Smartblogger
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy a course only if you're an aspiring writer who wants structured paid training on top of the free blog.
New check
Comparison
Smartblogger vs Medium
Smartblogger and Medium both land on Depends.
Medium
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy it as a reader or hobbyist writer who wants zero-setup publishing and a built-in audience.
| Compare | Smartblogger | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Aspiring freelance writers | Casual writers wanting zero setup |
| Who it's not for | Anyone shopping for blogging software | Businesses needing an owned, SEO-friendly blog |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.⁹ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Zendesk desk and support email exist; no reviews | Complaint sites flag hard-to-reach support |
| Public sentiment | Free content earns broad praise, but freelance writers on Reddit actively debate whether the paid courses are worth it.⁴ | Users like the reading catalog and easy publishing, but many question whether the membership and Partner Program earnings are worth it.14 |
| Biggest gotcha | Expect paid course pitches after joining the free newsletter; set a budget first³ | Paywall model means you never fully own your content's reach or SEO value. |
Pick Smartblogger when
- Aspiring freelance writers
- Beginner bloggers wanting structured training
- Content marketers seeking a certification
- Fans of long-form writing guides
When Smartblogger is not a fit
- Anyone shopping for blogging software
- Experienced writers content with free material
- Buyers needing transparent published pricing
- Teams wanting a content platform with analytics
Pick Medium when
- Casual writers wanting zero setup
- Avid readers of long-form essays
- Hobbyists testing ideas with a built-in audience
When Medium is not a fit
- Businesses needing an owned, SEO-friendly blog
- Writers trying to live on Partner Program earnings
- Anyone wanting full design control or easy content export
Sources
- Smart Blogger homepagesmartblogger.comofficial
- Muck Rack media profile (audience figures)muckrack.comnews
review
- Honest review of Smart Blogger's Content Marketing Certificationprojectuntethered.comreview
- BBB Business Profilebbb.orgnews
- Conny Manero blog critical of Jon Morrowconnymanero.weebly.comreview
- Smart Blogger security page checksmartblogger.comsecurity
review
news
- Medium review 2025 | TechRadartechradar.comreview
- Medium Reviews - 38 Customers Rate 2.5/5 | SmartCustomersmartcustomer.comreview
- 6 Years On Medium . Honest Reviewmedium.comreview
- Why I quit my Medium membership | HackerNoonhackernoon.comreview