Which streaming services offer free trials in 2025?

MashableAsia·2025-06-29 12:02

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

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.

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Runner-up: Prime Video

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.