One of the first things that confuses new webtoon readers is the money side. You open an app, start a series, read a few free episodes… and then suddenly hit a little lock icon asking for "coins." So are webtoons free or not? The honest answer: most are free if you're patient — and the paid options just let you skip the waiting.
On the big platforms you can read the back catalogue of most series completely free. The newest episodes are usually locked for a short time — you either wait until they unlock, or pay a small amount (coins / Fast Pass) to read them right now. You're paying for speed, not for the story itself.
How the "wait or pay" model works
Most Korean webtoon platforms run on the same basic idea. A series releases a new episode on a set schedule (say, every Sunday). That newest episode — and sometimes the next few ahead of it — are locked behind a small fee. But here's the key: if you simply wait, those episodes unlock for free over time. The older a series gets, the more of it is free to read.
So a brand-new, ongoing series will cost a little if you want to stay on the cutting edge. A series that finished years ago? Usually 100% free, start to finish.
Coins, Fast Pass & Daily Pass — what's the difference?
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Coins | The in-app currency you buy with real money, then spend to unlock locked episodes. |
| Fast Pass | Pay (with coins) to read episodes ahead of the free schedule — jump the queue and read what's coming next. |
| Daily Pass | A free ticket that unlocks one episode of a selected completed series per day, at no cost. Great for slow, free binging. |
| Wait Until Free | Locked episodes that automatically become free again after a set waiting period — no payment needed. |
| Ad-unlock | On some titles you can watch a short ad instead of paying, to unlock an episode for free. |
It varies by platform
Each app has its own name for its currency and its own free-tier rules, but the concept is the same everywhere. Here's the quick lay of the land:
| Platform | Currency | Free to read? |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 Webtoon (LINE) | Coins · Daily Pass · Fast Pass | Huge free catalogue; newest episodes locked briefly |
| 📖 Tapas | Ink & keys | Generous free tier; unlock with earned or bought currency |
| 🌸 Tappytoon | Points / subscription | More premium — often pay per chapter or subscribe |
| 🎭 Lezhin | Coins | Mostly paid, pay-per-chapter; mature catalogue |
Want the full breakdown of each app — catalogue size, pros and cons, and which to start with? See our dedicated guide: Where to Read Korean Webtoons in English.
How to read more for free
- Be patient. Locked episodes almost always unlock for free if you wait a week or two.
- Use the Daily Pass. Pick a completed series and read one free episode a day — it adds up fast.
- Read completed series. Finished webtoons are often entirely free, with no waiting.
- Watch for free-coin events. Apps regularly hand out free coins for daily check-ins, events, or watching ads.
- Only pay for the ones you love. Save your coins for the one or two series you genuinely can't wait on.
Now you know how the money works — here's where to read webtoons in English, or pick your first series from our best completed webtoons (all free to binge). New to the lingo? Our webtoon glossary has you covered.