Last checked 6 Nov 2026. Offers change often, so confirm the price on the outlet's own page before you pay.
Quick answer
United Kingdom
FT Schools: free for 16-19 students and their teachers
Schools anywhere in the world that teach 16 to 19 year olds, and UK further education colleges, can get free FT.com access for students and staff. A member of staff has to register the school, not the student. Once it is set up, students can sign in with their school email and read at home or in the app.
Free FT.com through your university's licence
Many UK universities pay for campus-wide FT access. At Leeds, for example, students activate it by signing in once through a university link. Search your library's database list for 'Financial Times', or ask your library, before you pay for a subscription.
Employer or organisation group licence
Banks, law firms, consultancies, public bodies and many other employers buy group FT subscriptions for their staff. Ask your HR, library or knowledge team whether your organisation has one. If it does, you can usually activate a seat with your work email.
Gift articles from a subscriber
FT subscribers can send gift links that let a non-subscriber read an article in full. Standard Digital includes about 10 gifts a month and Premium about 20. If a friend or colleague subscribes, ask them to gift you a piece you need.
Free FT Alphaville newsletter on Substack
In November 2025 the FT started a weekly FT Alphaville newsletter on Substack that anyone can read for free. It comes out on Friday lunchtimes, UK time.
Cheaper FT Edit tier
FT Edit is a lower-cost tier with a small daily selection of FT articles chosen by editors, not the whole site. The FT app on the App Store lists it at £4.99 and £49, against £39 and £369 for Standard Digital.
Free podcasts, crossword and markets data in the FT app
You can use parts of the FT app without subscribing, including all the podcasts (such as FT News Briefing), markets data, the How To Spend It magazine and the daily crossword. The podcasts also play in any normal podcast app.
Discounted first year of Standard Digital
Paying a year upfront is the cheapest way to buy the FT yourself. In January 2026 Press Gazette found a first-year offer of £279 for Standard Digital, against a full price of £468. Offers change often, so check the renewal terms before you pay.
Included with Revolut Metal and Ultra plans
Revolut Metal customers can activate FT Standard Digital and Ultra customers get FT Premium Digital at no extra charge. You turn it on in the app's plan benefits section. It is only offered in selected countries, and it ends if you leave the plan.
United States
FT.com through some public libraries
A few US public libraries buy FT.com access for their card holders. Bloomfield Township Public Library in Michigan is one, and its members enter their card number to read from home. Most public libraries don't offer it, so ask yours.
Free FT for high schools (FT Schools)
US high schools that teach students aged 16 to 19 can register for free FT.com access. A staff member has to sign the school up, and then students and teachers can log in with their school email.
University library FT access
Many US universities give their students and staff free FT access. Harvard, for example, offers it to its whole community, who sign up with their university email and single sign-on. Look on your library's FT or newspapers guide page.
Ireland
FT Schools: free for 16-19 students and their teachers
Any school worldwide that teaches 16 to 19 year olds, Irish secondary schools included, can register for free FT.com access for students and staff. A teacher or other staff member has to complete the sign-up.
Included with Revolut Metal and Ultra plans
Revolut publishes an Irish version of its FT benefit page. Metal includes FT Standard Digital and Ultra includes Premium Digital, and you activate it in the app. Make sure the benefit appears in your app before you upgrade a plan to get it.
Australia
Free FT for senior school students (FT Schools)
Australian schools that teach students aged 16 to 19 can register for free FT.com access. A teacher or other staff member has to complete the school's registration.
University library FT access
Some Australian universities, Monash among them, give their students and staff a free FT subscription. Search your university library for 'Financial Times'.