Hashnode vs Medium
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Hashnode is a blogging platform built specifically for tech builders and developers, offering technical writing tools like syntax highlighting across 25 languages, LaTeX support, tables, embeds, and raw Markdown editing. New blogs benefit from launching on a domain already trusted by search engines and cited by AI assistants, rather than starting from zero authority. It supports custom domains with automatic certificate handling, GitHub integration that mirrors posts and drafts with publish-back capability, and a GraphQL API for going fully headless behind a custom frontend. Hashnode hosts an active community, with 284+ articles published by 203+ writers in a typical 24-hour period.
Medium is a platform that features articles and essays on various topics, including technology, culture, and politics. It allows users to read, write, and share their thoughts and ideas with a community of like-minded individuals.
- Inherited domain authority helps new blogs get discovered faster than a brand-new domain
- GraphQL API and headless mode give developers full frontend control if desired
- Low-cost Pro tier at $5/month is inexpensive relative to most blogging platforms with custom domains
- Strong existing community of active technical writers for discovery and engagement
- Large community of writers and readers
- Variety of topics and articles
- Easy to use and navigate
- Customizable layouts and profiles
- Primarily optimized for technical/developer content rather than general-purpose blogging
- Headless setup requires development effort to get full value from the GraphQL API
- Free plan is limited to a hashnode.dev subdomain without custom domain support
- Limited monetization options for writers
- Some users may find the platform too crowded or noisy
- Limited control over article formatting and design
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Hashnode
View all →Personal website of Jesse Zhang, a Harvard CS graduate, startup founder, and math enthusiast.
A personal developer hub where curiosity meets code, connecting visitors with the projects and profiles of an indie maker.
Alternatives to Medium
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMedium offers a free, easy‑to‑use general‑purpose publishing platform with a large audience, while Hashnode targets developers with a freemium model, custom domains and a GraphQL API.
Key differences
- •Audience focus: Medium serves writers/readers broadly; Hashnode is developer‑centric.
- •Custom domain & SEO: Hashnode provides trusted domains and $5/mo custom domain; Medium only free subdomains.
- •API & headless capability: Hashnode offers a GraphQL API; Medium has no API.
- •Monetization: Medium has a partner program with limited earnings; Hashnode has no built‑in monetization.
- •Pricing structure: Medium is completely free; Hashnode’s free plan lacks custom domains and advanced features.
Pricing & value
Medium is completely free; Hashnode’s advanced features require a $5/mo Pro plan.
Ease of use / learning curve
Medium’s interface is described as easy to use and navigate; Hashnode adds developer‑specific setup.
Features & depth
Hashnode provides custom domains, GraphQL API, headless CMS, GitHub integration, and AI editor tools.
Integrations & ecosystem
Hashnode lists GitHub and GraphQL API integrations; Medium has no API or listed integrations.
Collaboration
Medium emphasizes community building and following writers; Hashnode’s collaboration features are not specified.
Scalability
Both are cloud SaaS platforms; no data on performance limits.
Support
Hashnode offers email and community support; Medium only offers email support.
Choose Hashnode if…
Developers or technical teams needing custom domains, API access, and headless CMS capabilities.
Choose Medium if…
General writers seeking a free, ready‑to‑publish audience without technical setup.
Common questions
Can I use a custom domain on the free plan?
No. Hashnode’s free plan uses a hashnode.dev subdomain; custom domains require the $5/mo Pro plan. Medium does not offer custom domains.
Is there an API for programmatic publishing?
Hashnode provides a GraphQL API; Medium does not have an API.
What are the monetization options for writers?
Medium has a partner program with limited earnings; Hashnode has no built‑in monetization feature.
