What you get with a Wall Street Journal subscription

The Wall Street Journal offers three subscription tiers: digital-only, print-only, and print plus digital. The digital subscription gives you access to all articles on wsj.com and the mobile app. The print subscription delivers the newspaper to your home or office. The bundle includes both print and digital access.

Digital access means you can read unlimited articles, watch video content, and use the Journal's tools like stock tracking and market data. Print subscribers receive the newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays. The bundle is the most expensive option but covers all formats.

Pricing varies depending on how you purchase. The Journal frequently runs promotional rates for new subscribers, typically ranging from $1 to $4 per week for the first several months, then moving to a higher regular rate. The regular price for digital-only is usually around $25 to $35 per month, though this changes based on promotions and your location.

Key Takeaways

  • Wall Street Journal subscriptions come in three types: digital-only, print-only, or both combined, with different price points for each.
  • New subscribers almost always see promotional pricing for the first few months before the rate increases to the regular price.
  • You can manage your subscription, pause it, or cancel through your account settings on wsj.com without calling customer service.
  • Students and educators may have access to discounted rates through their institution, and some employers offer subscriptions as a workplace benefit.

How to start a subscription

Go to wsj.com and look for the subscription offer on the homepage. The Journal displays different promotional rates depending on the time of year and your location. Click the offer that matches what you want—digital, print, or both.

You will enter your email address and create a password. Then you choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The Journal will charge you the promotional rate immediately, then switch to the regular rate after the promotional period ends. Your subscription begins the same day you complete payment.

If you have a corporate email address, check whether your employer has a group subscription. Some companies negotiate bulk rates and provide access to employees at no cost or reduced cost. Contact your HR or benefits department to find out.

Promotional rates and price increases

The Wall Street Journal runs constant promotions for new subscribers. These typically offer the first several weeks or months at a steep discount—often $1 to $4 per week—then jump to the regular rate. The regular rate for digital-only is usually $25 to $35 per month, but the exact amount depends on when you subscribe and what offer you see.

After your promotional period ends, your payment method will be charged the regular rate automatically. The Journal sends an email before the rate increases, telling you the new amount and when it takes effect. You can cancel before that date if you do not want to pay the higher price, or you can keep the subscription and pay the regular rate.

Existing subscribers sometimes see different promotional offers than new ones. If you have cancelled before, you may receive a "win-back" offer at a lower rate when you resubscribe. These offers vary and are not may provide.

Managing, pausing, or cancelling your subscription

Log into your account on wsj.com and go to the account settings or subscription management page. From there you can view your current plan, payment method, and billing date. You can update your payment information, change your subscription tier, or cancel entirely.

If you want to pause rather than cancel, some subscription plans allow you to temporarily suspend access for a set period—usually 30 to 90 days—without losing your account. This option appears in your account settings if it is available for your plan. After the pause period ends, your subscription resumes automatically.

To cancel, go to your subscription settings and select the cancel option. The Journal will ask why you are cancelling and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. If you decline, your access ends on your next billing date. You will not be charged again after you cancel.

Student and educator discounts

The Wall Street Journal offers reduced rates for students and educators. To verify your status, you will need a valid school email address or a document that shows your enrollment or employment. The discount rate is typically lower than the standard promotional rate, though the exact amount varies.

Visit the Journal's student or educator offer page and enter your school email. The system will verify your status automatically. If your school uses a third-party verification service like SheerID, you may need to upload proof of enrollment or employment instead. Once verified, you can complete your subscription at the discounted rate.

Student discounts usually last for the duration of your enrollment. After you graduate or leave the school, you will lose access unless you convert to a regular subscription at the standard rate.

What happens if you share your login

Wall Street Journal subscriptions are for individual use. Sharing your login credentials with people outside your household violates the terms of service. The Journal monitors for unusual access patterns and may suspend or cancel accounts that show signs of sharing.

If you want multiple people in your household to have access, you can add them as authorized users on your account through your subscription settings. This keeps everything within the terms of service. The Journal does not charge extra for household members on most plans, though the exact policy depends on your subscription type.

If your account is suspended for sharing, you will receive a notice explaining the reason. You can contact customer service to dispute it or to convert to a household plan if that option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Wall Street Journal articles for free?

The Journal allows a limited number of free articles per month before requiring a subscription. The exact number varies, but typically you can read three to five articles before hitting the paywall. After that, you need a subscription to continue reading.

What is the difference between the digital subscription and the print subscription?

Digital gives you online access to all articles and the mobile app. Print delivers the physical newspaper to your address. The bundle includes both. Digital is the cheapest option, print-only is mid-range, and the bundle is most expensive. Digital updates throughout the day; print is delivered once daily.

Can I get a refund if I cancel within the first month?

Refund policies vary by subscription type and promotional offer. Some promotional offers include a money-back may provide if you cancel within a set period, usually 30 days. Check the terms of your specific offer before you subscribe. If your offer includes a may provide, you can request a refund through your account settings or by contacting customer service.

Does my employer offer Wall Street Journal subscriptions?

Many large employers negotiate group subscriptions for employees. Contact your HR or benefits department to ask. If your company has a group subscription, you may be able to activate your access using your corporate email address without paying anything.

What payment methods does the Journal accept?

The Wall Street Journal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can update your payment method anytime in your account settings. If a payment fails, the Journal will attempt to charge you again before suspending your access.