PaywallBuster vs. archive.is
PaywallBuster
PaywallBuster is a tool that helps you get around paywalls on news articles. You just paste the article link into the site, and it tries different methods to let you read the content for free. It doesn’t host anything itself—it just sends you to third-party websites that do the work. Not every method works for every site, so it opens multiple tabs using different tools, hoping one will break through. It’s free, works on iOS through a shortcut, and claims it’s legal since it only redirects you to other services. The creators say they don’t encourage breaking site terms or copyright laws, but they know people just want to read an article without hitting a wall.
archive.is
archive.is, also known as archive.today, is a website that lets you save a copy of any webpage. It works like a time capsule, taking a "snapshot" of the page as it is at that moment. This snapshot stays online even if the original page is deleted or changed. It saves both the text and images, making sure the copy is accurate. The archived page doesn’t have active elements like pop-ups or scripts, so it’s safer to view. People use archive.is for different reasons—saving articles that might get taken down, capturing price lists or job postings before they change, or keeping a record of social media posts. It’s also used to get around paywalls, since the archived copy often shows the full content without restrictions. You can use the site by entering the URL of the page you want to save. Once archived, you get a short, stable link to the snapshot. There’s also a search feature to find past snapshots of certain websites. They even offer a Chrome extension for quicker access.
Reviews
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/23/2025
Archive.is works on most websites - for examples Financial Times, The Economist, Medium etc. It's easy to use but sometimes takes a long time to load.
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
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| Seamless Bypass | 1 | |
| Cross-Device Compatibility | 1 | |
| Ethical Usage | 1 |
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| No cons yet, would you like to add one? | ||
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
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| Easy to use | 1 | |
| Reliable | 1 | |
| Works on most major sites | 1 |
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| Can be slow | 1 | |
| Somewhat dated user interface | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
PaywallBuster is designed specifically to bypass paywalls by trying multiple methods to access content for free, making it effective for users looking to read articles without restrictions. However, its success can vary depending on the site. In contrast, archive.is allows users to save a snapshot of a webpage, which can also help bypass paywalls by providing access to archived content. While PaywallBuster may offer a more direct approach to bypassing paywalls, archive.is provides a reliable way to preserve content for future access.
Both PaywallBuster and archive.is are user-friendly, but they serve different purposes. PaywallBuster requires users to paste a link and wait for it to attempt various methods to access the content, which may involve multiple tabs opening. Archive.is, on the other hand, allows users to simply enter a URL to save a snapshot of the page, making it straightforward and quick. Overall, archive.is may be considered easier to use for those looking to save content.
PaywallBuster claims to operate ethically by redirecting users to third-party services without hosting content itself, but it does encourage users to bypass paywalls, which can raise ethical questions. Archive.is, while also used to bypass paywalls, focuses on preserving content and providing access to archived versions, which may be viewed as a more ethical approach to content access. Ultimately, the ethical implications depend on how each tool is used by the individual.
Archive.is is generally considered more reliable for saving content as it creates a permanent snapshot of the webpage, ensuring that users can access the information even if the original page is deleted or altered. PaywallBuster, while effective in bypassing paywalls, does not save content and relies on real-time access, which may not always be successful. Therefore, for users looking to preserve content, archive.is is the better option.
PaywallBuster is a tool designed to help users bypass paywalls on news articles. By pasting the article link into the site, it employs various methods to allow access to the content for free. It does not host any content itself but redirects users to third-party websites that perform the bypassing. The tool is free to use and works on iOS through a shortcut.
The pros of PaywallBuster include seamless bypassing of paywalls, cross-device compatibility, and ethical usage as it redirects users to other services rather than hosting content itself. Currently, there are no cons listed for PaywallBuster.
PaywallBuster claims that it is legal since it only redirects users to third-party services and does not encourage breaking site terms or copyright laws. However, users should be aware of the legal implications of bypassing paywalls on specific websites.
To use PaywallBuster, you simply paste the link of the article you want to read into the site. It then attempts various methods to bypass the paywall, opening multiple tabs with different tools in hopes that one will successfully grant access to the content.
Yes, PaywallBuster is compatible with iOS devices through a shortcut, allowing users to easily access the tool on their mobile devices.
archive.is, also known as archive.today, is a website that allows users to save a copy of any webpage. It captures a 'snapshot' of the page at that moment, preserving both text and images. This snapshot remains online even if the original page is deleted or altered, making it a useful tool for saving articles, price lists, job postings, and social media posts.
Pros of using archive.is include its ease of use, reliability, and compatibility with most major websites. However, some cons are that it can be slow at times and has a somewhat dated user interface.
To use archive.is, simply enter the URL of the page you want to save. Once archived, you receive a short, stable link to the snapshot. The site also features a search function to find past snapshots of specific websites and offers a Chrome extension for quicker access.
People commonly use archive.is to save articles that may be removed, capture price lists or job postings before they change, and keep records of social media posts. It is also used to bypass paywalls, as the archived copy often displays the full content without restrictions.
Yes, archive.is is generally safe to use. The archived pages do not contain active elements like pop-ups or scripts, which makes them safer to view compared to the original pages.
