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.
While Netflix and HBO Max don’t offer free trials, 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 2025, including our top picks.
Best free trial: Hulu
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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 one of our favorite shows of 2025 (so far), Dying for Sex. 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 a price hike last summer, putting it on par with many other streamers at $9.99 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
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Why we like it
Prime Video can sometimes be an after thought, 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 Challengers, Conclave, Blink Twice, and My Old Ass.
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
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $8.99 per month
AMC+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $6.99 per month
Apple TV+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $9.99 per month
BET+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $5.99 per month
Britbox
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $8.99 per month
Cinemax
The Cinemax trial is only available via Prime Video as an add-on.
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $9.99 per month
Criterion Channel
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $10.99 per month
Crunchyroll
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $7.99 per month
Discovery+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $5.99 per month
DirecTV Stream
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Trial length: 5 days
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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 free trial.
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Trial length: 3 days through Hulu + Live TV
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Price: $82.99 per month for Hulu + Live TV; $9.99 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 it for free with that free trial.
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Trial length: 3 days through Hulu + Live TV
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Price: $82.99 per month for Hulu + Live TV; $11.99 per month for ESPN+
Fubo TV
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $84.99 per month
Hallmark+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $7.99 per month
Hulu
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Trial length: 30 days
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Price: starting at $9.99 per month
Hulu + Live TV
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Trial length: 3 days
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Price: $82.99 per month
MGM+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $6.99 per month
MLB.TV
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $29.99 per month
Mubi
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $14.99 per month
NBA League Pass
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $16.99 per month
Paramount+
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $7.99 per month
Peacock
Though Peacock no longer offers a free trial directly, a free trial of Instacart+ will unlock two free weeks of streaming.
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Trial length: 14 days through Instacart+
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Price: $99 per year for Instacart+; starting at $7.99 per month for Peacock
Philo
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $28 per month
Prime Video
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Trial length: 30 days
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Price: $14.99 per month for Amazon Prime; $8.99 per month for Prime Video only
Screambox
The Screambox trial is only available through Prime Video as an add-on.
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $4.99 per month
Shudder
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $8.99 per month
Starz
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: starting at $10.99 per month
Sundance Now
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Trial length: 7 days
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Price: $6.99 per month
YouTube TV
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Trial length: 5 or 10 days
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Price: $82.99 per month
