There exist several platforms where one can portray their different skills like acting, dancing, singing, writing etc. There are several platforms where people can showcase their talents, and it is also possible to earn money by doing so.
About article writing and publishing, there exist two such useful and renowned platforms, namely, 1. Substack, and 2. Medium.
Key Takeaways
- Substack and Medium are online publishing platforms allowing users to create and share content, but they serve different audiences and purposes.
- Independent writers and journalists primarily use Substack to publish newsletters and other types of content for subscribers. At the same time, Medium is a platform for publishing longer-form articles and essays on various topics.
- While Substack focuses on building direct relationships with subscribers, Medium is more of a social platform emphasizing community engagement and discovery.
Substack vs Medium
The difference between substack and medium is their founders and the years in which they were launched or introduced to the world. Substack was founded and created by Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi in the year 2017. On the other hand, Medium was founded and created by Evan Williams on 15 August 2012.

Substack is an online platform that enables users to publish, write, and analyze articles on various topics. It was created and founded by Jairaj Sethi, Hamish McKenzie and Chris Best in the year 2017.
Medium is an online platform where people can read and write various articles on different topics and express their opinions and views.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Substack | Medium |
---|---|---|
Founders/ Creators | Jairaj Sethi, Hamish McKenzie and Chris Best | Evan Williams |
Founded on/ in | 2017 | 15 August 2012 |
Type of | Email newsletter platform | Social publishing platform |
Advantages | 1. Advanced features are available to people. 2. Subscription can be changed according to the userโs convenience. 3. Free tools for writing are provided. 4. Simple interface. | 1. Import tools of high quality are provided. 2. Social engagement is easy. Reach to a new audience is easily carried out. 3. Higher chances of getting acknowledged and noticed by professional publishers. 4. New Social media audience can be achieved. 5. Minimum efforts are required. 6. Own publication can be carried out by the respective user. |
Disadvantages | 1. Integration with third-party applications is limited. 2. Data analysis is constrained. 3. Less discovery of content selection. | 1. Less control is given. 2. Lack of analysis. 3. Search engine optimization can not be leveraged. |
What is Substack?
Substack is an online platform that enables users to publish, write, and analyze articles on various topics. It was created and founded by Jairaj Sethi, Hamish McKenzie and Chris Best in the year 2017.
Substack is an online email newsletter platform. Many people find it useful to publish their articles and writings on substack. Substack has evolved and has introduced various features ever since it was introduced to the people. In the year 2019, a feature of adding podcasts was introduced among the newsletter subscribers.
Several advantages of the substack include advanced features available to people, and the subscription can be changed according to the userโs convenience, free tools for writing are provided, a simpler interface etc.
Although substack has some disadvantages too, including limited integration with third-party applications, data analysis is constrained, less discovery of content selection, etc.
What is Medium?
Medium is an online platform where people can read and write various articles on different topics and express their opinions and views.
Medium is a type of online publishing platform for all people around the world. Various bloggers also participate and publish blogs on Medium.
Several advantages of using Medium include importing tools of high quality are provided, and social engagement is easy, reach to a new audience easily carried out, higher chances of getting acknowledged and noticed by professional publishers, a new social media audience can be achieved, minimum efforts are required, own publication can be carried out by the respective user etc.
Some disadvantages of using Medium, too, include less control given, lack of analysis, search engine optimization can not be leveraged, etc.
Main Differences Between Substack and Medium
- Substack was founded in the year 2017. On the other hand, Medium was founded on 15 August 2012.
- The disadvantages of using Substack include limited integration with third-party applications, constraint data analysis etc.
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.