How to Read Articles Without Paying a Subscription
We’ve all been there. You’re surfing the web, on the hunt for a juicy article or a deep dive into a hot topic. Then, just as you’re about to start reading, a paywall pops up. You’ve found the perfect article—maybe from The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, or Financial Times—but now you’re staring at a subscription page that asks for your credit card details. And let’s be honest, subscribing just to read a single article doesn’t feel like a good deal.
I’m not a frequent reader of these premium publications, so paying for a full subscription simply isn’t worth it. That’s why I’ve come up with a few clever ways to bypass paywalls and access that content without parting with your hard-earned cash. These tricks work across a variety of sites and are easy to use, but I recommend trying them on a laptop for the best experience.
What Are Paywalls and Why Do They Exist?
Before diving into the methods, it’s important to understand why paywalls exist in the first place. In today’s digital age, the need for subscription-based revenue has become more pronounced for journalism outlets. Producing high-quality content costs money, and paywalls are a way for publications to generate income to keep their journalism thriving.
There are three main types of paywalls:
- Soft Paywalls: You get a few free articles each month before being asked to subscribe. The New York Times and Medium use this type.
- Hard Paywalls: You can’t access any content unless you subscribe. The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times are examples of sites that use this method.
- Metered Paywalls: A hybrid approach, where you get limited free access, and after a set number of articles, you need to subscribe. Sites like The Guardian often use this model.
While paywalls serve a valid purpose, they can be a real hassle if you just want to access a single article. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to bypass these restrictions, and I’m here to share them with you!
10 Effective Methods to Get Around Paywalls
1. Use ProReader.io
ProReader.io is my personal go-to when I need instant access to premium articles. It’s simple and works on both soft and hard paywalls. Just copy the article URL, paste it into ProReader.io’s search bar, and you’re all set.
Best for: Both hard and soft paywalls.
2. 12ft.io
12ft.io is another powerful tool that bypasses paywalls that rely on JavaScript. After pasting the URL of the paywalled article, simply click “Clean Webpage,” and the content is yours to enjoy.
Best for: Soft paywalls that use JavaScript-based restrictions.
3. Use a VPN
Some publications restrict access to content based on your geographic location. With a VPN, you can mask your IP address and make it appear as though you’re browsing from a different country. This method works especially well for region-specific articles.
Best for: Articles with location-based restrictions.
4. Archive.today (or archive.ph)
Archive.today (also known as archive.ph) is a fantastic tool for accessing archived versions of paywalled content. If the article has been archived, you can view it in its entirety without the paywall getting in the way.
How to Use:
- Go to archive.ph.
- Paste the paywalled article’s URL into the search bar.
- Click “Save,” and you’ll be able to access the archived version of the article.
Best for: Archived versions of articles.
5. Google Translate Hack
Here’s a fun and sneaky trick: use Google Translate to bypass the paywall. By translating the page to another language and clicking on the translated link, you might be able to access the full article without hitting the paywall. It works better with soft paywalls and simpler layouts.
Best for: Soft paywalls that don’t rely on complex structures.
6. Incognito or Private Browsing Mode
Paywalls often track how many articles you’ve viewed by setting cookies in your browser. Using Incognito or Private Browsing mode can help you get around this, as it clears cookies every time you start a new session, allowing you to read more articles without hitting a wall.
Best for: Soft paywalls that track your usage via cookies.
7. Paywall Reader
Paywall Reader is another tool that removes paywalls by using methods like Google Translate or Archive.today. It’s simple to use and can be effective for many popular news sites.
Best for: General bypassing of soft paywalls.
8. Google Cache
Sometimes, Google caches web pages even when they’re behind paywalls. Simply search for the article on Google, click the three-dot menu next to the result, and select “Cached.” You’ll be able to read the content without a subscription.
Best for: Soft paywalls that Google indexes.
9. Browser Reader Mode
If you’re using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, the browser’s Reader Mode can sometimes bypass paywalls by stripping out elements like ads and overlays. This works best when the article’s core content is visible, but a paywall is blocking access.
Best for: Soft paywalls that rely on overlays or pop-ups.
10. Delete Cookies
If you’ve reached your free article limit on a website, deleting your browser’s cookies can sometimes reset the counter and give you fresh access to more content. You can clear cookies in your browser settings or for specific sites.
Best for: Soft paywalls that track views with cookies.
Bonus: Chrome Extension – Fast Forward
Another tip from the community: Try the Chrome extension Fast Forward, which helps remove paywalls on several sites. You can find it on the Chrome Web Store. This extension simplifies the process and works seamlessly on many major platforms.
Best for: Quick access on the go.
Final Thoughts
These methods provide a way to access premium content without paying a subscription. While paywalls are an essential part of sustaining quality journalism, they can be frustrating if you only need access to one article. By using one or more of the tricks listed above, you’ll be able to read the content you want without committing to a full subscription.
Remember, using these methods occasionally is fine, but frequent bypassing may result in some restrictions from websites. So, be mindful of how often you use them!