How Cardel and Medium compare
Medium is where a good essay can find readers on its own. The editor is calm, publications curate, the algorithm and topics surface work to members, and the Partner Program pays writers from member reading time. You bring words; Medium brings the audience and the distribution.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own. Cardel is not a reading network and will not put your writing in front of strangers for you.
Where they are different
Medium owns the reader relationship. Cardel gives you the audience list, email on your domain, and campaign workflows.
Medium is one publication format. Cardel adds Showcase pages, a video catalog, a Shop, and scheduling around the blog.
Medium claps and responses stay on Medium. Cardel readers sign in on your site, and you answer in one Messaging Center.
Choose Medium when you want readers and modest earnings without owning a site or a list.
Choose Cardel when you want your writing, audience, shop or bookings, and inbox together on a domain you own.
You are the Forgemaster. Cardel is your forge. What you build is yours.
Common questions
Is Cardel a Medium alternative?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Medium when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list below shows where the two overlap and where they part.
Can I use Cardel and Medium together?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Medium for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared to Medium?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Medium sets its own prices, so check their pricing page below for current plans.
How do I switch from Medium to Cardel?
Choose Start for Free, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.
Compare features
What's on Cardel and Medium
A check means that capability is available. Medium is marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteCardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
- Custom domainUse your own domain with HTTPS. Cardel includes the DNS records for the site and for sending and receiving email.Use your own domain with HTTPS. Cardel includes the DNS records for the site and for sending and receiving email.Cardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
- Theme and fontsCardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
- Brand KitCardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
Public content
- BlogCardel: IncludedMedium: Included
- Reader engagementCardel: IncludedMedium: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOCardel: IncludedMedium: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceGroups, tags, and import so you can organize contacts and bring in an existing list.Groups, tags, and import so you can organize contacts and bring in an existing list.Cardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
- Marketing emailsCardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
Messaging
- Messaging CenterCardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsSell on your Shop pages with Stripe. Cardel takes a 0.5% application fee on those card sales. Stripe's own processing fees still apply, and you keep the rest.Sell on your Shop pages with Stripe. Cardel takes a 0.5% application fee on those card sales. Stripe's own processing fees still apply, and you keep the rest.Cardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
- Scheduling and bookingsLink to external scheduling available on Starter.Cardel: IncludedMedium: Not included
Team
- Admin usersCardel: IncludedMedium: Included
- Per-admin permissionsCardel: IncludedMedium: Included
Other
- Built-in readership and topicsCardel: Not includedMedium: Included
- Partner ProgramCardel: Not includedMedium: Included
- Multiple writer publicationsCardel: Not includedMedium: Included
- Import postsCardel: Not includedMedium: Included
- Free to publishCardel: Not includedMedium: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Cardel or Medium, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Cardel or Medium may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Cardel vs Medium pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Cardel
You don't pay until you publish
Build at no cost, then choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live.
Medium
Current plans and prices
See what Medium charges on their pricing page.
Forge your community
Choose Cardel
Looking for a Medium alternative? Bring your work to a site of your own.
Compare Cardel
See how Cardel stacks up, or explore Medium comparisons.
