13 Best Medium alternatives in 2025

Medium is great… but not for everyone

Why people love Medium:

Where Medium falls short:

Medium is ideal if…

• You want an easy, all-in-one platform with a built-in audience.

• You don’t want to deal with website management or SEO.

• You’re writing as a side hustle rather than a full-time income source.

1. InBlog – A modern blogging platform for content teams

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Starts at $39/month

Pricing details:

• SEO-optimized (Lighthouse Score 90+)

• Lead capture forms

• Custom branding

• Subdirectory hosting

• Subdomain hosting

• Google Search Console integration

• Keyword tracking

• Index checker

• Google Analytics integration

• Social posting

• Unlimited posts

• Priority support

• Team collaboration

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Fully optimized for SEO without extra effort

• Built-in lead generation forms

• Advanced analytics to track content performance

• User-friendly interface for marketing teams

• Free 14-day trial

Why it might not be for you:

• A relatively new platform, so some features may still be evolving

• No AI assistance for content creation

2. Vocal.Media – Simple monetization for writers

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, with a Vocal+ subscription at $9.99/month

Earnings & Pricing

Why it’s great:

• No need to build an audience from scratch → Unlike running your own blog or website, Vocal.Media already has built-in traffic. Your articles can be discovered by readers browsing different communities, meaning you don’t have to start from zero.

• Multiple niche communities to target → Whether you’re into tech, travel, health, or poetry, Vocal has dedicated spaces for different topics. This makes it easier to reach the right audience rather than just throwing your content into the void.

• Readers can tip directly → On top of earning per 1,000 views, Vocal allows readers to support you with direct tips. If your content resonates with someone, they can send you money instantly—no complicated monetization setup needed.

Why it might not be for you:

• Lower payout rates compared to ad-based platforms → While Vocal does pay per view, the rates aren’t as high as platforms that rely on ad revenue (like YouTube or some blogging networks). If you’re used to making money through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing, the earnings here might feel underwhelming.

• Limited customization for branding → Unlike running your own blog, you don’t have much control over the look and feel of your content. No custom domain, no personal branding—your articles exist within Vocal’s ecosystem, making it harder to build a distinct identity as a writer.

3. Substack – Best for newsletters & making money

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free to start; Substack takes 10% of your subscription earnings, plus Stripe processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Example:

Why it’s great:

• Easy content monetization – Start earning without complicated setup

• Built-in platform for writing and email distribution – No need for extra newsletter tools.

• User-friendly interface – Simple and clean, even for beginners.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited design and SEO customization – You can’t personalize your blog’s appearance much or optimize for Google searches.

• Substack takes a percentage of your earnings – Unlike platforms with fixed monthly fees, Substack follows a revenue-sharing model (it keeps 10% of what you earn, plus Stripe’s transaction fees).

4. Ghost – The open-source alternative

• Self-hosted? Yes

• Pricing: Starts at $9/month (self-hosted) or $36/month (Ghost Pro)

Pricing

Why it’s great:

• Full control over branding and monetization → Unlike Medium or Vocal.Media, where your content sits on their platform, Ghost lets you fully own and customize your site. You can design your blog however you want, use your own domain, and monetize through memberships, ads, or sponsorships—without platform restrictions.

• No revenue-sharing model → What you earn is 100% yours. Unlike Medium, which takes a cut from the Medium Partner Program, or platforms that rely on ad revenue splits, Ghost gives you total control over your income streams.

• SEO-friendly and fast performance → Ghost is built for speed and optimization. Since it’s lightweight and designed specifically for blogging, your content loads quickly and ranks well on Google—giving you a better shot at organic traffic.

Why it might not be for you:

• Requires technical knowledge to self-host → If you go with the self-hosted version ($9/month+), you’ll need to handle server setup, maintenance, and security yourself. This isn’t a problem if you’re comfortable with WordPress-like setups, but for beginners, it can be overwhelming.

• Higher upfront costs than Medium → Ghost Pro (the hosted version) starts at $36/month, which is significantly more expensive than Medium’s free model. If you’re not confident about monetizing your content right away, the cost might not be worth it compared to other free or cheaper alternatives.

5. HubPages – Monetization through ads

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free to join, earns from ads and affiliate links

Earnings & Pricing

Why it’s great:

• Potential for passive income → If you write evergreen content (articles that stay relevant for years), you can keep earning from ad views long after you’ve published. This makes HubPages a good option for long-term monetization.

• No upfront costs → Unlike some self-hosted blogging options, HubPages is completely free to use. You don’t need to pay for hosting, domains, or premium features—just write and publish.

• Covers a wide range of topics → Whether you’re into tech, travel, finance, or DIY crafts, HubPages allows a variety of content. Some niches (like personal finance and health) tend to perform particularly well in terms of earnings.

Why it might not be for you:

• Low earnings unless you drive high traffic → Because revenue depends on ad impressions, you need a significant number of views to make decent money. Writers who don’t focus on SEO or viral content may struggle to see substantial earnings.

• Ad revenue is unpredictable → Your income depends on factors outside your control, like changes in ad rates, viewer engagement, and algorithm shifts. If ad revenue drops, so do your earnings.

• Less control over monetization → Unlike platforms like Ghost or Substack, where you can set your own pricing and revenue streams, HubPages limits you to their ad and affiliate system. This can make it harder to scale your income in the long run.

6. Steemit – Earn crypto by writing

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, earnings paid in STEEM ((a digital currency used on Steemit) cryptocurrency

Why it’s great:

Why it might not be for you:

7. NewsBreak – A platform for local journalism

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, with revenue from page views and referrals (inviting others to join the platform).

Why it’s great:

• Perfect for local journalists and bloggers : If you enjoy covering community news, city updates, or local events, NewsBreak gives you a dedicated audience looking for this kind of content.

• No cost to join : You can sign up and start writing for free, without worrying about hosting fees or subscriptions.

• Earnings based on page views : The more people read your articles, the more money you make. There’s no fixed rate, but if your content gets a lot of traction, it can be profitable.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited to news-related content : Unlike platforms like Medium, where you can write about anything, NewsBreak is focused on news, current events, and local topics. If you prefer personal blogs or creative writing, this might not be the best fit.

• Monetization has requirements : You must have at least 100 followers and 10 published articles before you can start earning. If you're just starting out, it might take time to qualify.

8. WordPress – The OG CMS

WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com: What’s the difference?

• WordPress.org → Self-hosted, full control. You need to find a hosting provider, but you get full customization, access to all plugins, and the ability to monetize freely. Best for those who want a serious, scalable website.

• WordPress.com → Hosted solution, easier to use. No need for separate hosting, but customization is limited unless you pay for higher-tier plans. Best for beginners who want a simple, hassle-free setup.

Example:

An example of a website built with WordPress :

Why it’s great:

• Thousands of themes and plugins

• Powerful SEO tools (Yoast SEO, RankMath, etc.)

• Can grow with you, from a small blog to a full business

• Fully customizable (design, functionality, features)

• Scalable: from a personal blog to a full e-commerce site

Why it might not be for you:

• Takes a bit of setup

• Can be overwhelming for beginners

• Requires maintenance (updates, security, backups)

• Some premium themes and plugins can add extra costs

Pricing details:

9. Differ – A transparent blogging platform without algorithms

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free

Why it’s great:

• No algorithmic ranking : Your content isn’t buried by automated recommendation systems. Instead, readers find your work through search and tags, ensuring fair exposure.

• Markdown support : The platform supports Markdown (a simple text-based formatting tool that lets you easily add bold text, italics, and links without complex editors).

• Human curation : Instead of AI deciding what’s popular, real editors handpick and feature high-quality content, giving well-written stories a fair chance.

• Writing contests with cash prizes : Regular competitions let writers earn money based on talent and creativity, rather than just traffic.

Why it might not be for you:

• A newer platform with growing traffic : Since Differ is still expanding, the audience might be smaller compared to well-established platforms like Wordpress.

• Lacks advanced analytics tools : If you rely on detailed insights into reader engagement (such as traffic reports and audience demographics), you may find the platform lacking in data analysis.

10. Dev.to – A developer-focused blogging platform

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free

Why it’s great:

• Markdown support for code snippets : Dev.to supports Markdown (a lightweight formatting tool that makes it easy to include properly formatted code in your articles).

• Strong community engagement – The platform is known for its interactive and supportive developer community, where users frequently comment, react, and discuss content.

• Integration with GitHub – You can connect your Dev.to profile with GitHub (a platform for hosting and managing code projects) to showcase your work and boost your visibility in the tech world.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited to developer-related content : If you want to write about non-tech topics, Dev.to isn’t the right platform.

• No built-in monetization options : Unlike Medium, where you can earn money from reads, Dev.to doesn’t offer direct monetization. However, it can help you build a reputation, which might lead to job offers or freelance opportunities.

11. Quora+

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Readers pay a subscription fee for access.

Why it’s great:

• Direct earnings from readers : You get paid when Quora+ members read and engage with your content, similar to Medium’s Partner Program.

• Referral bonuses : If your answers convince users to become Quora+ subscribers, you earn additional revenue.

• Available in multiple countries : According to Quora’s Help Center, the program is available in the U.S., Japan, Germany, France, the U.K., India, Canada, and more.

Why it might not be for you:

• Requires a Stripe or PayPal account : To receive payments, you need an account with Stripe or PayPal, and the minimum payout threshold is $10.

• Not available in all countries : If Quora+ isn’t supported in your country, you won’t be able to monetize your content.

12. Blogger – Best free option for beginners

• Self-hosted? No (Google hosts your blog for free)

• Pricing: 100% free – No hosting or domain costs

• Ease of use: Extremely simple, ideal for beginners

Example:

Why it’s great:

• 100% free – No hosting fees, no hidden costs.

• Google integration – Works seamlessly with Google services like Drive, Photos, and Search Console.

• Super easy to use – Even complete beginners can start blogging in minutes.

• Hosting included – No need to purchase a separate web server.

Why it might not be for you:

• Limited design options – The themes are basic and lack flexibility compared to WordPress or Squarespace.

• Restricted customization – Few options for adding advanced features like memberships or ecommerce.

• Not really great for SEO – While it has basic SEO settings, it’s not as powerful as WordPress or Ghost for ranking on Google.

• Limited monetization options – You can use Google AdSense, but customization and control over monetization are minimal.

• You don’t fully own your blog – Since Blogger is owned by Google, you must follow their policies, and your blog could be taken down if it violates their terms.

• No custom domain by default – Your blog will have a .blogspot.com address unless you purchase a custom domain.

• Outdated interface – Blogger’s editor has not evolved much in recent years, making it feel old-fashioned compared to modern platforms.

• Not ideal for scaling – If you plan to turn your blog into a business, WordPress or Ghost would be better long-term options.

13. Tumblr – A social blogging platform

• Self-hosted? No

• Pricing: Free, with optional premium features.

Why it’s great:

• Highly visual and interactive : Perfect for artists, photographers, and meme creators, as Tumblr supports images, GIFs, and short-form content.

• Built-in audience and engagement : Content spreads organically through reblogs and tags, even if you’re just starting out.

• Optional premium features : You can upgrade for an ad-free experience and other perks, but the core platform remains free.

Why it might not be for you:

Summary :