How Medium and Podia 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.
Podia is the all-in-one that stays friendly. Courses with drip and quizzes, digital downloads delivered the second someone pays, coaching products, events, a community with paid plans, a website with a real blog, and Podia Email with broadcasts and campaigns, all under one login and one bill. Sales tax across 230 jurisdictions, 20 plus currencies, coupons, bundles, and payment plans come standard, and Shaker and Earthquaker drop the transaction fee to zero. For a creator selling digital products, Podia removes a lot of glue.
Where they are different
Medium
- Medium owns the reader relationship.
- Medium is one publication format.
- Medium claps and responses stay on Medium.
Podia
- Podia's coaching product takes payment and then hands booking to Calendly, SavvyCal, Acuity, or YouCanBookMe.
- Podia Email sends from Podia and includes 100 to 1,000 subscribers by plan.
- Podia's chat inbox gathers chat.
- Podia gives one assistant on Shaker with full access.
Choose Medium when you want readers and modest earnings without owning a site or a list.
Choose Podia when courses, downloads, and paid memberships are what you sell and you want checkout, tax, and delivery handled for you.
Compare features
What's on Medium and Podia
A check means that capability is available. Medium and Podia are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
- Custom domainMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
- Theme and fontsMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
Public content
- BlogMedium: IncludedPodia: Included
- Reader engagementMedium: IncludedPodia: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOMedium: IncludedPodia: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
- Marketing emailsMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsMedium: Not includedPodia: Included
Team
- Admin usersMedium: IncludedPodia: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Medium or Podia, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Medium or Podia may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Medium vs Podia pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Medium
Current plans and prices
See what Medium charges on their pricing page.
Podia
Current plans and prices
See what Podia charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Medium and Podia
You don't pay until you publish.
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.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Medium or Podia?
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 or Podia when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Medium and Podia are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Medium or Podia?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Medium or Podia for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Medium and Podia?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Medium and Podia set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Medium or Podia to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.