What a news subscription is and how it differs from free news
A news subscription is a paid service that gives you access to articles, reporting, and other content from a news organization. You pay a recurring fee — usually monthly or yearly — and in return you get to read stories that the outlet restricts from free readers. Some subscriptions also include newsletters, podcasts, or ad-free reading.
The main difference between a subscription and free news is the paywall. Free news sites let anyone read a certain number of articles per month before asking you to pay. Subscription sites require payment upfront to read most or all of their content. Some outlets use a "metered paywall," meaning you can read a few free articles each month before hitting the limit. Others use a "hard paywall," where you must pay to read almost anything.
News organizations use subscriptions to replace the revenue they lost when print advertising collapsed. Instead of making money mainly from ads, they now make money from readers. This is why nearly every major newspaper and many smaller outlets now charge for digital access.
Key Takeaways
- News subscriptions typically cost between $10 and $20 per month, though annual plans often cost less per month when you pay upfront.
- Most subscriptions let you read on multiple devices and share access with household members, but the number of people varies by outlet.
- Metered paywalls let you read a few free articles each month before you must pay; hard paywalls require payment to read almost any article.
- Many news subscriptions offer a free trial period of one to four weeks, and some outlets run promotional rates for new subscribers.
- You can cancel most subscriptions anytime without penalty, though some promotional rates require you to stay subscribed for a minimum period.
How much news subscriptions cost and what affects the price
Monthly subscription prices range widely depending on the outlet and what you get. A basic digital subscription to a major newspaper typically costs $10 to $20 per month. Some outlets charge less — around $5 to $8 — while others charge more, especially if the plan includes print delivery or premium features like ad-free reading or access to archives.
Annual plans almost always cost less per month than paying month-to-month. If a subscription costs $15 per month, the annual rate might be $120 to $150 per year, which works out to $10 to $12.50 per month. Many outlets also offer introductory rates for new subscribers — sometimes as low as $1 per month for the first month or three months, then the regular price after that.
The price also depends on what the subscription includes. A basic plan might give you access to articles and newsletters. A premium plan might add podcasts, a print edition, or the ability to save articles offline. Some outlets bundle multiple publications under one subscription — for example, a single subscription might cover the main news site plus a business section, sports section, or opinion section.
A few outlets still offer free access to all content but ask readers to pay voluntarily. These are rare, and most rely on a mix of subscriptions and donations rather than subscriptions alone.
How to set up a subscription and what information you need
Setting up a news subscription usually takes five to ten minutes. You go to the outlet's website, find the subscription page, and choose the plan you want. You then create an account with an email address and password, enter your payment method (credit card, debit card, or sometimes PayPal), and confirm your purchase.
You will need a valid payment method to complete the purchase. Most outlets accept major credit cards and debit cards. Some also accept PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. A few accept digital wallets or other payment methods, but this varies by outlet.
After you subscribe, you can usually log in on multiple devices — a phone, tablet, and computer — using the same email and password. Some outlets limit how many devices can be logged in at the same time, or how many household members can share one subscription. Check the outlet's terms to see if there are restrictions on sharing.
Most subscriptions come with a free trial period before you are charged. This might be one week, two weeks, or a month, depending on the outlet and the current promotion. During the trial, you have full access to all subscription content. If you cancel before the trial ends, you will not be charged. If you do not cancel, your payment method will be charged on the day the trial ends.
How to cancel a subscription and what happens to your access
You can cancel most news subscriptions anytime through your account settings on the outlet's website. Log in, go to your account or subscription settings, and look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation.
Some outlets also let you cancel by calling customer service or emailing support, though this is less common. If you subscribed through Apple News+, Google Play, or another third-party service, you may need to cancel through that service instead of the news outlet's website.
When you cancel, your access usually ends when ready or at the end of your current billing period, depending on the outlet's policy. If you cancel mid-month, some outlets will refund the unused portion of your subscription; others will not. Check the outlet's cancellation policy before you subscribe if this matters to you.
If you subscribed at a promotional rate, canceling and resubscribing later may not get you the same rate again. Some outlets allow you to resubscribe at the promotional rate; others do not. This varies by outlet and by promotion.
Bundled subscriptions and news packages
Several large outlets and tech companies offer bundled subscriptions that combine multiple news sources or publications under one price. Apple News+ costs about $12 per month and includes access to dozens of magazines and some newspapers, though not all major outlets participate. Google Play Pass includes some news content but is primarily a gaming and app subscription.
Some newspaper companies bundle their own publications — for example, a subscription to one newspaper might include access to its sports section, business section, and archives. A few outlets also partner with each other to offer discounts if you subscribe to multiple services, though this is less common.
Bundled subscriptions can be cheaper than buying individual subscriptions if you read from multiple outlets. However, they may not include all the content you want, and the selection of outlets in a bundle can change. Before subscribing to a bundle, check which publications are included and whether they cover the topics you read most.
What you get with a subscription beyond articles
Most news subscriptions include more than just access to articles. Common add-ons are newsletters sent to your email, which summarize the day's news or focus on a specific topic like politics, business, or sports. Some subscriptions include podcasts produced by the outlet, either as part of the subscription or as a separate purchase.
Premium subscriptions often include ad-free reading, which removes advertisements from articles and the website. This can make reading faster and less distracting. Some subscriptions also let you save articles to read offline, create reading lists, or customize which topics appear on your homepage.
A few outlets offer subscriber-only events, like live Q&A sessions with reporters or virtual conferences. These are usually free to subscribers but may require you to register in advance. Access to archives — older articles published months or years ago — is sometimes included with a subscription and sometimes costs extra.
How to learn about a free trial is available and what the terms are
Most major news outlets advertise free trials on their subscription page. When you click "Subscribe" or "Start Free Trial," the outlet will show you the trial length and the regular price you will be charged after the trial ends. Read this information carefully before you enter your payment method.
Trial lengths vary. Some outlets offer one week free, others offer two weeks, and many offer a full month. A few offer longer trials, especially during promotional periods. The terms will also tell you whether you can cancel anytime during the trial or whether you must wait until the trial ends.
If you do not see a free trial advertised, it may not be available at that moment. Outlets rotate promotions, so a trial that is not available today may be available next month. You can also contact the outlet's customer service to ask if a trial is available, though they may not offer one if you have subscribed before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my news subscription with family members?
Most outlets allow you to share a subscription with household members, but the number of people who can use it at the same time varies. Some allow unlimited sharing within a household; others limit it to two or three simultaneous logins. Check the outlet's terms before you subscribe if sharing is important to you.
What happens if I forget to cancel before my free trial ends?
Your payment method will be charged the regular subscription price on the day the trial ends. You can cancel anytime after that and will not be charged again. Some outlets offer a refund if you cancel within a few days of being charged, but this is not may provide. Contact customer service when ready if you were charged by mistake.
Do I need a separate subscription for the news outlet's app?
No. If you subscribe to a news outlet's website, you can usually log in to their mobile app with the same email and password. You do not need to pay twice. However, if you subscribed through Apple News+ or Google Play, you may only have access through that service, not through the outlet's own app.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about a subscription?
Most outlets do not offer refunds for subscriptions, but many allow you to cancel during the free trial period without being charged. If you were charged and want a refund, contact customer service within a few days of the charge. Some outlets will refund the first month if you ask, but this is not may provide.
What if the news outlet changes its paywall or raises its price?
Outlets can change their paywall rules and raise prices anytime. If you are on a promotional rate, the outlet will usually honor that rate until your subscription renews. When it does renew, you will be charged the new regular price unless a new promotion is available. You can cancel anytime if you do not want to pay the new price.