• by Ray Schultz , October 23, 2025

Boston.com, an online publication that has been free up to now, is putting up a paywall. 

A part of Boston Globe Media, Boston.com will charge $5 per month for a bundled subscription to Boston.com and Boston magazine, according to Media Nation.  

Boston.com will test the number of free links that it will offer before starting to charge, it adds.

Boston Globe subscribers will not receive free access to Boston.com.

“As part of our subscription strategy, we are launching a metered paywall on Boston.com today,” top Boston Globe executives state in a memo to staff. “Having a paywall will unlock additional opportunities on Apple News Plus and on Google Discover, while allowing us to directly know and better serve more of our readers.” 

"We have developed a real expertise on subscriptions on Globe.com, so we can tailor our approach to resonate with Boston.com’s audience."

They add, “As with the Globe, we will continue to test and adapt the paywall — what we are launching with today will certainly change as we learn more. This new approach for Boston.com opens opportunities to grow subscriptions and readership across our media portfolio.”

The memo sent to the staff was signed by Linda Henry, CEO, Globe Media; Dhiraj Nayar, president; Tom Brown, senior vice president of consumer revenue; and Kaitlyn Johnston, editor, Boston.com.