Why I Keep Coming Back to Medium vs. Substack?
Substack made me feel like a startup. Medium made me feel like a writer.
Let me say this upfront: I have nothing against Substack.
But I write here too. You might even be reading this on Substack right now. It's sleek, it’s empowering, and it gives writers complete control over their email list, which is like gold in the internet economy.
But here’s my truth: when I want to write — to explore, experiment, and share ideas without needing a subscriber funnel or a lead magnet — I go to Medium.
It’s the place where I started rediscovering my voice.
Medium Found Me Before I Found My Readers
When I first started publishing online, I had zero followers. Not a “small list.” I mean zero.
No newsletter.
No audience.
Just an urge to write stories that mattered — at least to me.
Medium didn’t care that I wasn’t a Twitter personality or a marketing machine. I wrote one vulnerable story, and within a few days, people started reading it.
Some clapped.
Some commented.
A few followed. And I thought: Wait, this thing works?
Medium has a built-in audience and a powerful recommendation engine. They curate, boost, and promote your stories for you.
You don’t have to beg your friends to “please subscribe” or chase SEO like it’s a second job.
On Substack, the default is hustle. On Medium, the default is discovery.
Substack Feels Like a Business. Medium Feels Like a Playground.
Substack wants you to build a brand. Find your niche. Publish weekly. Send welcome emails. Offer paid tiers. Be “strategic.”
And hey, that’s amazing if you’re running a newsletter as your business.
But not all of us want to build a media empire. Some of us want to write that essay about digital minimalism on Tuesday, post a silly productivity hack on Friday, and journal about burnout the week after.
Without wondering: “Does this fit my brand?”
Medium lets me be a messy, multi-passionate human. I can write about AI one day and my mom’s chai recipe the next. And nobody unsubscribes. Instead, I gain more followers who appreciate the range.
Substack often rewards consistency and specialization. Medium rewards authenticity and exploration.
I’m Not Here to Game SEO — But Medium Still Ranks
Here’s something I realized after Googling myself (don’t judge): most of my stories that show up on page one of Google are hosted on Medium.
Why?
Because Medium is 10+ years old, has massive domain authority, and gets tons of backlinks.
Their stories naturally rank higher. You don’t need to stuff keywords or learn “on-page optimization.” You just write well.
Compare that to Substack, where, unless you’re already famous or lucky enough to be featured in their directory, your stories sit quietly unless you share the link - repeatedly - across multiple platforms - at the right time of day.
Medium does the heavy lifting. Substack makes you do the squats.
Writing Without Deadlines? Yes, Please.
Here’s an underrated reason I love Medium: I’m not trapped by a schedule.
On Substack, once someone hits “subscribe,” there’s an unspoken agreement — you’ll keep showing up in their inbox. Otherwise, you risk losing their attention (and potentially, their payment).
But writing shouldn’t feel like owing someone rent.
Medium is gentler. It lets me publish when I want to, not when I have to. I’ve taken breaks, posted randomly, and returned with a story that still got curated — because the algorithm favors quality, not just consistency.
To me, that’s how creativity should feel. Free.
And Then There's the Vibe
Can we talk about community for a second?
Medium has its trolls, sure, but it feels like a reading space. It invites reflection. It encourages nuance. You’re more likely to get thoughtful comments and kind feedback than internet rage.
Substack, especially in recent months, has faced criticism over what kind of content it tolerates in the name of free speech. And as someone who values inclusive, respectful discourse, that matters.
Medium’s editorial policies and moderation make it feel like a space where ideas can breathe without getting hijacked by hate or disinformation. That’s not just important — it’s essential.
My Reader List Grew — Without the Hustle
Want to hear something wild?
I’ve collected more email subscribers through Medium than through Substack — without offering a free eBook, building a funnel, or tweeting every day.
Medium recently updated its email subscription feature. Now, when someone follows me, they get notified every time I post. And I didn’t have to do anything.
No pop-ups.
No landing page.
No “Subscribe now!” banner.
That’s what I call effortless audience building.
So, Why Do I Still Use Both?
Because they serve different needs.
Substack is where I write when I want to connect directly with my core audience — the people who want the full story in their inbox. It's excellent for long-form essays, building community, or launching a paid newsletter someday.
But Medium? That’s where I go when I just want to write. Not pitch. Not sell. Not schedule. Just write.
And 9 times out of 10, that’s exactly what I need.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a writer wondering which platform is “better,” you might be asking the wrong question.
It’s not Medium versus Substack.
It’s Medium for exploration and discovery.
It’s Substack for connection and ownership.
But if you’re starting from scratch, don’t want to feel like a marketer, and want your ideas to find their people?
Start with Medium.
It found me before I found myself as a writer. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Let me know your thoughts:
👉 Are you team Medium, team Substack, or secretly doing both?
I’d love to hear your take in the comments.
I think both are unique like you said. Great content.