Find out how people bypass paywalls with Textise, so they can read the full web articles in plain text.
Textise is a free online tool that removes everything from a web page, except for its text.
So there is no images, web page design layout, scripts, special fonts and colors, adverts, or links.
It is a simpler way of looking at the Web.
Besides making cluttered-up pages easier to read, safer navigation to suspicious web-sites, Textise can bypass paywalls of websites.
Yes, it is similar to the Clear This Page bookmarklet This Page and Txtify.it which can get through paywalled webpages.
Welcome to another helpful post from The DiGiztal Bypass Paywalls Tips series.
How to bypass paywalls with Textise
These are two ways how to use Textise to unblocked paywalled articles of websites, so you can read them in full text for free.
METHOD #1: Paste article URL in Textise homepage
For instance you want to read this locked article of The Washington Post, "What Pope Francis’s shoes revealed about his faith".
This is what you do:
Copy the URL of this paywalled article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashion/2025/04/22/pope-francis-clothes-shoes-fashion/
Go to Textise homepage, paste it inside the space provided and click the "Textise" button.
Instantly the page opens with the full article in plain text.
You can find the full article in there, but without accompanying pictures and links.
METHOD #2: Click Textise JavaScript bookmarklet
First save this JavaScript code in the browser toolbar or bookmark.
Refer to this tip how to save the JavaScript bookmarklet.
How to use Textise bookmarklet to get around paywalled web article
When at the blocked web page, click the bookmarklet at the toolbar.
Automatically the blocked web page converts into a plain text article.
Now you can view the article in full, but without any picture and links.
This is how to get around paywalls with Textise, so can read locked web articles without having to subscribe.
How does it work: Many soft-paywalled websites when you access their articles, the full content is already loaded in your browser.
For instance, The Spectator, The Hindu, The Boston Globe, Daily Mail Plus, NZ Herald Premium, and The Atlantic.
Textise just removes these JavaScript and CSS, thus revealing the full article.
It functions just like the Reader View or Reading Mode tool found in the browsers.
It might be also similar to the Ctrl + S short key method, where it captures the full text before the paywall is triggered.
NOTE: This method may not involve direct hacking or unauthorized access, it can still violate anti-circumvention laws and terms of service. Consider using the legal and ethical ways to access paywalled web articles.
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DISCLAIMER: This post is for educational purposes only. It aims to help you better understand web technologies and digital security. It does not endorse breaking website rules or illegal activity. Use responsibly; the author is not liable for misuse or legal issues.