In today’s digital world, reading and writing have moved online, and platforms like Medium have become popular for sharing and discovering content. However, other alternatives worth exploring offer unique features and communities.
This article introduces different platforms that can be used instead of Medium. Whether you’re a publisher looking for a new audience or a reader searching for fresh content, these alternatives can improve your reading and writing experience.
Each platform has its unique features and communities that encourage creativity and engagement. You can find platforms with customizable options, niche communities, or ad-free reading experiences. You can discover platforms that suit your preferences and needs by trying these alternatives.
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What Are The Best Medium Alternatives For Reading And Publishing
Before moving to Medium alternatives, what is Medium– it is a hosted platform that allows individuals to share their written content with a global audience, this provides space for writers, journalists, and experts to publish articles, essays, stories, and opinions on various topics from agriculture to technology and politics.
Starting out with Medium as a publisher or a reader is very simple and straightforward, just need to sign up which is totally free. Once you create an account you can publish and read articles.
If you are a content publisher you can make money from your content through the Medium Partner Program, however, every platform does have pros and cons.
I have prepared two lists of popular Medium alternatives for both readers, who are reading the blog, and publishers for writing and publishing content. These lists will help you discover alternative platforms based on your role. Let’s explore these lists below and find the options that suit your needs.
Best Medium Alternatives For Reading
Quora
Quora is a popular platform with over 400M monthly visitors, where people can ask questions and get answers from others, much similar to Medium but instead of long-form articles, it is mainly focused on short QA (Question and Answers)
When you ask a question on Quora, experts and knowledgeable people share their ideas by answering those questions. You can also answer questions that match your knowledge. Quora covers various topics like cooking, health, technology, business, and many more.
Due to the popularity of Quora, and the free sign-up process the quality of the answers has decreased, by choosing the topics and people you follow carefully, you can avoid poor and out-matched responses.
Quora offers a subscription plan Quora+ for an ad-free experience and access to exclusive content, for $6.99 per month.
★ Platform Available: Web, iOS, and Android
HubPages
HubPages is a platform like Medium where writers create different kinds of content, both long and short. You can find information on various topics like art, food, business, technology, and entertainment.
The special thing about HubPages is that experts have classified the content into categories, so readers can easily navigate through their interests. unlike Medium, all content is available to the reader.
Hubpages do have many similarities to Medium, Hubpages allows writers to make money from their blogs through the HubPages Amazon Program and Ad Program.
★ Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
LinkedIn is a widely used social media platform that focuses on professional connections and networking. It provides a range of online courses, both free and paid, allowing users to enhance their skills, earn certifications, and pursue their desired careers.
LinkedIn is also beneficial for publishers who want to promote their brand and establish a strong community of potential customers. By writing and publishing articles on LinkedIn, users can showcase their expertise and enhance their professional profile, giving them an advantage when seeking job opportunities or freelance work.
★ Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
DEV Community
DEV Community is a platform designed specifically for developers. It’s a great alternative to Medium if you’re interested in coding. You can find helpful blogs about programming languages and technologies like frameworks and libraries.
DEV Community offers more than just blogs. You’ll also find podcasts, videos, guides, job listings, and mentors to support you on your learning journey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this platform has something for everyone to learn and improve their skills.
Just like on Medium, you can create and publish your own blogs on the DEV Community as long as you follow their guidelines.
★ Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
Vocal Media
Vocal Media is a platform with nearly 2M monthly visitors, where you can find a wide range of interesting articles to read on different topics like nature, family, literature, beauty and education are few to name. Vocal Media has communities, you can choose a community based on your interests and start reading.
Vocal Media content creators can share their stories, connect with an audience, and earn money from their content. Regular members can earn $3.80 for every article that reaches 1000 reads, while Vocal Plus members have the opportunity to earn $6 for the same milestone.
The subscription plan for Vocal+ is $9.99 per month.
★ Available Platform: Web
Newsbreak
Newsbreak is an online news magazine with around 21M monthly visitors, that focuses on local and national news in the US. It is similar to Medium and provides a platform for writers to share content about local events, food, lifestyle, and much more.
Newsbreak can help local communities by allowing people like bloggers, journalists, and video creators to share news and information. If you have something important to say about your community, you can create and publish content on Newsbreak, then share your content with local readers, keeping them informed and connected.
NewsBreak allows content creators to monetize their content and make money.
★ Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
Best Medium Alternatives For Publishing
Substack
Substack is a popular platform with over 42M monthly visitors, that serves as an alternative to Medium, particularly for content creators who want to connect with their audience through newsletters and podcasts. It has gained significant popularity among writers looking to engage with their readers directly.
It’s a great platform for both beginner-level and experienced writers. The best part is that there are no editors or ad sales involved. You can simply write your content and publish it with a few clicks.
If you already have an active following, Substack offers a fantastic opportunity to start your business. Once you reach 1000 subscribers, Substack pays you $5 per month for each post. You can choose to make your posts available to all readers or exclusively for subscribers.
★ Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
Ghost
Ghost is a fully-featured content management system that serves as an excellent alternative to Medium, while Medium restricts interface customization, Ghost provides the flexibility to create a personalized website and effectively manage it.
Ghost has a simple editor, so you don’t need coding skills to write your content. Getting started with Ghost is also easy and hassle-free. You have complete control over the style, design, and display of your content, enabling you to create a unique and engaging user experience.
It’s important to note that Ghost is not a free platform. It offers plans starting at $11 per month, or $9 per month if billed annually.
★ Available Platform: Web
WordPress
WordPress is a fantastic option if you want to promote your brand or create a personal blog. It’s a popular tool that helps you manage and build websites. Almost half of all websites on the internet use WordPress.
There are two versions of WordPress: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a hosted platform that offers a free plan with limited features. WordPress.org is a self-hosted software that you can download for free and have more control over your website.
WordPress is not only for blogging; it’s a powerful tool for managing and creating websites. Writers and content creators can benefit from its features, including custom domains, analytics, targeted ads, and even online stores.
Available Platform: Web, iOS, and Android
Write.as
Write.as is simple and distraction-free environment for writers. It doesn’t display ads, and its user-friendly dashboard maintains a clean interface. The signup process is straightforward, enabling you to start creating content quickly. This makes it a great alternative to Medium.
Write.as has the option to stay anonymous while publishing your posts on the internet also Write.as allows you to create multiple blogs and identities, which is a feature that Medium doesn’t offer.
★ Available Platform: Web
Blogger
Blogger is an easy-to-use platform for starting a blog. It’s created by Google and anyone can sign up for it. You can publish blog posts and add various content like images, videos, and ads. Blogger also allows you to make money through advertising with AdSense.
If you’re new to blogging and want a hassle-free experience, Blogger is a great choice and a good alternative to Medium. However, it may not have advanced tools for experienced writers, and it doesn’t offer built-in SEO tools.
★ Available Platform: Web
Conclusion
In summary, the best Medium alternatives for both reading and publishing have been listed. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, there are several options to consider, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
For readers, platforms like Quora, DEV Community, HubPages, LinkedIn, and Vocal Media are recommended. These platforms provide valuable content and resources for readers and learners. If you’re looking to publish your own content, Substack, Write.as, Ghost and WordPress are excellent choices.
Take some time to look into the features and benefits of each platform. Then, choose the one that fits your needs the most. Appreciate the advantages it offers for your online presence and writing experience.
