write.rocks vs Medium: Own Your Content in 2025
Compare write.rocks and Medium for content ownership and control
Medium offers built-in distribution but at the cost of control. You don't own your domain, your brand, or your monetization. Compare the trade-offs between network effects and true ownership.
Quick Comparison Summary
At a glance: Key strengths of each platform
- Full content ownership with easy export
- Custom domains included (Pro: $19/mo vs Medium: $75/year)
- No paywall for your readers
- Keep 100% of revenue (vs Medium's 50% split)
- Your brand, your design, your rules
- Built-in audience and discovery algorithm
- Partner Program can earn passive income
- Zero technical setup or maintenance
- Established credibility and trust
- Social features (claps, highlights, comments)
Detailed Feature Comparison
See how write.rocks compares to Medium across all key features
Pricing & Value
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Blogging | $0 (100 posts free) | $0 (free with medium.com/@username) |
| Custom Domain | $19/mo (Pro plan) | $75/year (Publications only) |
| Revenue Model | Keep 100% of earnings | 50% to Medium, 50% to you |
| Reader Paywall | No paywall (always free) | Behind paywall after 3 free articles/month |
Performance & Speed
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Page Load Speed | <1s (Lighthouse 95+) | 2-3s (Lighthouse 70-80) |
| SEO Control | Full meta tags, sitemap, canonical URLs | Limited (Medium controls most SEO) |
| Mobile Performance | Optimized by default | Good, but slower than write.rocks |
| Ads | No ads ever | Ads shown to non-members |
Editor & Writing Experience
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Notion-like block editor + Markdown | Simple WYSIWYG editor |
| Code Block Support | 200+ languages with syntax highlighting | GitHub Gists only (external embeds) |
| Writing Features | Slash commands, keyboard shortcuts, drag & drop | Basic text formatting |
| Markdown Support | Native with live preview | Limited (requires workarounds) |
Data Ownership & Control
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Content Ownership | You own everything | You own, but Medium has license |
| Export Freedom | Anytime, standard Markdown | HTML export only (not portable) |
| Platform Risk | Low (portable data) | High (algorithm changes affect reach) |
| URL Ownership | Your domain (yourblog.com) | medium.com/@you (not yours) |
Customization & Design
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Theme Customization | 7 themes, custom CSS on Pro | None (everyone looks the same) |
| Branding | Your brand, your design | Medium branding everywhere |
| Logo & Header | Fully customizable | Limited to profile photo |
| Layout Options | Multiple layouts per theme | Fixed Medium layout |
Technical Features
| Feature | write.rocks | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Audience | ||
| Discovery Algorithm | ||
| Analytics | Built-in (Basic free, Advanced Pro) | Basic stats only |
| RSS Feed | Auto-generated | Auto-generated |
| Comment System | Built-in with Markdown | Built-in (Medium members only) |
| Multi-site Support | Unlimited sites on Pro | One profile + publications (complex) |
Key Differentiators
Deep dive into the most important differences
Ownership: Your Platform vs. Rented Space
Medium is like renting an apartment. You can decorate, but you don't own it. Algorithm changes, paywall policies, and platform decisions can tank your reach overnight.
write.rocks
write.rocks is like owning your home. Your custom domain, your brand, your rules. Export anytime in standard Markdown. No algorithm controlling your reach, no platform changes affecting your traffic.
Medium
Medium owns the domain, the SEO juice, and the relationship with your readers. If Medium changes its algorithm (which it has, multiple times), your reach drops. If you leave, you lose your URL and SEO rankings.
Monetization: Keep 100% vs. 50/50 Split
Medium's Partner Program pays based on member reading time, but takes 50% of earnings. Plus, your content is behind a paywall, limiting reach.
write.rocks
write.rocks doesn't take a cut of your revenue. Monetize however you want: sponsors, affiliate links, consulting, products. Your content stays free for readers, maximizing reach and SEO.
Medium
Medium's Partner Program sounds appealing, but earning meaningful income requires massive engagement from paying Medium members. Most writers earn $10-100/month. Top 1% earn $1,000+, but Medium takes half.
Branding: Your Identity vs. Generic Medium Look
Every Medium blog looks identical. You can't differentiate your brand, customize your layout, or stand out visually.
write.rocks
write.rocks offers 7 themes with full customization on Pro. Your logo, your colors, your fonts. Build a recognizable brand that readers remember, not just another Medium article.
Medium
Medium intentionally enforces uniform design for 'reading experience.' This is great for readers, terrible for brand building. You're just another @username on medium.com.
Developer Experience: Code-Friendly vs. Code-Hostile
Medium doesn't support syntax highlighting natively. You must embed GitHub Gists, which break the reading flow and don't work offline.
write.rocks
write.rocks has first-class code support with syntax highlighting for 200+ languages via Shiki. Code blocks are beautiful, searchable, and copy-friendly. Built for developers writing technical content.
Medium
Medium's code block support is an afterthought. Developers resort to screenshots (not searchable) or Gists (external dependency). Neither is ideal for technical blogging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about write.rocks vs Medium
Can I migrate my Medium posts to write.rocks?▼
Yes! Export your Medium content (Settings → Download your information), and use our import tool to convert it to write.rocks. We'll preserve your titles, content, images, and tags.
Will I lose my Medium audience if I move?▼
You can cross-post! Publish on write.rocks first (for SEO ownership), then re-publish on Medium with a canonical link. This way you keep Medium's distribution while owning the original on your domain. Or, redirect Medium readers to your new write.rocks blog.
Does write.rocks have built-in audience like Medium?▼
No, write.rocks doesn't have Medium's discovery algorithm or built-in readership. You'll need to drive traffic through SEO, social media, or other channels. The trade-off is full control and ownership.
Can I make money with write.rocks like Medium's Partner Program?▼
write.rocks doesn't have a partner program, but you keep 100% of any revenue you generate through sponsors, affiliate links, selling products, or consulting. Medium takes 50% of Partner Program earnings.
What happens to my SEO if I leave Medium?▼
If you leave Medium, you lose your medium.com/@username URL and all associated SEO rankings. With write.rocks + custom domain, you own the SEO equity. Even if you switch platforms later, you keep your domain and rankings.
Is Medium better for non-technical writers?▼
Medium's simplicity appeals to non-technical writers who value ease of use over customization. However, write.rocks is equally easy to use with better features for content ownership. If you value your brand and long-term control, write.rocks is better.
Can I use a custom domain on Medium?▼
Only for Medium Publications (not personal profiles), and it costs $75/year extra. write.rocks includes custom domains in the Pro plan ($19/month = $228/year) with unlimited sites.