What The Economist subscription includes
The Economist is a weekly news and analysis magazine published in London. A subscription gives you access to the print edition delivered to your home, the digital edition on their website and mobile app, and their full archive of past articles going back several years. You also receive The Economist's daily email newsletters, which summarize major stories and analysis.
The magazine covers global politics, business, science, culture, and economics. Each issue is roughly 80 to 100 pages and arrives on Thursdays in most of North America. Digital access begins the moment you subscribe and does not require you to wait for print delivery.
The Economist also offers a separate audio edition through their app, where professional narrators read selected articles aloud. This is included with a digital subscription but not always with print-only plans, depending on which subscription tier you choose.
Key Takeaways
- The Economist offers three main subscription types: print only, digital only, and print plus digital, with different price points for each.
- Digital access starts when ready upon purchase, while print delivery typically begins within one to two weeks depending on your location.
- You can read on their website, through their mobile app for iOS and Android, or through their Economist app for tablets.
- The Economist frequently runs promotional pricing for new subscribers, especially around the end of the year, so the introductory rate is often lower than the standard renewal price.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings without penalty.
Subscription tiers and pricing
The Economist offers three main subscription options. A digital-only subscription gives you access to the website, app, and email newsletters but no print magazine. A print-only subscription delivers the physical magazine to your address each week but does not include digital access. A print plus digital subscription includes both the printed magazine and full digital access.
Pricing varies by region and changes regularly. In the United States, introductory rates for new subscribers are typically lower than the standard renewal price — often 50 percent off the first year or a flat rate for the first several weeks. After the introductory period ends, your subscription renews at the full rate unless you cancel. The Economist publishes their current rates on their subscription page, and you can see the renewal price before you complete your purchase.
Student subscriptions are available at a reduced rate if you can verify your student status through a third-party verification service. You will need a valid school email address or student ID number to register.
How to set up your subscription
Visit The Economist's website and select the subscription type you want. You will be asked to create an account using an email address and password. Enter your payment information — The Economist accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. If you are ordering a print subscription, provide your mailing address.
After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation email with your account details and login information. Digital access is active when ready. If you ordered print, you will receive a separate email with tracking information once your first issue ships, which typically happens within one to two weeks.
You can manage your subscription settings by logging into your account on The Economist's website. From there, you can update your payment method, change your mailing address, adjust your email preferences, or pause or cancel your subscription.
Reading on different devices
The Economist's website works on any computer with a web browser. straightforward log in with your email and password to read articles, browse past issues, and access their full archive. You can read as many articles as you want without hitting a limit.
The Economist app for iPhone and iPad, available through the Apple App Store, lets you read offline by downloading issues to your device. The Android app works similarly and is available through Google Play. Both apps sync your reading progress across devices, so you can start an article on your phone and finish it on your tablet.
The Economist also publishes a separate Espresso app, which is a free daily briefing app that summarizes the day's top stories. This is separate from your subscription and does not require a paid account, though subscribers get additional features.
Email newsletters and alerts
When you subscribe, you are automatically enrolled in The Economist's daily email newsletter, which arrives each morning and highlights the week's major stories. You can customize which newsletters you receive through your account settings. Options include newsletters focused on specific regions (Americas, Asia, Europe), topics (business, science, culture), or a weekly digest instead of daily emails.
You can also set up alerts for specific topics or keywords. When The Economist publishes an article matching your interests, you will receive an email notification. This feature is useful if you follow particular industries, countries, or policy areas closely.
Pausing or canceling your subscription
You can pause your subscription for up to four weeks without canceling it entirely. This is useful if you are traveling or temporarily unable to read. Log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the pause option. Your subscription will resume automatically after the pause period ends.
To cancel, log into your account and select the cancel option in your subscription settings. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will continue to have access until that date. The Economist does not charge a cancellation fee, and you can resubscribe at any time.
If you cancel a print subscription, you will not receive any refund for issues already shipped. If you cancel a digital subscription mid-month, you retain access through the end of that billing period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my login with family members?
The Economist's terms of service state that each subscription is for personal use only. Sharing login credentials with people outside your household violates the terms. However, The Economist does offer household plans in some regions that allow multiple logins for people living at the same address. Check their website to see if this option is available in your area.
What happens if I don't receive an issue?
Contact The Economist's customer service through their website with your subscription number and the issue date you missed. They can investigate the delivery problem and either reship the issue or credit your account. Delivery delays of one to two weeks are normal depending on your location, but issues older than that should be reported.
Can I change my subscription type after I've already subscribed?
Yes. Log into your account and go to your subscription settings. You can upgrade from digital-only to print plus digital, downgrade from print to digital-only, or make other changes. Changes take effect at your next billing date. If you upgrade, you may be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period.
Is there a way to read The Economist for free?
The Economist's website allows you to read a limited number of free articles per month before a paywall appears. You can also access some articles through social media links or through your library if it subscribes to The Economist. A paid subscription removes the article limit and gives you access to their full archive.
Do I need to provide a credit card to start a free trial?
The Economist does not currently offer a free trial period. However, they frequently run promotional offers for new subscribers with reduced introductory rates. You will need to provide a payment method to start any subscription, even at a promotional price.