What you get with a Wall Street Journal digital subscription
A Wall Street Journal digital subscription gives you access to wsj.com and the WSJ mobile app, where you can read news, analysis, and opinion pieces on business, markets, politics, and other topics. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read per month as a non-subscriber. You also get access to the Journal's audio briefings, video content, and newsletters.
The Journal offers different subscription tiers. The basic digital plan covers news and analysis on wsj.com and the app. A higher tier adds access to Barron's, the Journal's investing and wealth publication. Some bundles include print delivery alongside digital access, though print-only and print-plus-digital plans cost more than digital alone.
Pricing varies depending on which plan you choose and what promotional rate you receive at signup. The Journal frequently runs discounts for new subscribers, so the first-year cost is often lower than the standard rate. After the promotional period ends, your subscription renews at the regular price unless you cancel.
Key Takeaways
- A digital subscription removes the article limit on wsj.com and gives you access to the mobile app, newsletters, and audio and video content.
- The Journal offers digital-only plans, plans that add Barron's, and bundles that include print delivery, each at different price points.
- New subscribers usually receive a promotional rate for the first year, after which the subscription renews at the full regular price.
- You can manage your subscription, pause it, or cancel anytime through your account settings on wsj.com.
- If you have a print subscription, you may already have digital access included without paying extra.
Pricing and promotional rates
The Wall Street Journal's pricing structure changes frequently and varies by plan type. Digital-only subscriptions typically start at a promotional rate for new subscribers, often significantly lower than the standard monthly or annual price. The Journal runs different offers depending on the time of year and your location, so two people signing up on different dates may see different prices.
After your promotional period ends—usually after one year—your subscription renews at the regular rate, which is higher than the introductory price. The Journal will notify you before the renewal, and you can cancel or modify your plan at that point if you want to avoid the higher charge. Some subscribers find that calling the Journal's customer service and mentioning they plan to cancel can result in a renewed promotional offer.
Print subscriptions and print-plus-digital bundles cost more than digital alone. If you already subscribe to the print edition, check your account to see whether digital access is included at no extra cost, as many print plans include it automatically.
How to start and manage your subscription
To start a subscription, go to wsj.com and click the subscribe button, usually located near the top of the page. You will be shown available plans and their current prices. Choose the plan that fits your needs, enter your email address, and create a password. You will then need to provide a payment method—a credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment option—and confirm your billing address.
Once your subscription is active, you can log in on wsj.com and the mobile app using your email and password. Your account settings let you update your payment method, change your plan, pause your subscription temporarily, or cancel entirely. The Journal also lets you manage which newsletters you receive and adjust notification settings for the mobile app.
If you have trouble logging in or accessing content after subscribing, check that you are using the email address associated with your account. If you use multiple email addresses or devices, make sure you are logged in on each one. The Journal's customer service team can help if you cannot resolve access issues on your own.
Pausing and canceling your subscription
You can pause your Wall Street Journal subscription for up to four weeks without canceling it entirely. Pausing stops your billing temporarily and lets you resume the subscription later without losing your account settings or reading history. To pause, log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the pause option. You will see the date your pause ends and when billing will resume.
To cancel, follow the same path to your account settings and select the cancel option. The Journal will ask why you are canceling and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. If you proceed with cancellation, your access ends on the date your current billing period expires. You will not be charged again, and you can resubscribe at any time, though you may not receive the same promotional rate you had before.
If you cancel and then want to resubscribe within a short time, the Journal sometimes offers a "win-back" promotion to bring you back. These rates are often better than standard pricing but may not match your original introductory offer.
Digital access if you have a print subscription
Many Wall Street Journal print subscriptions include digital access to wsj.com and the mobile app at no additional cost. If you already receive the print edition, log into your account on wsj.com using the email address associated with your print subscription. Your digital access should activate automatically.
If you have a print subscription but do not see digital access in your account, contact the Journal's customer service. They can verify your print subscription and activate digital access if it is included in your plan. Some older or discounted print plans may not include digital, in which case you can add it separately for an additional fee.
What happens when your subscription renews
Your subscription renews automatically on the date your billing period ends, unless you cancel beforehand. The Journal will charge your payment method on file for the renewal. If your promotional period has ended, you will be charged at the regular rate, which is typically higher than the introductory price you paid initially.
The Journal sends renewal reminders before your billing date, usually via email to the address on your account. These emails include the renewal price and a link to manage your subscription. If you want to avoid the higher renewal rate, you can cancel before the renewal date or contact customer service to ask about extending your promotional rate.
If your payment method fails or expires, the Journal will attempt to charge an updated payment method on file. If no valid payment method is available, your subscription may be suspended until you update your billing information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Wall Street Journal login with family members?
The Journal's terms of service restrict sharing your login credentials with people outside your household. However, the Journal offers a family plan that lets multiple people in your household have their own logins under one subscription. Check your account settings or contact customer service to see if a family plan is available in your area and what it costs.
What is the difference between the digital plan and the plan that includes Barron's?
The basic digital plan covers the Wall Street Journal's news, analysis, and opinion on wsj.com and the app. The higher-tier plan adds access to Barron's, which focuses on investing, wealth management, and personal finance. If you are interested in investing content, the Barron's add-on may be worth the extra cost; otherwise, the basic plan covers most business and news topics.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing cycle?
The Journal typically does not refund unused portions of your subscription. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing period, and you are not charged again after that. If you believe you were charged in error, contact customer service with your account details and billing information.
Do I need a subscription to read any Wall Street Journal articles?
The Journal allows non-subscribers to read a limited number of free articles per month before hitting the paywall. A subscription removes this limit. Some articles, such as breaking news, may be free to all readers regardless of subscription status.
How do I update my payment method?
Log into your account on wsj.com, go to your subscription settings or billing information, and select the option to update your payment method. Enter your new credit card or payment details and save the changes. Your next renewal will charge the new payment method on file.