What you get with a Wall Street Journal digital subscription
A Wall Street Journal digital subscription gives you online access to the Journal's news, analysis, and market data through wsj.com and the WSJ mobile app. The subscription includes articles across business, markets, politics, technology, and opinion sections, plus access to the Journal's video content and newsletters.
The Journal offers different subscription tiers. The basic digital plan covers news and analysis. A higher tier adds access to Barron's, the Journal's investing publication, and additional market data tools. The most comprehensive tier includes print delivery along with digital access. Pricing varies depending on which tier you choose and whether you are a new or existing subscriber.
You can read a limited number of articles each month without paying — the Journal calls this the "metered paywall." Once you hit that limit, you will need a subscription to continue reading. The exact number of free articles changes, so check the Journal's website for the current threshold.
Key Takeaways
- Wall Street Journal digital subscriptions come in three main tiers: digital only, digital plus Barron's, and digital plus print, each with different monthly or annual costs.
- You can read a limited number of articles each month without a subscription before the paywall stops you from reading further.
- Subscriptions renew automatically, and you can cancel anytime through your account settings on wsj.com or by contacting customer service.
- The Journal offers discounted introductory rates for new subscribers, though the price increases after the promotional period ends.
- Your subscription works across devices — you can read on the website, the mobile app, or through email newsletters, all with the same login.
Subscription tiers and pricing
The Wall Street Journal offers three main digital subscription options. The digital-only plan gives you access to wsj.com and the mobile app. The digital plus Barron's plan adds access to Barron's content and additional investing tools. The print plus digital plan includes a print newspaper subscription along with full digital access.
Pricing for each tier depends on whether you are a new subscriber and what promotional offer is currently running. New subscribers typically receive a discounted rate for the first few months or the first year, after which the price moves to the standard rate. You can pay monthly or annually, and annual plans usually cost less per month than paying month-to-month.
The Journal also offers special pricing for students, military members, and people over 65. These rates are lower than standard pricing but have specific requirements — for example, student plans require proof of enrollment at an accredited school. Check wsj.com/offers to see which discounts you may be able to use.
How to start and manage your subscription
To start a subscription, go to wsj.com and select the plan you want. You will enter your email address and create a password, then choose your payment method and billing frequency. The Journal accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your subscription begins when ready after payment processes.
Once you have an active subscription, you can log in on any device using the same email and password. Your account settings on wsj.com let you update your payment method, change your billing frequency, or pause your subscription temporarily. You can also manage which newsletters you receive and customize your news preferences.
If you want to cancel, you can do so through your account settings anytime. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the end of that month. The Journal does not charge a cancellation fee.
Accessing content across devices
Your subscription works on the WSJ website, the mobile app for iPhone and Android, and through email. When you log in with your subscription credentials on any of these platforms, you have access to all the content your plan includes. You do not need separate logins for each device.
The mobile app lets you read articles to read offline, which is useful if you travel or have spotty internet. You can also save articles to read later and set up notifications for breaking news in topics you follow. The app syncs your reading history and saved articles across all your devices.
If you receive WSJ newsletters as part of your subscription, you can click through to read full articles directly from the email. Some newsletters are available to free readers, while others require a subscription to access the linked content.
What happens if your subscription lapses
If your subscription ends and you do not renew, you return to the free article limit. You can read a certain number of articles each month without paying, but once you hit the limit, you will see a message asking you to subscribe. Your saved articles and reading history remain in your account, but you cannot access them until you resubscribe.
If your payment method fails or your card is declined, the Journal will attempt to charge it again over several days. If payment continues to fail, your subscription will pause. You will receive an email notification asking you to update your payment information. Once you do, your subscription resumes.
The Journal sometimes offers reactivation offers to former subscribers — discounted rates to come back. These offers appear when you try to log in with a lapsed subscription or when you visit wsj.com without being logged in.
Comparing the Journal to other news subscriptions
The Wall Street Journal focuses heavily on business, markets, and finance news, though it covers politics, technology, and other topics as well. If you want a general news subscription that covers a broader range of topics equally, the New York Times or Washington Post may be better fits. If your main interest is markets and investing, the Journal's content and data tools are built specifically for that audience.
Some people subscribe to multiple news outlets. The Journal, Times, and Post all offer digital subscriptions at different price points, and bundling deals sometimes exist — for example, some internet or phone providers offer discounted news subscriptions as part of their packages. Check whether your current services include any media subscriptions you may not know about.
The Journal also offers a free tier of content, so you can read some articles without paying. This lets you test whether the publication's coverage matches what you are looking for before committing to a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Wall Street Journal login with family members?
The Journal's terms of service state that subscriptions are for personal use only, so technically sharing your login violates the agreement. However, the Journal does offer a "household" plan in some regions that lets multiple people in the same home use one subscription. Check your account settings or contact customer service to see if this option is available to you.
What is the difference between the digital plan and digital plus Barron's?
The digital-only plan includes Wall Street Journal content. The digital plus Barron's plan adds access to Barron's, which focuses on investing and personal finance, plus additional market data and research tools. If you do not read Barron's or use market data tools, the basic digital plan covers most readers' needs.
Do I have to pay for a full year, or can I cancel anytime?
You can choose to pay monthly or annually. Either way, you can cancel anytime through your account settings. If you cancel a monthly subscription, it ends at the end of that billing month. If you cancel an annual subscription, it ends at the end of the year — the Journal does not refund unused time.
Will my subscription price go up after the introductory rate ends?
Yes. New subscriber offers are temporary. After the promotional period ends, your subscription renews at the standard rate, which is higher than the introductory price. The Journal sends an email before the price change takes effect so you know what to expect.
Can I read Wall Street Journal articles through my library or employer?
Some public libraries and employers offer free or discounted access to the Journal as part of their services. Check with your library's website or your employer's benefits portal to see if this option is available to you. If it is, you can use that access instead of paying for your own subscription.