Writing Online: Medium and Substack Compared

If you want to write online without building a website, the two names that come up most are Medium and Substack. They look similar from the outside: clean pages, a simple editor, an invitation to publish. Underneath, they are built around different ideas. One is a reading platform where articles live and are recommended to readers inside the site. The other is a publishing tool where writers build email subscriber lists and, optionally, charge for access. Which suits you depends on what you want from writing: discovery, community, a portfolio, income or all of these.

Both platforms change features, policies and fees regularly. This guide describes broad differences, avoids quoting prices or percentages and names no other tools. Check each platform's current terms before you commit.

Start with your goals

Ask yourself:

• Do I want a portfolio of articles to show editors and employers?
• Do I want a loyal audience that I can contact directly?
• Do I want to explore different topics or build a niche?
• Do I want to earn money eventually?
• How much control do I want over design, domain and data?
• How much time can I put in?
• Am I comfortable with a platform's rules and potential changes?

Clarifying your goals prevents choosing a tool because it is popular.

The core difference

A reading platform

On a reading platform such as Medium, your articles join a large library. Readers often discover pieces through recommendations, topics or search. Your audience can grow through the platform's distribution, but you may have less direct control over who sees your work, and your relationship with readers is partly mediated by the platform.

An email-first platform

On an email-first platform such as Substack, you build a subscriber list. Posts go to readers' inboxes, and also live on a web page. Growth tends to come from your own promotion, recommendations and referrals. The relationship with readers is more direct, and the tools center on subscriptions and sometimes payments.

Both let you publish for free. Both have paid models that can change.

Discovery and audience

• Medium-style platforms have built-in discovery. New writers may find readers through topics and recommendations, though algorithms and editorial curation affect visibility. Competition is high.
• Substack-style platforms offer discovery features such as recommendation networks, notes and referral tools, but growth usually depends on your own effort: sharing posts, collaborating and building an audience elsewhere.
• Search engines can send traffic to both, depending on topics, quality and settings.
• Social sharing helps on any platform.

If you have no audience yet, built-in discovery can help you get your first readers. If you already have a community, direct email may serve you better.

Ownership, rights and exporting

• Copyright. In general, you retain copyright in what you write. You grant the platform a license to host and distribute it. Read the terms for details, including how they can use your content.
• Email list ownership. On an email-first platform, subscribers are typically yours in the sense that you can export the list, subject to the platform's rules and data protection law. Check export options.
• Content export. Both usually let you export posts, but formats and completeness vary. Test the process.
• Domain and branding. Some plans let you use your own domain. Check whether your readers and search ranking would move with you.
• Platform risk. Policies, algorithms and fees change. Keep a copy of everything you publish and your contacts.
• Paywalls. If you put work behind a paywall, think about how it affects your portfolio. Employers may not see it.

Newsletters and email

Email lists matter because they cut through social media noise.

• Email-first platforms make newsletters the default, with easy sign-up pages, subscriber management and analytics.
• Reading platforms offer some newsletter functions, but their strength lies in articles.
• Deliverability. Reputable platforms handle sending reputation, but spam filters can still affect delivery.
• Consent and privacy. You must follow laws about consent, unsubscribe and data protection.

If building a mailing list is important, favor tools that make list export easy.

Money

Both platforms offer or have offered ways to earn.

• Membership or partner programs pay writers based on reader engagement from paying members, subject to eligibility and rules.
• Paid subscriptions let you charge readers directly, with the platform taking a fee and payment processors adding costs.
• Other income can come from sponsorships, consulting or products you promote, subject to disclosure and rules.

Earnings are typically small at first, and depend on audience, niche and effort. Rules change. Do not budget your studies around it. International students should check visa limits before earning.

Design, control and experience

• Reading platforms emphasize clean, consistent reading experiences with limited design customization. That keeps things simple but limits branding.
• Email-first platforms let you customize your publication's name, logo, colors and about page to some degree. Layouts remain templated.
• Your own website offers the most control.
• Readability. Both are designed for clear reading on mobile.

If you care about a distinctive look, a personal site may suit you better, possibly linked to a newsletter tool.

Community and interaction

• Comments and highlights allow readers to react.
• Following and recommendations build networks.
• Short-form feeds or notes on some platforms let you post quick thoughts.
• Communities and chats may be available to subscribers.
• Moderation. You can usually moderate comments on your own posts. Be prepared for criticism and occasionally abuse.

Choose the environment where you feel comfortable engaging.

Analytics

Both provide basic stats such as views, reads and subscriber counts. Use them to learn which topics and titles resonate, not to judge your worth. Avoid obsessing over daily numbers.

Rules and moderation

• Content policies prohibit harassment, hate, illegal content and certain misinformation. Read them.
• Plagiarism and AI-generated content are subject to rules, and readers care about honesty. Be transparent about any tools you use, and write in your own voice.
• Copyright. Do not post work you do not have rights to.
• Disclosure. Label sponsored content and affiliate links.
• Privacy. Do not publish others' private information without consent.
• Academic rules. Do not publish assessed work in ways that breach your university's policies.

Choosing, or using both

Choose a reading platform if

• You want to experiment with topics and find readers inside a large community.
• You want a quick, low-maintenance place for essays.
• You do not want to manage a mailing list yet.

Choose an email-first platform if

• You want a direct relationship with subscribers.
• You plan to write regularly in a defined niche.
• You might eventually offer paid subscriptions.

Consider using both

• Publish on your newsletter first, then adapt selected pieces for a reading platform, following each platform's rules about duplicate content.
• Use a reading platform for discovery, and invite readers to subscribe to your list.

Consider your own site as a base

• Host your best work on a personal site with a domain you own, and use platforms to reach readers.

Writing tips for any platform

• Know your reader and what they need.
• Write clear titles that reflect the content.
• Hook early. Say why the piece matters.
• Be specific. Use examples, stories and details.
• Edit ruthlessly. Cut filler.
• Use headings and short paragraphs for readability.
• Cite sources and link to them.
• Ask a friend to read before publishing.
• Be consistent. A regular rhythm builds trust.
• Develop your voice. Write like a person.
• Respond to comments thoughtfully.
• Keep learning. Read widely and revise.

Safety and privacy

• Don't reveal your address, timetable or other private details.
• Consider using a pen name if you write about sensitive topics.
• Secure your accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Our digital safety section explains how.
• Beware of scams pretending to be platform staff or sponsors.
• Think about your future self. Public writing is searchable.

Common mistakes

• Choosing based on hype.
• Not keeping copies of your work.
• Ignoring export and ownership.
• Posting irregularly.
• Chasing money too soon.
• Writing for algorithms, not readers.
• Neglecting privacy.

A quick checklist

• Do I know my goals for writing online?
• Have I read the platform's terms about rights, exports and money?
• Do I keep copies of my work and contacts?
• Do I have a consistent schedule?
• Am I following copyright, disclosure and privacy rules?

Final thoughts

Medium-style and Substack-style platforms serve different needs: one favors discovery within a reading community, the other a direct line to subscribers. Decide what you want, read the terms and keep copies of your work. Consider a personal site as a stable home, and use platforms to reach readers. Above all, write regularly and honestly, and let your voice develop.