If you’re a writer, chances are you’ve heard the buzz about Medium — a platform where you can share your ideas and, if you’re lucky, even make a little money doing it.
But here’s the catch: while Medium is a popular place to write, it’s not always the best option for everyone. Whether it’s the algorithm, the paywall, or the platform’s control over your audience, many writers find themselves frustrated with Medium’s limitations.
If you’ve been wondering whether there’s a better home for your writing, you’re in luck. There are plenty of alternatives to Medium that might offer you more control, better monetization, and a more engaged audience.
Here are 20 great alternatives to Medium that you should consider — and why they might just be a better fit for your writing career.
1. Substack
Why It’s Great: Substack lets you create subscription-based newsletters, allowing writers to offer free or paid content directly to their audience. It’s all about building a community of loyal readers who love what you write.
Why It Might Be Better: Unlike Medium, where you depend on algorithms, Substack gives you full control over your audience and monetization. You own your email list, which means no one else controls your relationship with your readers.
2. Patreon
Why It’s Great: Patreon allows you to monetize your audience through memberships. Readers can subscribe to different tiers, offering everything from exclusive content to behind-the-scenes access.
Why It Might Be Better: If you have a dedicated fanbase, Patreon allows you to earn recurring revenue through direct support. It’s perfect for building a close-knit community while getting paid for your creative work.
3. Ghost
Why It’s Great: Ghost is an open-source platform that allows writers to create their own blogs and newsletters. You can monetize your content by offering subscriptions.
Why It Might Be Better: Ghost gives you more control over the design and functionality of your blog compared to Medium, and you don’t have to worry about algorithms dictating your content’s visibility.
4. Buy Me a Coffee
Why It’s Great: Buy Me a Coffee offers a simple way for your readers to support you by making small, one-time donations (or “buying you a coffee”).
Why It Might Be Better: It’s straightforward and user-friendly, with no complicated subscription models. You can also offer memberships or sell digital products directly to your readers.
5. Ko-fi
Why It’s Great: Ko-fi is similar to Buy Me a Coffee but offers more flexibility, including one-time donations, commissions, and memberships. It’s a versatile tool for writers, artists, and other creators.
Why It Might Be Better: Ko-fi doesn’t take a cut from one-time donations, and it provides multiple ways to monetize your work. Plus, it’s less reliant on algorithms, giving you direct access to your supporters.
6. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Why It’s Great: KDP allows writers to self-publish ebooks and paperbacks on Amazon. You earn royalties from book sales, and Amazon’s vast marketplace can provide significant exposure.
Why It Might Be Better: If your goal is to publish long-form work like books, Medium can’t compete with the reach and income potential of Amazon’s KDP. Plus, you have full control over pricing and marketing strategies.
7. Reedsy Discovery
Why It’s Great: Reedsy Discovery connects indie authors with readers who love discovering new books. Authors can gain exposure and receive tips from readers who enjoy their work.
Why It Might Be Better: It’s a great alternative for authors looking to market and monetize their books, with an engaged community that’s focused on discovering fresh voices in the literary world.
8. Wattpad Paid Stories
Why It’s Great: Wattpad is a platform that allows writers to share stories for free, but with Paid Stories, you can charge readers to access certain content.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re a fiction writer, Wattpad has a large, active community, making it easier to grow an audience. With Paid Stories, you can directly monetize your creative work.
9. Vella (Amazon)
Why It’s Great: Vella is Amazon’s platform for serialized stories. You can publish episodic content, and readers pay for each installment using tokens.
Why It Might Be Better: Serialized storytelling is becoming increasingly popular, and Amazon’s reach can help you build an audience for your fiction in a way that Medium simply can’t.
10. Blurb
Why It’s Great: Blurb is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to create and sell beautiful, custom books. It’s ideal for visual-heavy projects like photo books or graphic novels.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re looking to publish books with a strong visual component, Blurb offers more creative freedom than Medium. Plus, you can sell both physical and digital copies directly to your audience.
11. HubPages
Why It’s Great: HubPages lets you earn money through ad revenue and affiliate marketing. It’s more of a blog-style platform, but with a focus on SEO to help you drive long-term traffic.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re good at writing SEO-optimized content, HubPages could generate passive income from your articles over time — something Medium struggles with due to its paywall and algorithm changes.
12. Vocal Media
Why It’s Great: Vocal Media pays writers based on the number of reads their articles receive. They also offer bonuses for top-performing content and writing contests.
Why It Might Be Better: Vocal Media is a good option for writers who want to earn directly from readership, with less dependence on algorithms. The bonuses and contests can provide additional opportunities for earning.
13. Scribophile
Why It’s Great: Scribophile is a community for writers focused on providing and receiving critiques. While not a direct monetization platform, it helps authors improve their work.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re looking to hone your writing skills and build relationships with other writers, Scribophile offers invaluable feedback and networking opportunities. Better writing can lead to better monetization in the long run.
14. Fiverr
Why It’s Great: Fiverr allows you to sell writing services, from blog posts to ghostwriting, to clients worldwide. You set your own rates and offer different tiers of service.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re looking for a platform where you can earn consistent income by providing writing services, Fiverr offers more control over pricing and client interactions than Medium.
15. Upwork
Why It’s Great: Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, offering opportunities for writers to connect with clients and get paid for various types of content.
Why It Might Be Better: Like Fiverr, Upwork is ideal for writers who want to take on client-based work. The platform has a wide range of job types and skill levels, allowing you to find the best match for your expertise.
16. Textbroker
Why It’s Great: Textbroker connects freelance writers with clients who need content for websites, blogs, and other marketing materials. Writers are paid per word based on their skill level.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re a fast, efficient writer looking for quick gigs, Textbroker can offer steady work and immediate payment, which Medium doesn’t always guarantee.
17. Steemit
Why It’s Great: Steemit is a blockchain-based platform that rewards users with cryptocurrency for creating content. Writers earn Steem tokens when their posts are upvoted by the community.
Why It Might Be Better: If you’re interested in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Steemit offers a unique way to monetize your content outside traditional fiat currencies, giving it a unique edge over Medium.
18. LinkedIn Articles
Why It’s Great: LinkedIn allows users to publish articles that can help build authority in their niche. While it’s not a direct monetization tool, it’s a great way to attract business opportunities.
Why It Might Be Better: For professional or business-related content, LinkedIn can help you reach a highly targeted audience. It’s also an excellent way to network and gain clients for freelance writing or consulting services.
19. Contena
Why It’s Great: Contena is a premium platform that helps writers find high-paying freelance writing gigs across various industries. It offers job boards, coaching, and educational resources.
Why It Might Be Better: If your goal is to find well-paid, consistent freelance writing work, Contena provides a curated selection of opportunities that pay more than typical content mills, unlike Medium’s more unpredictable revenue streams.
20. NewsBreak
Why It’s Great: NewsBreak focuses on local journalism and pays contributors based on the performance of their articles. It’s a good option for writers interested in news, community stories, and journalism.
Why It Might Be Better: For journalists or those interested in writing about local news and current events, NewsBreak offers a more structured way to monetize writing compared to Medium’s general audience.
Choose the Right Platform for You
While Medium has its perks, it’s not the perfect fit for every writer.
If you’re looking for more control, better monetization, or simply a platform that aligns more with your goals, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.
The right platform depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Whether it’s building a newsletter with Substack, publishing a book on Amazon KDP, or selling writing services on Fiverr, there are plenty of ways to get paid for your words outside of Medium.
Take the time to explore your options, and find the platform that suits your needs and helps you build a sustainable writing career.