Vocal vs Medium: Key Differences, Uses, and When to Choose Each

When it comes to communication platforms and publishing tools, two names often come up: Vocal and Medium. Both are popular for writers, bloggers, and creators looking to share their voices and build an audience. However, while they share some similarities, their features, audiences, and monetization models differ significantly.

If you’re deciding between the two or just curious about how they stack up, this article breaks down the key differences between Vocal and Medium, including their pros, cons, and which one might be the better fit for your content goals.

What Is Vocal?

Vocal is a platform that allows writers and creators to publish stories and earn money based on engagement. It is operated by Vocal Media, which was founded in 2016. Vocal is designed for writers of all experience levels and focuses on rewarding creators for their content.

Key Features of Vocal:

• Niche Communities: Vocal organizes content into specific communities like Futurism, Geeks, Feast, Blush, and many others. This helps writers target a specific audience.
• Monetization Model: Writers earn money based on the number of reads their stories receive. Vocal+ (a paid subscription) offers higher payout rates.
• Clean Publishing Interface: Writers can format articles with headings, images, and embeds without needing coding knowledge.
• Contests and Challenges: Vocal often runs writing challenges that offer cash prizes and additional exposure.

What Is Medium?

Medium is a well-known online publishing platform launched by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams in 2012. It’s designed for thoughtful, long-form content and is used by both individual writers and large publications.

Key Features of Medium:

• Wide Readership: Medium has a large, built-in audience interested in personal essays, tech, business, lifestyle, and more.
• Partner Program: Writers can earn money through Medium’s Partner Program, which pays based on member reading time and engagement.
• Minimalist Design: Medium is known for its clean, distraction-free reading and writing experience.
• Built-In SEO and Distribution: Articles can be discovered through Medium’s homepage, topic pages, and newsletters.

Vocal vs Medium: A Feature Comparison

Let’s compare both platforms side-by-side based on key factors.

1. Monetization

• Vocal: Pays per read. Vocal+ users earn $6 per 1,000 reads, while free users earn $3.80 per 1,000 reads. Payments are made via Stripe.
• Medium: Pays based on reading time from Medium members. Payouts can be more lucrative for longer, high-engagement pieces.

Winner: Tie – Vocal is better for high-volume traffic; Medium favors in-depth engagement.

2. Audience and Reach

• Vocal: You’ll mostly rely on promoting your own work through social media or SEO. Vocal doesn't have the same organic discoverability as Medium.
• Medium: Has a built-in user base and robust topic pages. You can grow your audience organically over time.

Winner: Medium

3. SEO Performance

• Vocal: Articles can be indexed and discovered via search engines. Clean URLs and structure help with SEO.
• Medium: Also performs well on Google. Medium’s domain authority gives it an edge in ranking.

Winner: Medium – because of its higher domain authority.

4. Customization and Control

• Vocal: Limited in terms of personal branding. You can’t customize your profile or story page much beyond basic information.
• Medium: Allows custom domains (with a publication), more personal branding, and the ability to build a following.

Winner: Medium

5. Writing Experience

• Vocal: User-friendly editor with formatting tools and multimedia support. Great for beginners.
• Medium: Elegant writing experience with intuitive formatting and excellent typography.

Winner: Medium – preferred by many for its polished design.

6. Community and Engagement

• Vocal: Limited interaction. No comments (only likes and shares).
• Medium: Supports comments, claps, highlights, and private notes. Stronger sense of community and reader feedback.

Winner: Medium

Pros and Cons of Vocal

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Pays per read
• Great for niche topics
• Contests offer extra income

Cons:

• Limited organic exposure
• Low payout unless you get many reads
• Fewer engagement features

Pros and Cons of Medium

Pros:

• Built-in audience
• High domain authority
• Quality-driven algorithm
• More interaction and feedback

Cons:

• Medium Partner Program requires being a member to earn
• Payment is less transparent
• Tougher to earn unless you write content that retains attention

When to Choose Vocal

Choose Vocal if:

• You write content with viral or high-search potential (e.g., listicles, how-tos, pop culture).
• You plan to promote your work heavily on social media or have an existing audience.
• You want to participate in challenges and contests for prize money.
• You’re just getting started and want an easy way to publish and potentially earn.

When to Choose Medium

Choose Medium if:

• You prefer long-form, thoughtful writing.
• You want to grow a loyal reader base and gain followers.
• You’re interested in reader feedback and engagement.
• You want to build a personal brand or start a publication.

Can You Use Both?

• Yes! Many writers publish on both platforms. For example, you could:
• Publish more polished essays and in-depth content on Medium
• Use Vocal for SEO-focused or story-based content that fits a niche category
• Just be sure not to post the same article on both platforms, as duplicate content can hurt your SEO performance.

Final Thoughts

Both Vocal and Medium offer unique benefits to writers, bloggers, and content creators. Your decision should be based on:

• The kind of content you create
• Your goals (brand building vs. monetization)
• Your preferred writing style

Vocal is great for niche storytelling and direct monetization, while Medium excels in audience growth and intellectual content.

In the end, the best platform is the one that aligns with your goals and helps you reach the right readers. Whether you choose Vocal, Medium, or both, consistency, quality, and engagement remain key to your success as a writer.