Subscriptions to Le Monde, Le Figaro, or Mediapart: 2026 Digital Press Comparison

A subscription to Le Monde, Le Figaro, or Mediapart will cost between €10.99 and €16.99 per month for an individual plan in 2026, with significant variations in pricing for family, student, and legal sharing plans. Le Monde leads in terms of volume with 602,000 digital subscribers by the end of 2025, ahead of Le Figaro (295,000+) and Mediapart (257,000). Three distinct editorial lines: center-left for Le Monde, center-right for Le Figaro, and independent and investigative journalism for Mediapart. This comparison details prices, content, and offerings to help you decide.

Key points to remember

• Le Monde Premium: €10.99–€12.99/month for individual accounts, €5.75 per person for the family plan (4 accounts)
• Le Figaro Premium: €14.90/month; Premium+ for €16.99/month with a family plan (2 or 4 accounts)
• Mediapart: €12/month (Standard) or €120/year; no official family plan, but 3 simultaneous connections
• Le Monde has 602,000 digital subscribers, Le Figaro 295,000, and Mediapart 257,383
• Student rates: *Le Monde* for €1 for 6 months (under 25), *Le Figaro* for €1.99/month (under 27), *Mediapart* with 6 months free via Pass Culture
• Mediapart is celebrating its 15th consecutive year of profitability with a record net profit of €4.4 million

How much will a subscription to *Le Monde*, *Le Figaro*, and *Mediapart* cost in 2026?

The three plans have similar individual rates but differ significantly in their family and student plans. Here is a direct comparison.

Comparison Chart of Offers

• Offer|Le Monde|Le Figaro|Mediapart
• Individual|€10.99–€12.99/month|€14.90 (Premium) / €16.99 (Premium+)|€12/month or €120/year
• Offer for 2 people | €8.99 per person | Premium = 2 guest accounts | Not available (max. 3 connections)
• Family (4 accounts)|€5.75 per person|Premium+ = 4 guest accounts|Not available
• Students|€1 for 6 months (under 25)|€1.99/month (under 27)|Reduced rate + 6-month Culture Pass
• Welcome Offer | €1 for 6 months (under 25) | €0.99 for the first month | €25 for 3 months or €50 for 6 months
• Commitment|No commitment|No commitment|No commitment
• Support|No|No|€16/month (Support plan)

Le Figaro has the highest base price (€14.90) but offers the most comprehensive Premium+ plan at €16.99. Le Monde remains the best deal for families—at €5.75 per person for a 4-account plan, it’s half the price of Mediapart’s single-user rate.

How many subscribers will each title have in 2026?

The three daily newspapers publish their figures transparently. *Le Monde* remains well ahead, followed by *Le Figaro*, which combines digital and print editions, and *Mediapart*, which offers only digital content but is steadily gaining ground.

• Le Monde — 602,000 digital subscribers by the end of 2025 (source: Mind Media, February 2026), 181.1 million website visits in April 2026 (ACPM)
• Le Figaro — 295,000 digital subscribers (+8%), 400,000 total subscribers including print, 210–212 million monthly visits (a record)
• Mediapart — 257,383 subscribers by the end of 2025 (+10%), including 256,148 individual subscribers; €28 million in revenue in 2025 (+12%)

In 2024, Le Figaro crossed a symbolic threshold: 50% of its revenue now comes from digital sources, a rare shift in the French press. Mediapart, meanwhile, is celebrating its 15th consecutive year of profitability with a record net profit of €4.4 million—a business model that is unique among pure-players.

Save up to 70% on your subscriptions with subscription sharing. spliiit verified users so they can legally share their subscriptions. See how it works.

What are the editorial differences between Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Mediapart?

The three publications cover French and international news, but from very different perspectives, for different audiences, and with different areas of focus.

Le Monde — a leading daily newspaper, center-left

Le Monde is positioned as France's leading daily newspaper, with an editorial staff of over 500 journalists. It has a center-left editorial stance, a focus on investigative journalism (including the Mediapart Papers and the Pandora Papers, published in collaboration with other outlets), and a strong international presence.

• Strengths — in-depth reporting, extensive international coverage, podcasts (L'Heure du Monde), and thematic newsletters
• Included content — articles, archives, app, PDF edition, podcasts, games
• Target audience — upper-middle-class, urban, intellectual, leaning toward the center-left

Le Figaro — a leading center-right daily newspaper

Le Figaro is the oldest French daily newspaper still in publication (founded in 1826). It has a center-right editorial stance, with extensive coverage of the economy, international affairs, and conservative culture. The publication has invested heavily in digital media, launching specialized sections such as Figaro Vox, Figaro Madame, and Figaro Étudiant.

• Key areas — economics and finance, international affairs, lifestyle, conservative-liberal
• Included content — Premium (articles + Madame + Stories), Premium+ (adds Vif, live video content, Premium Stories)
• Target audience — Upper-middle class, leaning center-right and liberal, long-standing readership

Mediapart — an independent, left-leaning online news outlet

Mediapart is a unique case: a digital-only publication founded in 2008, 100% independent (no majority shareholder and no advertising), funded solely by subscribers. The publication thrives on investigative reporting and political scoops.

• Strengths — investigative reporting, political scoops, a clear left-wing stance, complete independence
• Included content — articles, surveys, features, newsletters, archives, up to 3 simultaneous connections
• Target audience — engaged, activist readers who value media independence

How does legally sharing a magazine subscription work?

Two of the three publications offer official family plans: *Le Monde* and *Le Figaro* have native family plans. *Mediapart* is the exception—it doesn’t offer a family plan, but allows up to three simultaneous connections per account.

• Family Plan — 4 accounts (main account + 3 guests), €5.75 per person; each member has their own account with preferences and favorites
• Le Monde Duo — 2 accounts for €8.99 per person
• Le Figaro Premium — Includes 2 guest accounts in the €14.90/month plan
• Le Figaro Premium+ — Includes 4 guest accounts with the €16.99/month plan
• Mediapart — no family plan, but up to 3 simultaneous connections on a single account

Co-subscription via a third-party platform such as spliiit remains a legal option for sharing the cost of a family plan with other verified users on services that accept this model. See our detailed guides on Mediapart, Le Monde, and Le Figaro.

Want to enjoy Le Monde, Le Figaro, or Mediapart without paying the full price? With a shared subscription, you can split the cost by legally sharing family plans with other verified users. Find out how it works on spliiit

Students, young people, casual readers: which options should you choose?

All three publications offer discounted rates for young readers, with different age limits.

• Le Monde - Under 25 — €1 for 6 months, then a discounted rate, no commitment required
• Le Figaro - 27 years old — €1.99/month, full Premium access, the most affordable student plan
• Mediapart Pass Culture — 6 months of digital access free of charge through the Pass Culture program for 18- to 20-year-olds
• Mediapart Students — reduced rate available with proof of eligibility

For casual readers who want to try it out with no commitment, the welcome offers are still worth checking out: *Le Figaro* for €0.99 for the first month, *Mediapart* for €25 for 3 months, and *Le Monde* through its recurring flash sale.

Which one should you choose based on your profile?

It's not just a matter of price; your editorial judgment and reading volume are what guide your choice.

• Daily subscription for families — Le Monde Famille at €5.75 per person: the most comprehensive and most affordable option when shared
• A daily newspaper focused on business and international news — Le Figaro Premium+ for business coverage and the family plan with 4 accounts
• Committed reader who values independence — Mediapart Standard for €12/month or Mediapart Support for €16/month
• Students under 25 — Le Monde for €1 for 6 months, then see the discounted rate
• Student under 27 planning for the long term — Le Figaro for €1.99/month, valid for several years
• Young people aged 18 to 20 — Mediapart via Pass Culture (6 months free)
• Sports Enthusiast — see our comparison of L'Équipe subscription plans

Should you subscribe to multiple magazine subscriptions at the same time?

The question comes up often: Le Monde + Mediapart, or Le Figaro + L'Équipe? The combined cost adds up quickly—€25/month for a single subscription to Le Monde + Mediapart.

Three ways to optimize:

• Choose a main subscription as a family and supplement it with a digital-only subscription as an individual or through Pass Culture
• Switching between subscriptions —3 months of Mediapart, 3 months of Le Monde, with no commitment—lets you explore
• Combine with L'Équipe for sports coverage — see our guide to L'Équipe Premium and L'Équipe+ for pricing

For a comprehensive overview of digital reading (newspapers, audiobooks, and summaries), our 2026 Complete Guide to Reading & Audiobooks is the go-to resource. We also compare subscriptions to *Le Parisien* for those looking for a more local daily newspaper.

Looking to lower the cost of your newspaper subscription? Le Monde and Le Figaro’s family plans can be legally shared among verified users through a shared subscription. See the available offers on spliiit

Frequently asked questions

Which is the cheapest: Le Monde, Le Figaro, or Mediapart?

For individual subscriptions, Le Monde starts at the lowest price of €10.99/month, ahead of Mediapart at €12 and Le Figaro at €14.90. For family plans, Le Monde is unbeatable at €5.75/person for four accounts. For students under 27, Le Figaro at €1.99/month offers the most affordable rate.

Does Mediapart offer a family plan?

No, Mediapart does not have an official family plan. The service limits each account to three simultaneous connections, which allows a couple or roommates to share the same subscription. However, Mediapart does offer a “Support” plan for €16/month for subscribers who wish to provide additional financial support to the editorial team.

How many subscribers do Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Mediapart have?

Le Monde had 602,000 digital subscribers at the end of 2025 (Mind Media), Le Figaro had 295,000 digital subscribers (+8%) and 400,000 in total including print. Mediapart had 257,383 subscribers at the end of 2025 (+10%), including 256,148 individual subscribers. All three publications saw their subscriber base grow in 2025.

Is Mediapart profitable?

Yes, in 2026, Mediapart will celebrate its 15th consecutive year of profitability. 2025 revenue: €28 million (+12%), with a record net profit of €4.4 million. The 100% subscription-based model (with no advertising or shareholders) remains unique in France and serves as a benchmark for European pure-players.

Can you read Le Monde for free?

Le Monde offers about ten articles with free access every day, but most of the content is reserved for subscribers. Readers under 25 can enjoy a 6-month trial for €1 to explore the service. For regular access, a subscription is required—or legal sharing through the family plan.

Is L'Équipe included in a Le Figaro subscription?

No, L'Équipe is an independent publication published by the Amaury Group, which is separate from the Le Figaro Group. For sports content, you need a subscription to L'Équipe Premium (€12.99/month) or L'Équipe+ with Ligue 1+ (€24.99/month). See our L'Équipe guide for details.

Are newspaper subscriptions non-binding?

Yes, all three publications offer no-commitment subscriptions. You can cancel at any time through your subscriber portal, with the cancellation taking effect at the end of the current billing period. There are no penalties and no required notice period—this is one of the key advantages of digital media over print.