How Much Does WSJ Subscription Cost?

As one of the most respected sources for financial news and economic analysis, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) attracts millions of readers seeking timely market updates, investment insights and exclusive business journalism. But how much does access to WSJ’s premium reporting actually cost?

This guide examines WSJ subscription pricing for digital, print and bundled plans. We’ll outline what’s included at each tier, special discount offers, billing details, how to subscribe or cancel, competitor comparisons, and whether WSJ delivers value against the paywall cost.

How Much Does WSJ Subscription Cost?

WSJ subscriptions costs start at promotional rates as low as $1 for the first month, after which pricing ranges from around $4 per month for students up to approximately $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month for standard digital access, while print and bundle subscriptions command higher fees between $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour)-70 monthly. In total, regular WSJ membership costs fall between $50-$800+ (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary) per year depending on the plan type, term length, and discounted introductory offers.

WSJ offers multiple subscription tiers and discounted introductory pricing:

Digital Access

Introductory Offer: $1 for first 2 months
Standard Monthly: $38.99 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) per month after intro period
Annual Cost: $399 (≈3.3 days working every waking hour at $15/hour) billed yearly

Print Edition

Monthly: $59.89 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) per month
Annual: $624 (≈1 week of non-stop employment at $15/hour) billed yearly

Print + Digital Bundle

Monthly: $64.99 (≈4.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job)
Annual: $679 (≈1.1 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour) per year

Additional taxes may apply on top of base rates.

The cost of a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) subscription in the US depends on the type of access and any current promotional offers. According to the official WSJ subscription page, the standard digital subscription is $38.99 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) plus tax every 4 weeks, which includes unlimited access to WSJ.com and the WSJ app. This is the regular rate after any introductory offer ends.

Promotional rates are frequently available. As reported by Offers.com, new subscribers can often get the WSJ Digital subscription for as little as $1 per week for the first year. After the promotional period, the price reverts to the standard rate of $9.75 per week (about $39 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) per month). Print and digital bundles start at $12.50 (≈50 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour) per week, with similar introductory discounts available.

According to Extrabux, the WSJ offers an introductory digital rate of $12 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for 12 weeks, then $9.99 per month for 6- or 12-month subscriptions. For print plus full digital access (Monday to Saturday delivery), the introductory rate is also $12 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for 12 weeks, then $22.50 (≈1.5 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month. Student digital subscriptions are available at a discounted rate of $4 per month.

For print-only subscriptions, Columbia Journalism Review notes that the introductory price is $119 (≈7.9 hours working without breaks at $15/hour) for the first year, but the regular rate can be as high as $363 (≈3 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) per year after the first year, depending on location and any ongoing promotions.

In summary, a WSJ digital subscription typically costs $38.99 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) every 4 weeks (about $39 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour)/month), with frequent introductory offers as low as $1 per week for the first year. Print and digital bundles and student discounts are also available, with print rates ranging from $119 (≈7.9 hours working without breaks at $15/hour) for the first year to $363 (≈3 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) annually after promotional periods.

Leading Publication for Financial News

Published since 1889, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stands as one of the most recognized international media brands associated with insightful financial journalism and market analysis.

Acquired by NewsCorp and mogul Rupert Murdoch in 2007, WSJ covers global markets with award-winning reporting on companies, economics, technology, finance, and more. It provides busy professionals, investors, and general readers exclusive stories, data, commentary and tools for making smart money decisions.

While historically print-focused, WSJ accelerated its digital subscription model and app offerings to align with modern news consumption habits. Approximately 2.5 million people subscribe to WSJ, with over 1 million digital-only accounts.

WSJ Subscription Benefits

WSJ subscription benefits and content accessibility vary depending on tier chosen:

Digital Access

Unlimited WSJ.com and mobile app access
Breaking news email alerts
Customizable market data dashboards
Access to digital magazine editions
Ad-free article reading experience

Print Edition

Daily print newspaper delivery
Premium print-only lifestyle, arts and sports sections
WSJ.com and WSJ mobile app access
Unlimited digital articles

Print + Digital Bundle

All Print Edition benefits
All Digital Access benefits
Maximum WSJ content across platforms

WSJ Student and Educator Discounts

To make financial journalism more accessible for future generations, WSJ offers exclusive discounts for students and educators including:

WSJ Student Discount: $4/month for 12 months digital access
WSJ Educator Discount: $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)/month for 12 months digital access

Both require a valid .edu email address for verification. Discounted periods last for 12 months before reverting to standard pricing.

For companies seeking group plans, WSJ also accommodates bulk employee digital subscriptions at discounted annual rates. Partnered organizations receive dedicated account management and admins tools as well.

Introductory offers like $1 for the first month and other periodic promotions also help attract new subscribers by allowing trial periods before committing to higher renewal fees.

Monthly or Annual Payment Options

WSJ bills on a monthly or yearly basis depending on subscription plan:

Monthly Billing: Automatically renews each month on the subscription date at regular rates until canceled. Offers more flexibility for intermittent readers.
Annual Billing: One upfront lump sum payment charged each year for full 12 months access. Saves ~15% over monthly plans. Better option for devoted readers.

Payment methods include all major credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Users can update billing details through their online account dashboard by signing in with subscriber login credentials.

Subscribe to WSJ or Cancel

Users can subscribe to WSJ digitally in a few quick steps:

Visit the WSJ membership page online at WSJ.com/subscribe or in the WSJ app.
Select your preferred subscription plan and term length (monthly vs. annual).
Enter payment and billing information. First month promos apply automatically.
Create a user login and account password.
Begin accessing WSJ digital articles, apps, newsletters, and tools.

To cancel a WSJ membership at any time:

Sign into your WSJ account online.
Under 'Billing & Subscription', select ‘Cancel Subscription’.
Click 'continue to cancel' to confirm.
Your access will expire at the end of the current billing cycle.

For account support questions, WSJ customer service can be reached at 1-800-568-7625 or help@wsj.com.

WSJ vs Other News Subscriptions

Among premium news subscriptions, WSJ competes for readers against outlets like:

New York Times: More broad news focus beyond pure business. Similar $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) monthly digital fee. Higher print premium.
Washington Post: Strong political and national coverage. Digital plans from $30-$100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month depending on real-time alert speed desired.
Financial Times: London-based. Digital runs about $39 (≈2.6 hours at the office earning $15/hour) monthly. Print demands higher $60+ (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) monthly subscription investment.
Barron's: Under WSJ's corporate umbrella. Cheaper $24 (≈1.6 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) digital fee but concentrated solely on investing.
Bloomberg: Likely WSJ's closest rival with intense finance and markets focus. Requires 12-month commitment at $35 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) monthly minimum.

Compared to digital-only competitors, WSJ's print and bundle premiums carry a pricing surcharge for tangible delivery. However, its digital membership aligns tightly with other top national publications when comparing just digital access value.

You might also like our articles about the cost of LA Times subscriptions, NYT subscriptions, or Newsmax subscriptions.

Is a WSJ Subscription Worth the Cost?

When evaluating any paywall, the decision ultimately comes down to perceived value vs. price paid. In WSJ's case:

Pros

Unmatched insight into markets, corporate news, startups and global finance targeted to business professionals, active investors and affluent readers.
Robust tools like customized market data dashboards and interactive graphics to inform investment moves and strategies.
Hundreds of exclusive stories and proprietary analysis from a large team of experienced reporters and contributors daily.
Ability to stay constantly updated on breaking news tailored to user's industries of interest via alerts and customized feeds.

Cons

Focus is relatively niche on financial markets and business vs. general interest news. Light on sports, entertainment and lifestyle coverage.
Many readers may only periodically need market intel, making an ongoing high subscription cost less appealing compared to paying individually for stories.
Student and educator deals expire after 12 months, reverting to higher standard pricing.

Overall, for avid investors, business leaders, financial professionals and policymakers, a WSJ subscription likely provides high value. But more casual readers may be better served by free previews or rivals with lower fees.

Read WSJ Content for Free

For those who want to access some WSJ reporting without an ongoing paid subscription, options include:

Viewing a limited number of complimentary articles per month before hitting the paywall.
Reading free previews of print edition headline stories.
Following WSJ social accounts like Twitter and LinkedIn which share select articles.
Utilizing Google News or Yahoo Finance for indexes of curated financial stories from multiple outlets including WSJ.
Joining a relevant Yahoo Finance newsletter for free to receive occasional market updates.
Seeing if your library, school, or company has an institutional WSJ login allowing free access on their network.

While no perfect substitute for WSJ's proprietary journalism, these alternatives grant limited free exposure to stay moderately informed on business news at no personal cost.

Final Words

When weighing any premium news subscription, start by identifying your specific interests, news needs, preferred platforms, and budget ranges. With pricing starting around $4 per month for students up to $60+ (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) for bundled print delivery, WSJ offers flexibility but charges a premium for expertise. Consider trying discounted introductory access to gauge value before committing.

Ultimately, WSJ’s extensive financial analysis merits the fee for avid investors and business professionals. But more casual readers may be satisfied with selective free article previews and alerts. Take time to determine your ideal news subscription plan and access options based on habits and value before investing in a paywall.

Answers to Common Questions

Can a WSJ subscription be shared?

WSJ limits sharing of subscriber login credentials beyond personal household use. Simultaneous logins are prohibited, and abuse can trigger account suspension. However, some student and corporate plans permit limited credential sharing.

Is it easy to cancel a WSJ subscription?

Yes, subscribers can quickly manage or cancel WSJ membership online in account settings. Simply click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm to stop auto-renewal once the current billing cycle concludes. Partial refunds are not offered for early cancellation.

Can you read WSJ on multiple devices?

Absolutely. WSJ subscriptions grant access across iOS and Android mobile apps, desktop/laptop browsers, and tablet editions. Subscribers can seamlessly switch devices using the same login credentials. Offline reading is also available.

How Much Does WSJ Subscription Cost?