I know that most of the people would think that there is no sense and relation with this comparison! I will say that you are right but stop and listen to me once!
Both are membership platforms in a sense that they are relatable. 😊
Are you a creator looking to monetize your content?
It is confirmed that you want a basic understanding and probably weighing the pros and cons of Patreon vs Medium. Both platforms have their unique benefits.
But it is necessary to understand for you which one is more useful. It is important to understand what each one can do for you.
Table of Contents
Patreon
Let’s start with Patreon. This platform allows creators to earn recurring revenue from their supporters.
You have an opportunity here with Patreon! You can set up tiers of rewards for your patrons like exclusive content, early access or even personalised shoutouts.
You must be sure that it is working for others and Patreon creators earned over $2 billion dollars collectively.
Also Read,
Problem with Patreon
But Patreon has a problem. I think this is the main barrier to enter and succeed on this platform.
This problem is that you need a dedicated fan base who wants to support you on a monthly basis. And you would be very sure about it that this can take time and effort to build.
It is difficult to work on patreon if you are a beginner and do not have an audience.
Because you would need to work consistently and create content. Creation is not sufficient but it should be valuable enough to keep your patrons coming back.
The super amazing thing is Patreon is not weak still. The reason is simple. If you have a good amount of audience that wants to support you, patreon is best and one of leading platforms.
It was not enough because I still discussed with you a single platform and the other is remaining!
So let’s move forward toward the second one!
Medium
On the other hand, Medium is a platform where you can publish your writing and reach a wider audience related to your specific niche.
When we talk about niche then Medium has more than 170 million readers. Therefore, a lot of potential for exposure.
It is also a plus point that you don’t need a pre-existing fanbase to get started.
The thing you need is your writing should be good enough so that it can get recommended to readers through Medium’s algorithms.
Problem with Medium
But there is a problem here too.
Medium operates on a pay-per-click model so you will need to consistently create content that’s engaging enough to keep readers clicking through.
And while Medium has a Partner Program that pays writers based on engagement, the pay rates can vary widely and may not be sustainable for everyone.
So which platform is right for you?
Patreon could be the place to just go if you have a large fan base and want to monetise your material.
But if you are just beginning out and want to expand your reach, Medium could be a better option.
Features Comparison
Here are 5 features comparison between Patreon and Medium with statistics, in a very concise format:
Purpose
- Patreon: Provides a platform for creators to monetize their content.
- Medium: A publishing platform for writers to share their content.
Users
- Patreon: Over 200,000 active creators and 7 million active patrons as of 2021.
- Medium: Over 120 million monthly active users as of 2021.
Payment Model
- Patreon: Creators earn money through recurring payments or one-time donations.
- Medium: Writers are paid based on the number of claps or views their content receives.
Cost
- Patreon: Takes a 5-12% fee on each transaction, depending on the creator’s pricing tier.
- Medium: Free to use, but offers a premium subscription service called Medium Membership for $5/month.
Exclusivity
- Patreon: Provides creators with the ability to offer exclusive content to their patrons.
- Medium: Content published on Medium is publicly available to anyone with an internet connection.
I hope this helps provide a quick and concise comparison between Patreon and Medium’s key features with relevant statistics!
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of Patreon
Patreon Pros: Provides a reliable source of income for creators, allows for direct interaction with fans, offers exclusive content to patrons.
Patreon Cons: Takes a percentage of creators’ earnings, can be difficult to attract and retain patrons, requires consistent content creation.
Pros and Cons of Medium
Medium Pros: Offers a large and engaged audience, provides resources for writers to improve their craft, allows for exposure to new readers.
Medium Cons: Offers limited monetization opportunities, rewards algorithm can be unpredictable, requires significant effort to build a following.
Patreon vs Medium: Similarities
- Both provide a platform for content creators to reach an audience.
- Both offer opportunities for audience engagement through comments and messages.
- Both have a significant user base.
Patreon vs Medium: Differences
- Patreon focuses on monetizing content and provides exclusive benefits to paying fans, while Medium is primarily a publishing platform for writers.
- Patreon relies on recurring payments or one-time donations, while Medium pays writers based on the number of views or claps their content receives.
- Patreon charges a fee on transactions, while Medium offers a free basic service and a premium subscription option.
Medium vs Patreon: Comparison Table
Here is a concise and long comparison table between Patreon and Medium,
Factors | Patreon | Medium |
Purpose | Provides a platform for creators to monetize their content | A publishing platform for writers to share their content |
Membership | Users sign up as patrons or fans to support creators | Anyone can sign up for a free account |
Payment model | Recurring payments or one-time donations | Writers are paid based on the number of claps or views their content receives |
Content type | Supports various forms of content such as videos, podcasts, and artwork | Primarily for written content such as articles, essays, and stories |
Audience engagement | Provides exclusive content to patrons and interacts with them through comments and messages | Offers social features such as following other writers, leaving comments, and recommending articles |
Community | Focused on building a community around a particular creator or project | Writers can build their own following on the platform, but Medium does not have an explicit focus on community building |
Creator support | Provides resources and tools to help creators grow their audience and monetize their content | Offers resources such as writing prompts and partner programs to help writers improve their craft |
Cost | Patreon takes a 5-12% fee on each transaction, depending on the creator’s pricing tier | Medium is free to use, but offers a premium subscription service called Medium Membership |
Exclusivity | Provides creators with the ability to offer exclusive content to their patrons | Content published on Medium is publicly available to anyone with an internet connection |
Monetization potential | Can provide a reliable source of income for creators with a dedicated fan base | Writers can earn money from the platform, but it may be more difficult to monetize their content compared to Patreon |
I hope this comparison table helps to provide a clear overview of the similarities and differences between Patreon and Medium!
FAQs: Medium vs Patreon
Here are 5 FAQs on Patreon vs Medium and their concise and clear answers,
What is Patreon?
Patreon is the best membership platform that allows creators to get support from their fans or patrons.
What is Medium?
Medium is also the best online publishing platform. Here writers can share their content with all audiences.
How does Patreon differ from Medium?
Patreon is useful for creators to monetize their content while Medium primarily focuses on a platform for writers to publish and share their work.
How do creators get support on Patreon?
Creators on Patreon earn money through recurring payments or donations from their patrons or fans.
How do writers benefit from Medium?
Writers on Medium benefit from the platform’s large and engaged community, which can help them gain exposure and build their audience.
Ultimate Words: Medium vs Patreon
Or you could use both platforms in tandem – publish your writing on Medium to reach a wider audience and then offer exclusive content or early access to your Patreon supporters as a way to reward their loyalty. Then It would be a very precious and unique idea.
Ultimately the decision of which platform to use will depend on your specific goals as a creator.
And to be honest, I want to draw your focus toward some aspects like understanding the types of content that you write, your target audience, and your monetization approach is very important.
Remember that building an effective business as a creator demands time and effort, so be prepared to work hard to build your audience and give value to your fans.
External Sources
Meet Mr. Afzal, Also the founder as well as author of Comparlify (comparison-based website). I am writing comparisons for a long while on many websites and struggling hard for you so that you can be awesome in Course Creation.