Many news websites and online publications have introduced paywalls to monetize their content.
These paywalls often restrict the number of articles you can read for free, leaving you wanting more.
It may be an excellent way to support the newsletter, but they often can be greedy, having expensive subscriptions and even ads on top of it.
So, paywalls are pretty annoying.
But fear not; there are ways to bypass them and access your desired content without wasting your hard-earned cash.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the best paywall bypass websites to help you access the information you need effortlessly.
Best Paywall Bypass Websites
1. NordVPN
Many paywalls track your IP address to limit how many articles you can read each month for free.
Using a VPN allows you to change up your IP address and read unlimited articles; you’ll need to switch your VPN server when you’ve hit the limit on the current server’s IP address.
NordVPN is a household name for VPN services, and it’s not just for online security.
This powerful VPN tool can effectively remove paywalls by disguising your IP address, making it an excellent choice for unrestricted content access.
With thousands of servers in 60 countries, NordVPN offers numerous options for bypassing paywalls.
NordVPN includes a built-in malware and ad blocker, enhancing your ability to access paywalled content securely.
Features like a kill switch and split tunneling protect your online privacy while granting access to your desired content.
NordVPN is a reliable and versatile option for those looking to break free from paywalls and enjoy their favorite articles without restrictions and all the other benefits you can get from a top VPN.
2. Incoggo
Incoggo is a widely preferred option for bypassing paywalls, offering seamless access to paywalled articles.
The best part? It’s available completely free of charge.
To benefit from Incoggo, you’ll need to visit its main website, download the software, and install it on your device.
Once installed, Incoggo also aids in dealing with pesky pop-ups.
Incoggo is your swift route to bypass paywalls and read the desired articles without restrictions.
3. Remove Paywall
Remove Paywall is an excellent web-based solution for bypassing paywalls.
The thing we like the most is that it doesn’t require any additional software downloads and is available entirely free.
Using Remove Paywall is straightforward.
Copy the URL of the web page with the paywall and paste it into the search box on the website.
Hit enter, and the website will scan for archived article versions.
These archived articles are often hosted on independent websites, ensuring unrestricted access to the content.
4. Zette
Zette is an all-encompassing solution for accessing premium digital news behind article paywalls, offering a single subscription access.
The service is available on Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, but it does require you to create an account.
With access to over 100 news publishers, Zette effectively bypasses even the most stringent paywalls.
5. Chip
Chip is a unique site dedicated to bypassing paywalls.
The setup is straightforward – create your Chip account, select your reading preferences, and choose a payment method.
You’re ready to go!
As you read articles on websites using Chip, the paywall is automatically removed.
A Chip tool appears on the side, allowing you to share the article with others for free.
You only pay for what you read, and if you change your mind about an article, you can always “unread” it.
Publishers collaborate with Chip to gain more users and revenues, making it a win-win solution for everyone.
6. Wayback Machine
If you’re looking for alternative articles or archived content on the same topic, the Wayback Machine is a valuable resource.
By entering the URL of the paywalled page, you can discover archived versions for free.
The Wayback Machine provides access to archived versions of websites, whether they have a paywall or not.
It’s important to note that this method only works on sites that allow web crawlers, which should cover most places you want to access.
7. Bypass Paywalls Clean
Bypass Paywalls Clean is an extension that allows you to access articles from supported sites with paywalls.
You can even add a domain as a custom site to bypass paywalls.
The extension is known for its regular updates, fixing issues, and adding support for new sites.
8. uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin is a versatile browser extension compatible with Chrome and Firefox.
It excels at bypassing paywalls and is a CPU and memory-efficient content blocker.
In addition to bypassing paywalls, uBlock Origin blocks advertisements, trackers, coin miners, anti-blockers, and malware sites.
It’s known for its user-friendly interface, allowing you to block or unblock various elements with ease. Best of all, it’s available for free.
9. ChatGPT
An alternative way to overcome paywalls is to create an account on ChatGPT and leverage it to access your needed content.
After creating an account, it’s a simple process.
To access the article, copy its URL, paste it on ChatGPT, then ask for a summary.
It will promptly provide you with a summarized version of the article that was otherwise inaccessible.
If you seek more information, simply ask, and the chatbot will fetch additional details about the article.
10. Readium
Readium is a valuable extension for accessing articles that typically require registration or payment.
To get started, visit the main website and find the Readium button.
Click and hold the button, drag it to your bookmarks section, and drop it.
Once completed, you’re ready to use Readium.
When you visit a paywalled website, open the page you want to read.
If it doesn’t open automatically, click on the Readium bookmarklet, and it will open the content for you.
This open-source solution offers flexibility for modification and suggestions for improvement.
11. Reader Mode
Reader Mode, a Chrome extension, is tailored to improve your online reading experience by eliminating clutter, including paywalls and distracting ads.
With this extension, not only can you bypass paywalls, but you can also annotate pages, convert text to speech, and generate citations based on the article you’re reading.
The extension offers a free version with limited features.
A membership to one of its premium editions is required to realize its full capabilities.
12. The Free Internet Plugin
This is a Chrome browser plugin offered as free and open-source software, enabling access to its source code for adjustments and suggestions.
Its developers advocate for an internet where information is freely accessible, and paywalls disrupt the flow of information, compelling users to subscribe or pay for content.
Rather than removing paywalls, the tool filters your searches to exclude results from sites with paywalls.
This ensures that only sites without paywalls appear in your search results.
13. Postlight Reader
Postlight Reader, an extension designed to declutter websites, also considers soft paywalls as distractions.
It means you’re likely to access and read articles that would otherwise be locked.
The extension removes pop-up ads that can disrupt your reading.
It also empowers you to customize fonts text sizes, and toggle between light and dark modes according to your preference.
Postlight Reader is available for installation and usage at no cost.
14. Bardeen
Bardeen is a multifaceted platform that primarily focuses on automating workflows.
However, its versatility extends to bypassing paywalls with one of its pre-built automation called playbooks.
One notable method for achieving it is the web archive playbook.
This particular playbook empowers users to access a website by mimicking the behavior of a Google web crawler rather than appearing as an individual who would typically need to make a payment.
The advantage of this approach is that it allows you to view content as if you were a search engine, effectively bypassing paywalls.
The best part is that Bardeen offers a straightforward solution to access this capability.
Users can sign up for a free account, opening the door to a wide range of automation possibilities, including efficient paywall bypass.
15. PayWall Demolisher
PayWall Demolisher is a relatively new extension compared to its counterparts, but it’s worth exploring for an enhanced online experience.
What sets it apart is its adaptability, allowing you to personalize your browsing experience according to your unique needs and preferences.
The extension offers a user-friendly feature that enables you to effortlessly toggle the paywall bypass functionality on and off with a simple click.
This gives you complete control over your browsing experience, allowing you to access content freely or adhere to paywalls, depending on your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to bypass paywalls using these methods?
Bypassing paywalls using ethical methods like those mentioned in this article is typically legal.
However, it’s essential to respect content creators’ rights and terms of use.
Do these methods work on all websites with paywalls?
These methods may not work on all websites, as the effectiveness varies depending on the site’s design and policies.
Are there any tools for bypassing paywalls on mobile devices?
Yes, most of the sites we discussed are browser extensions that can be used on phone browsers or have apps available for mobile devices.
NordVPN has a version for every mobile device, too, that can help you bypass paywalls.
Conclusion
Paywalls are becoming increasingly common, limiting our access to essential information.
Still, with the right tools, you can easily bypass these restrictions and access your desired content.
Each of our discussed best paywall bypass websites has unique features and benefits, allowing you to tailor your experience to your needs.
Using NordVPN is the best option because it’s cheap and easy to bypass paywalls, and you get so many other benefits from it, like geo-restricted content, avoiding censorship, and staying completely anonymous when you use the internet.
