Writing will never be out of fashion. As long as the internet exists, writers will always have work, and long-form content will remain in demand. Writing platforms are constantly evolving, and in this post, we highlight the most widely used platforms that have made life easier for content creators. 

Substack

Substack is a newsletter-based publishing platform. When you publish on Substack, your content doesn’t just appear on a website. It goes straight to your subscribers’ inboxes. Unlike traditional blogging platforms that rely heavily on search engines or social media traffic, Substack focuses on something more powerful: ownership of your audience through email subscriptions.

And that shift is exactly why many creators are experimenting with it.

How Substack wins everyone’s heart

Many creators hesitate to try new platforms because they fear losing their existing work. Substack removes that barrier. If you already run a blog, you can import old posts, subscriber lists, and archives directly into the platform. This means your years of writing don’t disappear. Instead, your content simply gets a new distribution channel.

For example, a writer might start by publishing essays. Later, they could introduce podcast discussions or video commentary, all within the same platform. It allows creators to build a mini media publication without needing separate tools.

Substack takes 10% of the revenue, while creators keep 90% of subscription earnings. Compared to traditional media or advertising-heavy platforms, this model feels refreshingly creator-friendly. For journalists, educators, analysts, and niche experts, this direct reader support can become a meaningful income stream.

Substack’s Growth Is Hard to Ignore

Substack’s rise isn’t just hype. Industry estimates suggest the platform has grown to over 35 million active users by 2026, with thousands of creators building loyal subscriber bases. More readers are becoming comfortable paying creators directly rather than relying solely on traditional media outlets. For independent voices, this shift is significant.

Not Everything That Shines Is Gold

Even though you own your email list, your content still lives on someone else’s platform. If policies, pricing structures, or platform rules change, creators have limited control. Unlike a personal website, you can’t fully customise layouts, themes, or advanced design features. Also, the audience growth often depends heavily on building and nurturing your email list and not on creating exclusive content.

Medium

Another popular publishing platform for writers is Medium. While Substack focuses on newsletters, Medium is designed more like a content discovery platform. Medium already has millions of readers browsing articles daily. Your content can be discovered through tags, recommendations, and platform algorithms. The editor is extremely simple and distraction-free, allowing writers to focus purely on content.

Writers can earn through the Medium Partner Program, where income is based on how much time paying members spend reading your articles. Articles can gain additional reach if they are picked up by larger Medium publications.

Medium is equally popular

As of February 2025, Medium is one of the 520 most-visited websites on the internet.

It ranks 401 in the United States and has 105.4M monthly views worldwide. In the last three month it got 316.3M views in total with people spending about 2:16 minutes on the platform once they visit it.

The United States is the top country sending desktop traffic to Medium. India ranks #2 and then comes the UK.

Medium does have its share of limitations

Your content lives on Medium’s platform, which means the company controls distribution, visibility, and policies. Income depends on reading time from paying members, which can fluctuate significantly. Customisation options are limited compared with running your own website.

Your blog - Your way

A personal blog is often built on platforms like WordPress that offer the highest level of ownership. With your own website, you control design and branding, SEO strategy, monetisation methods, and audience data. There are various ways to earn through your blog like advertisements, memberships, affiliate marketing, digital products and sponsored content.

The only complexity is that building and maintaining a blog requires time, technical setup, and consistent traffic generation.

Here is a clear comparison between Substack, Medium and your blog

Conclusion

Medium is best for writers who want instant publishing and built-in readers. While Substack is ideal for creators who want to build a loyal email community and earn from subscriptions. Whereas an independent blog offers full ownership and long-term brand building, but requires more effort.