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Head-to-head · Newsletter Publishing Platforms

Substack vs Medium

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Substack #1 in Newsletter Publishing Platforms 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Substack
Medium #4 in Newsletter Publishing Platforms 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Medium

Substack leads on 0 checks, Medium on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSubstack · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMedium · 1 of 2

Substack scores higher on our rubric for newsletter publishing platforms: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Medium offers custom domain; Substack doesn't publish it.

Substack is the better fit for writers building a paid newsletter audience. Medium is the better fit for writers seeking a publication and built-in readership.

  • Substack fits best

    Writers building a paid newsletter audience

  • Medium fits best

    Writers seeking a publication and built-in readership

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Substack 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Medium 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Newsletter Publishing Platforms #4 in Newsletter Publishing Platforms
Best for Writers building a paid newsletter audience Writers seeking a publication and built-in readership
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Substack 0/2 · Medium 1/2
Paid subscriptions Not published Not published
Custom domain Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Free audience limit Not published Not published
Publishing channels Not published Not published
Platform fee on paid subs Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines newsletter publishing with monthly, annual, and founding-member subscriptions
  • Segments subscribers and automates welcome emails and lifecycle campaigns
  • Offers discovery, community, podcast hosting, and analytics alongside publishing
  • Publish scheduled stories and send publication newsletters.
  • Support multi-author publications with editors, writers, and submissions.
  • Use member-only stories, reader subscriptions, and built-in statistics.
Cons
  • Paid subscriptions incur a revenue share rather than a fixed creator plan
  • Email automation is centered on publishing and subscriber lifecycle campaigns
  • Support is listed through documentation
  • Newsletter delivery sits within a broader story-publishing product.
  • Custom publication design is limited to layouts and sections.
  • Subscription tiers are described by benefits rather than clear prices here.
Our verdict

Substack brings publishing, newsletter delivery, paid subscriptions, and audience features together for writers, podcasters, video creators, and media organizations. It supports free or paid content, a customizable website, mobile apps,…

Read the review →

Medium combines story publishing with publication newsletters, making it a fit for writers who want articles and email delivery under one publication. Individuals, organizations, and editorial teams can publish stories, schedule posts,…

Read the review →
  1. SubstackNewsletter Publishing Platforms 9.4Free plan
  2. MediumNewsletter Publishing Platforms 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Substack — where it wins

    • Combines newsletter publishing with monthly, annual, and founding-member subscriptions
    • Segments subscribers and automates welcome emails and lifecycle campaigns
    • Offers discovery, community, podcast hosting, and analytics alongside publishing

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid subscriptions incur a revenue share rather than a fixed creator plan
    • Email automation is centered on publishing and subscriber lifecycle campaigns
    • Support is listed through documentation

  • Medium — where it wins

    • Publish scheduled stories and send publication newsletters.
    • Support multi-author publications with editors, writers, and submissions.
    • Use member-only stories, reader subscriptions, and built-in statistics.

    Where it doesn't

    • Newsletter delivery sits within a broader story-publishing product.
    • Custom publication design is limited to layouts and sections.
    • Subscription tiers are described by benefits rather than clear prices here.
  • Substack9.4/10 · Free plan

    A publishing-first platform for writers who want free and paid newsletters with built-in discovery.

    Visit SubstackFull verdict →
  • Medium8.7/10 · Free plan

    A story-publishing home with newsletters, memberships, and a built-in readership.

    Visit MediumFull verdict →

More comparisons

All newsletter publishing platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update