Medium vs Ghost (2024 Comparison)
Medium offers a user-friendly platform with strong community support and monetization options, making it ideal for writers looking to connect and earn from their content.
- Easy to use interface
- Strong community support
- Monetization options available
- Limited customization options
- Basic SEO features
- Less control over content
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$5 per month
Ghost provides advanced customization and SEO tools, along with flexible membership options, making it perfect for professional publishers seeking a powerful content management system.
- Highly customizable themes
- Advanced SEO tools
- Flexible membership options
- Requires technical knowledge
- Limited community features
- Higher learning curve
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$9 per monthWhat is Medium?
Medium is a popular online publishing platform that allows writers to share their stories, ideas, and insights with a global audience. It offers a clean, minimalist interface that makes writing and reading a pleasure. Medium helps its users by providing a space to express themselves, connect with like-minded individuals, and even monetize their content through the Medium Partner Program. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, Medium offers a supportive community and a platform to reach a wider audience.
What is Ghost?
Ghost is a powerful, open-source content management system designed for professional publishing. It provides a seamless experience for creating, managing, and publishing content, making it ideal for bloggers, journalists, and content creators. Ghost offers a range of features, including customizable themes, SEO optimization, and membership options, allowing users to build a sustainable business around their content. With its focus on speed and simplicity, Ghost helps users streamline their publishing process and engage with their audience effectively.
Pros and Cons of Medium vs Ghost
Pros & Cons of Medium
- Medium offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for writers of all levels to create and publish content. Its simplicity allows users to focus on writing without distractions.
- Medium provides a platform for writers to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals, fostering a supportive community. This engagement helps writers grow their audience and improve their skills.
- Medium's Partner Program allows writers to earn money from their content, providing a straightforward way to monetize their work. This feature is especially beneficial for those looking to generate income from their writing.
- Medium's focus on simplicity means fewer customization options for users. While this can be beneficial for some, those looking for a more personalized website may find it limiting.
- Medium offers basic SEO features, which may not be sufficient for those looking to optimize their content for search engines. Users seeking advanced SEO tools may need to look elsewhere.
Pros & Cons of Ghost
- Ghost offers a wide range of customizable themes, allowing users to create a unique and personalized look for their website. This flexibility is ideal for those looking to stand out.
- Ghost provides advanced SEO tools, helping users optimize their content for search engines and improve their visibility. This feature is essential for those looking to grow their audience.
- Ghost offers flexible membership options, allowing users to create a custom business model around their content. This feature is ideal for those looking to build a sustainable publishing business.
- Ghost's advanced features and customization options may require some technical knowledge to fully leverage. This can be a barrier for beginners or those without technical expertise.
- While Ghost offers community engagement features, they are not as extensive as those provided by Medium. Users looking for a strong community focus may find Ghost lacking in this area.
Medium vs Ghost: At A Glance
Medium vs Ghost: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Customizable Themes
Ghost offers a wide range of customizable themes, allowing you to create a unique and personalized look for your website. Medium, on the other hand, has a more limited selection of themes, focusing on simplicity and readability. If you value customization and want to create a visually distinct website, Ghost is the better choice.
SEO Optimization
Ghost excels in SEO optimization, providing tools and features to help your content rank higher in search engine results. Medium offers basic SEO features, but lacks the advanced options that Ghost provides. If SEO is a priority for you, Ghost is the superior choice.
Membership Options
Both Medium and Ghost offer membership options, but Ghost provides more flexibility and control over your membership program. Medium's membership options are more straightforward, making it easier for beginners to get started. If you want more control over your membership program, Ghost is the better option.
Content Management
Ghost offers a robust content management system, allowing you to easily organize and manage your content. Medium's content management features are more basic, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. If you need a powerful content management system, Ghost is the superior choice.
Community Engagement
Medium excels in community engagement, providing a platform for writers to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Ghost offers community engagement features, but they are not as extensive as Medium's. If community engagement is important to you, Medium is the better choice.
Monetization Options
Both Medium and Ghost offer monetization options, but Medium's Partner Program provides a straightforward way to earn money from your content. Ghost offers more flexibility in monetization, allowing you to create a custom business model. If you want a simple way to monetize your content, Medium is the better option.
Pricing Comparison of Medium and Ghost
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Medium and Ghost. This comparison will highlight the best option for your publishing needs.
Medium Pricing Plans
- Support writers you read most by allocating a portion of your membership.
- Earn money for your writing through the platform.
- Listen to audio narrations of stories for a better experience.
- Read offline with the Medium app for convenience.
- Share member-only stories with anyone to drive more earnings for writers.
- Customize app icon for a personalized experience.
- Unlock a world of wisdom with enhanced access.
Ghost Pricing Plans
- Allows 1 staff user to manage content and settings.
- Access to 18 free official themes for customization.
- No transaction fees on payments, keeping all revenue.
- 5MB file upload limit for media and documents.
- Allows 2 staff users for collaborative content creation.
- Unlimited custom themes for personalized branding.
- 1,000+ integrations for enhanced functionality.
- 100MB file upload limit for larger media files.
- Allows 5 staff users for larger teams.
- Priority support for faster issue resolution.
- 250MB file upload limit for extensive media use.
- Advanced integrations for complex workflows.
- Unlimited staff users for extensive team collaboration.
- Advanced configuration options for tailored solutions.
- 99.9% uptime SLA for reliable performance.
- 1GB file upload limit for high-volume media.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each content management system, focusing on key aspects like functionality, scalability, and integrations. By analyzing user feedback and expert reviews, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Medium or Ghost: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Medium If You Need ...
- User-friendly platform
If you are a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use platform, Medium is the ideal choice. Its intuitive interface and strong community support make it accessible for writers of all levels.
- Monetization options
If you want a straightforward way to monetize your content, Medium's Partner Program provides an easy solution. This feature is especially beneficial for those looking to generate income from their writing.
Choose Ghost If You Need ...
- Advanced customization
If you need extensive customization options and advanced SEO tools, Ghost is the superior choice. Its robust features and flexibility make it ideal for professional publishers seeking a powerful content management system.
- Scalable solution
If you are planning to grow your content business and need a scalable solution, Ghost offers the necessary tools and support for large-scale publishing operations. Its membership options and performance capabilities make it perfect for expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for beginners, Medium or Ghost?
What are the main differences between Medium and Ghost?
Can I monetize my content on both Medium and Ghost?
Which platform offers better SEO features, Medium or Ghost?
Is Ghost suitable for large-scale publishing operations?
How does community engagement differ between Medium and Ghost?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
