How to Get Around Paywalls on Major Websites

As a researcher, I spend a good chunk of my day reading—whether it's for professional insight, staying updated on current events, or simply enjoying a well-written article. I'm already subscribed to a few major publications that I rely on regularly, but now and then, I come across a piece from a site I’m not subscribed to. Sometimes it’s a unique perspective on a trending topic or a deep-dive report that would add value to my work. But let’s be real—subscribing to a new publication just to read one article isn’t always practical.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, you know how frustrating it can be. Luckily, there are ways to access this kind of content without signing up for every subscription under the sun. In this article, I’ll walk you through several effective methods for getting around paywalls, so you can read an articles you need without overspending. Don’t worry, you won’t be breaking any rules using these methods.

What Are Paywalls and How Do They Work?

Reading has always been a part of my life, and writing is how I make my mark. Ever since I was a kid, reading has been part of my everyday. I remember riding my cycle over a mile every day just to read the newspaper, flipping through each page and soaking up every story. Be honest (especially the entertainment page). Well, that was then and today almost everything we used to read in print is now online. Those old newspapers and magazines have transformed into digital platforms, bringing their rich content to millions across the globe.

But as everything moved online, a new challenge emerged: how do these platforms stay financially viable and keep their journalism going strong? This is where paywalls come in. By charging readers for access, paywalls support the journalists and writers who work tirelessly to produce the news and stories we rely on.

Types of Paywalls:

• Soft Paywalls: These allow limited free access—perhaps a few articles per month—before prompting users to subscribe. Platforms like The New York Times and Medium often use soft paywalls, allowing readers to sample content without fully committing.
• Hard Paywalls: These are more restrictive. Access is completely locked until a subscription is purchased, meaning non-subscribers can’t view any content. Publications like The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times are known for using hard paywalls.
• Metered Paywalls: A mix of both worlds, metered paywalls allow a specific number of free articles per month, with access resetting periodically. They aim to hook readers by offering just enough content to demonstrate the value of a subscription.

Why Do Websites Use Paywalls?

In today’s digital age, where nearly everything is accessible online, paywalls serve an important purpose. They’re not just barriers to content—they’re a crucial part of keeping journalism alive and thriving.

Here’s why websites use paywalls:

1. Revenue Generation for Quality Journalism

Producing quality content takes resources, from paying skilled writers and editors to funding investigative journalism and research. By implementing paywalls, publications can generate revenue directly from readers, allowing them to sustain and improve the content they produce. This direct support helps keep journalism independent and robust.

2. Encouraging Subscriptions and Building Loyalty

Paywalls encourage readers to become loyal subscribers. Once readers are invested in the content and see its value, they’re more likely to subscribe and support the publication in the long term. This subscription model not only fosters a dedicated readership but also allows publications to offer premium content and exclusive features as a reward for their subscribers.

3. Quality Audience Segments for Advertisers

Paywalls also help publications attract a more targeted and engaged audience. Advertisers prefer platforms with readers who value and engage with the content, as this suggests a quality demographic. A paywall essentially filters out casual readers, leaving behind a dedicated and potentially more valuable audience for advertisers, which in turn supports the publication’s revenue.

Here are 10 effective methods works on paywalls:

Method 1: Use ProReader.io

ProReader.io is one of the most effective and user-friendly tools for bypassing major websites' paywalls. I use it personally whenever I need to access any premium article at once. It is designed to get access to content behind both hard and soft paywalls in a few seconds. Whether it's a premium article on a top news site or an in-depth piece on a magazine’s website, this site will help you to get around.

How to bypass paywalls with ProReader.io:

1. Copy the URL of the paywalled article you want to read.
2. Go to ProReader.io and paste the URL into the search bar.
3. Click “Search icon” and the tool will retrieve the full article for you.

Best For:

• Soft Paywalls: Where you’re restricted after a certain number of free reads.
• Hard Paywalls: Sites that block all content until you subscribe.

Method 2: Use 12ft.io

12ft.io is another handy tool specifically designed to remove paywalls that rely on JavaScript. By stripping away JavaScript-based elements, 12ft.io enables users to access content that would otherwise be restricted. It’s simple to use and doesn’t require any complicated setup, making it a popular choice for bypassing softer paywalls on various sites.

How to Use 12ft.io:

1. Copy the URL of the paywalled article you want to access.
2. Head to 12ft.io and paste the article URL into the provided search bar.
3. Click “Clean Webpage”, and the tool will display the full article content.

Best For:

• Soft Paywalls: Publications that limit free reads but allow content access via JavaScript-based paywalls.
• JavaScript-Dependent Restrictions: Websites that rely on JavaScript scripts to hide content behind a paywall.

Method 3: Use a VPN

Some major publications restrict content based on geographic location, meaning that certain articles may be accessible only in specific regions. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to bypass these location-based restrictions by masking your IP address and simulating access from a different region. With a VPN, you can access articles as if you’re browsing from another country, giving you access to regionally restricted content.

How to setup a VPN and bypass regional restrictions is simple:

1. Choose a reputable VPN provider I recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
3. Open the VPN app and select a server location where the content is accessible (for instance, if an article is accessible in the U.S. but not in your country, connect to a U.S. server).
4. Visit the publication’s website as you normally would, and access the content without location restrictions.

Best For:

• Region-Restricted Content: Access articles and videos that are available only in specific countries.
• Avoiding Location-Based Paywalls: Ideal for readers who travel frequently or want to explore news and content from around the world.

Method 4: Archive today

Everyone knows about the Internet Archive. Archive today is a part of it and it's a reliable tool for accessing archived snapshots of web pages, including paywalled articles. This service stores previously captured versions of web pages, making it possible to access content that may have been available freely or accessed by other users. When an article has been archived, you can view its content without needing a subscription.

Here is how to access articles with Archive today:

1. Go to the Archive.today website.
2. Copy the URL of the paywalled article you wish to read.
3. Paste the URL into the search bar on Archive.today and select the option to retrieve an archived version.
4. If the article is already archived, Archive.today will display it. If not, it may take a few moments to create a new archive.

Method 5: Google Translate Trick

Google Translate can act as a useful workaround for bypassing paywalls. By translating a paywalled page into another language, Google Translate often displays the full content without the paywall overlay. This method doesn’t always work on hard paywalls, but it’s effective for many sites that rely on simpler paywall structures.

Follow these steps to read paywalled content through Google Translate:

1. Copy the URL of the paywalled article.
2. Go to Google Translate.
3. Paste the article URL into the left text box (input language).
4. Choose any language to translate from and set the right-side output language to English (or your preferred language).
5. Click on the translated link in the output box, which will open the page in translation mode.

Method 6: Use Incognito Mode or Private Browsing

Incognito or private browsing mode is an effective way to bypass soft paywalls. Websites that set limits on free articles often track visits with cookies. By using incognito mode, you start with a fresh set of cookies, letting you access content as if you’re a new visitor.

Here’s how to open incognito mode in various browsers:

• Chrome: Click on the three dots in the upper right corner, select New Incognito Window.
• Firefox: Click on the three lines in the upper right corner, then select New Private Window.
• Safari: Click File in the menu bar, then choose New Private Window.

Method 7: Paywall Reader

Paywall Reader is a well-known paywall remover site. Although I tried it twice, it didn't work with me—possibly due to a technical issue—it has positive reviews from users who say it works on popular news sites. I’d suggest trying it out yourself; it might work better for you.

How to Use Paywall Reader:

1. Open the Paywall Reader website.
2. Paste the URL of the article you want to access.
3. Click on one of the buttons below (Archive Today, Internet Archive, and Google Translate).

Method 8: Google Cache

Google Cache stores snapshots of web pages, often capturing full content even behind paywalls. This method is effective for sites indexed by Google, allowing you to access a previously saved version of the page.

How to Use Google Cache:

1. Search for the article title on Google.
2. Next to the search result, click the three-dot menu and select “Cached.”
3. View the cached version of the page, often with the full article accessible.

Method 9: Browser Reader Mode

Browser Reader Mode is designed to simplify web pages by removing ads, sidebars, and other non-essential elements. In some cases, it can also bypass soft paywalls by displaying the main content without restrictions.

How to Turn on Reader Mode:

1. Open the article in your browser.
2. Enable Reader Mode: In Chrome:
3. Right-click the page, select “Distill Page,” or enable Reader Mode in settings.
4. In Safari: Click the “Reader” button in the URL bar if available.
5. In Firefox: Click the “Reader View” icon in the URL bar (a page icon).
6. View the article in Reader Mode, with the primary content displayed.

Method 10: Delete Cookies

Many websites track your reading activity using cookies, and they limit the number of free articles you can view. By deleting these cookies, you can reset your access, allowing you to read more content without hitting the paywall.

How to Delete Cookies:

1. Open your browser settings.
2. Go to Privacy or Security settings and find the “Cookies” section.
3. Select “Clear browsing data” or “Clear cookies and other site data.”
4. For a specific site, you can search for the publication’s URL and delete only those cookies.
5. Refresh the article page to regain access.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found this article helpful. I checked over 15 methods, but only these 10 were actually capable of bypassing paywalls. I bet one of these methods will work for you, letting you access premium content for free.

I write about tech and IoT. Subscribe to my profile if you’d like more helpful content like this.

Thank you for reading.