The Spectator Magazine




How much does The Spectator Magazine cost?
Prices are current as of 30 Sept 2026.
2 subscriptions from $16.99
In the United States, The Spectator Magazine has 2 subscriptions priced $16.99 – 149.99. It comes with a 1 month free trial.
| Subscription | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | MonthlyTrial: 1 month | $16.99 |
| 1 year | Annual | $149.99 |
8 one-time purchases from $4.99
In the United States, The Spectator Magazine has 8 one-time purchases priced $4.99 – 5.99.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| 10 December 2016, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| 12 December 2015, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| 13 December 2014, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| 2 July 2016, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| 25 June 2016, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| 31 December 2016, The Spectator Magazine | $4.99 |
| The Spectator Magazine 14 December 2013 | $4.99 |
| The Spectator Magazine 15 December 2012 | $5.99 |
See what The Spectator Magazine costs in all 174 countries →
10+ alternatives to The Spectator Magazine
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating / 5 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 31K | 98K | 24K | 11K | 10K | 9.7K | 9.5K | 6.7K | 5.7K | 4K | 2.8K |
| Released | 2012 | 2010 | 2012 | 2011 | 2011 | 2023 | 2011 | 2012 | 2017 | 2013 | 2010 |
| Monthly price | $16.99 | $6.49 | — | $9.99 | $6.99 | $16.99 | $10.00 | $12.99 | — | $9.99 | $2.99 |
| Annual price | $149.99 | $129.00 | — | $99.99 | $69.99 | — | — | $89.99 | — | $99.99 | $29.99 |
| One-time price | $4.99 | — | — | $1.99 | — | — | — | $3.99 | — | $3.99 | $4.99 |
The going rate for each plan in United States, in its own currency, shaded from the cheapest price on the row to the dearest. Plans fewer than four in ten of the priced apps sell are left out.
The Spectator Magazine reviews
4.8 out of 5, based on 30,566 reviews.
What people like
- Writers are intelligent and witty
- Articles feel fresh compared to mainstream media
- Comment section is fun and lively
- High quality photos in arts reviews
What they complain about
- App loses your place when switching apps
- Ads interrupt you constantly despite paying
- Drains battery and makes phone hot
- Can't read downloaded issues offline properly
Top Dog
An excellent alternative to the MSM bringing together contributors of the highest quality and always somewhere within, amongst the pathos one can find humour.
Worst of the worst
This paper has nothing to do with news, science or politics. It’s all about rage, hate blame. I want my £1 back!
Irelands violent men of peace by Douglass Murray
Enjoyed reading his article which was true to a point as it stinks as to how the IRA leaders were rewarded . As a former member of the RUC they were a disgrace and killed more of their own side with violence for not doing what they were instructed and many forced by fear to fight for them . I also served in the 22SAS before the troubles and the top instructors of the regiment were Irish from the South of Ireland and from memory I think 480K Irish died fighting for the UK government even though their own country was neutral during the war and were awarded I think 7 VCs for bravery and in my time in the regiment many were Irish myself included
Where is the audio option
The lack of audio option is a big flaw in the app and an increasingly inexcusable one in the world of AI … have a look at what ElevenLabs can do and make a deal with them
Doesn’t return to the page last being read
When one switches away from the app, even fairly briefly, the article that was previously being read is forgotten, and one is back at the home page. This is infuriating, but should be simple to fix.
If only we can choose the writers. Not Mr Gove.
I find some writers irritating
Drains battery, makes phone too hot to hold.
Drains battery, makes phone too hot to hold. Only one of my c.150 apps to do this.
So refreshing....
I’m British but have lived in Latin America for over 40 years (pretty much all my adult working life) and for the last 13 or so have been in Acapulco, Mexico where I am now semi-retired. After getting fed up with the banality of the US media and frankly the “pinko bias” of the BBC too, I took out an on line subscription to “The Spectator” and I’m loving it. It’s so refreshing to read common sense commentary expressed in clear concise English and with that familiar British “twist” that I can still fully identify with despite having lived overseas for so long. Many congratulations on your excellent periodical and keep up the good work. Best wishes, Phil Hutchins
Content okay, platform terrible
I enjoy enough of the content to make it worthwhile reading but being constantly blocked from commenting is so annoying. To be clear, I’m not saying anything remotely controversial, it’s just so random as to whether I can firstly access the comments section and secondly, be able to comment. I’ve tried emailing them and they offer no practical help. The comments section is my favourite part and without it the subscription is definitely not worth it so I’m off for a final time. Such a shame they can’t get it right.
Outstanding content but poor navigation (UI/UX) and no author favourite option.
Just user feedback. Please add a favourite author section so I can follow and be notified of articles by certain writers. I don’t want to turn off the notifications but I would like to make them more granular in my choices. Please add this feature! Also why was the last update 3 months ago, you telling me you don’t bug hunt?!
Everything is wonderful except for one thing
The Spectator is the champagne for the brain that readers know and love except for one thing. We need live text so that people with ageing eyes and accessibility issues can enlarge the text and continue to read it as they while away their days.
battery drain
phone becomes too hot to hold
Specce App
Great app for a great mag. Good navigation, excellent hi res pics, especially in absolutely essential arts and book review section.
A good thing, ruined
My favourite weekly read, ruined by a very silly update. Just one example of what’s been messed up - no index to the magazine and every time opened you’re forced back to your last position. Is this for real?
Some bright spots in a mostly dark room
With few exceptions (such as the brilliant Gareth Roberts), the magazine is as irretrievably wet as the modern “Tory” party itself. Gove has not been helpful in this regard (or indeed in many others). The TDS is also utterly banal and tiresome—enough already. Pleased to find I could still read this at all after the Tory-sponsored, Labour-passed, “Online Safety” Bill…. How far we have fallen. Sadly, even the noble Spectator has become a symptom, rather than a cure, of our nation’s sorry, steady decay. The fact that it sometimes still offers at least a modicum of difference from the mainstream media’s group think is, however, something to be celebrated.
My review
First class 11 I enjoy reading The Spectator every week
Overrepresentative of the Jewish standpoint.
The app works smoothly and is easy to navigate — no complaints about performance. However, the magazine’s editorial focus can feel a bit repetitive at times, with certain topics or perspectives seeming over-emphasised compared to others. A broader range of subjects and viewpoints would make it even better. I feel like the viewpoints of Judasim / Zionism is over represented.
One of the best political magazines around
This is such a pleasure to read compared to the usual dull "consensus media" magazines on the market today. Intelligent analysis, thought provoking articles laced with classic British humour throughout.
Significantly Degraded
Less intuitive and clumsier than prior versions. Call this one a fail and bring back the predecessor please.
Desperately needs an audio player like substack
Solid content, but the fact their articles can’t be listened to on the go means I rarely have the time to get through them
Essential Reading
Superb journalism. Thoughtful, intelligent, informed, witty. Essential reading.
Terrible for offline use
What is the point of having the ability to download the magazine if you can’t read it offline? Deeply frustrating on an aeroplane, amongst other places. Why do the articles reset, losing your place, every time that you have to switch to another window, even if only for a moment? While I love the spectator, the app is pretty hopeless. Do the publishers not use the app themselves?
Spec
Magazine is the best but the download system is rank. Also in App spotlight is pretty useless as only looks in downloaded articles, it should look on the web.
New version difficult to use
The latest update is in many ways a visual improvement, but the magazine is now difficult to read. If you use the menu to skip ahead to an article, and then try to resume reading the magazine from the start, scrolling to the next article takes you back to the article you reached from the menu, rather than just the next page. So scrolling from page 1 to 2 actually takes you to page 40, if you’d been reading page 40 beforehand. Can this please be addressed in the next update?
Independent journalism
Wonderful to read independent thoughts by independent minds
What’s this? Advertising on the app???
I am not happy about the advent of tacky (or indeed any) adverts in the app. I pay for a subscription and I shouldn’t have to deal with this. It’s intrusive, annoying and cheap. Stop it please or I will consider ending my subscription.
Very good App. Media use could be improved.
Excellent reader App. Latest iteration is top class and loads quickly. Well laid out. Downside if you are living in Australia is that you don't get access to the Australia section that comes with the paper version. While an excellent reader app, it has no multi media utility. So can't access the crossword and no video. The crossword utility lags (say) the Melbourne Age newspaper. The video lags T3 and Robb Report.
No search function
Content is great. The app would be great if there was a search function.
The Elder
Excellent list of Journalists & articles.
SIGN IN IMPOSSIBLE
INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO SIGN IN WITHIN THE APP USING USERNAME AND PASSWORD, THE APP FORCES ME TO SIGN IN VIA THE WEBSITE THUS COMPROMISING MY PRIVACY WHICH IS ***COMPLETELY***UNACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER THE PROCESS FAILS ANYWAY, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF ALLOWING ME TO ENTER MY PASSWORD, A CODE IS EMAILED TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS. THERE’S NO WAY TO SIMPLY ENTER MY PASSWORD. THIS MEANS I HAVE TO NAVIGATE AWAY FROM THE APP TO MY EMAIL CLIENT TO GET THE CODE AND WHEN I COME BACK, THE WINDOW IS GONE. IF I PUT MY EMAIL ADDRESS IN AGAIN I GET A NEW CODE AND THUS REPEAT AD NAUSEUM.
Problem trying to read offline
I have been a subscriber for over 10 years, first through Kindle then through the iPad app. I love the Spectator and have recommended to many. However, a recent update to the app has made it impossible to read downloaded issues offline. After about 20 minutes of offline reading, the app boots me out of the downloaded magazine and requires a login. As my favorite time to read The Spectator is on flights, this is a real problem. Either I am forced to purchase expensive internet service on the flight (if available) or I have to read some other less enjoyable publication that does allow offline reading. PLEASE FIX THIS!
Few adverts
I find most Spectator articles to be well written. I enjoy reading the analyses without the continuous pop-up adverts interrupting my train of thought and concentration as happens when reading the Daily Telegraph. I admit adverts do not appear in the online newspaper itself. Even so, I’m thinking of cancelling my Telegraph subscription and relying substantially on the excellent articles in the Spectator for keeping myself informed on current affairs and politics.
Hopeless login
Why subscribe? Frustrating to login
Feedback
That‘s tremendously much for a foreign person like me, but exciting, because it brings new insights into the anglosaxon world and politics to me, never read and heard before. S. Grüter
Debating fellow nobheads
It’s not just the articles that are world class. You can, on a daily basis lock horns with other cranks who need an outlet to vent. We are all going down but at least the comment section makes a minute fraction of this enjoyable! love x
Beware
Sad to report that the Spectator has joined the Telegraph in making you jump through hoops should you have the temerity to want to cancel. Emails go into a black hole and aren’t actioned. Beware!
CBH
Great magazine for the variety of topics, originality of the pieces, and especially smoothness of the prose. But on an iPhone 6, not so much.
I like the Spectator
It’s Really good
Terrible
Terrible app
The Spectator Magazine price by country
A one-time purchase costs $4.72 in Taiwan and $7.54 in Colombia — 1.6× more for the same thing. Below is the going rate for each plan in every country that sells it — the middle price of what the app charges there, in the country's own currency with the dollar equivalent beneath it.
| Country | Monthly | Annual | One-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Albania | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Algeria | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Angola | — | — | $4.99 |
| Anguilla | — | — | $4.99 |
| Antigua And Barbuda | — | — | $4.99 |
| Argentina | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Armenia | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Australia | A$24.99$17.48 | A$229.99$160.83 | A$7.99$5.59 |
| Austria | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Azerbaijan | — | — | $5.99 |
| Bahamas | — | — | $4.99 |
| Bahrain | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Barbados | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Belarus | — | — | $5.99 |
| Belgium | €14.99$17.41 | €139.99$162.59 | €5.99$6.96 |
| Belize | — | — | $4.99 |
| Benin | — | — | $5.99 |
| Bermuda | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Bhutan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Bolivia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | — | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Botswana | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Brazil | R$99.90$19.17 | R$999.90$191.92 | R$29.90$5.74 |
| British Virgin Islands | — | — | $4.99 |
| Brunei Darussalam | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Bulgaria | €14.99$17.05 | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Burkina Faso | — | — | $4.99 |
| Cambodia | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Cameroon | — | — | $5.99 |
| Canada | CA$22.99$16.19 | CA$199.99$140.84 | CA$6.99$4.92 |
| Cape Verde | — | — | $4.99 |
| Cayman Islands | — | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Chad | — | — | $4.99 |
| Chile | CLP 19,990$20.79 | CLP 179,990$187.20 | CLP 5,990$6.23 |
| Colombia | COP 79,900$24.21 | — | COP 24,900$7.54 |
| Congo | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Congo, Democratic Republic | — | — | $4.99 |
| Costa Rica | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Cote Divoire | — | — | $5.99 |
| Croatia | €14.99$17.05 | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Cyprus | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Czech Republic | CZK 499.00$23.26 | CZK 3,990.00$186.01 | CZK 129.00$6.01 |
| Denmark | DKK 149.00$22.68 | DKK 1,299.00$197.72 | DKK 39.00$5.94 |
| Dominica | — | — | $4.99 |
| Dominican Republic | — | — | $4.99 |
| Ecuador | — | — | $4.99 |
| Egypt | EGP 999.99$19.20 | EGP 7,999.99$153.64 | EGP 249.99$4.80 |
| El Salvador | — | — | $4.99 |
| Estonia | €14.99$17.41 | €139.99$162.59 | €5.99$6.96 |
| Fiji | — | — | $4.99 |
| Finland | €14.99$17.05 | €149.99$170.64 | €5.99$6.81 |
| France | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Gabon | — | — | $4.99 |
| Gambia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Georgia | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Germany | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Ghana | — | — | $5.99 |
| Greece | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Grenada | — | — | $4.99 |
| Guatemala | — | — | $4.99 |
| Guinea-bissau | — | — | $4.99 |
| Guyana | — | — | $4.99 |
| Honduras | — | — | $4.99 |
| Hong Kong | HK$128.00$16.33 | HK$1,188.00$151.53 | HK$38.00$4.85 |
| Hungary | HUF 7,990$24.76 | HUF 69,990$216.86 | HUF 1,990$6.17 |
| Iceland | $16.99 | $149.99 | $5.99 |
| India | ₹1,799.00$18.73 | ₹14,900.00$155.10 | ₹499.00$5.19 |
| Indonesia | IDR 299,000$16.63 | IDR 2,499,000$138.95 | IDR 99,000$5.50 |
| Iraq | — | — | $4.99 |
| Ireland | €14.99$17.41 | €139.99$162.59 | €5.99$6.96 |
| Israel | ₪59.90$19.90 | ₪499.90$166.08 | ₪17.90$5.95 |
| Italy | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Jamaica | — | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Japan | ¥2,500$15.89 | ¥25,000$158.91 | ¥800$5.09 |
| Jordan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Kazakhstan | KZT 9,990.00$22.67 | — | KZT 2,990.00$6.79 |
| Kenya | $16.99 | $149.99 | $5.99 |
| Kosovo | — | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Kuwait | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Kyrgyzstan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Lao Peoples Democratic Republic | — | — | $4.99 |
| Latvia | €14.99$17.05 | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Lebanon | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Liberia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Libya | — | — | $4.99 |
| Lithuania | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Luxembourg | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Macao | — | — | $4.99 |
| Macedonia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Madagascar | — | — | $4.99 |
| Malawi | — | — | $4.99 |
| Malaysia | MYR 79.90$19.58 | MYR 699.90$171.54 | MYR 22.90$5.61 |
| Maldives | — | — | $4.99 |
| Mali | — | — | $4.99 |
| Malta | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Mauritania | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Mauritius | $16.99 | $149.99 | $5.99 |
| Mexico | MX$399.00$22.29 | MX$2,999.00$167.54 | MX$99.00$5.53 |
| Micronesia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Moldova | — | — | $5.99 |
| Mongolia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Montenegro | — | — | €4.99$5.68 |
| Montserrat | — | — | $4.99 |
| Morocco | — | — | $5.99 |
| Mozambique | — | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Myanmar | — | — | $4.99 |
| Namibia | — | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Nauru | — | — | $4.99 |
| Nepal | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Netherlands | €14.99$17.41 | €139.99$162.59 | €5.99$6.96 |
| New Zealand | NZ$29.99$17.64 | NZ$299.99$176.46 | NZ$9.99$5.88 |
| Nicaragua | — | — | $4.99 |
| Niger | — | — | $4.99 |
| Nigeria | NGN 29,900.00$22.49 | NGN 249,900.00$187.98 | — |
| Norway | NOK 199.00$21.31 | NOK 1,990.00$213.06 | NOK 59.00$6.32 |
| Oman | $16.99 | — | $4.99 |
| Pakistan | PKR 4,900$17.69 | PKR 39,900$144.06 | — |
| Palau | — | — | $4.99 |
| Panama | — | — | $4.99 |
| Papua New Guinea | — | — | $4.99 |
| Paraguay | — | — | $4.99 |
| Peru | PEN 79.90$23.36 | — | PEN 22.90$6.70 |
| Philippines | ₱999.00$15.98 | — | ₱299.00$4.78 |
| Poland | PLN 79.99$21.45 | PLN 699.99$187.66 | PLN 24.99$6.70 |
| Portugal | €14.99$17.41 | €139.99$162.59 | €5.99$6.96 |
| Qatar | QAR 59.99$16.48 | QAR 499.99$137.36 | QAR 19.99$5.49 |
| Romania | RON 99.99$21.55 | RON 799.99$172.41 | RON 29.99$6.46 |
| Russia | RUB 1,490.00$17.66 | RUB 12,990.00$153.96 | RUB 449.00$5.32 |
| Rwanda | — | — | $4.99 |
| Sao Tome & Principe | — | — | $4.99 |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 69.99$18.66 | SAR 599.99$160.00 | SAR 19.99$5.33 |
| Senegal | — | — | $5.99 |
| Serbia | €14.99$17.05 | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Seychelles | — | — | $4.99 |
| Sierra Leone | — | — | $4.99 |
| Singapore | SGD 24.98$19.52 | SGD 199.98$156.23 | SGD 6.98$5.45 |
| Slovakia | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Slovenia | €14.99$17.05 | — | €5.99$6.81 |
| Solomon Islands | — | — | $4.99 |
| South Africa | ZAR 349.99$21.33 | ZAR 2,999.99$182.81 | ZAR 99.99$6.09 |
| South Korea | ₩29,000$21.34 | — | ₩7,700$5.67 |
| Spain | €14.99$17.05 | €139.99$159.26 | €5.99$6.81 |
| Sri Lanka | — | — | $4.99 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | — | — | $4.99 |
| St. Lucia | — | — | $4.99 |
| St. Vincent & The Grenadines | — | — | $4.99 |
| Suriname | — | — | $4.99 |
| Swaziland | — | — | $4.99 |
| Sweden | SEK 229.00$23.90 | SEK 1,995.00$208.25 | SEK 69.00$7.20 |
| Switzerland | CHF 15.00$18.03 | CHF 140.00$168.27 | CHF 4.00$4.81 |
| Taiwan | NT$590.00$18.55 | — | NT$150.00$4.72 |
| Tajikistan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Tanzania | TZS 49,900.00$18.85 | TZS 399,900.00$151.09 | TZS 14,900.00$5.63 |
| Thailand | THB 599.00$17.83 | THB 4,990.00$148.56 | THB 199.00$5.92 |
| Tonga | — | — | $4.99 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Tunisia | — | — | $4.99 |
| Turkey | TRY 999.99$20.41 | TRY 7,999.99$163.27 | TRY 249.99$5.10 |
| Turkmenistan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Turks and Caicos | — | — | $4.99 |
| Uganda | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| Ukraine | $16.99 | — | $5.99 |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 69.99$19.07 | AED 599.99$163.49 | AED 19.99$5.45 |
| United Kingdom | £12.49$16.56 | £119.00$157.82 | £4.99$6.62 |
| United States | $16.99 | $149.99 | $4.99 |
| Uruguay | — | — | $4.99 |
| Uzbekistan | — | — | $4.99 |
| Vanuatu | — | — | $4.99 |
| Venezuela | — | — | $4.99 |
| Vietnam | ₫499,000$19.25 | ₫4,999,000$192.88 | ₫149,000$5.75 |
| Yemen | — | — | $4.99 |
| Zambia | — | — | $5.99 |
| Zimbabwe | $16.99 | — | — |
The Spectator Magazine FAQ
- Is The Spectator Magazine free?
- Yes. The app and its basic features are free, in all 174 countries it sells in. Premium features are paid: they start from $16.99 (US), across 2 subscriptions and 8 one-time purchases.
- How much does The Spectator Magazine cost per month?
- 1 month is $16.99 (US). The annual plan works out cheaper per month: $149.99 a year.
- Does The Spectator Magazine have a free trial?
- Yes — a 1 month free trial (US).
- Where is The Spectator Magazine cheapest?
- A one-time purchase costs NT$150.00 (≈$4.72) in Taiwan and COP 24,900 (≈$7.54) in Colombia, its cheapest and dearest countries.
- What are the best alternatives to The Spectator Magazine?
- Daily Mail: Breaking News Live (4.2 from 98,110 reviews, premium from $2.99), The London Standard (4.5 from 23,885 reviews) and National Review (4.7 from 10,924 reviews, premium from $1.99).
The Spectator Magazine download
Last updated 1 month ago.
The Spectator Magazine sells in 174 countries. It was released 13 years and 11 months ago, on 24 Oct 2012. It holds a 4.8 rating from 30,566 reviews.
Supports 1 language: English.
How much does The Spectator Magazine make?
Third-party estimates for the last 30 days, worldwide — not the store's own figures, which Apple publishes for nobody.
Revenue by plan
- One-time 48%
- Monthly 30%
- Annual 23%
Revenue by country
- United Kingdom 77%
- United States 9%
- Australia 2%
- Canada 2%








