As streaming subscription costs continue to rise in 2026, free trials remain one of the best ways to evaluate a service before committing. However, several major platforms — including Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max (now Max) — have eliminated their direct free trial offers. Despite this trend, many streaming services still allow new subscribers to try before they buy, with trial lengths ranging from 3 days to a full 30-day month. This report covers every major streaming platform’s current free trial status, workaround options for services that no longer offer direct trials, and the best deals available as of March 2026.
Streaming Services with Direct Free Trials
30-Day Free Trials
The most generous free trials in streaming belong to Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, each offering a full month of access.
| Service | Trial Length | Price After Trial | Highlights |
| Hulu (with ads) | 30 days | $11.99/mo | FX content, next-day network TV, originals like Shōgun and The Bear |
| Amazon Prime Video | 30 days | $14.99/mo (Prime membership) | Includes Prime shipping, Prime Gaming, Grubhub+; ad-supported by default |
| Amazon Prime (Young Adults/Students) | 6 months | $7.49/mo after trial | Ages 18–24 or active college enrollment; longest trial in streaming |
Hulu’s 30-day trial is available to new subscribers and eligible returning users who haven’t subscribed within the past year. Amazon Prime Video’s trial is tied to a full Amazon Prime membership, which bundles shipping, music, gaming, and other perks. Notably, Prime Video defaults to the ad-supported tier; upgrading to ad-free costs an additional $2.99/month, even during the trial.
7-Day Free Trials
Most streaming services that still offer free trials provide a standard 7-day window. Here is a comprehensive list:
| Service | Trial Length | Price After Trial | Content Focus |
| Apple TV+ | 7 days | $12.99/mo | Premium originals: Severance, Silo, Slow Horses |
| Crunchyroll | 7 days | From $7.99/mo | Anime library |
| AMC+ | 7 days | From $6.99/mo | The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, prestige dramas |
| Discovery+ | 7 days | From $5.99/mo | HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet content |
| Starz | 7 days | From $10.99/mo | Movies, original series |
| Shudder | 7 days | From $7.50/mo | Horror and thriller films |
| BET+ | 7 days | From $5.99/mo | BET originals and films |
| BritBox | 7 days | $10.99/mo | British TV: BBC and ITV content |
| Acorn TV | 7 days | $8.99/mo | British, Australian, and Canadian TV |
| Criterion Channel | 7 days | $10.99/mo | Classic and arthouse cinema |
| Mubi | 7 days | $14.99/mo | World cinema, independent films |
| MGM+ | 7 days | $7.99/mo | MGM film library, originals |
| Hallmark+ | 7 days | $7.99/mo | Hallmark movies and series |
| Sundance Now | 7 days | $6.99/mo | Independent and arthouse content |
| Philo | 7 days | $28/mo | 70+ live entertainment channels, budget live TV |
| FrndlyTV | 7 days | From $6.99/mo | Family-friendly channels |
Apple TV+ extends well beyond its standard 7-day trial through promotions: purchasing a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device grants 3 months free. Students with Apple Music subscriptions also get Apple TV+ included at no extra charge. An Apple One bundle trial provides 30 days of access.
Live TV Streaming Free Trials
| Service | Trial Length | Price After Trial | Key Details |
| YouTube TV | 5–21 days (varies) | $82.99/mo | 100+ channels, unlimited DVR; trial length depends on promotions |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | $89.99/mo | Includes Disney+ and ESPN; 90+ live channels |
| FuboTV | 5 days | From $55.99/mo | 160+ channels, strong sports coverage |
| DirecTV Stream | 5 days | From $84.99/mo | Traditional cable alternative with 75+ channels |
YouTube TV’s trial length fluctuates significantly based on ongoing promotions. In early 2026, trials have ranged from the standard 5 days up to 21 days during special events. Google frequently pairs extended trials with discounted first-month pricing.
Sports-Specific Trials
| Service | Trial Length | Price After Trial |
| MLB.TV | 7 days | From $29.99/mo |
| NBA League Pass | 7 days | From $16.99/mo |
| Fox One | 7 days | From $19.99/mo |
Major Services Without Direct Free Trials
Several of the most popular streaming platforms no longer offer standalone free trials. However, workarounds exist for most of them.
Netflix
Netflix has not offered a free trial since 2020. There is no direct way to get free access through the Netflix website or app.
Workarounds:
- T-Mobile: The “Netflix On Us” offer provides a free Netflix Standard with Ads plan for customers on qualifying plans with 2+ lines (Go5G, Magenta, and related plans). T-Mobile’s January 2026 “Better Value” plan ($140/mo for 3 lines) includes Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+ at a discount.
- Verizon: Netflix Standard with Ads + Max with Ads for $10/month through select Verizon unlimited or home internet plans. New Fios 1 Gig/2 Gig subscribers can get 12 months of both free.
- Xfinity StreamSaver: Netflix Standard with Ads + Peacock Premium + Apple TV+ for $15/month combined.
Disney+
Disney+ does not offer a standalone free trial. It can be accessed through Hulu + Live TV’s 3-day trial, and some Spectrum or Verizon plans may include access.
Current Deal (expires March 24, 2026): The Disney+/Hulu Bundle (with ads) is available for $4.99/month for 3 months — a savings of over 79% compared to individual subscriptions. This is not a free trial but is one of the most affordable entry points currently available.
Max (formerly HBO Max)
Max does not offer a free trial in 2026. Amazon Prime’s Max add-on trial was also discontinued in mid-2025.
Workarounds:
- Cricket Wireless: The Supreme Unlimited plan ($55–$60/month) includes Max (with ads) at no extra cost.
- Verizon: Netflix + Max (both with ads) for $10/month on eligible plans; or 12 months free for new Fios home internet subscribers.
- DoorDash: Annual DashPass ($96/year) includes Max with ads — effectively getting Max for free on top of the delivery service.
- DirecTV Premier: Subscription includes Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, MGM+, and Starz.
- Free Episodes: Max allows streaming of first episodes of select popular shows (e.g., The White Lotus, Succession) for free on its website.
Peacock
Peacock has eliminated its direct free trial but can be accessed at no cost through partner services.
Workarounds:
- Instacart+ Trial: The 14-day Instacart+ free trial includes Peacock Premium (with ads) as a membership benefit.
- Walmart+ Trial: A 30-day Walmart+ free trial includes Peacock Premium (with ads). This benefit can alternatively be switched to Paramount+ Essential, but only once every 90 days.
- Xfinity StreamSaver: Includes Peacock Premium alongside Netflix and Apple TV+ for $15/month.
Paramount+
Paramount+ removed its direct free trial as of January 15, 2026.
Workarounds:
- Walmart+ Trial: A 30-day Walmart+ free trial includes a free month of Paramount+ or Peacock.
- DirecTV: Select DirecTV plans include Paramount+ with Showtime.
- Amazon Prime Video Channels: Prime members can get a 7-day free trial of Paramount+ as a Prime Video add-on channel.
Sling TV
Sling TV does not offer a consistent free trial. However, Sling Freestream provides over 600 free ad-supported live channels and 5,000+ on-demand titles without any credit card or subscription required. For paid plans, Sling frequently offers 50% off the first month. New subscribers can also access a free month of Premium Pass (Paramount+ with Showtime, AMC+, MGM+, and Starz).
Prime Video Channels: A Trial Multiplier
Amazon Prime members gain access to a unique advantage: nearly every add-on streaming channel available through Prime Video Channels comes with its own 7-day free trial. This includes channels like Paramount+, Starz, AMC+, Shudder, BritBox, and many others — effectively allowing subscribers to stack multiple free trials simultaneously. Some channels, like Cinemax and MovieSphere+, are only available as Prime Video add-ons.
Best Bundle Deals (March 2026)
For those who don’t qualify for free trials, several bundles deliver significant savings:
| Bundle | Price | What’s Included | Notes |
| Disney+ / Hulu Bundle (Spring Deal) | $4.99/mo for 3 months | Disney+ and Hulu (both with ads) | Ends March 24, 2026; regular price $12.99/mo after |
| Verizon Netflix + Max | $10/mo | Netflix (with ads) + Max (with ads) | For eligible Verizon wireless/home internet customers |
| Xfinity StreamSaver | $15/mo | Netflix + Peacock Premium + Apple TV+ (all with ads) | Add-on to Xfinity Internet |
| T-Mobile Better Value | $140/mo (3 lines) | Netflix + Hulu free, Apple TV+ for $3/mo | Launched January 2026 |
| DoorDash Annual DashPass | $96/year | DashPass delivery perks + Max (with ads) | $240 combined value |
Strategy Tips
- Stack trials strategically: Start with 30-day trials (Hulu, Prime Video), then move to 7-day trials for other services rather than running them all at once.
- Set calendar reminders: Nearly every trial auto-converts to a paid subscription. Set a cancellation reminder 1–2 days before the trial expires to avoid unwanted charges.
- Leverage Prime Video Channels: A single Prime membership unlocks 7-day trials for dozens of add-on channels, making it the most efficient trial platform.
- Check carrier benefits: T-Mobile, Verizon, Xfinity, and Cricket Wireless all bundle streaming services — these are often the best “free” options for services like Netflix and Max that don’t offer trials.
- Returning subscriber eligibility: Hulu and Prime Video both allow returning users to claim free trials again after 12 months of not subscribing.
