How to bypass paywalls and read articles for free

Many people rely on internet news sites to read the latest stories as they unfold. However, when trying to access the stories that are the most important to them, readers are often met with paywalls. Luckily, even today, there are several paywall bypass methods available.

In this article, you’ll find my tried-and-tested methods on how to bypass paywalls obstructing access to the stories published on the most popular internet news sites. That said, I found using a VPN to change my virtual location the easiest way to read articles for free. Keep reading, and I’ll show you which VPNs are best for paywall bypass, how to use them, and the alternative bypass methods.

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Remember that bypassing paywalls is illegal as it violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Technically, accessing paid content for free can be equated to theft or copyright infringement.

Can I read articles behind a paywall for free?

A paywall is a digital barrier that restricts access to online content. It typically requires a subscription to view articles beyond a certain free content limit. News sites and organizations use these paywalls to generate revenue, which ensures the sustainability of their journalism and, subsequently, jobs.

For instance, The New York Times uses a metered paywall, allowing users to access up to 10 articles for free each month before prompting a subscription. The Washington Post uses a similar method but allows users to read up to 20 articles for free monthly. Additionally, some news sources like the Daily Mail have introduced a premium subscription service, called DailyMail+, providing access to exclusive content for a fee.

These paywalls are essential for funding journalism and cover such costs as reporting, editing, and digital platform maintenance. However, some readers seek trusted ways to remove paywalls and access paid content without subscribing. Various methods exist to achieve that, including using a browser in incognito mode, accessing articles via social media links, or using internet archive sources. Among these, I found a VPN to be the most reliable and effective method for accessing paywalled content.

The best way to bypass a paywall – use a VPN

After trying several different methods, I found that using a VPN is the easiest way to bypass paywalls and access articles for free. A virtual private network works by routing your traffic through a remote server of your choice, subsequently changing your IP address each time you switch servers. Because news site paywalls usually work by tracking users’ IP addresses or browser cookies, changing your IP with a VPN may help bypass paywalls and access content without a fee.

Once you change your IP address, the news site may no longer recognize you as the same reader who hit the paywall. Ultimately, you appear as a new visitor or one from a different region, and it is very likely you’ll be able to reset article limits or completely avoid detection.

Bypass paywalls with NordVPN

How to read articles behind a paywall: a step-by-step guide

Using a VPN is the most reliable and easiest way to successfully remove the article paywall. You can find my detailed guide on how to bypass paywalls with a VPN below.

Step 1. Get a reliable VPN

Not all VPNs are capable of bypassing paywalls or unblocking geo-restricted content. During my tests, I also found that Ukraine is the best VPN location to connect to and access articles behind paywalls, but not every VPN offers servers there. So, I recommend choosing NordVPN as your paywall bypass VPN, as it offers high-speed servers in Ukraine and is very reliable at helping users get around virtual blocks.

Step 2. Download and install the VPN

Download the VPN app from its official website for laptops, Google Play Store for Android devices, or Apple App Store for iOS devices. After downloading the app, follow the installation instructions.

Step 3. Launch the app and log in

Once the app is installed, launch it and log in with your existing account. If you’re a new user, create an account.

Step 4. Connect to a server in Ukraine

During my research, I found that connecting to a server in Ukraine and obtaining a local IP address unlocks most of the popular news sites. So, when your VPN app is launched, look for Ukraine in the server’s list or interactive map and connect to it.

Step 5. Head to your favorite news site and read without paywalls

Open your preferred news site while connected to a VPN and read without restrictions.

Access paywalled content with NordVPN

Alternative ways to bypass paywalls

If you’d rather look for a different way to remove paywalls without using a VPN, there are a few other techniques for you to try. However, they may not be as reliable or convenient as the VPN bypass technique.

1. Use the Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine is a virtual archive that stores various content that might have existed on the web at a certain time. You can enter the URL of a paywalled article into the Wayback Machine, which will give you access to the article’s archived versions that may not be subject to a paywall. However, this method is only effective with older articles or articles that have been previously archived and may not work with recent content.

2. Open an Incognito window

A browser’s incognito or private mode does not allow sites to store cookies between the sessions. This technique may help bypass metered paywalls limiting the number of free articles by resetting the count. While this is a quick and simple solution, it may not work reliably with websites that employ sophisticated paywall systems.

3. Use the Facebook URL trick

Sometimes, news sites allow users coming from social media sites to access their content without paywalls. This is done to encourage users to share the articles. If you add “?fbclid=” to the end of the article’s URL that is currently behind a paywall, the site might think you’re coming as a Facebook referral, thus granting you access. That said, this method does not reliably work with all sites, but since it’s quick, you can always easily test it out.

4. Try the Bypass Paywalls Clean browser extension

If you don’t mind using additional browser extensions, then you can try getting Bypass Paywalls Clean, which is available for Chromium-based browsers. The extension works by blocking scripts and cookies, ultimately tricking news sites into lifting their paywalls. To get the extension, you’ll need to download it from GitHub, install it, and enable it in your browser settings. However, while this extension works quite well with some news sites, it is still not as consistently reliable as using a VPN.

5. Use 12ft Ladder

12ft Ladder is a web tool that lets you view cached versions of paywalled content. Just to clarify, A cached page is a web page that has been saved by a search engine on its servers or by a user's browser on a computer or smartphone. To use this tool, enter the article’s URL on 12ft.io and read the content without restrictions. That said, some major news sites, like The New York Times, have blocked this tool, and you will not be able to access their content this way.

6. Use Reader Mode on your browser

The browser Reader Mode simplifies web pages, removes ads and navigation menus, and displays only the main content. Sometimes, the Reader Mode can bypass soft paywalls by stripping off the elements needed to enforce them. While it may not work with all sites, it is a straightforward method you can try.

7. Try using an ad blocker

While ad blockers are generally designed to remove ads and trackers, some may also work to block scripts or pop-ups that trigger soft paywalls. I tried Total Adblock, and while it wasn’t successful in removing all the paywalls I tried it with, you can still check out this solution as it may work with your particular news site.

8. Use a proxy

A proxy server acts as a middleman between your device and the network. Using it masks your IP address, making it appear as if you're visiting the site for the first time. This way, you can bypass metered paywalls. While you can rely on a free proxy server for this method, remember that using them might not be secure. Additionally, using proxy servers usually slows down the speed of your initial connection, so it may not be an ideal choice if your network connection speed is already on the slower side.

9. Access paywalled content through your library

It’s no secret that many public and academic libraries have online subscriptions to various newspapers, magazines, journals, and news sites. To read paywalled content, visit your local library and inquire about available resources and credentials. This way, not only will you be able to access paid-for quality content, but you will also support public institutions.

10. Delete your browser cookies

Besides tracking your IP address, websites can use cookies to track the number of articles you’ve read if they’re using metered paywalls. You can delete cookies via browser settings, usually under the privacy or security section. This can potentially reset the number of articles you read and bypass the paywall. That said, it may not work with some of the major sites.

11. Use a Tor Browser

Tor Browser is meant to increase privacy and anonymity by routing traffic through several servers and hiding your IP address. It can also bypass paywalls if the sites rely on IP-based tracking. While this solution is quite effective, the multiple servers used slow down your browser speed significantly.

12. Try using Bardeen

Bardeen is an automation tool that can execute predefined tasks, including bypassing paywalls. It can be used as a browser extension and configured to automatically access paywalled content. This is quite a reliable solution, but setting it up correctly requires some knowledge.

13. Use the Bypass Paywalls extension

The Bypass Paywalls extension works by blocking or modifying scripts that enforce paywalls on some of the most popular news sites. If you’d like to try this open-source tool, you can get it from GitHub. Once you download the extension, you must install it by enabling developer mode in your browser. The tool is regularly updated and works with quite a few major sites.

14. Create iOS shortcuts

iOS devices allow you to create shortcuts that automate accessing paywalled content. Such shortcuts can open paywalled articles in Reader Mode or display archived versions not subject to paywalls. While quick and convenient, this method to get around paywalls on iOS it still requires a bit of tinkering and is only available to iOS device users.

15. Use pre-existing iOS shortcuts

If you’d rather not spend any time creating the iOS shortcuts, you can use one of the pre-existing ones, specifically designed to bypass paywalls. They can be added directly to the Shotcuts app without any additional setup. Unlike the ones you’re likely to create yourself, the pre-made ones usually rely on redirecting your article through services that lift paywalls. I recommend double-checking the legitimacy of such shortcuts before adding them to your device, as they may actually be redirecting you to malicious websites instead.

As you can see, there are at least 15 different methods of paywall bypass if you’d rather not use a VPN. However, unlike a VPN, these methods do not guarantee consistent success in accessing paywalled content.

Get NordVPN to reliably bypass paywalls

Why a VPN is the best paywall bypass solution

While methods like the Wayback Machine, Google Cache, browser extensions, and social media link tricks can sometimes bypass paywalls, they are never as reliable and consistent as one of the best VPNs. That is because, unlike the other methods, a VPN addresses the paywall at the source and works regardless of the article.

What’s more, the same VPN trick can be applied to numerous news sites, from UK sources like The Daily Mail to international giants like The Economist and The New York Times. As the sources often rely on metered paywalls, a VPN works in the same consistent manner in bypassing the paywalls.

If you choose a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, you’ll find that it is very easy to use, and its speedy connections won’t slow down the article’s loading times. Essentially, it’s a one-click job to connect to a VPN server and read the articles freely, versus the multi-step or unreliable nature of other paywall bypass methods.

Lastly, unlike the alternative methods, a VPN actually enhances security and privacy due to modern tunneling protocols, strong encryption, and additional safety features. This means, that not only you get to read paywalled content for free, but you’re also protecting your data. You simply do not get this combination of benefits with any other method.

If you’re serious about reading news articles without a subscription, a VPN is the most effective solution in 2025 and beyond.

How to read articles behind a paywall on most popular websites

Because every news site employs a slightly different paywall enforcement method, the VPN tricks used to unblock them may also vary depending on the specific site. Below, you’ll find my researched VPN paywall bypass methods that work with some of the most popular major online publications. These include sites like The Economist, Financial Times, and The New York Times.

Unblock major news sites with NordVPN

Final thoughts

Major online news publications often rely on paywalls for sustained revenue. However, not all readers are happy about the enforced fees and are looking for viable paywall remover solutions. While there are quite a few workarounds you can try to bypass paywalls, I found that a VPN is the most reliable and consistent solution for accessing paywalled content for free.

After conducting my tests and research, I discerned that the most reliable paywall bypass VPN is NordVPN. Not only the service is very consistent at removing paywalls and accessing other locked content, but it is also very fast and does not interfere with article loading times. Additionally, unlike any other paywall bypass method, NordVPN ensures the safety of your data with the latest VPN security features, offering a unique combination that no other paywall bypass method has.

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FAQ

Is it possible to bypass paywalls?

Yes, it is possible to bypass paywalls by using a reliable VPN. Although there are several other paywall bypass methods, I found that using a VPN is the most reliable and consistent solution. If you’re looking for a trustworthy paywall remover VPN, I recommend choosing NordVPN.

How can I bypass all sites' paywalls?

You can bypass all sites’ paywalls by using a VPN. A VPN effectively changes your IP address, resetting the meter paywall article count or completely bypassing paywalls. My top choice for this task is NordVPN, as it is very reliable for accessing paywalled content, and its fast connection speeds do not interfere with article loading times.

How to read an article behind a paywall?

You can read an article behind a paywall by using a virtual private network (VPN) service. First, choose a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, download the app, and install it on your device. Then, launch the app and connect to a server – I recommend connecting to Ukraine, as it unlocks most major news sites. Head to your preferred website and read articles behind a paywall for free.

What is the best VPN for paywall bypass?

The best VPN to bypass paywalls is NordVPN. The service offers high-speed servers all over the world, perfect for gaining a specific IP address and accessing paywalled content. Additionally, NordVPN is excellent at protecting your data and unlocking various other locked resources.

Is removing paywalls illegal?

Yes, paywall bypass is considered illegal, as it violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). So, technically, accessing paid content for free can be equated to theft or copyright infringement.