The Difference Between Free and Paid Accounts on Medium

Medium, a popular online publishing platform, offers distinct experiences for its users based on the type of account they choose. Understanding the differences between free and paid accounts on Medium can help users decide which is best suited for their reading and writing needs.

Access to Content

Free Accounts

Free accounts on Medium provide users with access to a limited number of stories like these each month. These stories can be from both amateur and professional writers, covering a wide range of topics. Once the monthly limit is reached, users are required to wait until the next month to access more free articles or to upgrade to a paid account for unlimited access.

Paid Accounts

Paid accounts, known as Medium Memberships, offer unlimited access to all stories on the platform. This includes exclusive content that is only available to paying members. These stories often come from well-known authors or are high-quality pieces curated by the Medium team. The unlimited access allows for deeper exploration and engagement with the diverse content available on Medium.

Interaction with Content

Free Accounts

Users with free accounts can read, clap (Medium’s version of a ‘like’), and respond to stories they have access to. They can also follow authors and publications to keep track of new content. However, their interaction with content is limited by the monthly story cap.

Paid Accounts

In addition to the benefits offered to free account users, paid members have the added advantage of being able to interact with an unlimited number of stories. They can engage more deeply with the community by responding to stories, participating in conversations, and providing feedback to authors. This unrestricted interaction fosters a more robust and dynamic community experience.

Writing and Publishing

Free Accounts

Both free and paid account holders on Medium have the ability to write and publish stories. They can create their own publications, join existing ones, and even monetize their content through Medium’s Partner Program, regardless of their account type.

Paid Accounts

While the writing and publishing features are similar for both account types, paid members often have access to enhanced analytics and insights about their stories. These insights include detailed information about readership, engagement, and the performance of their articles. This data can be invaluable for writers looking to grow their audience and improve their writing.

Supporting Writers and Publications

Free Accounts

Free users support writers indirectly through their engagement with stories. Claps and responses can increase a story’s visibility, but free users do not contribute financially to the authors.

Paid Accounts

A portion of the membership fee paid by Medium members goes directly to the writers and publications they engage with the most. This financial support incentivizes quality content creation and helps sustain the platform’s diverse range of voices and topics.

Bottom Line

The choice between a free or paid account on Medium depends largely on a user’s reading habits, desire for unlimited access to content, and interest in supporting the writing community. While free accounts offer a taste of what Medium has to offer, paid accounts provide an all-access pass to the platform’s full range of stories, enhanced community interaction, and additional benefits for writers. Ultimately, both types of accounts contribute to the vibrant and diverse ecosystem that is Medium.