Head-to-head · News and Digital Magazine Subscriptions
The Economist vs EL PAÍS
The Economist leads on 0 checks, EL PAÍS on 4, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreThe Economist · 9.0/10
- Most featuresEL PAÍS · 4 of 5
The Economist scores higher on our rubric for news and digital magazine subscriptions: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.
EL PAÍS offers publication bundle; The Economist doesn't publish it. EL PAÍS offers archive access; The Economist doesn't publish it. EL PAÍS offers audio content; The Economist doesn't publish it. EL PAÍS offers gift subscription; The Economist doesn't publish it.
The Economist is the better fit for readers of global affairs and analysis. EL PAÍS is the better fit for spanish-language readers across multiple editions.
- The Economist fits best
Readers of global affairs and analysis
- EL PAÍS fits best
Spanish-language readers across multiple editions
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Side by side
| Feature | The Economist 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | EL PAÍS 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #5 in News and Digital Magazine Subscriptions | #7 in News and Digital Magazine Subscriptions |
| Best for | Readers of global affairs and analysis | Spanish-language readers across multiple editions |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Android, iOS |
| Support | Email, Phone, Live chat | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo |
| Features The Economist 0/5 · EL PAÍS 4/5 | ||
| Publication bundle | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Archive access | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Audio content | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Ad-free access | Not published | Not published |
| Gift subscription | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Publication type | Not published | Newspaper |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | The Economist brings its reporting and analysis on international affairs, politics, economics, business, science, technology and culture to a subscription app. It suits readers who want a single publisher’s perspective across global… Read the review → |
EL PAÍS is a newspaper available on the web and in mobile apps, with subscriptions for readers who want Spanish-language reporting across regional editions. The app offers editions for Spain, the Americas, Mexico, Colombia, Chile,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
The Economist — where it wins
- Covers politics, economics, business, science, technology and culture
- Download weekly editions for offline reading
- Combine articles with podcasts, narrated stories and daily updates
Where it doesn't
- Subscription paywall; no free plan
- Listed starting price is $24.90
- Coverage is limited to The Economist's publishing
EL PAÍS — where it wins
- App editions cover Spain, the Americas and several national markets.
- Premium includes Cinco Días, digital print editions and a 90-day archive.
- Readers can save stories, follow authors or topics, and receive notifications.
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is listed.
- Premium features require a paid subscription.
- Print and combined print-and-digital subscriptions are offered in Spain.
- The Economist9.0/10 · 28-day trial
A subscription for global affairs coverage across articles, audio, video and weekly editions.
Visit The EconomistFull verdict → - EL PAÍS8.8/10 · Paid
A newspaper subscription with regional editions, saved stories and a Premium archive.
Visit EL PAÍSFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- Financial Times vs EL PAÍS
- The Wall Street Journal vs The Economist
- The Wall Street Journal vs EL PAÍS
- The Washington Post vs The Economist
- The Washington Post vs EL PAÍS
All news and digital magazine subscriptions comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update