Decision Support · Side-by-side
Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.
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IONOS AI Website Builder wins for anyone who needs a full business website with e-commerce, custom domain, and email — all for $1/month intro pricing. Medium AI Publication Builder is better for writers and publishers who want instant audience reach and zero technical upkeep, but you can't build a real business site on it. The single biggest difference: IONOS gives you a complete, hosted website you own; Medium keeps you on its platform with limited customization.
AI Website Builder by IONOS
Medium AI Publication Builder
Scores at a glance
Choose AI Website Builder by IONOS if
Choose Medium AI Publication Builder if
Key differences
Facts side by side
| AI Website Builder by IONOS | Medium AI Publication Builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| API access |
Common questions
Yes, absolutely. IONOS lets you create a full business site with e-commerce, custom domain, and email. Medium only lets you publish articles in a blog format — you can't sell products or build a traditional website.
Not really. Medium is designed for long-form articles and stories. You can't create custom pages, galleries, or a traditional portfolio layout. Use IONOS if you want a portfolio site.
Both are beginner-friendly, but Medium is simpler because you don't need to set up anything — just write and publish. IONOS requires a few more steps (choosing a domain, configuring AI options) but still takes less than an hour.
No, IONOS does not have a mobile app for editing. You need to use a desktop browser. Medium also lacks a mobile app for managing publications.
IONOS starts at $1/month but jumps significantly after the first year. Medium's custom domain feature costs $5/month (or more for membership), but the basic free plan is limited. For a full website, IONOS is better value despite the price jump.
No. Medium has no e-commerce features. If you want to sell products online, choose IONOS AI Website Builder.
IONOS AI Website Builder wins for business websites; Medium AI Publication Builder wins for writers who want instant readers — pick based on whether you need to sell something or just tell a story.
If you need a real website for your business, freelancing, or online store, go with IONOS AI Website Builder — it's cheap, fast, and gives you everything in one bundle. If you're a writer who just wants to publish stories and reach readers without any hassle, Medium is your tool. For most people, IONOS is the better all-around choice.
Detail pages: AI Website Builder by IONOS · Medium AI Publication Builder
