Which Streaming Services Still Have Free Trials In 2026?

Most of the big streaming services no longer offer free trials in 2026: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ all dropped theirs, and Hulu ended its 30-day trial in mid-June 2026. But you can still try plenty of services free before paying: Apple TV, AMC+, Starz, Shudder, BritBox, Acorn TV, Hallmark+, Discovery+, Crunchyroll, and Fox Nation all offer roughly 7-day trials, most live TV services (YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV) still include one, and Amazon's Prime Video channels are a reliable back door — add-on subscriptions there usually come with a 7-day trial even when the service has none on its own site. Here is the full state of streaming free trials as of August 2026.

The Big Services That Killed Their Free Trials

Do not waste time hunting for trial links on these — they require payment from day one:

Netflix — no trial since 2020. Plans start at the ad-supported tier; see our current Netflix pricing guide.
Disney+ — no standalone trial. The only free path is the 3-day Hulu + Live TV trial, which includes Disney+ with ads.
HBO Max — no trial. Current plans are in our HBO Max pricing breakdown.
Hulu — offered a 30-day trial to some sign-ups through early 2026, then ended the program in mid-June. New and returning subscribers now pay immediately (Hulu plans & prices).
Peacock — no direct trial, but see the loopholes below.
Paramount+ — no trial when signing up directly; only through Prime Video.
ESPN Unlimited — the new ESPN app's full tier has no trial at any price.
Philo and Sling TV — both live TV services have dropped free trials (they periodically offer discounted first months instead).

On-Demand Services That Still Offer Free Trials

Apple TV — 7 days, then $12.99/month. Buying an Apple device often gets you 30–90 days free, so check your notifications after any iPhone or iPad purchase.
AMC+ — 7 days, then from $7.99/month with ads (includes Shudder and Sundance Now content).
Starz — 7 days when signing up through the app or via Prime Video.
Shudder — 7 days for the horror specialist.
BritBox — 7 days, then $10.99/month.
Acorn TV — 7 days, then $9.99/month.
Hallmark+ — 7 days, then $7.99/month.
Discovery+ — 7 days, then from $5.99/month.
Crunchyroll — 7 days on every Premium tier (current Crunchyroll pricing).
Fox Nation — 7 days, then about $9/month or $71/year.
Fox One — a short trial (reported at 3–7 days depending on where you sign up), then $19.99/month.

Live TV Services With Free Trials

YouTube TV — trial length varies constantly; offers between 2 and 21 days have been observed, with 5–10 days most common (YouTube TV pricing).
Fubo — 1 to 7 days depending on timing; the sign-up page shows your exact offer before you commit (Fubo plans & prices).
DIRECTV — 5 days, but only if you stream through the DIRECTV app on your own device. Satellite and rented-box sign-ups get no trial.
Hulu + Live TV — 3 days on the $89.99/month base plan, and it works for returning subscribers too. It bundles Disney+ (with ads) and ESPN Select, making it the only free way to sample those services.
Frndly TV — 7 days on the budget-friendly bundle, which starts around $7–$9/month.

The Prime Video Channels Loophole

Amazon's channel add-ons are the most reliable trial source left. Even services with no trial on their own websites usually give 7 days free when added as a Prime Video subscription — that currently includes Paramount+, Peacock Premium Plus, AMC+, Starz, and Cinemax. You need a Prime or Prime Video membership first, but Amazon has its own generous offer: a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime for new members, with Prime Video included. A second odd loophole: starting a free trial of Instacart+ currently unlocks two free weeks of Peacock (Peacock pricing details).

Always Free, No Trial Needed

If the goal is simply free TV, skip trials entirely: Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel are free with ads, no card required, and their libraries are far bigger than most people expect. See our guide to watching The Roku Channel on any device — no Roku hardware needed.

Free Trial Tips

Set a cancellation reminder the moment you sign up. Every trial auto-converts to a paid plan. Our guide to finding and canceling all your subscriptions covers every platform.
Cancel immediately after signing up on most services — the trial usually runs to the end of its window anyway.
Trials are almost always for new subscribers only. The exceptions in 2026: Hulu + Live TV and the Amazon Prime trial, which returning members can sometimes claim again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Netflix have a free trial in 2026?

No. Netflix ended free trials in the US in 2020 and has not brought them back. Its cheapest way in is the ad-supported plan.

Did Hulu really end its 30-day free trial?

Yes. In mid-June 2026 Hulu ended the 30-day trial for all sign-up paths — new and returning subscribers on every plan now pay from day one.

What is the longest free trial in streaming right now?

The 30-day Amazon Prime trial (which includes Prime Video) is the longest mainstream offer. Among live TV services, YouTube TV occasionally offers up to 21 days.

Can I get a free trial twice?

Usually not on the same account, but policies vary. Hulu + Live TV explicitly allows returning subscribers to take its 3-day trial, and Amazon periodically re-offers Prime trials to lapsed members.