How Medium and Skool 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.
Skool does one thing with unusual discipline: a paid community with a feed, a classroom, a calendar, and gamification that keeps members coming back. The pricing is plain, the app is quick, and Discovery can send you members you did not have to find yourself. If your work is a group people join and show up to every week, Skool is shaped for that.
Where they are different
Choose Medium when you want readers and modest earnings without owning a site or a list.
Choose Skool when the membership is the product, and a feed, courses, and leaderboards are how you deliver it.
Compare features
What's on Medium and Skool
A check means that capability is available. Medium and Skool are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Public content
- BlogMedium: IncludedSkool: Not included
- Reader engagementMedium: IncludedSkool: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOMedium: IncludedSkool: Not included
Audience and email
- Marketing emailsMedium: Not includedSkool: Included
Team
- Admin usersMedium: IncludedSkool: Included
- Per-admin permissionsMedium: IncludedSkool: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Medium or Skool, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Medium or Skool may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Medium vs Skool pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Medium
Current plans and prices
See what Medium charges on their pricing page.
Skool
Current plans and prices
See what Skool charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Medium and Skool
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 Skool?
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 Skool when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Medium and Skool are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Medium or Skool?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Medium or Skool for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Medium and Skool?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Medium and Skool set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Medium or Skool 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.