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How to read The Economist free or for less

Most Economist articles, the weekly edition and most podcasts need a paid subscription, but some podcast episodes are free. Many public libraries offer the full weekly edition through PressReader, and students and teachers get 75% off a year of Premium. The Economist is no longer on Libby/OverDrive and is not in Apple News+.

Last checked 6 Nov 2026. Offers change often, so confirm the price on the outlet's own page before you pay.

Quick answer

Read the weekly edition free on PressReader with a library card if your library offers it. Otherwise, students and teachers should take the 75%-off annual plan.

United Kingdom

Student rate

Student plan: 75% off a year of Premium

£69.75/year (list price £279/year)

Students aged 16 or over get 75% off annual Premium. It renews at £69.75 a year as long as you can still be verified as a student.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source
Student rate

Teacher and faculty plan: 75% off Premium

£69.75/year (list price £279/year)

Teachers and lecturers get the same 75% discount on annual Premium after verification.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source
Intro offer

First month free or discounted first year

Free for 1 month, then £27.90/month; or £195.30 for the first year, then £279/year

New subscribers can try Premium free for a month or pay a reduced price for the first year.

How to get it Confirmed on an official page Source
Bundle

Economist + New York Times bundle

£167 for the first year of NYT added to an annual Economist plan, then £239

In September 2025 The Economist began offering some UK annual subscribers a New York Times subscription on top of their plan. Reports said only a limited number of readers could see the offer, so it may not be shown to everyone.

Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2

United States

Library app

Full weekly edition on PressReader with a library card

Free

PressReader is the only service licensed to provide The Economist's digital replica edition to public libraries, and it renewed the deal in May 2026. Sign in to the PressReader app or website with your library card and PIN. Hawaii State Public Library System and Johnson County Library (Kansas) are two libraries that offer it.

How to get it Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2
School / university

University group subscription

Free

Many US universities pay for group access. You create or link an economist.com account with your school email, then confirm the activation email. UC Davis, the University of New Hampshire and Kenyon are examples. Check your library's guide for the right sign-up link.

Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2
Gift link

Gift articles from Premium subscribers

Free to the recipient

Premium plans include gift articles, which a subscriber can send to someone who doesn't subscribe. Economist plan pages list 5 to share.

Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source
Student rate

Student plan: 75% off a year of Premium

US$72.25/year (list price US$289/year)

Students aged 16 or over get 75% off an annual Premium digital subscription. It renews at the student rate as long as you can still be verified as a student.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source 1 Source 2
Student rate

Teacher and faculty plan: 75% off Premium

US$72.25/year (list price US$289/year)

Teachers and university faculty get the same 75% discount on an annual Premium plan once The Economist verifies their status.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source
Intro offer

Free 4-week trial or discounted first year

Free for 4 weeks, then US$29 every 4 weeks; or US$202.30 for the first year, then US$289/year

New subscribers can start Premium on a free four-week trial or pay a reduced price for the first annual term. Cancel before the trial ends if you don't want to pay.

How to get it Confirmed on an official page Source
Other

Free podcast episodes

Free

The Economist's podcast feeds in Apple Podcasts and other apps still have free episodes, though weekend editions and many shows are marked subscribers-only. Paid subscribers get the full podcast catalogue at no extra cost.

How to get it Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2

Canada

Library app

Full weekly edition on PressReader with a library card

Free

Canadian libraries such as Okanagan Regional Library (BC) offer The Economist on PressReader. Sign in with your library card and PIN, either in the app or through your library's link. Some libraries say issues downloaded to the app expire after 24 hours, but you can download them again.

How to get it Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2
Gift link

5 gift articles with Premium

Free to the recipient

The Canadian plan comparison lists 5 gift articles to share as a Premium feature.

Confirmed on an official page Source
Student rate

Student plan: 75% off a year of Premium

C$94.75/year (list price C$379/year)

Students aged 16 or over get 75% off annual Premium. The same price is offered to verified teachers and faculty.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source 1 Source 2
Intro offer

30% off the first year

Premium C$265.30 for the first year, then C$379/year; Play (podcasts, video, newsletters) C$139.30, then C$199/year

New subscribers get 30% off the first year of an annual plan. The cheaper Play tier covers podcasts, videos and newsletters but not unlimited articles.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source

Australia

Library app

Full weekly edition on PressReader with a library card

Free

Australian council libraries such as City of Melville (WA) and City of Canada Bay (NSW) offer The Economist on PressReader. Sign in with your card number and PIN from home. Downloaded issues expire after anything from 24 hours to 7 days depending on the library, but reading online has no limit.

How to get it Reported by a reliable source; check before relying on it Source 1 Source 2
Gift link

5 gift articles with Premium

Free to the recipient

The Australian plan comparison lists 5 gift articles to share as a Premium feature.

Confirmed on an official page Source
Student rate

Student plan: 75% off a year of Premium

A$162.25/year (list price A$649/year)

Students aged 16 or over get 75% off annual Premium. The same price is offered to verified teachers and faculty.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source 1 Source 2
Intro offer

30% off the first year

Premium A$454.30 for the first year, then A$649/year; Play A$230.30, then A$329/year

New subscribers get 30% off the first year of an annual plan. Play includes podcasts, videos and newsletters but not unlimited articles.

See the offer Confirmed on an official page Source

Questions

Often, yes. Many public libraries offer the full weekly edition through PressReader, which you sign in to with your card number and PIN. It was removed from Libby and OverDrive in 2023, so PressReader is now the library route.

Yes. Students aged 16 or over get 75% off a year of Premium, for example US$72.25, £69.75, C$94.75 or A$162.25 a year, and it renews at that rate while you are still a student.

Yes. Teachers and university faculty can get the same 75%-off annual Premium plan after verification.

No. The Economist is not on Apple's News+ publications lists in the US, UK, Canada or Australia.

Some episodes are still free in podcast apps, but most shows and weekend editions now need a subscription. Digital subscribers get every podcast at no extra cost.