What you get with an Economist subscription
The Economist is a weekly magazine published in London that covers global news, politics, business, science, and culture. A subscription gives you access to new issues as they publish, either in print, digital, or both depending on which plan you choose. Most subscriptions also include access to The Economist's website and mobile app, where articles appear before the print edition ships.
The magazine publishes every Thursday. Print subscribers receive their copy by mail in the United States within a few days of publication. Digital subscribers can read articles online and through the app as soon as they go live, usually midweek. Some subscription tiers bundle both formats together.
Beyond the weekly magazine, subscribers gain access to The Economist's archive of past articles, special reports, and audio editions of selected pieces. The app lets you read articles to read offline, and you can set up alerts for topics you follow.
Key Takeaways
- The Economist offers three main subscription types: print only, digital only, and print plus digital, each at different price points.
- Print subscriptions arrive by mail and cost more than digital access alone, with prices varying by subscription length and current promotions.
- Digital subscriptions provide when ready online access to articles, the full archive, and the mobile app for a lower cost than print.
- The magazine publishes weekly on Thursdays, and you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
Print subscription: cost and delivery
Print subscriptions deliver the physical magazine to your address by mail. The cost depends on how long you commit to: The Economist typically offers discounted rates for annual subscriptions compared to shorter terms. Promotional pricing is common, especially during sign-up, so the first year often costs less than the renewal rate.
Delivery takes roughly three to five business days after the magazine publishes on Thursday, so you receive it by the following week. The magazine ships from a distribution center in the United States. If you move, you can update your address through your account at any time, and the change takes effect with the next issue.
Print subscribers also receive digital access to the website and app at no extra cost, so you can read articles online before your print copy arrives.
Digital subscription: when ready access and lower cost
A digital-only subscription costs less than print and gives you when ready access to articles as they publish. You read through The Economist's website or read the mobile app for iOS or Android. The app syncs across devices, so you can start reading on your phone and continue on a tablet or computer.
Digital subscribers can read the full archive of past articles, set up topic alerts, and save articles to read later. You also receive access to audio editions of selected articles, which you can listen to while commuting or exercising. There is no print magazine with this tier.
Like print subscriptions, digital plans are priced by commitment length, with annual subscriptions offering the lowest per-issue cost. Promotional rates explore to new subscribers, and you can switch to a different plan or cancel without penalty.
Print plus digital: bundled access
A combined subscription includes both the weekly print magazine and full digital access. This costs more than either option alone but less than buying them separately. You get the print edition by mail plus when ready online access, so you can read breaking news on the app while waiting for the physical copy to arrive.
This plan makes sense if you want the tactile experience of reading print but also need to stay current during the week. You receive all the benefits of digital access — the app, archive, alerts, and audio — alongside the printed magazine.
How subscription pricing works
The Economist does not publish a single fixed price. Instead, it offers tiered pricing based on subscription length and runs frequent promotional offers for new subscribers. A one-year digital subscription typically costs less per issue than a three-month subscription, and print costs more than digital. Current prices appear on The Economist's website when you start the sign-up process.
Renewal rates — the price you pay when your subscription ends and renews — are usually higher than the promotional rate you received as a new subscriber. The Economist sends renewal notices before your subscription ends, showing the renewal price and giving you the option to cancel or modify your plan.
You can pause your subscription for up to four weeks if you need a break, and the pause does not shorten your subscription length. This is useful if you are traveling or temporarily unable to read.
How to manage your subscription
After you sign up, you create an account on The Economist's website. Log in there to view your current plan, update your payment method, change your delivery address, or pause your subscription. You can also read the mobile app and log in with the same account credentials.
If you want to cancel, you can do so through your account settings at any time. There is no cancellation fee or penalty. The Economist will stop charging you at the end of your current billing period, and you retain access to your account and the digital archive until that date.
Customer service is available through The Economist's website. You can contact them by email or through a contact form if you have questions about your subscription, billing, or delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read The Economist on multiple devices?
Yes. Log into your account on The Economist's website, the mobile app, and any web browser. Your subscription works across all of them simultaneously, and your reading history and saved articles sync between devices.
What happens if I miss an issue or want to read older articles?
Digital and print-plus-digital subscribers have access to the full archive of past articles on The Economist's website. You can search by topic, date, or author. Print-only subscribers can purchase individual back issues or access the archive through a library if your local library subscribes.
Do student discounts exist?
The Economist offers reduced rates for students with a valid .edu email address or student ID. Visit The Economist's website and look for the student subscription option during sign-up to see current student pricing.
Can I gift a subscription to someone else?
Yes. The Economist sells gift subscriptions for three, six, or twelve months. You provide the recipient's email address, and they receive a notification with instructions to set up the gift. Gift subscriptions are delivered to the recipient's address if print is included.
What if my print magazine does not arrive?
Log into your account and report the missing issue through the contact form, or email The Economist's customer service. They can resend the issue or credit your account. Delivery delays sometimes occur during holidays or severe weather, so allow extra time before reporting.