12 Dec 2024

living.so vs Medium: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to establishing your online presence, the platform you choose can make all the difference. Today, we're comparing two distinct platforms: living.so and Medium. While both offer ways to share your content online, they serve fundamentally different purposes and audiences.

Core Purpose and Philosophy

Medium

Medium positions itself primarily as a writing and publishing platform. It's designed for long-form content, with a focus on articles, stories, and thought pieces. The platform emphasizes the writing itself, with a clean, minimalist interface that puts content front and center. Medium is built around a community model, where writers and readers interact through comments, claps, and follows.

living.so

living.so takes a different approach – it's not just a blogging platform, but rather a comprehensive digital home. Think of it as your personal corner of the internet where everything about you can live together cohesively. While writing is certainly part of it, living.so is designed to showcase your entire digital identity, from your travel experiences to your creative works, professional achievements, and personal collections.

Content Organization and Structure

Medium

  • Linear blog-style organization

  • Articles are organized by topics and publications

  • Tag-based categorization

  • Limited customization of content presentation

living.so

  • Hierarchical organization with "tales" and nested stories

  • Flexible content structure that mimics natural thought processes

  • Rich media integration with specialized widgets

  • Customizable spaces for different aspects of your life

  • Automatic enhancement of lists (books, movies, TV shows) with metadata

Feature Comparison

Writing and Editing

Medium

  • Clean, distraction-free editor

  • Limited formatting options

  • Focus on text-based content

  • Built-in stats and earnings tracking

living.so

  • AI-powered writing assistant

  • Rich text editor with multimedia support

  • Automatic metadata enrichment

  • Hierarchical organization of content

  • Theme customization options

Customization and Personalization

Medium

  • Limited design customization

  • Standard layout for all users

  • Publication-based branding options

living.so

  • Multiple domain options (living.so, writing.so, traveling.so)

  • Custom domain support

  • Flexible widget system

  • Theme options with light/dark mode support

  • Personalized navigation structure

Social Integration

Medium

  • Native social features (follows, claps, responses)

  • Publication system for collaborative writing

  • Built-in monetization options

living.so

  • Instagram and X (Twitter) widget integration

  • Interactive world map for travel sharing

  • Cal.com calendar integration

  • Photo carousel for visual storytelling

  • Custom CTA widgets

Pricing and Accessibility

Medium

  • Free to read a limited number of articles

  • Membership required for unlimited access

  • Partner Program for writer monetization

  • Focus on subscription-based revenue model

living.so

  • 7-day free trial

  • $4/month (annual billing)

  • $6/month (monthly billing)

  • All features included in every plan

  • No tiered pricing or feature restrictions

Who Should Use Each Platform?

Medium is ideal for:

  • Professional writers and journalists

  • Those focused primarily on written content

  • Writers seeking to monetize their content directly

  • People looking to reach Medium's existing audience

  • Those who prefer a structured publishing platform

living.so is perfect for:

  • Creative professionals wanting a comprehensive online presence

  • Individuals looking to showcase multiple aspects of their life

  • Travel enthusiasts who want to share their experiences

  • Content creators needing flexible organization

  • Anyone wanting a personalized digital home

  • People who value visual presentation of their content

The Bottom Line

Medium and living.so serve different needs in the digital space. Medium excels as a dedicated writing and publishing platform, perfect for those focused primarily on written content and reaching a built-in audience. living.so, on the other hand, shines as a comprehensive digital home, ideal for those who want to showcase multiple aspects of their life and work in a beautifully organized, personalized space.

Choose Medium if:

  • Writing is your primary focus

  • You want to reach Medium's existing readership

  • You're interested in monetizing your writing

  • You prefer a structured publishing platform

Choose living.so if:

  • You want a comprehensive digital presence

  • You need flexible content organization

  • Visual presentation is important to you

  • You value customization and personalization

  • You want to showcase multiple aspects of your life

  • You need integrated social media features

Ultimately, the choice between Medium and living.so comes down to your specific needs and goals. While Medium focuses on being the best platform for written content, living.so aims to be your complete digital home, bringing together all aspects of your online presence in one beautifully organized space.

© 2024, living.so.

Built with living.so