Both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are reputable news sources with distinct focuses and political leanings. The choice between them depends on the reader's interests and preferences. The New York Times is better for general news and diverse topics, while The Wall Street Journal is more suitable for those interested in business and finance. Both have customer service issues, but The Wall Street Journal's reputation is notably worse.
| Attribute | The New York Times | The Wall Street Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription Cost | Digital subscriptions start at $4 per month for the first six months, then increase to $25 per month. Pricing can vary depending on promotions and subscription type. | Subscription costs vary; Introductory rates from $1/week, increasing to $38.99/month. Digital offer: $1 for 2 months, then $19.50/month for 6 months, or $15.60/month for a yearly package. |
| Breadth of Coverage | Extensive domestic, national, and international news coverage, opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews covering business, culture, sports, science, and technology. | Extensive coverage of news, focusing on business and finance. Covers global business, markets, politics, technology, personal finance, health, and arts. |
| Depth of Reporting and Analysis | Known for its in-depth reporting and analysis. Employs over 1,700 staff writers. | Known for in-depth reporting and analysis of financial markets, economic trends, and business developments. Provides detailed insights into global financial affairs. |
| Political Leaning/Bias | Generally considered a liberal newspaper. The opinion pages and editorial board are viewed as having a strong left bias. Publishes diverse perspectives, including some right-leaning columnists. | News section is generally considered center. Editorial pages and columns have a conservative slant. |
| Quality of Journalism | Considered one of the most reliable news sources with proper sourcing and well-respected journalists. Has a rigorous fact-checking process. Corrects errors and publishes retractions. | Generally considered a reliable source. A 2018 survey found it to be the third most accurate news organization. Some sources indicate occasional inadequate fact-checking. |
| Website and App User Experience | Invested in making its mobile apps user-friendly and visually dynamic. The website has been redesigned to improve user experience and speed. | Offers full access to WSJ.com and WSJ Smartphone app. |
| Multimedia Content | Provides various multimedia content, including videos and podcasts like "The Daily" and "Ezra Klein". | Provides multimedia content, including videos and podcasts. |
| Opinion Pieces and Columnists | Includes diverse opinion pieces and columnists, although the opinion page and editorial board lean left. | Opinion pieces predominantly have a right-wing slant. |
| Investigative Reporting | Has a long history of investigative reporting, exposing corruption and covering significant issues. Offers fellowships for early-career journalists to conduct investigative journalism. | Has a dedicated investigations team. |
| Accessibility | Operates behind a paywall, but offers some free articles and gift articles for subscribers to share. | Operates on a subscription model, requiring payment for access to most content. |
| Mobile App Rating | Available for both iOS and Android. | Not available |
| Customer Service Quality | Customer service quality receives mixed reviews, with some users reporting billing issues and lack of responsiveness. Offers customer service via chatbot. | Rated as terrible, based on customer reviews. Many customers report issues with stopping delivery, cancellations, and poor communication. |