The New York Times does not offer a single "cheap" subscription tier, but you can pay less than the standard rate through a few real routes: bundling with other services, using a promotional rate, or subscribing through a third party like Apple News+.
The standard digital subscription costs around $17 per month when you pay month-to-month, but the Times regularly runs promotions that drop the first few months to $1 or $2. These deals appear most often in fall and winter. You can also bundle the Times with other publications and services—Spotify Premium includes a discounted Times subscription, and Apple News+ includes access to the Times' full archive. Each route has different limits on what you can read and how many devices you can use.
The catch with cheaper entry points is that they often lock you into a longer commitment or limit your access. A $1 introductory rate usually converts to full price after the promotion ends, and you have to cancel before that date or you will be charged the regular amount. Bundled subscriptions through Apple or Spotify may not include every Times product, and some features (like the games bundle or the audio app) cost extra even with a subscription.
Key Takeaways
- Promotional rates of $1 to $2 per month for the first few months are the most common way to pay less, but they convert to full price unless you cancel before the promotion ends.
- Bundling through Spotify Premium or Apple News+ costs less than a standalone subscription but may not include all Times products or may limit how many devices you can use.
- The Times offers different subscription tiers—digital only, print plus digital, and all-access—so the "cheapest" option depends on what you actually want to read.
- Student discounts and discounts for low-income readers exist but require proof of status and are not advertised as prominently as promotional rates.
Promotional rates and how they work
The Times' most common discount is an introductory rate of $1 per week (roughly $4 per month) for the first four weeks, then the regular price. Other promotions run $1 per month for the first three months, or $2 per month for the first two months. These rates appear on the Times' homepage and in emails, especially in September, October, November, and December.
The key detail: these rates are temporary. After the promotional period ends, your subscription automatically renews at the full rate—usually around $17 per month for digital only—unless you cancel before the renewal date. The Times will send you an email reminder, but it is your responsibility to cancel if you do not want to pay full price. If you forget and get charged, you can contact the Times' customer service to request a refund for the first full-price month, but that is not may provide.
You can also stack promotions in some cases. If you let a subscription lapse for a few months, the Times may send you a "win-back" offer—another discounted rate to get you to resubscribe. This is not a formal policy, but it happens often enough that some readers intentionally cancel and wait for the next promotion.
Bundled subscriptions through other services
Spotify Premium includes a New York Times digital subscription at no extra cost. The subscription covers the core digital access (news, opinion, and some multimedia), but does not include the games bundle, the audio app, or the cooking app. You get the same paywall limits as a standalone digital subscription—typically 10 free articles per month before hitting the paywall. The Spotify bundle costs $12.99 per month for an individual plan, compared to $17 for a standalone Times subscription.
Apple News+ includes the Times' full archive and all sections, plus access to hundreds of other magazines and newspapers. The cost is $9.99 per month as a standalone service, or included free with Apple One (which bundles Apple Music, iCloud storage, and other services). The trade-off: Apple News+ limits you to reading on Apple devices only (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV). You cannot access it through a web browser or on Android.
Both bundled options renew automatically and charge your payment method on file each month. You can cancel either one through your Spotify or Apple account settings without contacting the Times directly.
Student and low-income discounts
The Times offers a 50% discount for full-time students—roughly $8.50 per month for digital access. You have to verify your student status through SheerID, a third-party verification service, and the discount lasts for four years or until you graduate, whichever comes first. The Times does not advertise this heavily, but it is available on the subscription page if you scroll past the promotional offers.
The Times also has a program for readers with household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty line. The discount is substantial, but you have to contact the Times directly to inquire about it—there is no online form to fill out. Call 1-800-698-4637 or email the customer service team through the website. Proof of income is required, and the process is slower than signing up for a promotional rate.
Comparing the subscription tiers
The Times sells three main subscription levels. Digital access is the cheapest and gives you unlimited articles on the website and app, plus access to sections like opinion, business, and sports. Print plus digital includes the printed newspaper delivered to your home plus full digital access, and costs significantly more—the price varies by location and delivery frequency. All-access includes everything: print, digital, games, audio, and the cooking app.
If you only read news online, digital-only is the right choice. If you want the games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed), you either need the all-access tier or you can buy the games bundle separately for about $5 per month. The audio app, which reads articles aloud, is also sold separately. Print delivery is the most expensive add-on and makes sense only if you want the physical newspaper.
What to watch out for when signing up
Promotional rates are real discounts, but they are designed to get you to pay full price later. Read the terms before you confirm your order—the Times will tell you exactly when the promotion ends and what the renewal price will be. Set a calendar reminder one week before the renewal date so you do not forget to cancel if you want to.
If you sign up through a third party like Spotify or Apple, you cannot manage your Times subscription directly through the Times' website. You have to cancel through Spotify or Apple, and it may take a few days for the cancellation to process. If you are charged after you cancel, contact the third party first, not the Times.
The Times does not offer a free trial without a payment method on file. You have to enter a credit card or debit card to start any subscription, even a $1 promotional rate. If your card is declined at renewal, the Times will try again a few times before suspending your access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I forget to cancel before the promotional rate ends?
The Times does not automatically refund the first full-price charge, but you can contact customer service and ask. They sometimes grant a refund for the first month if you cancel immediately after being charged. There is no may provide, and you have to reach out within a few days of the charge.
Does the Spotify bundle include everything the Times offers?
No. Spotify's bundle includes the core digital subscription (news, opinion, sections) but not the games, audio app, or cooking app. If you want those, you would need to pay extra or upgrade to the all-access tier.
What happens if I cancel my Spotify subscription but want to keep the Times?
Your Times access through Spotify ends immediately. You would have to sign up for a standalone Times subscription. You cannot transfer a Spotify bundle subscription to a regular Times account.
Is there a way to get the Times for free?
No, but some public libraries offer free access to the Times through their digital collections. Check your local library's website to see if they have a partnership. You log in with your library card to read the Times through the library's portal.
Do promotional rates work if I have had a subscription before?
Usually not on your first attempt. The Times typically reserves promotional rates for new subscribers or lapsed subscribers (people who cancelled at least a few months ago). If you are an active subscriber, you cannot use a promotional code. If you cancel and wait a few months, you may become may be able to access for a "win-back" offer.