Explore the pros and cons of the best Medium alternatives -  HubPages, Differ, Substack, Hashnode, Hackernoon, Vocal Media, and more.

Initially, Evan Williams founded Medium with the vision of creating a long-form version of Twitter, providing a space for writers to share content beyond the limitations of 140 characters. While Medium has been a popular platform for many, exploring other options can offer unique features and benefits that may better align with your goals.

If you're a content creator, staying up-to-date with the best online blogging platforms is crucial to establishing your online presence, building your readership, and expanding your audience.

Here are some of the top Medium alternatives for 2024, each offering distinct features, whether free or paid to help you share your content, and reach and engage with your audience.

1. Differ

Differ.blog is a unique blogging platform that's completely free to use. It aims to create a more straightforward and engaging user experience for both writers and readers, and stands out for its transparency and control offered over content visibility, avoiding algorithmic curation along the way.

This approach (powerful filters placed in the user's hand, rather than the black box of an algorithm) allows readers to find the stories they want to read without being inundated with suggested content based on past behavior.

Alongside the standard rich-text editor, Differ fully supports markdown syntax. You can use markdown shortcuts like # for headings, > for blockquotes, and triple backticks (followed by a language) for code blocks. This is perfect for markdown enthusiasts, allowing you to effortlessly copy and paste your markdown content directly into Differ.

What's more, Differ's curation team will pick a number of articles weekly (from any topic; it just has to be good enough) to showcase on the homepage, increasing your chances of reaching more readers. Besides the showcase, the platform also offers a Trending section that ranks the top-performing articles by views, meaning if your article is getting more views, it can remain featured on the homepage for way longer than a week.

Users also get the ability to create publications that other users can follow and engage with. Like Medium, publications are essentially a hub for stories that are related by topic.

Differ is open to all topics ranging from pop culture to gaming, from politics to entertainment, tech to marketing, programming, storytelling, and more. Because of its intriguing approach, eschewing algorithmic content entirely, writers must add proper tags to their articles and adjust titles and metadata for SEO to increase reach, and readers need to filter their search based on appropriate tags. You'll have full control over your story, for better or worse.

Differ also regularly offers paid writing opportunities through writing contests that hand out cash prizes weekly.

👉For information on the writing challenge, check out their official publication.

Cost: Completely free to use. You can even create and customize your own publications for free.

Pros:

• Transparent approach that enables freedom of expression: Differ does not use algorithms to suggest content, offering a more transparent and user-driven experience. Writers can post their content without worrying about algorithmic biases that might limit their audience.
• User engagement: By focusing on user preferences rather than algorithms, Differ fosters a community where content visibility is more democratic.
• Human curation team to find the best of the best: Differ showcases exceptional stories regularly on the homepage, hand-picked by its experienced, diverse, and multicultural team.
• Ability to create publications: Much like Medium, Differ offers a publication feature to house articles related to similar topics.
• A powerful rich-text editor that is markdown aware: Beneficial for anyone more familiar with markdown, or preferring to import their articles stored in markdown format.

Cons:

• It's a fairly new platform: As Differ is a new platform it might take time initially to increase impressions. To help this along, you can share posts on various social media channels where you have more followers, or on platforms like Reddit.
• Early in development: While Differ offers the basics needed for blogging, right now it might lack some advanced features like advanced analytics, or an archive that can be sorted and filtered datewise. However, it is constantly in development, with new features added each week.

Differ is truly unique compared to anything on this list and could be one of the breakout platforms in the coming months. Check it out yourself, by signing up for free.

2. HubPages

HubPages is a community-driven publishing platform that allows writers to publish articles on a variety of topics, from sports and politics to beauty and relationships. It provides an integrated platform for creating and sharing content without needing extensive setup.

Ideal for those seeking greater control over SEO and steady income opportunities, HubPages provides a modular interface for creating blog posts, though it may take some time to get accustomed to.

The monetization potential of HubPages is limited --- with ad and affiliate commission opportunities requiring significant traffic for meaningful income. As for traffic, the platform attracts a substantial monthly traffic of 1.9 million.

Cost: Free to use, with optional monetization programs available.

Pros:

• Built-in community for instant engagement
• Easy to start and use
• No need for extensive setup

Cons:

• Takes time to gain significant visibility
• Limited design and customization options

3. Vocal Media

Vocal Media offers a diverse range of communities where writers can publish content on specific topics. It supports various forms of writing, including short stories, poetry, and personal essays.

For those seeking cash-prize writing challenges and quick exposure to a broad audience, this platform is an excellent choice. It boasts a simple, intuitive, and easily navigable interface, making it user-friendly for writers at all levels.

The monetization potential is decent --- with opportunities to earn through viral posts, writing challenges, and tips from readers. Additionally, with monthly traffic of 3 million, VocalMedia offers substantial visibility and engagement.

Cost: Free to use, with a premium Vocal+ membership available for additional benefits.

Pros:

• Multiple communities for targeted audiences
• Clean, ad-free user experience
• Premium membership available for additional benefits

Cons:

• Earnings depend heavily on readership
• Limited control over content presentation

4. Steemit

Steemit is a blockchain-based platform similar to Reddit, allowing users to share both short and long-form content. It is particularly appealing to those interested in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

This platform is ideal for those who prioritize transparency and freedom in their work. While it requires users to have an understanding of blockchain and cryptocurrency, the potential rewards are significant.

Monetization is high and is based on user engagement, with payments made in cryptocurrency. With a monthly traffic of 4.2 million, it provides ample opportunities for visibility and interaction.

Cost: Free to use.

Pros:

• Decentralized content management
• Community voting influences content visibility
• Earn cryptocurrency (STEEM) for participation

Cons:

• Complex monetization system
• Volatility of cryptocurrency can affect earnings

5. NewsBreak

NewsBreak focuses on local and national news, providing a platform for independent journalists and community bloggers. It distributes content to local readers, emphasizing local events and issues.

Ideal for news-style articles and topics on both local and national scales, this platform offers a straightforward and intuitive user experience, albeit with a somewhat cluttered interface due to ads.

The monetization potential is strong, particularly through the creation of viral news content. With a monthly traffic of 18.6 million, it provides significant opportunities for widespread visibility and audience engagement.

Cost: Free to use, with eligibility requirements for content creators.

Pros:

• Strong focus on local news
• Distributes content to relevant local readers
• Free to use for eligible creators

Cons:

• Eligibility requirements for content creators
• Limited to news and community-focused content

6. Substack

Substack is a platform designed for creating and distributing email newsletters. It allows writers to build a subscriber base and share content directly through email, bypassing traditional social media algorithms.

Ideal for building direct relationships with readers through newsletters, this platform offers a simple and clean user experience. However, managing subscribers and analyzing data does require some learning.

The monetization potential is high, primarily through paid subscriptions. With a monthly traffic of 44.5 million, it provides extensive opportunities for engaging with a large audience and maximizing revenue.

Cost: Free to start, with a 10% fee on revenue from paid subscriptions.

Pros:

• Direct engagement with subscribers
• Easy to set up and use
• Free to start

Cons:

• 10% fee on revenue from paid subscriptions
• Limited to email newsletter format

7. Ghost

Ghost is an open-source blogging platform that offers advanced SEO tools and supports paid subscriptions for exclusive content. It is highly customizable and ideal for writers who want more control over their website design and functionality.

This platform is best for creating personalized blogs to market, curate, and distribute content. It features a clean user interface, though it does require technical knowledge for hosting.

The monetization potential is high, especially through paid subscriptions. However, specific monthly traffic data is not available.

Cost: Free to use with self-hosting, or paid plans available for hosted services.

Pros:

• High customization and control
• Strong SEO capabilities
• Supports paid subscriptions for exclusive content

Cons:

• Requires technical knowledge for setup
• Costs associated with hosting (if not self-hosting)

8. WordPress

WordPress.org is a highly flexible content management system (CMS) that allows complete customization of your blog or website. It supports a wide range of plugins and themes, making it suitable for any type of content.

This platform is ideal for establishing a blog or website with extensive customization options. It is feature-rich, which means it requires learning and technical skills to navigate effectively.

The monetization potential is huge, offering opportunities through ads, affiliate marketing, and e-commerce. However, specific monthly traffic data is not available.

Cost: Free to use with self-hosting; WordPress.com offers paid plans with hosting included.

Pros:

• Total control over design and functionality
• Wide range of plugins for additional features
• Strong SEO and analytics tools

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Costs for hosting and premium plugins/themes

9. Hashnode

Hashnode is designed specifically for developers and tech enthusiasts, providing a dedicated space for publishing and sharing technical content. It offers a seamless blogging experience, where you can write articles directly on your domain or use Hashnode's domain for free. The platform supports markdown, making it easy to format code snippets and technical documentation.

For those looking to engage with a niche community of developers and tech professionals, Hashnode is an ideal choice. The platform integrates with popular tools like GitHub and offers features like custom domains, SEO optimization, and newsletter integration. Hashnode's interface is clean and user-friendly, catering to both new and experienced bloggers.

Hashnode provides an excellent platform for developers looking to share knowledge and build a portfolio. And with a monthly traffic of approximately 1.2 million, writers can engage with a big audience that's also a focused community of like-minded individuals

Cost: Free to use, with options for custom domains and additional features available through a premium plan.

Pros:

• Tailored for technical and developer-focused content
• Supports custom domains and SEO tools
• Integration with GitHub and other developer tools
• Active community for tech-related discussions and feedback

Cons:

• Limited to tech and developer-related content
• Monetization options are not as robust as some other platforms
• Requires consistent, high-quality content to build a substantial audience

10. Dev.to

Dev.to is a vibrant online community for developers to share articles, tutorials, and discussions about various programming and tech-related topics. The platform is built with a focus on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for developers of all skill levels.

Dev.to supports markdown for easy formatting and code snippet inclusion, making it straightforward for developers to write and publish technical content. The platform's tagging system helps categorize articles, making it easy for users to find and engage with content that matches their interests. Additionally, dev.to offers integrations with GitHub, enabling seamless sharing and collaboration on projects.

If you're seeking a highly interactive and engaged developer community, dev.to is an excellent choice. The platform emphasizes community interaction, allowing users to comment, react, and engage with posts, fostering meaningful discussions and knowledge sharing. And with a monthly traffic of approximately 2.5 million, this is a good platform if you want to maximize the reach of your articles.

Cost: Free to use, with no premium plans, making it accessible to all developers.

Pros:

• Designed specifically for developers and tech enthusiasts
• Supports markdown for easy formatting of technical content
• Strong community interaction with comments and reactions
• Integration with GitHub for project sharing and collaboration
• Free to use with no premium plans

Cons:

• Limited to tech and developer-related content
• No built-in monetization options
• Requires consistent engagement to build a significant following

11. HackerNoon

HackerNoon is a technology-focused platform where technologists, software developers, and industry professionals share stories, insights, and tutorials about the latest in tech and programming. The platform offers a modern, clean interface that supports both markdown and rich text, making it easy to format and publish detailed technical articles.

HackerNoon is ideal for you if you want to delve into deeper tech topics, with a strong emphasis on long-form content. It features an active community of tech enthusiasts and professionals, providing ample opportunities for networking and feedback. The platform also supports integrations with various tools and offers robust analytics to track your article's performance.

If you're looking to reach a broad and engaged tech audience, HackerNoon is an excellent choice. The platform's editorial team often features standout articles, providing additional visibility to high-quality content. With a monthly traffic of around 4 million, HackerNoon offers substantial reach and engagement potential.

Cost: Free to use, with options for featured listings and other promotional tools available.

Pros:

• Tailored for technology and programming content
• Supports both markdown and rich text formatting
• Strong emphasis on long-form, in-depth articles
• Active community with opportunities for networking and feedback
• Robust analytics to track article performance

Cons:

• Limited to tech-related content
• Requires high-quality, in-depth content to stand out
• Monetization options are limited compared to other platforms
• Only approved stories are published on the platform

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform depends on your specific needs and goals.

HubPages and Vocal Media offer community-focused environments with built-in support for various types of content.

Steemit and NewsBreak provide niche platforms for specific interests like cryptocurrency and local news.

Substack focuses on direct email engagement, while Ghost and WordPress offer extensive customization and control.

Hackernoon, Hashnode, and dev.to with their developer audience are better suited if you're a developer looking to share your experience, document your coding journey, write tutorials, and connect with fellow professionals in the tech space.

Finally, if you want more transparency and control over selecting the content you want to see and want SEO and tags to be the only factors that determine the visibility of your stories, choose Differ.

Each platform has its unique strengths, whether it's community engagement, advanced SEO tools, or direct subscriber interaction. By understanding these features, you can choose the best Medium alternative to share your content and connect with your audience in 2024.