The number of streaming services on the market also means it can be difficult to find the one that offers everything you want, and signing up for multiple services while you search can get expensive. Some streaming service plans cost upwards of $100 per month, depending on the channels, add-ons, and which specific service you choose.
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Luckily for you, some of the best streaming services offer a free trial so you can catch a few days of MLB games or binge some on-demand content before signing up, making your decision-making process a little easier and less expensive. We've rounded up some of the best free trial offers in streaming to help you make an informed decision before shelling out any of your hard earned cash.
How We Chose the Best Streaming Free Trials
When trying to find the best streaming free trial, we looked at several factors. We considered the length of the trial, the on-demand content library and channels offered, and how easy it would be to accidentally pay for a month of a service we didn't want after the trial ended. In our search for streaming services with free trials, we made sure it was easy to keep things free.
Our Picks for the Best Streaming Free Trials
- Best Streaming Free Trial for Live Sports: Fubo
- Best Streaming Free Trial for Movies: Paramount Plus
- Best Streaming Free Trial for Original Content: Hulu
- Best Streaming Free Trial for Free Shipping: Amazon Prime Video
- Best Streaming Free Trial for Anime: Crunchyroll
Best Streaming Free Trial for Live Sports: Fubo
Pros:
- Designed for sports fans
- Tons of news and entertainment networks
Cons:
- Plans can get expensive after the trial
- You have to add payment info to sign up
About Fubo
Fubo is a streaming service that was specifically designed for sports fans - and when you look at its channel lineup, it shows. Most of the big names in sports networks are all present and accounted for, like ABC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, ESPN2, and more. Regional and local networks are also included, right alongside a bevy of sports, news, and entertainment channels. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial.
Why We Chose It
What sets Fubo apart as the best streaming service (and, therefore best streaming free trial) for sports is the wide range of networks it delivers. You'll get regional networks available in your area, like NBC Sports Bay Area and Marquee Sports Network, right next to more niche sports networks like Speedvision, SURFER, and Transworld Skateboarding. If combat sports are more your speed, Fubo offers Swerve Combat, PFL, and Boxing TV, too. Soccer fans will find Real Madrid TV, tennis fans will find T2 - hell, billiards fans even get Billiart TV. For a comprehensive, sports-first service (and we mean every sport), Fubo has the best free trial.
Best Streaming Free Trial for Movies: Paramount Plus
Pros:
- A library full of some of the biggest movies - new and classic
- Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, and Comedy Central content, as well
Cons:
- Some users have difficulty canceling their trial/ subscription
- Limited to the CBS/ Paramount Media Networks/ Paramount Pictures content
About Paramount Plus
After seeing the success of streaming services, some big names in broadcast television decided to get involved, and what is now known as Paramount Plus was born. Now, thanks to their efforts, anyone looking for CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Smithsonian Channel, MTV, BET, VH1, or SHOWTIME content has a single, dedicated home to subscribe to. Movie fans get access to a ton of Paramount Pictures films, ranging from classics like "Footloose" and "Top Gun" to new releases like "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" and "Scream VI." You typically get seven days to decide if Paramount Plus suits your needs.
Why We Chose It
While we may find ourselves in the era of binge-watching shows, sometimes you just need a good feature film to set the night straight. With such a wide variety of quality cinema to choose from, Paramount Plus makes sense for anyone looking to turn their "night in" into "the best movie night they've ever had." When the movie night runs late, classics from Nickelodeon or MTV help make the transition to late-night content.
Best Streaming Free Trial for Original Content: Hulu
Pros:
- Offers the gold standard of original content
- Large streaming library
- Bundle with Disney Plus
Cons:
- Shorter trial if you want live TV networks
- Limited to on-demand streaming for the longer trial
About Hulu
Hulu is one of the biggest and most well-known names in the streaming game. It offers several plans, both ad-supported and ad-free, with bundles that include Disney Plus and ESPN Plus options. Hulu also offers a live-TV streaming service, Hulu + Live TV, which is also available in ad-supported or ad-free options and comes bundled with both ESPN Plus and Disney Plus. The length of your trial depends on the plan you choose - on-demand Hulu users get a whopping 30 days, while Hulu + Live TV users only get three.
Why We Chose It
Since 2017's "The Handmaid's Tale," Hulu has been producing stellar original content, which includes critically acclaimed series like "American Horror Stories," "The Bear," and "Shogun." It already offers a massive on-demand library (and an extensive list of live channels, depending on your plan), but the fact of the matter is that Hulu is the only place to find some of the most talked-about series. Even classic animated heavyweights like "Futurama" and "King of the Hill" have moved to Hulu's originals department. Don't worry, reality TV fans, Hulu has plenty for you, too - "The Kardashians" and "Secret Chef," to name some.
Best Streaming Free Trial for Free Shipping: Amazon Prime Video
Pros:
- Amazon Prime shopping benefits
- Includes stellar original content
- 30-day trial
Cons:
- Lacking live TV options
- Less focused on just streaming
About Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is another of the biggest names in web-based streaming. The Amazon Prime Video library includes a healthy dose of on-demand streaming options but offers next to nothing in the way of live content outside of the occasional live sporting event. Plans include monthly and annual options but make sure you spring for Amazon Prime and not Prime Access if you want to stream Amazon Prime Video. Amazon offers a lengthy 30-day trial to new users.
Why We Chose It
Some of the biggest streaming series are Amazon Prime Video exclusives - like "Rings of Power," "Fallout," "The Boys," and "Invincible." Families with small children will find a host of original kids programming, like an adaptation of the classic children's book "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" and a "Kung-Fu Panda" series. If the incredible collection of on-demand content and exclusive live sports events aren't enough for you - how do you feel about free, two-day shipping? Because no other streaming service is going to offer you that - trial or not! The trial period of Amazon Prime Video also gets users into Prime Gaming, Amazon Music, and more.
Best Streaming Free Trial for Anime: Crunchyroll
Pros:
- 14 days of free access
- Anime-focused library
- Memberships to fit every level of fandom
Cons:
- Nothing for anyone other than anime fans
- Doesn't have every anime
About Crunchyroll
If your TV screen is all anime, all the time, then Crunchyroll is, without a doubt, the best streaming free trial for you. This streaming platform offers 14 days of free access to its expansive (but not quite comprehensive) anime library in both subtitled and English-dubbed options. Certain Crunchyroll plans get users access to Crunchyroll games and discounts to use in the online Crunchyroll store - you can finally get that Pochita plush you've been dying to find.
Why We Chose It
Crunchyroll is often the most up-to-date compendium of all things anime for US-based anime fans or any anime fans outside of Japan. While its library doesn't include every anime known to mankind, it gets awfully close and includes the important big names in the current anime zeitgeist, like "My Hero Academia," "One Piece," and "Demon Slayer." If anime isn't your favorite, Crunchyroll won't offer you much, but if you love the idea of binging "Cowboy Bebop" in one sitting (...again), then Crunchyroll is made with you in mind.
What to Consider When Testing a Streaming Service's Free Trial
Available Content
If you're looking for sports, you're going to be really disappointed with Crunchyroll, the same way an anime fan would be disappointed with a service like Fubo. Yes, we're talking about free trials, so it's not like it'll cost you anything (other than your time, and we don't get that back!), but wouldn't you rather watch the content you're looking for instead of just what your streaming service trial offers? The two are not mutually exclusive!
Trial Length
When we're talking about free trials, we'll take what we can get - not every service offers a free trial, and beggars can't be choosers, after all. That being said, a three-day trial is much less enticing than a 30-day trial. Especially with some of the hefty prices associated with some of these options, potential subscribers will want as much time as possible to test a service out.
Ease Of Cancellation (and Price If You Forget)
While every option on our list should be relatively simple to cancel, there is always the possibility that you forget to do so. These mistakes can be costly, especially if you opted for a free trial with the most channel- and extra-ladden package a streaming service offers.
FAQ
Do Any Streaming Services Offer Free Trials?
Many streaming services offer free trials—we couldn't write this list without them! Certain services, like Netflix, no longer offer a free trial, but plenty still do.
Does Max Have a Free Trial?
Unfortunately, like Netflix, Max doesn't typically offer a free trial. If you're looking to catch up on "House of the Dragon" or watch the new "Dune: Part Two," you'll have to pay. However, the streamer does sometimes do special promotions that include limited-time free trials.
Does Amazon Prime Have Any Free Trials?
Not only does Amazon Prime Video offer a free trial, it offers one of the longer free trials available. If you're interested in a free trial of Amazon Prime Video, scroll back up to read more about what their free trial has on offer.
