Which streaming services offer free trials in 2026?
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I think I speak for everyone when I say that streaming prices are getting out of hand. Every year, the monthly fees go up, as does the number of services you need to watch the shows and movies you love.
Fortunately, a good chunk of these streamers will let you test the water before diving in and paying full price for their service. These trials give you the opportunity to sample the streaming library to decide whether it's right for you — or even binge-watch a whole season of a show for free. And watching something for free is a special type of dopamine hit.
A few big dogs in the streaming world — Disney+, Peacock, Paramount+ — no longer offer free trials, following in the footsteps of Netflix and HBO Max. But plenty of other major streaming services (as well as smaller, lesser-known services) let you try before you buy. Here's a list of all of the streaming services that offer free trials in 2026, including our top picks.
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Best free trial: Hulu
Why we like it
One of the oldest streaming services around, Hulu still remains a top dog. It's home to Mashable's favorite show of 2024, Shōgun, as well as two of our favorite shows of 2025, Dying for Sex and The Lowdown. Besides its own original content, Hulu is also the streaming home of FX, where you'll find episodes of ABC shows the day after they air, and the place to watch 20th Century Studios, Neon, and Searchlight Pictures films straight from the theater.
It was one of the most affordable streamers at just $7.99 per month, but it underwent two price hikes in as many years, making it now one of the most expensive streamers at $11.99 per month (with ads). Where Hulu truly stands out amongst the crowd, however, is its extremely generous free trial. If you've never subscribed to Hulu before, you can try it out for an entire month before having to pay anything.
Runner-up: Prime Video
Why we like it
Prime Video can sometimes be an afterthought, as it's just one perk of an Amazon Prime membership. However, the streaming service is actually home to plenty of excellent shows — like one of our favorite shows of 2025, Overcompensating, and two of our favorites from 2024, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Fallout — as well as hit movies like Hedda, Sinners, Challengers, Wicked, Conclave, and Blink Twice.
It's $14.99 per month if you choose to subscribe to Prime or just $8.99 per month for Prime Video on its own. Either way, you'll get a free 30-day trial to kick things off. And the best part is that it's not just for newbies; returning Prime members are eligible for free trials as well.
Every streaming service that offers a free trial in 2025
Acorn TV
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $8.99 per month
AMC+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $6.99 per month
Apple TV+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $12.99 per month
BET+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $5.99 per month
Britbox
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $10.99 per month
Cinemax
The Cinemax trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $9.99 per month
Criterion Channel
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $10.99 per month
Crunchyroll
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $7.99 per month
Discovery+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $5.99 per month
DirecTV Stream
Trial length: 5 days
Price: starting at $84.99 per month
Disney+
Though Disney+ does not offer a free trial on its own, it’s included in Hulu + Live TV. So, you can try it for free with that trial.
Trial length: 3 days through Hulu + Live TV
Price: $89.99 per month for Hulu + Live TV; $11.99 per month for Disney+
ESPN
Though ESPN does not offer a free trial on its own, it’s included in Hulu + Live TV. So, you can try ESPN Select for free with that trial. There is no trial for ESPN Unlimited.
Trial length: 3 days through Hulu + Live TV
Price: $89.99 per month for Hulu + Live TV; $12.99 per month for ESPN Select
Fox One
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $19.99 per month
FrndlyTV
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $6.99 per month
Fubo TV
Trial length: 5 days
Price: starting at $55.99 per month
Hallmark+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $7.99 per month
Hulu
Trial length: 30 days
Price: starting at $11.99 per month
Hulu + Live TV
Trial length: 3 days
Price: $89.99 per month
MGM+
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $7.99 per month
MLB.TV
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $29.99 per month
MovieSphere+
The MovieSphere+ trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $4.99 per month
Mubi
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $14.99 per month
NBA League Pass
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $16.99 per month
Paramount+
Though Paramount+ no longer offers a free trial directly (as of Jan. 15, 2026), a free trial of Walmart+ will unlock a free month of streaming.
Trial length: 30 days
Price: $12.95 per month for Walmart+; starting at $8.99 per month for Paramount+
Peacock
Though Peacock no longer offers a free trial directly, a free trial of Instacart+ will unlock two free weeks of streaming, or a free trial of Walmart+ will unlock a free month of streaming.
Trial length: 14 days through Instacart+; 30 days through Walmart+
Price: $99 per year for Instacart+; $12.95 per month for Walmart+; starting at $7.99 per month for Peacock
Prime Video
Trial length: 30 days
Price: $14.99 per month for Amazon Prime; $8.99 per month for Prime Video only
Shudder
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $7.50 per month
Starz
Trial length: 7 days
Price: starting at $10.99 per month
Sundance Now
Trial length: 7 days
Price: $6.99 per month
YouTube TV
Trial length: 5 or 10 days
Price: $82.99 per month
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Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
