What you get with an Atlantic subscription
The Atlantic publishes news, essays, and long-form reporting on politics, culture, science, and ideas. A subscription gives you access to all articles on their website and their mobile app, plus the print magazine if you choose the print option. The magazine arrives monthly.
The Atlantic offers several subscription tiers. A digital-only subscription covers the website and app. A print subscription includes the monthly magazine plus digital access. Prices and what each tier includes vary depending on promotional offers running at the time you subscribe.
You can read a limited number of free articles each month without a subscription. Once you hit that limit, you will see a prompt to subscribe or sign in if you already have an account.
Key Takeaways
- The Atlantic offers digital-only and print-plus-digital subscription options, with prices that change based on current promotions.
- You can manage your subscription, pause it, or cancel it anytime through your account settings on The Atlantic's website.
- If you subscribe through Apple News+ or another third-party service, you cancel through that service, not through The Atlantic directly.
- The Atlantic does not require a credit card to start a free trial, though you will need one on file before the trial ends if you want to continue.
- Student discounts are available; you will need to verify your student status through a third-party verification service.
Subscription pricing and current offers
The Atlantic does not publish a single fixed price. Instead, they run rotating promotional offers. A new subscriber might see an introductory rate for the first few months, then a higher renewal price. The renewal price is what you will pay after the promotional period ends, and it varies by offer.
You can see the exact price and renewal rate before you complete your purchase. The Atlantic displays both the introductory price and what you will pay after that period ends. If the renewal price is higher than you want to pay, you can cancel before the promotional period ends and avoid the charge.
Student subscriptions are discounted. To receive a student rate, you will need to verify your enrollment through SheerID, a third-party verification service. You provide your school email or student ID, and SheerID confirms your status.
How to manage or cancel your subscription
You manage your Atlantic subscription through your account on their website. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for a section labeled "Subscription" or "Billing." From there you can view your current plan, see your renewal date, update your payment method, or cancel.
If you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again after that date. If you want to pause your subscription instead of canceling — for example, if you plan to return later — The Atlantic offers a pause option in the same account settings menu.
If you subscribed through a third-party service like Apple News+, Amazon Prime Reading, or another bundled service, you must cancel through that service, not through The Atlantic's website. Canceling on The Atlantic's site will not stop charges from the third-party service.
Subscriptions through third-party services
The Atlantic content is available through Apple News+, which bundles The Atlantic with other publications. It is also available through some Amazon Prime memberships and other digital subscription services. The price, what is included, and how you cancel all depend on which service you use.
If you subscribe through Apple News+, you pay Apple, not The Atlantic. To cancel, you go to your Apple account settings. The same applies to any other bundled service — you manage the subscription where you paid for it, not on The Atlantic's website.
If you are unsure whether you subscribed directly to The Atlantic or through a third-party service, check your credit card or bank statement. It will show who charged you — Apple, Amazon, The Atlantic, or another company.
What happens if you do not cancel before your trial ends
If you start a free trial, The Atlantic will charge your payment method on the day the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand. You will receive email reminders before the charge happens, but it is your responsibility to cancel if you do not want to be charged.
If you are charged and did not intend to continue, contact The Atlantic's customer service. They can sometimes issue a refund for the first charge if you reach out quickly. The sooner you contact them after the charge, the better your chances.
Accessing your subscription on different devices
Once you subscribe, you can read on The Atlantic's website using any web browser. You can also download The Atlantic's mobile app on iOS or Android and read there. Sign in with the same email and password you used to create your account.
You can be signed in on multiple devices at once. There is no limit to how many phones, tablets, or computers you can use, as long as you are the one using them. If someone else wants to read The Atlantic, they need their own subscription or access to a shared family plan if The Atlantic offers one at the time you subscribe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Yes. In your account settings under "Subscription," you should see a pause option. You can pause for a set period — usually 1 to 3 months — and your subscription will resume automatically after that time. You will not be charged while paused.
What if I subscribed through my phone and want to cancel?
If you subscribed through The Atlantic's app using Apple's in-app purchase system, you must cancel through your Apple account settings, not through The Atlantic's website. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your iPhone or iPad, find The Atlantic, and select "Cancel Subscription."
Do I need a credit card to start a free trial?
Yes, you will need to provide a credit card or other payment method to start a trial. The Atlantic does not charge it during the trial, but they keep it on file. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, they will charge that card for your first billing cycle.
Can I get a refund if I was charged after my trial ended?
Contact The Atlantic's customer service as soon as you notice the charge. They have discretion to refund the first charge if you reach out within a few days. The longer you wait, the less likely they are to issue a refund, so act quickly if this happens to you.
What is the difference between digital and print subscriptions?
A digital subscription covers the website and mobile app only. A print subscription includes the monthly magazine delivered to your address, plus full digital access. Print subscriptions cost more. You choose which option you want when you subscribe.