I Tried 5 Writing Platforms to Make Money Over the Years
Here’s What Actually Paid Off (and What Didn’t)
They say “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
If only it was that simple.
Writing online can absolutely pay your bills. But not all platforms offer that. I’ve dabbled and experimented with 5 platforms to make money writing online over the years.
The outcome has been radically different.
Here’s how I ranked them based on earnings, experience, and the likelihood that they’ll earn you your next dollars.
#5: NewsBreak
Best for: Local news buffs, viral-style writing, newsworthy takes.
The pitch: Get into their Partner Program, write newsy takes or local happenings, rack up views, and get paid.
The catch: You need 100 subscribers and 10 published stories to even apply. Sounds doable, but it can be a tough one. They have human reviewers who do their job.
My experience: I was on NewsBreak twice. Once way back in 2021 when I was in the partner program and earned a few bucks a month. Then I quit and deleted my account. Stupid decision because the next time I applied in 2023, I was rejected twice. But I am not too mad about this. NewsBreak has never been my style of writing.
Verdict: It can be a great platform for some writers. I can’t say too much about it, though.
#4: Vocal
Best for: Creators who enjoy contests, niche storytelling, and don’t mind the slow grind.
The pitch: Vocal pays per read. Basic users earn $3 per 1,000 views; Vocal+ members earn $6 per 1,000 views. There are also occasional bonuses and challenges.
My experience: Vocal is a good platform. You won’t get rich there (nope). But it seems like pace has picked up in 2025. At least for me. I do earn steady income there. And views keep growing at the moment.
Verdict: Vocal is an easy platform to use. It’s not a cash machine but you can slowly increase your earnings. And the occasional bonus for a top story is a nice feature.
#3: WordPress (with AdSense)
Best for: Control freaks, SEO experts, niche writers, long-game players.
The pitch: You own your site. You write what you want. Slap on Google AdSense or other ad platforms, and you can earn based on traffic.
My experience: This one is work. There’s no audience baked in. You’re building the blog, the brand, the distribution, and the funnel. But it’s the king of old school blogging. I used WordPress for the longest time. Made some good money with ads. But in the end, I just don’t like ads. Being paid for reads without ads feels a lot better.
Verdict: WordPress is a great blogging platform. You can control everything. But it is also more effort, more technically, and more complex than the others on this list. Also, monetization is indirectly.
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#2: Substack
Best for: Writers who want true audience ownership and dream of paid newsletters.
The pitch: Substack is a newsletter platform that lets you send free or paid emails to your subscribers. You set the paywall. You keep your list.
My experience: If somebody had told me 10 years ago that thousands of people could earn tens of thousands of dollars per year getting paid for a weekly newsletter, I would have laughed. But Substack made it work. I love this platform. I earn from paid subs but also from sponsorships, affiliate links, and partnerships.
You can export your subscriber list any time. That means you’re not locked in if you want to switch to another platform later.
Verdict: Substack doesn’t throw money at you like others might — but if you’re willing to work at it, it can build a deep, profitable bond with your audience. Some lucky writers have scaled this system to millions of $.
#1: Medium
Best for: Storytellers, niche experts, trend hoppers, or literally anyone who writes good stuff consistently.
The pitch: Medium pays you based on reading time and engagement from paying members. You can go viral, build followers, and hit 3–4 figures if you’re consistent and strategic.
My experience: I had to put Medium here. For me, it's been the number 1 platform since 2021. Sure, at times, it was a rollercoaster. You might earn 4 figures one month, and two the next. But that’s kind of the beauty, too. Medium is a little unpredictable, but you can cash in big there. When I first hit 4 figures a month, I was ecstatic.
The secret: It’s all about consistency, headlines, and writing things people care about. Positively or negatively. Medium is not for SEO bots. You need human attention. And a boost.
Verdict: Medium is still the king if you’re ready to show up, write smart, and treat it like a job. No, it’s not easy, and it’s unpredictable, but it is basically the only platform where you can write today and earn tomorrow without any technical knowledge, SEO skills, paid subscribers, or ads. And that’s pretty special in 2025.
The Bottom Line
Writing online can earn you real money, but only if you pick the right platforms and play the long game.
TL:DR
#5 NewsBreak: High views, low payout.
#4 Vocal: Fun, quirky, modestly profitable.
#3 WordPress (AdSense): Slow burner, but fully yours.
#2 Substack: Deep connection, great long-term game.
#1 Medium: Still the best mix of reach, quality, and revenue.
I love Medium and Substack. I’d recommend these two in any case, 2025. If you want to add on to this, WordPress is a good option to have something that’s truly open source and yours. But to me, this is optional right now.
What’s your favorite writing platform?