The Economist, founded way back in 1843, offers deep dives into global news, politics, and business. Maybe you subscribed to get the inside scoop on the AI boom or to sound smart during election debates, but now the weekly reads are just piling up. With plans ranging from about $20 to $30 a month, you can save up to $249 a year by canceling. This guide covers how to cancel on your desktop, iOS, or Android device so you can stop the charges.
How to Cancel The Economist Subscription on Desktop
This is the most common way to cancel. You'll need to log in to your account directly on their website. It's not a one-click process, so be prepared for a few steps.
1 Visit Economist.com and Log In
Go to The Economist's website. You'll need to be on a computer for this, as the mobile site can be a bit tricky.
2 Navigate to 'My Account'
Click on your name or the account icon, usually found in the top-right corner of the page. This will open a dropdown menu.
3 Find the Subscription Section
This is where it gets a little annoying. You're looking for a link that says 'Manage subscription' or 'Subscription details'. It's not always obvious. I had to look around for a minute before I found it tucked away.
4 Click 'Cancel Subscription'
Once you're in the subscription area, find the option to cancel. They might make you click through another 'Are you sure?' page or show you a special offer to try and keep you.
5 Confirm Your Cancellation
Follow the final steps to confirm the cancellation. Make sure you get to a screen that says your subscription has been cancelled. Don't just close the tab.
6 Check for a Confirmation Email
You should get an email confirming the cancellation almost immediately. If you don't see it, check your spam folder. Keep this email as proof.
How to Cancel The Economist Subscription on iOS
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you have to cancel it there. You can't cancel an Apple-billed subscription on The Economist's website. It's a common mistake.
1 Open the Settings App
Find and open the gray gear icon on your home screen.
2 Tap Your Apple ID
Your name and profile picture are at the very top of the Settings menu. Tap on it.
3 Go to 'Subscriptions'
In the Apple ID menu, find and select 'Subscriptions'.
4 Find The Economist Subscription
You'll see a list of all your active and expired subscriptions. Find The Economist in the list and tap on it.
5 Tap 'Cancel Subscription'
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a 'Cancel Subscription' button. Tap it and confirm your choice. That's it.
How to Cancel The Economist Subscription on Android
For those who signed up on an Android device, your subscription is managed by Google. You'll need to cancel it through the Play Store, not The Economist app itself.
1 Launch the Google Play Store
Open the Google Play Store from your app drawer.
2 Tap Your Profile Icon
Tap on your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner of the screen.
3 Select 'Payments & subscriptions'
From the menu that pops up, select 'Payments & subscriptions'.
4 Tap 'Subscriptions'
On the next screen, tap 'Subscriptions' to see all your active app subscriptions.
5 Find The Economist
Scroll through the list to find The Economist and tap on it.
6 Tap 'Cancel subscription'
At the bottom of the management screen, you'll find the 'Cancel subscription' option. Tap it and follow the prompts to confirm.
Cancel The Economist Subscription with phone
You can call their customer service team at +1 800 456 6086. They are available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm EST, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm EST. Be prepared for a potential wait. Some users report getting through quickly, while others have mentioned being on hold.
Cancel The Economist Subscription with email
The Economist uses a contact form on their website instead of a direct email address. You can find it under the 'Help' or 'Contact Us' section. Expect a response within 1-2 business days. It's slower than calling, but good for creating a paper trail.
The Economist won't refund you for the current billing period. Super annoying, but that's the policy. Once you cancel, you lose access at the end of your paid term. They don't delete your account, just the active subscription. For print subscribers, you might be able to pause your subscription for a holiday, but for digital, canceling is usually the only option.
The Economist Plans and Pricing 2025
| Plan | Price (Approx.) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | $21.50/month or $249/year | Full access to Economist.com and the app, daily and weekly curated content, podcasts, and newsletters. |
| Print + Digital | $27.50/month or $319/year | Everything in the Digital plan, plus the weekly print edition delivered to your home. |
Frequently Asked Questions about The Economist
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Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.
