What the Wall Street Journal offers and who pays what

The Wall Street Journal is a daily newspaper owned by Dow Jones & Company that covers business, markets, politics, and world news. The print edition arrives by mail, the digital edition works on any web browser or mobile app, and most subscription plans include both. Pricing and what you get depend on which plan you choose — the Journal offers several tiers, and the cost varies based on whether you bundle it with other Dow Jones products, how long you commit to, and whether you are a student or existing customer of certain financial institutions.

The Journal does not charge the same price to every reader. New subscribers often see introductory rates that last for a set period, then move to a higher regular price. Existing print subscribers get different pricing than new digital-only readers. Some employers and universities include Journal access as a benefit. The best way to know what you will actually pay is to visit wsj.com and enter your information, because the site shows you the specific offer available to you right now.

Key Takeaways

  • The Wall Street Journal offers digital-only, print-only, and print-plus-digital plans, each with different introductory and regular prices.
  • New subscribers typically see lower introductory rates for the first few months or year, then the price increases to the regular rate unless you cancel.
  • Print delivery is available in most U.S. areas but not everywhere; the site will tell you whether your address qualifies during checkout.
  • Students, employees of certain companies, and existing customers of some banks may have access to discounted or bundled rates through their institution.
  • You can pause, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings; you do not need to call customer service.

Digital-only subscriptions and what they include

A digital-only subscription gives you access to wsj.com and the Wall Street Journal mobile apps for iPhone and Android. You can read articles on any device with a web browser, save articles to read later, and set up email newsletters that arrive in your inbox. Digital subscribers also get access to the Journal's video content, podcasts, and interactive graphics. There is no print newspaper with this plan.

Digital-only plans are the most common entry point for new readers because the introductory rate is lower than print-plus-digital. The regular price is higher than the introductory rate, so the first few months or year will cost less than what you pay after that period ends. The Journal will email you before the introductory rate expires so you know when the price will change.

Print and print-plus-digital subscriptions

Print subscriptions deliver the physical newspaper to your home by mail, usually five or six days a week depending on your location. Print-plus-digital subscriptions include both the print edition and full digital access. Print delivery is not available everywhere in the United States; the Journal's website will show you during checkout whether your address qualifies and how many days per week delivery is available in your area.

Print subscriptions cost more than digital-only because of the cost of printing and mail delivery. Print-plus-digital costs more than print alone because you are adding digital access. Like digital plans, print subscriptions have introductory rates that are lower than the regular price. If you already subscribe to the print edition, you can add digital access at a lower rate than buying both separately.

Student and institutional discounts

The Wall Street Journal offers reduced rates to students at many colleges and universities. The discount is usually substantial — often 50 percent or more off the regular digital price. To see whether your school participates, you can check the Journal's student page or contact your university library, which often handles subscriptions for students. You will need to verify your student status, usually by providing a .edu email address or student ID number.

Some employers and financial institutions bundle Wall Street Journal access into employee benefits or account perks. If you work for a large company or bank, check your employee benefits portal or call your HR department to see whether the Journal is included. If it is, you may be able to set up access through your employer rather than paying for a personal subscription. Some brokerage firms and investment banks also include Journal access for their clients.

How introductory rates work and what happens after

When you start a new subscription, you usually pay an introductory rate for a set period — often the first month, three months, or year, depending on the current offer. After that period ends, your subscription automatically renews at the regular price unless you cancel. The Journal sends you an email before the introductory period expires so you know the price will increase.

You can cancel at any time before the regular price kicks in if you do not want to pay the higher rate. You can also downgrade to a cheaper plan — for example, switching from print-plus-digital to digital-only. Changes take effect when ready or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on what you choose. You make these changes through your account settings on wsj.com; you do not need to call or email.

Bundling with other Dow Jones products

Dow Jones & Company owns several publications: the Wall Street Journal, Barron's (a weekly investment magazine), and Mansion Global (real estate news). You can buy subscriptions to these separately or bundle them together at a discount. A bundle costs less than buying each subscription individually. The Journal's website shows you the bundle options and prices when you are choosing your plan.

If you already subscribe to one Dow Jones product, you can add another at a reduced rate. For example, if you have a Journal digital subscription, you can add Barron's for less than the regular Barron's price. The discount appears automatically when you log into your account and visit the subscription page.

Pausing, canceling, or changing your plan

You can pause your subscription for up to four weeks if you want a temporary break without losing your account. Pausing stops your billing and your access until you resume. You can resume at any time during the pause period. Pausing is useful if you are traveling or know you will not have time to read for a few weeks.

To cancel, log into your account on wsj.com, go to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. The Journal will ask why you are canceling and may offer you a discount to stay, but you are not required to accept. Your access ends when ready or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on what you choose. If you cancel during an introductory period, you will not be charged the regular price.

You can also downgrade your plan — for example, from print-plus-digital to digital-only, or from an annual plan to a monthly plan. Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. The Journal will credit any overpayment to your account or refund it, depending on your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the introductory rate if I already had a subscription before?

It depends on how long ago your previous subscription ended. If you canceled more than a few months ago, you may be treated as a new subscriber and see the introductory offer. If you canceled recently, you will likely see a higher price. The website shows you the specific offer available to your account when you log in or enter your email.

What happens if I do not cancel before my introductory rate expires?

Your subscription automatically renews at the regular price on the date your introductory period ends. The Journal sends you an email reminder before this happens. If you do not want to pay the regular price, you must cancel or downgrade before the renewal date. Canceling after the renewal will not refund the regular price charge.

Can I read the Wall Street Journal without a subscription?

The Journal allows a limited number of free articles per month for readers without a subscription. Once you reach that limit, you will need to subscribe to read more. The exact number of free articles varies. Subscribing removes this limit and gives you unlimited access to all content.

Is print delivery available in my area?

The Journal delivers to most U.S. addresses, but not all. During checkout, enter your zip code and the site will tell you whether print delivery is available at your address and how many days per week the newspaper will arrive. If print is not available, you can still get a digital-only subscription.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

Wall Street Journal subscriptions are for individual use only. Each person who wants access needs their own subscription. Some plans offer household discounts if multiple people in the same home want to subscribe, though this varies by offer. Check the subscription page to see whether a household plan is available.