Web Desk 
Jul 28, 2025
Paywalls necessitate payment or subscriptions for specific online content. Digital products commonly adopt subscription models, like YouTube Premium or Medium's Premium Subscription, charging users to consume content across social media and news platforms.
Here are the five methods to bypass paywalls and access paid articles for free.
Ways to access paid articles for free
1. Incognito mode
Read articles in incognito mode, especially for websites with metered paywalls. Open the article or website link in an incognito window to reset the session and read without limitations. Right-click the link and choose "Open in an incognito window," or press Ctrl+Shift+N to open an incognito window.
2. Mobile accessibility
When faced with a paywall on the desktop version of a website, try accessing the same article on a mobile device. Copy the article link or use Chrome's sharing feature to view it on a mobile phone.
3. VPN usage
Certain websites impose paywall restrictions based on IP addresses. To overcome this, utilise a free VPN service to change your IP address to a different location. Numerous free VPNs are available, including mobile apps and browser extensions.
4. Sci-hub
Access restricted academic journals and research papers by using Sci-hub. Copy and paste the URL of the desired article into Sci-hub's address field and tap on "Open" to read the content for free.
5. Temporary accounts for hard paywalls
Consider using temporary accounts for websites with hard paywalls, where even a single article requires payment. Instead of creating multiple accounts, use online tools that generate disposable email addresses and passwords. Sign up for a temporary account to access free content, knowing the account will be automatically deleted after a certain period.
