What The Atlantic subscription includes
The Atlantic is a monthly magazine and website that publishes long-form journalism, essays, and cultural criticism. A subscription gives you access to all articles on The Atlantic's website, the print magazine delivered to your home each month, and their mobile app. You do not need a subscription to read some articles — The Atlantic allows a limited number of free articles per month — but a paid subscription removes that limit.
The subscription covers news analysis, politics, science, technology, books, and culture. The magazine itself arrives in print form, and the website version updates daily with new pieces. The mobile app syncs across devices, so you can read on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Key Takeaways
- The Atlantic offers both digital-only and print-plus-digital subscriptions, with the print version costing more and arriving monthly.
- You can start, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings without contacting customer service.
- The Atlantic frequently offers discounted rates for new subscribers, especially during promotional periods, so the first-year price may be lower than the renewal rate.
- Your subscription works across the website, mobile app, and print magazine with a single login, and you can share your account with household members depending on your plan.
Subscription pricing and plan options
The Atlantic offers three main subscription paths: digital-only, print-only, and print-plus-digital. Pricing varies by region and changes based on promotional offers. The digital-only plan costs less than print options because it does not include the physical magazine. Print-plus-digital costs more than either option alone.
New subscribers often see introductory rates that are lower than the standard renewal price. For example, a first-year digital subscription might cost one amount, but when it renews the following year, the price increases. The Atlantic displays the renewal rate at checkout so you know what to expect after the promotional period ends. You can cancel before renewal if you do not want to pay the higher rate.
The Atlantic also offers annual plans, which lock in a single yearly price, and monthly plans, which charge you each month. Annual plans usually cost less per month than paying month-to-month, but require a larger upfront payment.
How to set up your account and access content
To start, visit The Atlantic's website and select the subscription plan you want. You will enter your email address, create a password, and provide payment information. The Atlantic accepts major credit cards and some digital payment methods. After you complete the purchase, you can log in when ready and begin reading.
Once logged in, you can read articles on the website without hitting the free-article limit. The mobile app requires you to log in with the same email and password. Your reading history and saved articles sync across devices, so if you bookmark something on your phone, you can find it on your computer.
If you have a print subscription, your first issue arrives within one to two weeks of purchase, depending on your location and the current publishing schedule. You can update your mailing address in your account settings at any time.
Managing your subscription and billing
You control your subscription entirely through your account page. To pause your subscription temporarily, log in, go to your account settings, and select the pause option. This stops billing without canceling your account, and you can resume whenever you want. Pauses typically last up to three months.
To cancel, follow the same path and select cancel. The Atlantic does not require you to call or email — the cancellation takes effect when ready, and you retain access through the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you lose access when that month ends. If you cancel mid-year on an annual plan, you do not receive a refund for unused time.
Your billing date appears in your account settings. If you need to update your payment method, you can do that in the same section. The Atlantic sends a reminder email a few days before each charge.
Sharing your subscription with household members
The Atlantic allows you to share your login with people in your household. You provide them with your email and password, and they can log in on their own devices. There is no separate "family plan" — one subscription covers multiple people using the same account credentials.
If you have a print subscription, only one person receives the physical magazine at your address. If multiple people in your household want their own print copies, each person needs their own subscription.
What happens if you cancel and want to resubscribe
If you cancel your subscription and later want to return, you can resubscribe at any time. The Atlantic may offer you a promotional rate as a returning subscriber, though this is not may provide. You will need to log in with the same email address you used before, and your account history will be restored.
If you do not remember your password, use the "forgot password" link on the login page. The Atlantic will send you a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account, contact The Atlantic's customer service for help recovering it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read The Atlantic articles without paying?
Yes. The Atlantic allows readers to view a limited number of free articles each month without logging in. Once you reach that limit, you see a message asking you to subscribe. A subscription removes that limit entirely.
Does my subscription work on multiple devices?
Yes. Log in with the same email and password on your phone, tablet, and computer, and you can read on all of them. Your reading history and saved articles appear across all devices. You do not need separate subscriptions for each device.
What is the difference between digital-only and print-plus-digital?
Digital-only gives you access to the website and mobile app but no physical magazine. Print-plus-digital includes everything digital plus the print magazine mailed to your address each month. Print costs more because of production and shipping.
Can I get my money back if I cancel?
Refund policies depend on how you paid and when you cancel. If you cancel within a few days of purchase, The Atlantic may issue a refund. For cancellations after that window, you do not receive a refund for unused time. Check your account settings or contact customer service for your specific situation.
What if I want to change my plan after I subscribe?
You can upgrade from digital-only to print-plus-digital or downgrade from print to digital through your account settings. Changes take effect at your next billing date. The Atlantic adjusts your charge based on the new plan and any remaining time on your current subscription.