Substack vs Medium: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Substack and Medium 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. Medium is our overall Writing & Content pick. Medium is our free Writing & Content pick. 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:
Substack
Newsletter platform for writers
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free to start
- • You want built-in payments
Medium
Publishing platform for ideas and stories
Best for you if:
- • You want built-in audience
- • You want clean reading experience
| At a Glance | Substack | Medium |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Newsletter Tools | Blogging Platforms |
Rating | 2.4/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Substack or Medium?
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
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
| Feature | Substack | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★2.4/5 179 reviews | ★4.7/5 5,708 reviews |
| Categories | Newsletter ToolsWriting & Content | Blogging PlatformsWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Substack vs Medium
| Plan | Substack | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 forever Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | 10% of revenue Paid newsletters | $5 month Member |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Substack pricing and Medium pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Substack
Want the highest-rated option?
Substack: 2.4/5 (179 reviews). Medium: 4.7/5 (5,708 reviews).
Go with: Medium
Value user reviews?
Substack: 179 reviews (2.4/5). Medium: 5,708 reviews (4.7/5).
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?
Substack is a newsletter tools tool. Medium is in blogging platforms. 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. Medium is our overall Writing & Content pick. Medium is our free Writing & Content pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Substack or Medium better?
Substack is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Substack and Medium used for?
Substack: Newsletter platform for writers. Medium: Publishing platform for ideas and stories.
What does Substack cost vs Medium?
Substack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Medium is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.