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10 Ways to Get Free Magazine Subscriptions by Mail

By Laurie Blank Updated

Stack of magazines delivered by mail

Updated November 2026

The best ways to get free magazine subscriptions are to read thousands of magazines free in the Libby app with your library card, earn free print subscriptions by mail through reward sites like RewardSurvey, and request free trade magazines through sites like Mercury Magazines and FreeBizMag if you qualify professionally. You can also get free magazines that come with memberships you already have, and pick up older issues free from libraries.

Here are 10 legit ways to get free magazines, plus how to avoid "free" offers that end up costing you.

Free Magazine Options at a Glance

Option Print or digital What it takes
Libby (library app) Digital A library card
Reward survey sites Print by mail (some digital) A sign-up survey
ValueMags Digital A free account and promo emails
Free trade magazines Print and digital Qualifying for your industry
Member magazines Print by mail A membership you already have
Libraries and bookstores Print (older issues) Asking

1. Read Free Magazines With Your Library Card (Libby)

The easiest truly free option is the Libby app, which many public libraries use for e-books, audiobooks and magazines. Libby offers more than 4,000 magazines with up to three years of back issues, and there's no waitlist for magazines: everyone can read the same issue at once, according to Engadget.

Download Libby, add your library card, and browse the magazine section. Some libraries also offer magazines through apps like Flipster or PressReader.

No library card? Many libraries let you sign up online. While you're at it, check out these ways to get free books mailed to your home.

2. Earn Free Print Magazines Through Reward Survey Sites

Some sites give you points or credits for answering surveys, which you can redeem for magazine subscriptions mailed to your home. Consumer expert Clark Howard's team tested one, RewardSurvey: new members got credit toward free subscriptions after a sign-up survey, magazines arrived within about a month, and the subscriptions continued for two years, according to Clark.com.

Before you sign up, know the trade-offs:

  • Sign-up surveys can be long and ask for demographic information.
  • Only choose magazines covered fully by your points. If a title has an extra cost, it will show at checkout.
  • Expect marketing emails, and possibly offers you need to decline.

Get-paid-to sites like Swagbucks and InboxDollars sometimes include magazine offers too, or let you trade points for gift cards you can use on subscriptions.

3. Sign Up for ValueMags Digital Magazines

ValueMags offers free digital magazines when you create an account, with no payment information required. Selection is limited and changes often: Clark.com found only a couple of free titles in mid-2026, down from several before. You'll need to accept promotional emails.

4. Get Free Trade and Business Magazines

Many trade publications are free to people who work in their industry, because advertisers pay for the subscriptions. You fill out a short form about your job, and the publisher decides whether you qualify.

  • Mercury Magazines has offered free business and consumer magazines in exchange for answering profile questions. Don't enter a credit card for a free subscription, and watch for optional offers you don't need to accept.
  • FreeBizMag (TradePub) lists free trade magazines in fields like health care, HR, manufacturing, food and beverage, and nonprofits, plus free white papers and e-books. Each publisher sets its own qualifications.

5. Use the Magazines That Come With Your Memberships

Many memberships include a magazine mailed to you at no extra cost. Check whether you're already entitled to one:

  • Costco mails The Costco Connection to members.
  • AAA clubs send members a travel magazine.
  • AARP membership includes AARP The Magazine.
  • Alumni associations, professional associations and nonprofits often send magazines to members and donors.

6. Ask Your Library or Bookstore for Old Issues

Libraries replace magazines regularly, and many give away or sell older issues for pennies before recycling them. Some bookstores do the same. It's a great option for crafts, classroom projects, or when you don't need the latest issue. Ask the staff how they handle old copies.

7. Look for Free Parenting and Baby Magazines

Parenting magazines and baby brands sometimes offer free subscriptions to expectant parents, and some store baby registries include a magazine as part of their welcome perks. For more freebies, see our guide to free baby stuff.

8. Follow Freebie Sites for New Offers

Free magazine offers come and go quickly. Freebie sites post new ones as they appear:

Prefer stuff in your mailbox? See free samples by mail without surveys and companies that send free stickers.

9. Grab Buy-One-Get-One and Deep-Discount Deals

If you can't get a magazine free, you can often get it for very little:

  • BOGO deals. Publishers often run buy-one-get-one offers, especially around the holidays. Keep one and gift the other.
  • Discount sites. Groupon and deal sites like The Krazy Coupon Lady regularly post magazine subscriptions at steep discounts.
  • Print-plus-digital. Many print subscriptions include the digital edition at no extra cost.

10. Check Amazon Prime Reading

Amazon stopped selling individual print and Kindle magazine subscriptions in 2023, according to Fortune. If you're a Prime member, check Prime Reading for any digital magazines included with your membership. Not a member? See how to get Amazon Prime for free.

How to Avoid "Free" Magazine Traps

  • Never enter a credit card for a free subscription. A truly free offer doesn't need one.
  • Watch for auto-renewal. If you do pay for a discounted subscription, set a reminder to cancel or turn off auto-renew.
  • Ignore renewal notices from unfamiliar companies. Look-alike "renewal" bills are a common scam. Only renew directly with the publisher.
  • Read the fine print. Survey-based sites may share your information with marketers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get free magazines by mail?

Reward survey sites like RewardSurvey let you redeem points for print subscriptions mailed to your home. You can also qualify for free trade magazines through FreeBizMag or Mercury Magazines, and many memberships, such as Costco and AAA, include a mailed magazine.

Can I read magazines for free with a library card?

Yes. Many libraries offer free digital magazines through the Libby app, which has more than 4,000 titles and no waitlists for magazines.

Are free magazine subscriptions legit?

Many are, but read the terms. Legit offers don't ask for your credit card. Expect to answer survey questions or receive marketing emails in exchange.

Does Amazon still sell magazine subscriptions?

No. Amazon stopped selling individual print and Kindle magazine subscriptions in 2023, so you'll need to subscribe through the publisher or another seller.

What free magazines can I get for my business?

Trade publications are often free to qualified professionals. Browse FreeBizMag (TradePub) for titles in your industry and complete the publisher's qualification form.

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