium cost vs Substack?
Medium is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Substack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.