Medium alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Medium: no direct paid subscriptions you control, and earnings and distribution depend on changing platform rules. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Medium, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Substack currently ranks first.
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The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Medium alternative for most people
SubstackAlso offers a reader network, but lets you charge your own subscription and own the list.
Best Medium alternative for a free option
GhostYour own branded site and memberships, without depending on another site's algorithm.
Best Medium alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
HashnodeFree blog on your own domain, with Markdown export so you can leave anytime.
Best Medium alternative for open source
GhostYour own branded site and memberships, without depending on another site's algorithm.
Best Medium alternative for self-hosting
GhostYour own branded site and memberships, without depending on another site's algorithm.
Best Medium alternative for iPhone and Android
TumblrFree blogging with a built-in social audience through reblogs and tags.
Best Medium alternative for working in the browser
Write.asDistraction-free, privacy-first blogging with no paywalls or engagement metrics.
Medium alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Medium?
Substack ranks first right now. Also offers a reader network, but lets you charge your own subscription and own the list. Hashnode and Ghost follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Medium?
Yes. Substack (free plan + paid), Hashnode (free plan + paid), Ghost (open source) and Bear Blog (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Medium?
Yes: Ghost. Ghost can also be self-hosted.
Why do people switch from Medium?
The complaints we hear most: no direct paid subscriptions you control; earnings and distribution depend on changing platform rules; little control over design and branding.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Medium, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.