FAQ
Does ReadMonkey Pro Work on Paywalled Sites?
ReadMonkey Pro works with the content that is visible in your browser. It can save, highlight, and annotate any article you can see — including articles on sites where you have a paid subscription. However, ReadMonkey Pro cannot bypass paywalls or access content that your browser cannot display. Here is a clear breakdown of what works and what does not.
Last updated: March 3, 2026
How ReadMonkey Interacts with Web Content
ReadMonkey Pro operates as a Chrome extension that reads the DOM (Document Object Model) — the content your browser has already loaded and rendered. When you click the save button, ReadMonkey captures the article text, images, and metadata that are currently visible on the page. It does not make separate HTTP requests to the site's servers, does not use APIs, and does not attempt to access content that Chrome has not already loaded. This means: if you can see it in your browser, ReadMonkey can save it. If the site blocks the content before it reaches your browser, ReadMonkey cannot access it either.
Paywalled Sites You Are Subscribed To
If you have an active subscription to a publication (e.g., The New York Times, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, or any other paywalled site), you can see the full article in your browser after logging in. In this case, ReadMonkey Pro works normally — you can save the full article, highlight text, add notes, and read it later in distraction-free reader mode. Your subscription grants access to the content, and ReadMonkey captures what your browser displays.
Soft Paywalls vs Hard Paywalls
There are two common types of paywalls, and they behave differently with ReadMonkey Pro.
- Soft paywalls (metered) — Sites that let you read a few articles per month before blocking access (e.g., "You've read 3 of 5 free articles this month"). If you can still see the full article text, ReadMonkey can save it. Once the paywall activates and hides the content, ReadMonkey can only capture what remains visible.
- Hard paywalls — Sites that block content entirely without a subscription. The article text never loads in your browser, so ReadMonkey cannot capture it. You will see only the headline and first paragraph (if the site shows a teaser).
Reader Mode Limitations
ReadMonkey Pro's distraction-free reader mode reformats the saved article for comfortable reading. It works with whatever content was captured at save time. If you saved an article while the full text was visible (because you were logged in or had free reads remaining), reader mode displays the full article. If you saved an article after a paywall blocked the content, reader mode only shows what was captured — typically just the headline and teaser. ReadMonkey Pro does not attempt to re-fetch or bypass restrictions after saving.
Best Practices
To get the best experience with ReadMonkey Pro on subscription-based sites, follow these guidelines.
- Save while logged in — Always save articles while your subscription session is active. Once saved, the content is in your ReadMonkey library regardless of your future subscription status.
- Save early on metered sites — If a site gives you 5 free reads per month, save articles you want to annotate during those free reads.
- Check before highlighting — If an article shows a truncated view with a "Subscribe to continue" banner, ReadMonkey can only capture the visible portion.
- Use for your existing subscriptions — ReadMonkey Pro is designed to enhance your reading workflow on sites you already have access to, not to circumvent access controls.
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