The age of accessing the internet for free has all but concluded. Recently, numerous sites have implemented subscription paywalls, which require users to register and pay a monthly fee to access their articles. Some platforms utilize a “metered” paywall, allowing a limited number of free articles before payment is necessary, while others impose a strict paywall that demands payment for even a single article.

Paywalls have predominantly appeared on news sites, primarily due to the increasing ineffectiveness of relying solely on advertising revenue. This shift compels media outlets to seek alternative revenue sources, such as subscriptions. While the presence of paywalls may seem daunting, they ultimately serve a purpose: by subscribing to quality journalism, you’re actively supporting it. Therefore, an emphasis on subscribing to the sites you frequently visit, especially local news outlets, is encouraged.

However, there are occasions when it’s essential to circumvent paywalls quickly. Perhaps you’ve forgotten your password, can’t retrieve it from your device, are pressed for time, or currently lack the funds but intend to subscribe later. When such situations arise, there are several techniques available for bypassing paywalls, albeit fewer than in the past.

Many previous strategies for bypassing paywalls have become ineffective (let’s raise a toast for the times when simply searching for the headline and using an incognito tab actually worked). The following methods are more reliable and likely to provide success.

Among these, my personal favorite has proven consistently effective over the last year. However, be warned: today’s perfectly functioning methods may become obsolete as sites enhance their security measures against them. For this reason, this article will be updated periodically to reflect any changes.

Archive.today: The Top Choice for Bypassing Paywalls

Credit: Screenshot by Joel Cunningham

Archive.today offers a swift and reliable way to navigate around paywalls. Having used it effectively for over a year across various sites, this tool allows you to create an archived snapshot of any webpage by simply entering the URL in its search bar. Consider this archived version as a snapshot—a self-described “time capsule” of the webpage at a specific point in time. Archive.today preserves both a graphical and textual representation of the page, making it particularly accurate and helpful for reading articles behind paywalls.

To utilize this service, just insert the article’s URL into the black text box labeled “I want to search the archive for saved snapshots.” This action will lead you to earlier versions of the page. If your target article hasn’t been archived yet, enter the URL into the red box “My URL is alive and I want to archive its content,” prompting the site to generate a version of the page, typically in just a few moments. Once ready, it will redirect you to the archived version, which you can bookmark for future reference.

You can also add a browser extension to Chrome that conveniently creates a button on your toolbar. This allows instant archiving of any webpage, with the archived version opening in a new tab automatically.

In my experience, this site has rarely let me down—only once or twice has it failed. Typically, a previously saved version exists, while creating a new one usually takes only a minute or two. Should you encounter difficulties, don’t hesitate to explore the subsequent options.

Additional Free Methods to Bypass Paywalls

Utilize 12ft.io

12ft.io serves as a straightforward resource specifically designed to navigate paywalls. Similar to Archive.today, its usage is simplistic: just paste the URL of the paywalled article into the designated field and hit “Submit.” Alternatively, you can type “https://12ft.io/” before the URL in your browser’s address bar. This service will display the cached, “unpaywalled version” of the page. However, it may not work on all websites, with The Wall Street Journal proving to be a frequent exception. If you encounter an “access denied” message, consider using another available method from this list.

Experience the internet ‘shackle-free’

If 12ft.io isn’t yielding results, an alternative is shacklefree.in. Similar to the previous tool, either input the URL or simply type shacklefree.in/ and paste the article link after the slash, claiming to work with “150+ websites.”

Spaywall: Legally Navigate Paywalls

Another option resembling 12ft.io and Archive.today is Spaywall. This site claims to “legally [bypass] paywalls” by redirecting users to archived content. It appears to take a bit longer to archive pages; therefore, it might be best utilized for accessing older articles.

Employ Smry for Article Summaries

A newly discovered tool, smry.ai, functions similarly to 12ft.io and Archive.today. It reveals a cached version of articles, fetched either from the Internet Wayback Machine or Google’s cache. A distinctive feature of this tool is an AI-generated summary option—click the purple “generate” button after retrieving results for a concise overview of the article. While summaries are often quite brief compared to the original content, they can help determine if further reading is worthwhile.

Explore Remove Paywall (Avoid Paid Extensions)

Remove Paywall works like 12ft.io and Archive.today, enabling users to access archived pages. To use it, simply navigate to the site and paste the desired URL. While it also offers a browser extension for automatic bypassing, it costs $80, which is quite excessive for a service that’s freely accessible elsewhere. Furthermore, it’s not available on the Google Play Store due to incompatible requirements, making side-loading a dubious choice.

Advanced Solutions for Paywall Difficulties

For those comfortable with more technical approaches, consider the following options.

Disable JavaScript in Your Browser

Certain sites utilize JavaScript to conceal content behind paywalls. Disabling this feature may allow access to restricted content, but there’s a caveat: disabling JavaScript can disrupt the functionality of many sites. Some may hinder comment visibility, while others may fail to load altogether. Ideally, it’s advisable to use a separate browser for this process to easily enable and disable the feature as needed.

Utilize a VPN

Websites like The Washington Post allow a limited number of free articles monthly. Using a VPN to alter your IP address can trick the website into offering additional free access. While this method won’t help with sites that impose strict paywalls, it’s still useful and compatible with both paid and free options.

Explore Alternate Browser Extensions

Various browser extensions exist to bypass paywalls on numerous sites. For academic articles, Unpaywall, available for Firefox and Chrome, is highly recommended. Additionally, users of Chrome or Edge might try Postlight Reader, which eliminates ads to enhance readability.

Edit Page Elements

For those with basic HTML and CSS knowledge, modifying page elements in the browser can help bypass some paywalls. This approach involves adjusting the webpage to remove obstructive banners that restrict access to content. While it works on certain sites, others may have implemented stricter measures requiring a paid subscription for access. To attempt this, right-click on the banner blocking content and select Inspect Element. This action opens a console where you can search for and modify blocking elements such as display, paywall, or subscribe.

Use Bypass Paywalls on Android

If browsing on an Android device, you can circumvent paywalls using the Bypass Paywalls Clean browser extension, which is also available for alternative browsers. Reddit users have recommended the Kiwi Browser as a suitable option for adding this extension.

Utilize Shortcuts on iPhone

This option specifically targets iPhone users: Apple’s free Shortcuts app allows users to execute automation routines, which can help bypass paywalls. While many shortcuts are available, initial attempts such as AntiPaywall and Bypass Paywall may provide useful results.

Two Completely Legal Approaches to Access Paywalled Content

Check Your Local Library’s Offerings

Numerous libraries provide access to premium magazine and newspaper subscriptions online. Typically, it involves logging into your library’s website with your card number or credentials to access various publications indirectly. For instance, residents in Marin County, California, can read The Washington Post for free. Although access may vary by library system, checking this option is worthwhile; since libraries pay for these subscriptions, you can enjoy them guilt-free. If unsure whether your library has this feature, consult your local librarian.

Request a “Gift Article” from a Subscriber

This recommendation may not often be feasible, but it’s worth attempting when a particularly popular article emerges. Numerous publications permit paying subscribers to “gift” a limited number of articles per month (both The Washington Post and The New York Times, for example, allow gifting ten articles monthly). If you know someone who subscribes to these publications, such as an aunt who regularly reads The New York Times, it might be worthwhile to inquire about the possibility of her sharing an occasional article.