Hexo vs Medium

Hexo and Medium are both popular platforms for creating and publishing content online. Hexo is a static site generator that offers flexibility and control over the design and structure of a website. On the other hand, Medium is a user-friendly platform that focuses on simplicity and ease of use for writers and bloggers.

General information

Hexo
Medium
Introduction :
Hexo is a popular static site generator that was launched in 2012. It is an open-source platform that allows users to create fast and efficient websites with ease. Hexo is known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for developers looking to build static websites quickly. With a growing community and extensive documentation, Hexo continues to gain popularity among users seeking a streamlined content management solution.
Introduction :
Our platform is a versatile and user-friendly content management system that has gained popularity for its ease of use and customization options. Launched in [year], it has quickly become a go-to choice for individuals and businesses looking to create and manage their online presence. With a wide range of themes and plugins available, our platform offers endless possibilities for creating unique and professional websites.
Advantages :
  • Fast rendering speed
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Markdown support
  • Customizable themes and plugins
  • Active community and support
Advantages :
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Wide range of themes and plugins
  • Strong community support
  • SEO-friendly features
  • Customizable design options
Disadvantages :
  • Limited themes and plugins available
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less community support compared to others
  • Limited e-commerce functionality
  • Customization options may be more limited
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited support for e-commerce functionality
  • Limited scalability for large websites
Website users : 0.1% of websites
Hexo is used by a small fraction of websites compared to other platforms, with a niche user base.
Website users : Over 40% of websites
A widely-used platform with a significant market share, making it a popular choice for a large number of websites.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Hexo requires some technical knowledge of Markdown and command line interface, making it average in terms of ease of use.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started requires basic technical skills and understanding of the platform. Some initial learning curve but resources available for assistance.
Year launched : 2012
Hexo was launched in 2012, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems on the market.
Year launched : 2002
Launched in 2002, Medium has been providing a platform for writers and publishers to share their content for nearly two decades.
Official website : https://hexo.io/
Official website : https://medium.com/


Commercial details

Hexo
Medium
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Hexo is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The platform allows for complete customization and contributions from the community.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Medium's platform is partially open source, with limited access to the codebase for customization and development.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Hexo offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users looking to build websites.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
There is a free option available with limited features, suitable for basic websites or blogs. Additional features may require a paid plan.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Hexo offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience compared to free alternatives.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Paid options available for additional features and support, providing more customization and flexibility for users.


Platform details

Hexo
Medium
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options for Hexo are not clearly stated, further research or inquiries may be needed to determine availability.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
There are hosted options available for users, offering convenience and ease of use without the need for self-hosting.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Hexo can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting options available through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting environment.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Hexo does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through plugins or APIs.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
Support for headless systems is not clearly stated, but there may be headless features available through an API.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Hexo natively supports static content generation, making it efficient and reliable for generating static websites without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Medium does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

Hexo
Medium
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Hexo offers some content management capabilities, but primarily relies on plugins for more advanced features and functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Medium offers basic content management features but may require additional plugins for more advanced functionality compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Hexo is a good platform for blogging when enhanced by popular 3rd party plugins/extensions for added functionality and customization options.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Medium is a good platform for blogging when enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for additional features and customization options.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Hexo does not have native e-commerce capabilities but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for online store functionality.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Medium can be used for e-commerce with the help of third-party plugins like Shopify Buy Button or Ecwid integration.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Hexo does not natively support community/forum features but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Medium offers basic community features, but its functionality can be enhanced by third-party plugins for a more robust forum experience.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options for users.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls are supported through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content on Medium.


Other features

Hexo
Medium
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Hexo does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with the Hexo Multi-Lingual plugin for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Support for multi-site is available through popular plugins, offering flexibility and scalability for managing multiple sites within the platform.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Hexo does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with plugins like hexo-generator-i18n for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Supports multiple languages via plugins like WPML or Polylang, offering flexibility and customization for multilingual websites.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemap functionality can be added to Hexo through third-party plugins, offering enhanced SEO capabilities for users.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be supported through popular third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for users who require this feature.


When choosing between Hexo and Medium, consider your priorities - if you value customization and control, Hexo may be the better option. However, if you prefer a straightforward and intuitive platform for sharing your content, Medium could be the right choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences.