"Our vote goes to both Mrs. Clinton and her party," the article said. "Partly because she is not Mr Trump, but also in the hope she can show that ordinary politics works for ordinary people — the sort of renewal that American democracy requires."
The Economist said it disagreed with Clinton on positions such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, which she now opposes, and her complicated tax plan.
However, the 173-year old publication explained that Trump's own campaign has provided "daily evidence" that he would be a terrible choice for US president.
"His experience, temperament and character make him horribly unsuited to being the head of state of the nation that the rest of the democratic world looks to for leadership," the article asserted.
On Tuesday, the US-based entertainment journal Variety broke with its own 111-year tradition to endorse Clinton, stressing that she was the only candidate for the job.
Clinton's lead over Trump has narrowed after FBI Director James Comey announced last week that the bureau had reopened an investigation into emails sent from her private server.
The Economist has endorsed a candidate for US president in most elections since 1980, when it backed Ronald Reagan.
