The Wall Street Journal annual subscription runs $299 per year for digital access, or $599 per year for print plus digital combined

The Wall Street Journal offers two main annual paths. The digital-only plan gives you access to wsj.com, the WSJ mobile app, and the WSJ newsletter archive for $299 per year when you commit to 12 months upfront. The print-plus-digital plan costs $599 per year and includes a daily print edition delivered to your home, plus all digital access. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel, and the company charges your payment method on your renewal date each year.

The price you see advertised — often $99 or $199 for the first year — is an introductory rate. That lower price applies only to your first 12 months. When your subscription renews, you pay the full annual rate unless you negotiate a different rate before renewal. Some readers find lower rates by calling the subscription line directly or by letting a lapsed subscription sit for a few weeks, after which the Journal may send a re-subscription offer.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital-only access costs $299 per year after any introductory period ends, while print plus digital costs $599 per year.
  • Your subscription renews automatically on your renewal date, and you are charged the full annual rate unless you cancel or negotiate before that date.
  • The introductory rate you see advertised applies only to your first year; the renewal price is substantially higher.
  • You can cancel anytime, but the Journal does not refund unused portions of your annual subscription.
  • Digital access includes wsj.com, the mobile app, and email newsletters, but does not include access to the Journal's video content beyond what appears on the website.

What digital-only access includes

A digital subscription gives you unlimited reading on wsj.com from any device, the Wall Street Journal mobile app for iOS and Android, and access to the complete archive of Journal articles going back decades. You also receive the Journal's daily email newsletters, including the morning briefing, markets coverage, and topic-specific digests you can customize. The digital plan does not include a print edition.

Digital access works across multiple devices — you can read on your phone, tablet, and computer simultaneously. The app allows you to read articles to read offline, which is useful if you commute or travel. You can save articles to a personal folder and set up alerts for specific companies, industries, or reporters whose work you want to follow.

What print plus digital access includes

The print-plus-digital plan includes everything in the digital plan, plus a daily print edition delivered to your home. Print delivery runs Monday through Saturday in most areas; Sunday delivery varies by location. You receive the same digital access as the digital-only plan — wsj.com, the app, newsletters, and the archive.

Print delivery typically begins within one to two weeks of your subscription start date. The Journal delivers to most U.S. addresses, but delivery to rural areas may take longer or may not be available. You can check delivery availability for your address during signup. If you travel frequently or move during your subscription year, you can pause or change your delivery address through your account settings.

How to manage your subscription and cancellation

You manage your Wall Street Journal subscription through your online account at wsj.com. Log in, go to your account settings, and select "Subscription" to view your plan, renewal date, and payment method. From there you can update your billing information, change your delivery address if you have print, or pause your subscription for up to three months.

To cancel, go to the same subscription settings page and select the cancellation option. The Journal will ask you why you are canceling and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. If you decline, your access ends on your renewal date — you do not lose access when ready. The Journal does not refund the unused portion of your annual subscription if you cancel mid-year. If you have a problem canceling online, you can call the subscription customer service line, which appears on your billing statement.

Introductory rates versus renewal rates

The Wall Street Journal advertises heavily discounted first-year rates — often $99, $149, or $199 annually depending on the promotion running at the time. These rates are real, but they explore only to your first subscription year. When your 12 months end, your subscription automatically renews at the full rate: $299 for digital-only or $599 for print-plus-digital.

Before your renewal date arrives, you receive an email notification telling you the renewal price. At that point, you have options. You can accept the renewal at the full rate, cancel before the renewal date, or contact the subscription line to negotiate a lower renewal rate. Some readers report success calling to ask for a discount, particularly if they have been subscribers for multiple years. The Journal sometimes offers multi-year discounts or extended introductory rates to keep long-term subscribers.

Comparing the digital plan to print plus digital

The choice between digital-only and print-plus-digital depends on how you read and what you value. Digital-only costs $200 less per year and gives you when ready access to breaking news and real-time market data on your phone or computer. Print-plus-digital costs more but delivers a physical newspaper to your home each morning, which some readers prefer for deep reading and the tactile experience.

Print subscribers also receive access to the Journal's weekend edition, which includes longer features and analysis not always available in the weekday digital edition. However, most of that content does appear on wsj.com eventually. If you read primarily on mobile or during commutes, digital-only is usually sufficient. If you read at home with time to sit down with a newspaper, print-plus-digital may be worth the extra cost.

What happens if you do not use your subscription

If you subscribe but do not read, your subscription still renews at the full rate on your renewal date unless you cancel beforehand. The Journal does not track usage or offer refunds based on how much you read. If you realize you are not using your subscription, log into your account and cancel before your renewal date to avoid being charged again.

If you have already been charged for a renewal you did not want, contact the subscription customer service line within a few days of the charge. The Journal may refund a recent renewal charge if you request it when ready, though this is not may provide. After a refund is issued, your access ends on the date the refund was processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Yes. You can pause your subscription for up to three months through your account settings. Your renewal date moves forward by the number of months you pause, so you are not charged during that time. This is useful if you are traveling or temporarily unable to read.

Does the digital subscription include the Journal's video content?

The digital subscription includes access to video articles that appear on wsj.com and in the app, but does not include the Journal's premium video service or live video streams. Most video content available to subscribers appears within regular articles on the website.

What if I move and no longer want print delivery?

You can downgrade from print-plus-digital to digital-only through your account settings. The change takes effect on your next renewal date, and your rate adjusts accordingly. You do not receive a refund for the remaining print portion of your current subscription year.

Can I share my login with family members?

The Wall Street Journal terms of service allow one person per account. Sharing your login with others violates the subscription agreement, and the Journal may deactivate your account if they detect unauthorized sharing. Family members can purchase their own subscriptions, often at introductory rates.

Is there a student discount?

The Wall Street Journal offers discounted subscriptions to college students, typically around $99 per year for digital access. You must verify your student status through a third-party verification service during signup. Check wsj.com/student for current student pricing and requirements.