Medium vs Substack for writers: key differences explained for beginners

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 12m ago

The short answer for beginners

If you are just starting to write online and want to know whether anyone will read your work, Medium offers a faster route to first readers. If you already have some audience, perhaps from social media, a community or your job, or you want to build something you control, Substack is often the better home. Neither is permanently better. The right choice depends on your goals for the next year, and many writers use both at different stages. The sections below explain the differences that matter most when you are new.

Key differences side by side

| Question | Medium | Substack |

|---|---|---|

| Who finds your work? | Platform recommendations and topics | Mainly readers you bring, plus network recommendations |

| How do you earn? | Partner programme based on member reading | Readers paying for your subscription |

| Can you export readers? | No, followers stay on the platform | Yes, email list is exportable |

| What rhythm suits it? | Standalone articles any time | Regular newsletter issues |

| What does it cost? | Free to publish | Free to publish, share of paid revenue |

Difference 1: ownership of your audience

On Substack, every subscriber gives you their email address, and you can download the list. If the platform changes its rules or you want to move, your readers can come with you. On Medium, people follow your profile, but you cannot download their contact details, and how often your stories reach them depends on the platform. For beginners, this may seem unimportant, but the readers you collect in your first year can become your most valuable asset later.

Difference 2: how readers discover you

Medium places stories in topic feeds, recommendations and publications, so someone who has never heard of you can read your article within hours of publishing. Substack has a growing network of recommendations between newsletters and an app with discovery features, but most growth still comes from sharing your work elsewhere, guest posts and recommendations from other writers. Beginners with no audience often find their first hundred readers faster on Medium.

Difference 3: how money arrives

Medium's partner programme pays eligible writers based on how paying members engage with their stories, so income is shared from a larger pool and can change month to month. Substack income comes from readers choosing to pay for your newsletter at a price you set, with the platform taking a share, commonly 10%, plus card processing fees. Medium can pay small amounts early, while Substack pays nothing until readers decide your work is worth a subscription.

Difference 4: publishing rhythm

Newsletter readers expect issues to arrive on a schedule, such as every Tuesday, and may lose interest if you go quiet for weeks. Medium readers mostly encounter individual stories, so you can publish when an idea is ready without a strict calendar. Beginners who struggle with deadlines may find Medium less stressful at first, while those who like routine often enjoy the structure of a weekly newsletter.

Difference 5: control over presentation and pricing

Substack lets you set your own subscription prices, decide which posts are free or paid, add a custom web address and shape your publication's homepage. Medium gives you less control over design and no control over the rate you are paid, but it handles distribution for you. More control means more decisions, which some beginners enjoy and others find overwhelming.

Difference 6: community features

Substack includes comments, discussion threads, chat for subscribers and notes, which encourage conversations around your writing. Medium has highlights, responses and claps, which provide feedback but feel less like a private community. If you want to build a close group of regular readers who talk to you and each other, newsletter tools are usually stronger.

Worked example: a new writer on Medium

Lina publishes 10 stories in her first two months. Two are picked up by topic recommendations, and she gains 300 followers. If her partner programme earnings total 45 dollars for the period and she spent 40 hours writing, she earned about 1.13 dollars an hour. The money is small, but she has learned which topics readers enjoy.

Worked example: the same writer on Substack

Lina starts a weekly newsletter and shares it with friends, colleagues and her social media followers, reaching 250 free subscribers in two months. She has not turned on paid subscriptions yet, so she has earned nothing. However, she owns a list of 250 readers who chose to receive her emails, and if 4% later pay 5 dollars a month, that would be 10 readers and 50 dollars a month before fees. The percentage calculator on this site helps with these sums.

Common beginner mistakes

New writers often spread themselves across too many platforms at once and give up when growth is slow everywhere. Others chase trending topics unrelated to their interests and struggle to keep going. Some switch on paid subscriptions before they have a clear reason for readers to pay. Another common mistake is never collecting email addresses at all, which leaves writers dependent on algorithms. Picking one main platform, a clear topic and a realistic schedule avoids most of these problems.

A simple decision guide

Ask yourself three questions. Do I already have people who would read my work? If yes, Substack is a strong choice. Do I want strangers to discover my writing quickly so I can test ideas? If yes, Medium may suit you better. Do I want income from loyal readers in the long term? If yes, start building an email list now, wherever you publish. Your answers point you towards a starting platform, and you can add the other later.

Using both without doubling your work

Some writers publish a shorter version of an article on Medium with a link inviting readers to subscribe for deeper posts, while keeping their full analysis for newsletter subscribers. Others publish evergreen guides on Medium and personal updates on Substack. Check each platform's rules before republishing, and always add value rather than copying the same text everywhere.

Disclosure and trust

Whichever platform you choose, be transparent about sponsorships and affiliate links. Advertising rules expect creators to disclose financial relationships clearly, and readers trust writers who are honest about how they earn.

Reviewing your choice after 90 days

Give your chosen platform at least three months of consistent effort. Then review followers or subscribers, reading time, replies and any earnings. If you are getting readers but no lasting connection, consider adding a newsletter. If your newsletter is growing slowly, consider publishing selected pieces on Medium for extra reach.

What beginners should write first

On either platform, your first pieces should show readers what to expect from you. Write a short introduction explaining who you are and what you will cover, then three or four strong pieces on your core topic. On Medium, practical guides, personal stories with lessons and clear opinion pieces often perform well because they answer specific questions or spark discussion. On Substack, a welcome post, a first issue that delivers real value and a simple archive help new subscribers understand why they should stay. Avoid spending weeks perfecting design before publishing, because readers care far more about useful words than visual polish.

Time and energy required

Both platforms reward steady effort. A realistic starting plan is one well-edited piece a week, plus a little time to share it and reply to readers. Writers with full-time jobs may prefer Medium's flexible rhythm, while those who enjoy a regular routine may thrive with a weekly newsletter. Choose a pace you can keep for months, not just a few weeks.

How each platform handles changes

Both companies can adjust payouts, features and recommendation systems, and writers have seen such changes before. Building an email list, keeping copies of your work and diversifying income through freelance writing or products reduces the impact of any single change.

Keeping backups of your writing

Save copies of everything you publish in your own documents or cloud storage. If an account is locked or a platform shuts down a feature, you will still have your full archive ready to republish elsewhere.

Reader questions

Questions about writing online? Send them through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Platform rules, fees and payouts change, so check current terms. No income is guaranteed.

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