How to Read One Article Without Subscribing: The Pay-Per-Article Option
You've been there. A friend shares a fascinating article on social media. You click the link, start reading the compelling first paragraph, and then a paywall appears:
"Subscribe now for just $9.99/month to continue reading."
If you're already a fan of this publication and read it regularly, that subscription makes sense. But what if you just wanted to read this one article? Not 30. Not unlimited access. Just this piece about that topic you're curious about right now.
You close the tab—and both you and the publisher miss out. This scenario plays out billions of times every day. But it doesn't have to.
The Case for Payment Flexibility
Subscriptions are perfect for dedicated readers—people who visit a publication regularly and want unlimited access. But the average reader encounters content from dozens of different publishers each month.
According to recent studies, the typical internet user would need 15-20 separate subscriptions just to read everything they naturally encounter in their social feeds. At $10 per subscription, that's $150-200 per month.
That's not realistic for most people—but it doesn't mean they won't pay. They just need options that match their actual relationship with each publication.
Why Subscriptions Alone Aren't Enough
Subscriptions are valuable—they provide predictable recurring revenue and work beautifully for dedicated readers. Publishers chose subscriptions because:
- Predictable recurring revenue supports sustainable journalism
- Loyal subscribers form the backbone of any publication
- Payment infrastructure for alternatives was historically expensive
But subscriptions serve only part of your audience. The data shows:
- Only 2-5% of visitors convert to subscribers
- The other 95% include potential paying customers who aren't ready to commit
- Viral articles generate massive traffic from readers who may never return
Publishers can capture additional revenue by offering that 95% a way to pay for the content they actually want.
What Readers Actually Want: Options
When researchers ask readers what they want, the answers are consistent:
- "Let me pay for just this article" — 67% of paywalled readers
- "I'd pay a small amount for occasional content" — 71% of casual visitors
- "I want to try before committing" — many potential subscribers
The demand for flexible payment options is clear. And increasingly, the infrastructure exists to deliver them.
The Pay-Per-Article Option
A complementary model is gaining traction: micropayments. Alongside subscriptions, publishers can offer individual articles for small one-time payments—typically $0.20 to $2.00.
Here's why this works for everyone:
For Readers:
- Choose how you pay — Subscribe to favorites, pay-per-article elsewhere
- Low friction — Modern solutions use instant bank payments, no lengthy forms
- Privacy options — Less data collection for occasional purchases
- Flexible access — Read across publications without managing dozens of subscriptions
For Publishers:
- Monetize more visitors — Convert casual readers into paying customers
- Capture viral traffic revenue — Social media spikes generate income
- Build a conversion funnel — Single-article buyers often become subscribers
- Reader-friendly reputation — Become known as the publication that offers choice
How Pay-Per-Article Actually Works
Modern micropayment systems like SoloPass have solved the historical problems that made pay-per-article impractical:
Old Problem: Transaction fees ate the payment Credit card fees of $0.30 + 3% made $1 article sales unprofitable.
New Solution: Open Banking Direct bank transfers via PSD2/Open Banking have near-zero transaction costs, making $0.50 sales viable.
Old Problem: Too much friction Entering card details for a $1 purchase felt ridiculous.
New Solution: One-click bank payments Users authenticate once with their bank, then purchase with a single click. No forms, no saved cards, no accounts to create.
Old Problem: Privacy concerns Nobody wants to create yet another account or hand over personal data for one article.
New Solution: Anonymous tokens Modern micropayment platforms use cryptographic tokens. Publishers know someone paid—they don't know (or need to know) who.
News Sites That Already Offer Pay-Per-Article
The pay-per-article model is gaining traction. Here are examples of how publishers are implementing it:
- Hybrid paywalls — Keep subscriptions for superfans, add micropayment options for casual readers
- Metered + micropay — Give 3 free articles per month, then offer per-article purchase instead of hard paywall
- Premium article pricing — Free content stays free, investigative deep-dives cost $1.50 each
- Time-limited passes — Buy 24-hour access for $2 instead of monthly subscription
"But Won't Readers Just Pay Less Overall?"
This is publishers' biggest fear. The data suggests otherwise:
Scenario A: Current Model
- 100,000 monthly visitors
- 2% subscribe at $10/month = $2,000 revenue
- 98,000 readers pay $0
Scenario B: Hybrid Model with Micropayments
- 100,000 monthly visitors
- 2% subscribe at $10/month = $2,000 revenue
- 15% of remaining 98,000 pay $0.50 per article = $7,350 additional revenue
Publishers don't lose subscribers—they gain revenue from everyone else.
The Future Is Choice
The pay-per-article revolution isn't about killing subscriptions. It's about giving readers choice.
Some readers will always prefer the all-you-can-eat subscription model. They read 50 articles per month and subscriptions make economic sense.
But most readers just want to read that one article their friend shared. Or that one investigative piece everyone's talking about. Or that one recipe that looks amazing.
These readers deserve a fair option. And publishers deserve to be compensated for serving them.
How to Find Pay-Per-Article Content Today
If you're a reader looking for publishers who respect your preferences:
- Look for micropayment buttons — Publishers using SoloPass and similar platforms display "Unlock this article" buttons alongside subscription CTAs
- Check for hybrid paywalls — Some sites show both options when you hit their paywall
- Support early adopters — The more readers use pay-per-article, the more publishers will offer it
If you're a publisher considering micropayments:
- Start with a hybrid model — Keep subscriptions, add micropayment options
- Test on viral content — Your most-shared articles are your biggest missed opportunity
- Use privacy-first infrastructure — Readers choosing micropayments often value privacy; respect that
The Future is Choice
We believe:
- Readers benefit from having options — Subscribe to favorites, pay-per-article elsewhere
- Publishers benefit from serving their entire audience — Subscribers and casual readers
- Flexibility builds trust — Readers who try individual articles often become subscribers
- Different relationships deserve different payment models — One size doesn't fit all
The technology exists. The demand exists. Publishers who offer choice are capturing more revenue.
Ready to offer more options? If you're a publisher, learn how SoloPass can complement your subscription and help you monetize your entire audience.