What a Rolling Stone subscription includes
A Rolling Stone subscription gives you access to their website and a print magazine delivered to your home. The subscription covers music news, interviews, reviews, and cultural reporting. You can read articles online without a paywall once you have an active subscription, and you receive the printed magazine on a regular schedule — usually every two weeks, though frequency varies depending on which subscription tier you choose.
Rolling Stone offers both digital-only and print-plus-digital options. The digital subscription is cheaper and arrives instantly; the print subscription costs more but includes both the physical magazine and full website access. You can start, pause, or cancel your subscription through your account settings at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Rolling Stone offers a digital-only subscription for website access and a print subscription that includes both the magazine and website.
- Print subscriptions arrive on a set schedule — typically every two weeks — and are mailed to the address you provide during signup.
- You can manage your subscription, pause delivery, or cancel through your Rolling Stone account without calling customer service.
- Subscription prices vary by promotion and billing cycle; annual plans usually cost less per month than month-to-month billing.
Subscription tiers and pricing
Rolling Stone has two main subscription types: digital and print. Digital subscriptions cost less and give you immediate access to all articles on their website and app. Print subscriptions include the physical magazine plus digital access and cost more because of printing and shipping. Both types renew automatically on your billing date unless you cancel.
Prices change based on current promotions and whether you pay monthly or annually. Annual plans typically offer a lower per-month rate than paying month-to-month. Rolling Stone frequently runs introductory offers for new subscribers, so the first billing cycle may be discounted. Check their subscription page directly for current pricing, as rates are not fixed.
How to start a subscription
To start a subscription, go to Rolling Stone's website and select the subscription option you want — digital or print. You will enter your email address, create a password, and choose your billing cycle (monthly or annual). Then you provide payment information, usually a credit card or debit card.
For print subscriptions, you also enter a mailing address where the magazine will be sent. After you complete payment, your digital access begins immediately. Print magazines typically arrive within two to four weeks of your first billing date, depending on your location and the current mail volume.
Managing your subscription and billing
Once you have an active subscription, you can log into your Rolling Stone account to view your billing history, update your payment method, or change your mailing address. Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year, depending on your billing cycle. You will receive a confirmation email before each renewal showing the amount that will be charged.
If you want to pause your subscription temporarily without canceling, you can do that through your account settings. Pausing stops your billing and magazine delivery for a set period, then resumes automatically when the pause ends. This option is useful if you are traveling or want to take a break without losing your subscription.
Canceling or pausing your subscription
You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you will not be charged again, but you keep access until that date passes. If you cancel mid-cycle, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion.
If you do not want to cancel permanently, pausing is often a better option. A paused subscription stops charging you and halts magazine delivery, but you can resume it later without signing up again. Both options are available in your account dashboard — you do not need to contact customer service to make either change.
What happens if you do not receive your magazine
Print magazines can be delayed by mail service disruptions, address issues, or processing delays. If your magazine does not arrive within the expected timeframe, check your account to confirm your mailing address is correct. If the address is wrong, update it and your next issue will go to the new location.
If your address is correct but a magazine still does not arrive, contact Rolling Stone's customer service through their website. They can investigate the missing issue and may send a replacement or credit your account. Keep your subscription confirmation emails and billing statements handy when you contact them, as they will ask for your account details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my subscription from print to digital or vice versa?
Yes. Log into your account and look for subscription management options. You can usually switch between plans, though the change takes effect at your next renewal date. If you switch mid-cycle, you may owe an adjustment to your account depending on the price difference.
What payment methods does Rolling Stone accept?
Rolling Stone accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and debit cards. Some promotions may also accept PayPal or other digital payment methods. Check the payment page during signup to see all options currently available.
Do I get a refund if I cancel before my billing date?
No. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, and you do not receive a refund for unused time. If you cancel immediately after a renewal, you keep access until the next renewal date would have occurred, but no money is returned.
Can I gift a Rolling Stone subscription to someone else?
Rolling Stone offers gift subscriptions through their website. You select the subscription type and length, enter the recipient's email address, and pay for the gift. The recipient receives a notification with instructions to activate their subscription, and the gift period begins when they set up their account.
How do I update my mailing address for print delivery?
Log into your account and go to your profile or subscription settings. You will find an option to update your mailing address. Changes usually take effect with your next magazine shipment, which may take one to two billing cycles to process depending on when you make the change.