What You Get With a USA Today Subscription
A USA Today subscription gives you access to news articles, sports coverage, and opinion pieces through their website and mobile app. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read each month for free. You can read as many stories as you want once you have an active subscription.
USA Today offers different subscription tiers. The basic digital subscription covers web and app access. Some packages bundle the digital edition with a print newspaper delivered to your home, though print availability and pricing depend on your location. You choose which type fits your reading habits when you sign up.
Key Takeaways
- USA Today subscriptions remove article limits and let you read unlimited stories on their website and app.
- You can sign up directly on usatoday.com or through the USA Today app on your phone or tablet.
- Subscription costs vary by plan type and how long you commit — monthly plans cost more per month than annual plans.
- You manage your subscription through your account settings, where you can pause, resume, or cancel at any time.
- If you have a print newspaper subscription through another service, you may already have digital access included.
How to Start a USA Today Subscription
Go to usatoday.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and you will see the available plans with their prices. Select the plan you want — typically a monthly option and an annual option appear side by side so you can compare cost.
Enter your email address and create a password for your account. You will then enter payment information: a credit card, debit card, or other payment method USA Today accepts. After your payment processes, your subscription becomes active when ready and you can start reading.
You can also subscribe through the USA Today app. Open the app on your phone or tablet, tap the menu icon, and look for "Subscribe" or "Manage Subscription." The process is the same — you choose a plan, enter your email and password, and provide payment details.
Understanding the Different Subscription Plans
USA Today typically offers a digital-only plan and a digital-plus-print plan. The digital plan covers unlimited reading on usatoday.com and the mobile app. The digital-plus-print plan includes everything digital plus a printed newspaper delivered to your address on days you choose or every day, depending on the option.
Pricing depends on whether you pay month to month or commit to a year. Monthly subscriptions have a higher per-month cost but no long-term commitment. Annual subscriptions spread the cost over twelve months and usually cost less per month, but you pay for the full year upfront. Some promotional offers may be available that reduce the first month or first few months of either plan.
Print delivery is not available everywhere. If you enter your zip code during signup and print is not offered in your area, only the digital plan will appear as an option.
How to Access Your Subscription on Different Devices
Once your subscription is active, you can read on any device where you sign in with your account email and password. On a computer, go to usatoday.com, click "Sign In" in the top right, and enter your credentials. You will then have full access to all articles.
On a phone or tablet, read the USA Today app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app, tap the menu, and select "Sign In." Enter your email and password. After you sign in, the paywall lifts and you can read unlimited articles within the app.
You can sign in on multiple devices at the same time. If you share a device with someone else, you can sign out of your account in the app settings so they do not see your subscription or reading history.
Managing, Pausing, or Canceling Your Subscription
To manage your subscription, sign in to your USA Today account on usatoday.com. Look for "Account" or "Manage Subscription" in the menu or settings — the exact location varies slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or phone. Click it and you will see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method.
From this page, you can update your payment method, change your delivery address if you have print, or pause your subscription. Pausing temporarily stops your subscription without canceling it, so you do not lose your account or reading history. You can resume whenever you want.
To cancel, look for a "Cancel Subscription" button on the same page. USA Today will ask why you are canceling and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. If you choose to proceed, your subscription ends on your next renewal date and you will no longer be charged.
What Happens If You Already Have Print Delivery
If you subscribe to the printed USA Today newspaper through a local newspaper carrier or distributor, check whether digital access is included. Many print subscriptions bundle digital access at no extra cost, though this varies by how you subscribed and where you live.
To find out, contact the carrier or distributor who delivers your print copy, or call USA Today's customer service line. They can tell you whether your print subscription includes digital and, if it does, how to set up it. You may need to create an account or link your existing account to your print subscription.
Troubleshooting Common Subscription Issues
If you are signed in but still see the paywall, try signing out and signing back in. Sometimes the app or website does not when ready recognize an active subscription. Close the app completely and reopen it, or clear your browser cache and refresh the page.
If your payment was declined, check that your card has not expired and that you have sufficient funds. Go to your account settings and update your payment method. USA Today will attempt to charge the card again, usually within a few days.
If you forgot your password, go to usatoday.com and click "Sign In." Look for a "Forgot Password" link below the login fields. Enter your email address and USA Today will send you a link to reset your password. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read USA Today articles for free without a subscription?
Yes, USA Today allows a limited number of free articles each month before the paywall appears. Once you hit that limit, you need a subscription to keep reading. The exact number of free articles varies and can change.
Do I need a subscription to read USA Today on my phone?
You can read a limited number of free articles on the app, just like on the website. To read unlimited articles on your phone, you need a subscription. The subscription works across both the website and app with the same login.
What payment methods does USA Today accept?
USA Today accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes digital payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on how you sign up. The payment options shown during signup depend on your location and device.
Can I change my subscription plan after I sign up?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan through your account settings. Changes typically take effect on your next renewal date. Contact USA Today customer service if you want the change to happen when ready.
Is there a student discount for USA Today?
USA Today occasionally offers promotional rates, but these change frequently and availability depends on your location. Check usatoday.com/student or contact their customer service to see what offers are currently available.