Beehiiv vs Medium: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Beehiiv is the better pick for newsletter operators focused on growth and ads. Medium is the better pick for writers wanting reach without running a site.

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At a Glance

Feature	Beehiiv	Medium
Best For	Newsletter operators focused on growth and ads	Writers wanting reach without running a site
Pricing	Free tier with paid plans	Free to publish; paid reader membership
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Proprietary	Proprietary
Deployment	Managed cloud	Managed cloud
Link	Visit Beehiiv	Visit Medium

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Detailed Breakdown

Beehiiv

Newsletter platform built for growth

Pros:

• Referral program and growth tools
• Ad network
• No revenue share on subscriptions

Cons:

• Advanced features on paid tiers
• Less built-in discovery than Substack

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Medium

Open publishing platform with a reader network

Pros:

• Built-in audience
• Partner Program earnings
• Clean reading experience

Cons:

• You do not own the audience relationship
• Paywall can limit reach

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Beehiiv — newsletter platform built for growth. Medium — open publishing platform with a reader network.
• Both share the same licensing model (proprietary), so the decision comes down to features and workflow fit.
• Pricing: Beehiiv — free tier with paid plans. Medium — free to publish; paid reader membership.
• Signature strength: Beehiiv — referral program and growth tools. Medium — built-in audience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beehiiv better than Medium?

It depends on your requirements. Beehiiv is a strong fit for newsletter operators focused on growth and ads, while Medium suits writers wanting reach without running a site.

Is Beehiiv free to use?

Yes, you can start with Beehiiv for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Is Medium free to use?

Yes, you can start with Medium for free. Pricing model: Free to publish; paid reader membership.

Can I self-host Beehiiv or Medium?

Beehiiv is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. Medium is offered as a managed service: managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Beehiiv and Medium?

Beehiiv: advanced features on paid tiers; less built-in discovery than Substack. Medium: you do not own the audience relationship; paywall can limit reach.