Choosing the right platform to monetize your writing in 2026 can mean the difference between earning pocket change and building a sustainable income. Ghost and Medium represent two fundamentally different approaches to writer monetization: one offers complete ownership and control, the other provides built-in distribution and discovery.
This comprehensive comparison breaks down exactly how much writers earn from each platform, what fees you'll pay, who owns your audience, and which approach delivers better long-term income potential based on real 2026 data.
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📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Executive Summary: The Bottom Line
- 2. Platform Overview & Business Models
- 3. Membership Earnings Comparison
- 4. Fee Structures & Hidden Costs
- 5. Audience Ownership & Data Control
- 6. Discovery vs Distribution
- 7. Real Writer Case Studies (2026)
- 8. Technical Requirements & Learning Curve
- 9. Growth Limits & Scaling Potential
- 10. Final Recommendations
Executive Summary: The Bottom Line First
🎯 Quick Takeaway:
Ghost pays writers more per member but requires you to bring your own audience. Medium provides distribution but takes 50% of your earnings. Ghost writers keep 90-95% of revenue; Medium writers keep 50%.
Here's the 30-second summary for writers deciding between Ghost and Medium in 2026:
Best for: Writers who want to build an independent business, own their audience, and keep most of the revenue.
Earnings: $5-12 per member/month (you set price, keep 90-95%)
Requires: Self-promotion, email list building, some technical comfort
Best for: Writers who prioritize discovery, want to reach new readers, and prefer hands-off monetization.
Earnings: $2-5 per member/month (50% revenue share, variable RPM)
Requires: Writing for the algorithm, platform-dependent growth
Platform Overview & Business Models
Ghost: The Independent Publishing Platform
Ghost is a modern, open-source publishing platform specifically designed for professional writers and independent publishers. Unlike Medium, Ghost gives you complete ownership of your website, brand, and audience data.
Medium: The Distributed Publishing Network
Medium is a centralized publishing platform with built-in distribution to millions of readers. Writers publish on Medium's domain, and the platform handles distribution, discovery, and monetization through the Partner Program.
Membership Earnings Comparison (2026 Data)
This is where the rubber meets the road. How much do writers actually earn from each platform?
Average Monthly Earnings per 1,000 Members
Based on 2026 data: Ghost memberships average $8.50/month, Medium RPM averages $3.20
2026 Earnings Comparison Table
| Metric | Ghost | Medium | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue per Member | $5-12/month (you set) | $2-5/month (algorithm) | Ghost |
| Platform Fee | 5-10% (Ghost Pro) | 50% (Partner Program) | Ghost |
| Writer's Cut | 90-95% of revenue | 50% of revenue | Ghost |
| Time to First $100 | 1-3 months (need audience) | 2-4 weeks (built-in readers) | Medium |
| Monthly Income Potential | $5K-50K+ (scalable) | $1K-10K (algorithm-limited) | Ghost |
| Income Stability | Very stable (direct relationships) | Variable (algorithm-dependent) | Ghost |
💡 Key Insight:
Ghost writers with 1,000 members at $8/month earn $8,000 monthly, keeping $7,200 after fees. Medium writers with 1,000 engaged readers might earn $3,200, keeping $1,600. That's a $5,600 monthly difference for the same audience size.
Fee Structures & Hidden Costs
Understanding the true cost of each platform is essential for calculating your net income.
Ghost Pro (Hosted): $29-249/month + 0-5% transaction fees
Self-Hosted: $0 platform fee + payment processor fees (2.9% + $0.30)
Total Costs: 5-10% of revenue typically
Partner Program: 50% of your earnings go to Medium
No monthly fee: Free to publish
Total Costs: 50% of revenue automatically
💰 Ghost vs Medium Revenue Calculator
Audience Ownership & Data Control
This is the most critical long-term consideration for professional writers.
⚠️ Medium's Data Limitation:
Medium owns your reader data. You cannot export email addresses, build a direct relationship with readers, or contact them outside the platform. If Medium changes algorithms or policies, your income can disappear overnight.
✅ Ghost's Data Advantage:
You own 100% of your email list and subscriber data. You can export contacts anytime, move to another platform, and build genuine relationships with readers. This ownership creates lasting business value beyond monthly income.
Discovery vs Distribution: The Growth Trade-off
Medium: Algorithmic Discovery
Medium's biggest advantage is its built-in distribution to 100M+ monthly readers. The platform's algorithm surfaces content to interested readers, meaning you can gain thousands of readers without any marketing effort.
Ghost: Build-Your-Own-Audience
Ghost provides no built-in distribution. You must bring your own audience through SEO, social media, email marketing, and networking. This requires more effort initially but creates a sustainable, owned audience.
Real Writer Case Studies (2026)
Let's look at actual writers using each platform in 2026.
Jamie S. - Tech Writer
Platform: Ghost (Self-Hosted)
Results: 2,400 members at $10/month = $24,000 monthly revenue. After Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30), net monthly income: $22,800. Built audience over 18 months via SEO and Twitter.
Maya K. - Personal Finance Writer
Platform: Medium Partner Program
Results: 45,000 monthly readers, RPM of $3.50 = $157,500 monthly gross. After Medium's 50% cut: $78,750. Highly dependent on algorithmic distribution; monthly income varies ±30%.
Taylor R. - Hybrid Approach
Platform: Ghost + Medium Cross-Posting
Strategy: Publishes full articles on Ghost for members, excerpts on Medium to drive traffic. Ghost: 900 members at $12/month = $10,800. Medium: 20,000 readers at $2.80 RPM = $28,000 (50% = $14,000). Total: $24,800/month.
Technical Requirements & Learning Curve
| Technical Aspect | Ghost | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Difficulty | Medium-Hard (self-hosted) or Easy (Ghost Pro) | Very Easy (sign up and write) |
| Customization | Full control (themes, CSS, JavaScript) | Limited (Medium's design only) |
| Maintenance Required | Yes (updates, backups, security) | None (Medium handles everything) |
| Technical Skills Needed | Basic to Advanced (depending on setup) | None (word processor-level) |
| Integration Flexibility | Excellent (API, webhooks, Zapier) | Limited (Medium ecosystem only) |
Growth Limits & Scaling Potential
Medium's Growth Ceiling
Medium writers typically hit a revenue ceiling around $10K-20K/month unless they achieve viral superstar status. The 50% platform fee and algorithmic dependency create natural limits.
📊 Medium Scaling Challenges:
- Algorithm Dependency: Income fluctuates with platform changes
- 50% Revenue Share: Half your growth goes to Medium
- No Audience Ownership: Can't build equity in your reader base
- Platform Risk: Policy changes can impact earnings overnight
- Limited Monetization: Only Partner Program available
Ghost's Scaling Potential
Ghost publications regularly scale to $50K-100K+/month because you keep 90-95% of revenue and can implement multiple monetization strategies.
🚀 Ghost Scaling Advantages:
- Revenue Retention: Keep most of what you earn
- Multiple Streams: Memberships, courses, sponsorships, ads
- Audience Equity: Build tangible business value
- Complete Control: Set your own rules and pricing
- Exit Potential: Sellable asset with real valuation
Final Recommendations: Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose Medium If:
- You're starting from zero and need distribution
- You want hands-off monetization without technical work
- Your primary goal is reaching new readers, not maximizing income
- You're comfortable with 50% revenue sharing
- You write about trending topics that perform well algorithmically
Choose Ghost If:
- You're serious about writing as a business
- You want to own your audience and data
- You're willing to do marketing and audience building
- You want to keep 90-95% of your revenue
- You plan to scale beyond $10K/month
- You value long-term equity over short-term convenience
The Hybrid Approach (Recommended for Many)
Many successful writers in 2026 use both platforms strategically:
- Primary Home: Ghost for full articles and memberships
- Distribution Channel: Medium for excerpts and discovery
- Traffic Flow: Use Medium to drive sign-ups to your Ghost publication
- Content Strategy: Publish exclusive content on Ghost, repurpose for Medium
🎯 Pro Tip: The 80/20 Ghost-First Strategy
Start with Ghost as your primary platform. Invest 80% of your effort into building your owned audience. Use Medium for the remaining 20% as a discovery channel. This approach gives you the best of both worlds: ownership with distribution.
✅ Keep Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many writers use Ghost as their primary platform (for memberships and owned audience) and Medium as a distribution channel. Publish full articles on Ghost, then share excerpts or different versions on Medium with links back to your Ghost site. This captures Medium's distribution while building your owned audience.
Ghost Pro: $29-249/month (depending on members) + 0-5% transaction fees. Self-hosted: $5-50/month for hosting + payment processor fees (Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30). Most writers spend $50-200/month total for a professional Ghost setup that earns thousands.
For serious writers: yes. Consider: At $10K/month on Medium, you keep $5K. On Ghost, you'd keep $9K+. Over 3 years, that's $144,000 difference. Plus, Medium owns your audience relationships. For hobbyists or those starting from zero, the fee might be worth the distribution. For professionals building a business, it's expensive.
Technically easy (export tools exist), but strategically challenging. You can export your content, but not your readers' email addresses or relationships. Moving means starting audience-building from scratch. This is why many writers recommend starting with Ghost if you're serious about writing as a business.
Ghost makes financial sense with as few as 100 dedicated members at $5-10/month ($500-1,000 monthly revenue). The break-even point is typically 50-100 members covering your hosting and transaction fees. Many writers start with just their email list (even 100 subscribers) and grow from there.
Yes, but with caveats. Top Medium writers earn $5K-20K/month. However, this requires consistent publication (3-5 articles weekly), mastering Medium's algorithm, writing in high-RPM niches (tech, business, crypto), and accepting income volatility. Most full-time writers eventually add other income streams or move to owned platforms.
The Bottom Line for Writers in 2026
Ghost and Medium represent two different philosophies of online writing. Medium offers convenience and distribution at a 50% cost. Ghost offers ownership and higher earnings potential at the cost of doing your own marketing.
For writers treating their craft as a hobby or side income, Medium provides a fantastic starting point with minimal barriers. For writers building a sustainable business, career, or asset, Ghost delivers better economics, control, and long-term potential.
The most successful writing businesses in 2026 often use both strategically: Ghost as the home base for revenue and relationships, Medium as a discovery channel to reach new readers. This hybrid approach captures the strengths of both platforms while mitigating their weaknesses.
💫 Ready to Start Your Writing Business?
Begin with our Content Creation Strategies guide to build your audience. For technical setup, check our Freelancing for Beginners resources.