Rolling Stone subscription basics

Rolling Stone offers two main subscription paths: a print magazine subscription delivered to your home, and a digital subscription that gives you online access to their website and app. The print edition arrives roughly every two weeks, while the digital version lets you read stories the moment they publish. You can buy either one separately, or bundle both together at a discounted rate.

Pricing varies depending on whether you sign up during a promotional period or at the standard rate. The company frequently runs discounts for new subscribers, especially around holidays and back-to-school periods. You'll set up payment through their website or by phone, and your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it beforehand.

Rolling Stone's content covers music, movies, TV, politics, and culture. If you're primarily interested in music journalism and celebrity news, the magazine delivers that consistently. The digital version includes everything from the print edition plus daily articles, video content, and archives going back several years.

Key Takeaways

  • Rolling Stone offers print subscriptions (delivered every two weeks), digital subscriptions (online and app access), or both bundled together.
  • New subscriber discounts are common and change seasonally, so checking their website for current offers before paying full price makes sense.
  • Your subscription renews automatically on a monthly or annual cycle depending on which plan you choose, so you'll need to cancel before the renewal date if you want to stop.
  • The digital version includes the full print edition plus daily online articles, video, and searchable archives.
  • You can manage your subscription, pause it temporarily, or cancel it through your account page on their website.

Print vs. digital: which one to choose

Print subscriptions arrive at your address on a regular schedule. You get the physical magazine to read offline, and there's no login required — you just open it. Print subscriptions typically cost more than digital alone, but less than buying individual issues at a newsstand. The downside is that you're reading news that's already a week or two old by the time it reaches your mailbox.

Digital subscriptions give you when ready access to new articles, reviews, and breaking entertainment news. You read through their website or the Rolling Stone app on your phone or tablet. Digital costs less than print and you can start reading within minutes of signing up. The trade-off is that you need an internet connection and a device to read on, and you don't get the tactile experience of holding a magazine.

A bundle subscription includes both print and digital. This costs more than either alone, but less than paying for them separately. Choose this if you want the magazine in your hands but also want to read breaking news online without waiting for the next issue to arrive.

How to start a subscription

Go to Rolling Stone's website and look for the subscription section, usually found in the top navigation menu or footer. Click on the subscription option and you'll see the available plans with their current prices. Read through each option to confirm which one matches what you want — print only, digital only, or both.

Select your plan and you'll be taken to a checkout page. Enter your delivery address (for print subscriptions), email address, and payment information. Rolling Stone accepts major credit cards and some subscriptions can be purchased through third-party platforms like Amazon or Apple News+, though those may have different pricing and terms.

After you complete payment, you'll receive a confirmation email with your account details and login information for digital access. Print subscriptions typically begin arriving within two to four weeks. Digital subscriptions usually set up within 24 hours, and you can log in when ready to start reading.

Managing your subscription and making changes

Log into your Rolling Stone account on their website to see your subscription status, renewal date, and payment method. From your account page, you can update your delivery address, change your payment information, or pause your subscription temporarily without canceling it entirely.

If you want to cancel, you can do so through your account page or by contacting Rolling Stone's customer service. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so if you're mid-month, you'll receive the rest of that month's service before it stops. Rolling Stone will send you a confirmation email once the cancellation is processed.

If you're having trouble logging in or accessing your digital subscription, Rolling Stone's customer service team can reset your password or troubleshoot access issues. You can reach them through the "Contact Us" page on their website, which typically offers email support and sometimes phone support depending on your subscription type.

Understanding renewal and billing

Your subscription renews automatically on the date specified in your account — usually monthly or annually, depending on which plan you chose at signup. Rolling Stone will charge your payment method on file a few days before the renewal date. You'll receive an email reminder before the charge goes through, giving you time to cancel if you've changed your mind.

If your payment method is declined or expired, Rolling Stone will attempt to charge it again over the next few days. If payment fails repeatedly, your subscription may be suspended until you update your payment information. Check your account page regularly to make sure your payment method is current, especially if you've gotten a new credit card.

Some subscriptions purchased through third-party platforms like Amazon Prime Reading or Apple News+ renew through those services instead of directly through Rolling Stone. In those cases, you'll manage cancellation and billing through the third-party platform, not through Rolling Stone's website.

Promotional offers and discounts

Rolling Stone regularly discounts new subscriptions, particularly during major shopping periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. These promotions can cut the price significantly — sometimes by 50 percent or more off the standard rate. If you're not in a rush to subscribe, waiting for a promotional period can save you money.

The promotional price typically applies only to your first billing cycle. After that, your subscription renews at the regular rate unless another promotion is running. Read the fine print on any offer to confirm when the discount ends and what your renewal price will be.

You can also find discounts through third-party subscription services like Groupon or through bundled offers with other magazines. Compare prices across these platforms before committing, since the total cost and what's included can vary.

What happens if you cancel

When you cancel a subscription, your access ends at the conclusion of your current billing period. If you paid for a full year and cancel three months in, you won't receive a refund for the unused portion — most magazine subscriptions are non-refundable once the billing cycle has started. However, you'll continue to receive your magazine or digital access through the end of that paid period.

After cancellation, you lose access to the digital edition and your login stops working. Print issues stop arriving. Rolling Stone may send you re-subscription offers via email after you cancel, but you're under no obligation to return.

If you think you might want to subscribe again later, consider pausing your subscription instead of canceling. A pause typically lasts 30 to 90 days and keeps your account active without charging you, so you can resume without creating a new account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-subscription?

Most magazine subscriptions, including Rolling Stone, don't offer refunds for unused portions of a billing cycle. Once your payment has been processed, it's non-refundable. However, you'll continue to receive your magazine or digital access through the end of the period you've already paid for.

How do I log into the Rolling Stone app on my phone?

read the Rolling Stone app from your phone's app store, then open it and tap "Sign In." Enter the email address and password associated with your Rolling Stone account. If you've forgotten your password, tap "Forgot Password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.

What's the difference between Rolling Stone's website and the digital subscription?

Rolling Stone's website has free articles available to all readers, but some content is behind a paywall for subscribers only. A digital subscription removes the paywall and gives you full access to all articles, archives, and the mobile app. The subscription also removes ads on the website.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

Rolling Stone's terms typically allow one person per account. Sharing login credentials with others violates the subscription agreement. However, if you live in the same household, you can discuss purchasing a family plan or multiple subscriptions if Rolling Stone offers that option.

How long does it take for a print subscription to start?

Print subscriptions usually begin arriving within two to four weeks of purchase. The exact timing depends on when you order and your location. You'll receive a confirmation email with an estimated start date. If your first issue doesn't arrive within six weeks, contact customer service.