Top Free Trial Streaming Services to Replace Netflix in 2025

In today's saturated market of streaming services, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, especially with Netflix's recent price hike. Originally a DVD-by-mail service, Netflix has transformed into a powerhouse of original content, exclusive to its platform. This trend of exclusivity has been adopted by other streaming services, making it tougher to decide between sticking with Netflix or exploring other options.

Fortunately, many of Netflix's competitors offer free trials, allowing you to sample their content before committing. While their original content libraries may not be as extensive as Netflix's, they still provide compelling viewing options. Here's a look at some popular alternatives and their free trial periods:

Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)

7 Days Free

Hulu Free Trial

61See it at Hulu

Hulu stands out as a strong contender to Netflix, boasting a robust selection of original content, including exclusive series like Shōgun, Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale. Their 30-day free trial gives you ample time to explore their extensive library. Post-trial, Hulu offers various subscription tiers starting at $7.99 per month, with options up to over $100 per month if you include live TV and premium add-ons like ESPN+, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, and more. Note that the free trial is reduced to three days if you opt for live TV.

For those looking to bypass the trial, Hulu also provides attractive streaming bundles. The Disney+, Hulu, and Max Bundle is available for $16.99 per month, offering a vast content selection. Alternatively, you can bundle Hulu with Disney+ for $10.99 per month.

Get the Disney+, Hulu, Max Streaming Bundle

27$16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free.See it at Hulu

*Read our review of Hulu or check out all of the* Hulu bundles available*.*

Amazon Prime (30-Day Free Trial)

30 Days Free Amazon Prime Free Trial

45Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime subscription.See it at Amazon

Amazon Prime is a well-known streaming service that offers a generous 30-day free trial. It's renowned for its high-quality, arthouse films and series, with an original content catalog that rivals Netflix's. After the trial, the subscription costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with a student discount available at $7.49 per month or $69 per year. Prime Video is the exclusive home to series like Fallout and Rings of Power.

*Read our review of Prime Video.*

Crunchyroll (14-Day Free Trial)

14 Days Free Crunchyroll Free Trial

80See it at Crunchyroll

For anime enthusiasts, Crunchyroll offers an unbeatable 14-day free trial. With three membership tiers ranging from $7.99 to $14.99 per month, Crunchyroll provides access to the best anime worldwide, including new episodes shortly after their release in Japan. While Netflix offers some anime, Crunchyroll has a more comprehensive selection, including all six seasons of My Hero Academia and exclusive access to new episodes of season 7 and Demon Slayer season 4.

*Read our review of Crunchyroll.*

Apple TV+ (7-Day Free Trial)

7 Days Free Apple TV+ Free Trial

20See it at Apple

Apple TV+ has quickly risen as a formidable player in the streaming wars, offering exclusive, critically acclaimed original shows like Ted Lasso, Severance, and Masters of the Air, along with movies such as Killers of the Flower Moon and Spirited. Their 7-day free trial lets you dive into their premium content, with a subscription cost of $9.99 per month after the trial. Note that a verified Apple ID is required to access Apple TV+.

*Read our review of Apple TV+.*

Paramount+ (7-Day Free Trial)

7 Days Free Paramount+ Free Trial

109Includes a 7-day free trial.See it at Paramount+

Paramount+ offers a solid selection of original content, including the Mission Impossible movies, the Halo series, and the entire Star Trek universe. Their 7-day free trial allows you to explore their growing library, with subscription options starting at $4.99 per month with limited ads, or $11.99 per month for an ad-free experience with SHOWTIME's full library. Paramount+ is also the exclusive home for all things Sonic, including future releases like Sonic 3.

*Read our review of Paramount+ or learn more about the Paramount+ free trial.*

DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)

While DirecTV is often associated with satellite TV, their streaming service, DirecTV Stream, offers a 5-day free trial. It provides a wide range of movies, series, and live TV streaming. Subscription packages start at $79.99 per month and go up to $119.99 per month, with premium add-ons like Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, and Cinemax included for the first three months. This makes it a viable option for those seeking a live TV alternative to Netflix.

*See our guide on how to get the DirecTV Stream free trial.*

Can You Watch Netflix Without a Paid Subscription?

Unfortunately, Netflix's original content is exclusive to its platform and requires a paid subscription. Netflix does not offer a free trial, but provides multiple subscription tiers ranging from $6.99 to $22.99 per month. For more details, check out our guide to Netflix plans and prices.