Updated April 2026 -- Verified Current Data
Every Streaming Free Trial in 2026: Which Services Still Offer Them
Netflix ended trials in 2020. Disney+ ended theirs in 2024. But 5 major services still offer free trials worth up to 30 days. Here is the complete, honest picture.
Trial Status at a Glance
Green = free trial available. Red = no trial. Amber = alternative access (free tier or carrier deal).
Complete Comparison Table
All prices are monthly. Verified April 2026.
| Service | Trial? | Trial Length | Card Required? | With Ads | No Ads | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | Yes | 30 days | Yes | $8.99 | $18.99 | View → |
| Amazon Prime | Yes | 30 days | Yes | $8.99 | $14.99 | View → |
| Max (HBO) | Yes | 7 days | Yes | $9.99 | $16.99 | View → |
| Paramount+ | Yes | 7 days | Yes | $7.99 | $12.99 | View → |
| Apple TV+ | Yes | 7 days | No | -- | $9.99 | View → |
| Netflix | No | None | -- | $7.99 | $15.49 | View → |
| Disney+ | No | None | -- | $9.99 | $15.99 | View → |
| Peacock | Free tier | None (free tier available) | No | Free | $13.99 | View → |
| ESPN+ | No | None | -- | $11.99 | $11.99 | View → |
| Tubi | Free tier | No trial needed | No | Free | -- | View → |
| Pluto TV | Free tier | No trial needed | No | Free | -- | View → |
Both offer 30-day free trials -- the most generous available from any major streaming service in 2026. Start here when stacking.
Tubi and Pluto TV are permanently free with ads and need no account. Apple TV+ is the only trial service that does not require a credit card.
Buy any new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV and get 3 months of Apple TV+ free -- no credit card required for the trial period.
The Free Trial Landscape Has Changed Significantly
Services That Eliminated Trials
- Netflix -- ended October 2020
- Disney+ -- ended June 2024
- ESPN+ -- never had a standalone trial
- Peacock -- ended November 2021 (free tier remains)
Why This Happened
Trial churn was costly. Subscribers would sign up, binge one show, and cancel without converting. As content libraries grew stronger and brand recognition increased, these companies determined that trials were no longer needed for customer acquisition. The shift reflects their confidence in their content and puts the burden on consumers to commit upfront.
What This Means for You
For Netflix and Disney+, there is no legitimate free trial. Carrier deals (T-Mobile, Verizon, Comcast) are the closest alternative. For everything else, the 5 services that do offer trials are worth prioritising if you want to sample before you commit. Our stacking guide shows how to get up to 81 free days by rotating trials strategically.
Stack Trials for Up to 81 Free Days
Start with Hulu (30 days), move to Amazon Prime (30 days), then Max (7 days), Paramount+ (7 days), and Apple TV+ (7 days). Start one at a time, cancel before each trial ends, and you get nearly three months of streaming for free.