Ars Technica subscriptions are optional: the public site remains free to read. Ars Pro adds an ad-free, tracker-free experience and reading features such as full-text RSS and downloadable article PDFs, while subscription revenue supports Ars journalism and community offerings.
What an Ars subscription supports
Ars Technica Managing Editor Eric Bangeman says subscriptions help pay for reporting, analysis, reviews, and other journalism. Ars’ subscription FAQ also describes support for new content, the Ars OpenForum and other community offerings, conference and product-launch coverage, liveblogs, and freelance specialty and technical content. Neither source specifies a percentage or fixed allocation of subscription revenue.
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The subscription is an optional way to support that work; it is not a prerequisite for reading public Ars content.
What Ars Pro and Ars Pro++ include
Ars’ official subscription page lists two plans. Ars Pro++ includes the Ars Pro features plus a special badge.
#1 Best Overall
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you – 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
| Plan | Listed price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Ars Pro | $5 per month or $25 per year | Ad-free reading, no trackers, homepage and reading-layout options, topic filtering, full-text RSS feeds, subscriber forums, and PDF downloads. |
| Ars Pro++ | $50 per year | All Ars Pro features, plus a special badge. |
These are the prices shown on Ars’ official subscription page as of October 7, 2026. Managing Editor Eric Bangeman’s October 6 article refers to the $25 ArsPro and $50 ArsPro++ annual plans, without mentioning the monthly option. Check the official subscription page for current pricing and terms; offers can change.
Ways to read Ars on your terms
Choose a homepage layout
Subscribers can choose among Ars Classic, Neutron Star, grid, and list homepage views. The official subscription page also lists topic filtering, an optimized reading layout, and an optional wide-text mode.
Rank #2
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Take articles beyond the website
Full-text RSS feeds let subscribers read Ars stories in an RSS reader. PDF downloads provide another way to save and read full articles outside the usual web-page layout.
Read without ads and trackers
The subscription removes ads and trackers from the Ars reading experience, according to the official subscription page. That is distinct from simply using an ad blocker: Ars presents the subscription as a cleaner, customizable reading experience as well as direct support for its work.
Rank #3
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you - 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
Join subscriber forums
Ars Pro includes access to subscriber forums, an additional community benefit alongside the publication’s journalism.
How the offer compares with free access
The public Ars site remains available without a subscription. Ars Pro is for readers who want the listed reading and community features and choose to support Ars; Ars Pro++ adds a badge to those features. A subscription is not a paywall workaround needed to reach public articles.
Rank #4
- 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 - Read in colour with a 6” E Ink Kaleido 3 display to enjoy eBook covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, and more.
- 𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 - With multiple colours available at the touch of a finger, you can highlight your eBooks. Add, erase, or change colours as you go, and easily see all your highlights by chapter at a glance
- 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 – ComfortLight PRO automatically reduces blue light throughout the day, and you can personalize your reading settings via font size, line spacing, or even Dark Mode
- 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 – Full waterproof protection and meets requirements of IPX8 rating – waterproof for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 metres of water
- 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 - Made with recycled and ocean-bound plastic and repairability to waterproof protection
Cancellation and refunds
Ars’ official FAQ says subscriptions rebill by default and can be managed or canceled through the subscriptions page. It says refunds are not offered in most circumstances; after cancellation, benefits generally continue until the subscription expires. Review the live terms before subscribing, since billing and account terms may change.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSources: Eric Bangeman’s October 6, 2026 article; Ars subscription page and subscription FAQ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
