What a Wall Street Journal e-subscription gives you
A Wall Street Journal e-subscription is a digital-only membership that lets you read WSJ articles, analysis, and market data on your computer, phone, or tablet. You get access to the full website and the WSJ mobile app, but not the print newspaper. The subscription renews automatically each month or year depending on which plan you choose at sign-up.
The Journal offers several e-subscription tiers. The basic digital plan covers news and analysis across business, markets, politics, and lifestyle sections. Premium tiers add features like access to the Journal's video content, podcasts, and additional tools for investors tracking stocks and bonds. You can read on multiple devices with the same login, though the number of articles you can share with non-subscribers each month varies by plan level.
You'll need a valid email address and a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account — to set up your subscription. The Journal will charge your payment method on the date you choose during sign-up, then on the same date each billing period after that.
Key Takeaways
- A Wall Street Journal e-subscription gives you access to the full website and mobile app, with automatic renewal each month or year depending on your plan.
- The Journal offers multiple subscription tiers, from basic digital news access to premium plans that include video, podcasts, and investor tools.
- You can read on any device using the same login, and you can share a limited number of articles each month with people who don't have a subscription.
- Sign-up takes about five minutes and requires an email address and a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings without calling customer service.
How to sign up for a Wall Street Journal e-subscription
Go to wsj.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and you'll see the available plans with their prices and what each one includes. Read the description for each tier so you know whether you want basic digital access or a plan with added features like video and investor tools.
Choose the plan you want and click the button to continue. You'll be asked to create an account with your email address and a password. The Journal will send a confirmation email to that address — open it and click the link to verify your email. Then enter your payment information: a credit card, debit card, or PayPal login. Review the billing date and amount one more time before you confirm the purchase.
Your subscription becomes active when ready after payment goes through. You can log in right away using the email and password you just created. If you're on a phone or tablet, read the WSJ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then log in with the same credentials.
Logging in on different devices
Once you've created your account, you can read the Journal on any device — a computer, phone, tablet, or e-reader — by logging in with your email and password. The website and app sync your reading history and saved articles across devices, so if you start an article on your phone, you can pick it up on your computer later.
If you use an e-reader like a Kindle, the Journal is available through Amazon's Kindle Newsstand. You'll need to link your WSJ account to your Amazon account to access it. Go to your WSJ account settings, find the "Devices and Apps" section, and follow the steps to connect your Amazon login.
You can be logged in on multiple devices at the same time. The Journal doesn't limit how many phones, tablets, or computers you can use, as long as you're the one reading. If someone else in your household wants their own login, they'll need to purchase their own subscription.
Understanding your billing and renewal
Your subscription renews automatically on the date you choose during sign-up. If you pick a monthly plan, you'll be charged once a month on that date. If you pick an annual plan, you'll be charged once a year. The Journal will send you an email a few days before each renewal so you know when the charge will happen.
The price you pay at sign-up may be different from the price after your first billing period ends. Many subscriptions start with an introductory rate for the first month or year, then move to the regular price. The Journal will tell you both prices before you confirm your purchase, so you know what to expect.
Your payment method must stay current for your subscription to renew. If your credit card expires or your payment fails, the Journal will try to charge a backup payment method if you've added one. If all payment methods fail, your subscription will pause until you update your billing information.
Pausing or canceling your subscription
You can pause or cancel your e-subscription at any time through your account settings. Log in to wsj.com, click your profile icon or name in the top right, and select "Account" or "Subscription." Look for an option that says "Manage Subscription" or "Pause Subscription." You won't need to call customer service or email anyone.
If you pause your subscription, your access stops but your account stays open. You can restart it later by logging back in and reactivating your plan. If you cancel, your account closes and you lose access to the website and app when ready. The Journal won't refund the portion of your current billing period that you haven't used yet.
If you cancel and want to subscribe again later, you'll create a new account and start a new subscription. You won't be able to recover articles you saved or notes you made in your old account, so if there's anything you want to keep, take screenshots or copy the text before you cancel.
Sharing articles and managing your account
Your e-subscription includes the ability to share a limited number of articles each month with people who don't have a WSJ account. The number of shares varies depending on your plan level. When you find an article you want to share, look for a "Share" button near the headline. You can copy a link to send via email or text, or share directly to social media.
People who click your shared link can read that article for free, even if they don't have a subscription. After they've read a few free articles from your shares, they'll see a message asking them to subscribe. This limit resets each month, so you get a fresh set of shares to use.
You can update your account information — your email, password, or payment method — at any time by logging in and going to your account settings. If you want to change your subscription plan to a higher or lower tier, you can do that through the same menu. The Journal will adjust your billing amount and date based on your new plan.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you forget your password, go to wsj.com and click "Log In." Below the login box, you'll see a "Forgot Password?" link. Click it, enter your email address, and the Journal will send you a link to reset your password. Check your spam folder if you don't see the email in your inbox within a few minutes.
If you're having trouble logging in on the app, try logging out completely, closing the app, and logging back in. If that doesn't work, delete the app and read it again from the App Store or Google Play. Then log in with your email and password. This usually fixes problems where the app isn't recognizing your account.
If you're seeing a message that says you've reached your article limit for the month, that means you've hit the paywall. This happens to free readers after they've read a certain number of free articles. If you have a paid subscription and still see this message, log out completely and log back in. If the message persists, contact WSJ customer service through your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the Wall Street Journal without a subscription?
You can read a limited number of free articles each month without a subscription. After you've read that many, you'll see a message asking you to subscribe. The exact number of free articles changes, so it's worth checking the site to see how many you get before the paywall appears.
What's the difference between the basic digital plan and the premium plans?
The basic plan gives you access to all news and analysis on the website and app. Premium plans add video content, podcasts, and tools for tracking stocks and bonds. Visit wsj.com/subscribe to see the current plans and what each one includes, since the Journal updates these offerings regularly.
Can I share my login with someone else in my family?
The Journal's terms say your login is for your personal use only. If multiple people in your household want to read the Journal, each person should have their own subscription. Some plans offer family or group discounts, so check the subscription page to see if that option is available.
What happens to my saved articles if I cancel my subscription?
Once you cancel, you lose access to your account and anything you saved, including articles and notes. If you want to keep copies of articles you've saved, take screenshots or copy the text before you cancel your subscription.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after subscribing?
The Journal's refund policy varies depending on how long you've had the subscription and which plan you chose. Contact WSJ customer service through your account settings to ask about a refund for your specific situation. They can tell you whether you're within the refund window.