50 Best Streaming Free Trials on Roku

DirecTV Stream is a live TV streaming service that offers four different subscription plans, all of which gives you access to unlimited simultaneous streams and DVR storage, as well as a free 5-day trial. Compared to other live TV services, DirecTV Stream’s free trial is on the shorter side (Fubo offers a 7-day free trial while YouTube TV has one that lasts up to 14 days), but it’s considerable that DirecTV has one at all, given the sheer heft of its package plans. They range from $74.99 to $154.99 per month, with the cheapest plan carrying more than 75 channels covering basic news, sports, and entertainment and the most expensive plan carrying more than 150 channels. The former includes channels like CNN, ESPN, and AMC, while the latter has everything you could ever hope for in TV: local and national live sports coverage, prestige channels like HBO and Showtime, and all of the major news networks.

Hulu is an on-demand service that is currently only available in US territories. You can get access to Hulu's on-demand content library for $7.99 a month with commercials, and $17.99 without. There's also an option to bundle it with Disney+ for $9.99 a month with ads.

News and sports junkies, look away. Everyone else, listen up! Philo TV offers a cord-cutting live TV package that includes 62 live channels, unlimited DVR space, and simultaneous screening capabilities for the low, low price of $25 a month. Philo doesn’t carry sports channels, but if you can go without, a better deal is hard to find.

Fubo is a live TV streaming service that puts a serious emphasis on sports content. Apart from carrying a good mix of entertainment and news channels, it also features more than the usual number of sports channels, including ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NFL Network, and NBA TV. Fubo currently has four main plans you can choose from—Pro ($75/month), Elite ($85/month), Ultimate ($100/month), and Latino ($33/month)—which you can all try for free with Fubo’s seven-day free trial. This should be enough time to test the breadth of Fubo’s channels and try out other features, like DVR storage and simultaneous viewing. It should be noted that Fubo’s trial feature is only available to new users, who in turn can only pick one plan to test for free. If you don’t cancel the trial once the seven days are up, Fubo will use the payment details you’ve entered to create an account to automatically charge you for a monthly subscription.

Frndly TV is a streaming platform focused on family-friendly live TV channels, with an attractive price starting at $6.99. There are three plans, Basic, Classic and Premium, which respectively cost the $6.99 starting price, $8.99, and $10.99. The Basic plan only allows for SD streaming, but both other plans allow for HD. The basic plan doesn't allow for DVR recordings, but the other plans allow for 3 months and 9 months respectively. And lastly, the basic plans allows for only one simultanious stream, but the Classic allows for 2 and the Premium allows for 4.

Movies, acclaimed TV shows ready for binging, your favorite current series — and more than 75 live channels at your fingertips. For $75 a month, Hulu with Live TV lets you have it all. The package’s 50 hours of DVR storage sounds smaller compared to its competitors, but with Hulu’s content library included, it’s a trade off that ensures you won’t be left wanting more.

Discovery+ is a streaming service from the famous mass media company that has an ad-supported plan for $4.99 a month and an ad-free plan for $6.99. This includes content from Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Food Network, HGTV, ID, A&E, History, Lifetime, OWN, Travel, Science Network, and The Dodo. But beware, you cannot stream these channels live with a Discovery+, you can only watch their TV shows in playback.

Amazon's premium membership program is an all-in-one bundle that includes access to the streaming platform Prime Video, more commonly referred to in this publication as “Amazon Prime.” A subscription entitles you not only to Amazon Prime's thousands of films and TV shows, but also to Amazon's delivery benefits, which include discounted fees, free shipping, and same-day delivery on select items. The membership bundle costs $14.99/month, but you can access the streaming service as a standalone for just $8.99.

Depending on where you live, access to Amazon Prime might differ. If you live in the US, UK, or Germany, you have the option of paying a yearly or monthly subscription fee for an Amazon Prime account. Users from the US, UK, France, and Brazil likewise have access to Amazon Prime's sports content which, depending on the season, may include live and on-demand coverage of basketball, football, and baseball events. Meanwhile, people in countries where Amazon is not operating may only be able to access it from a browser.  

In addition to on-demand streaming, you can rent or buy titles that are not on the service or purchase add-on channels like HBO, Starz, and MLB.TV to watch on the Amazon Prime platform. And apart from Amazon devices, the app is available on any mobile device, including iOS, Android, or Windows. The app also works on Apple and Windows computers, a wide range of TVs, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.

Youtube TV is one of the best live TV packages out there. For $73/month, you’ll have access to more than a hundred channels, unlimited DVR space, and, for an additional fee, the option to stack on extras like an HBO subscription or an NFL Sunday Ticket to your base plan. Like most streaming services, Youtube TV’s standard free trial period last seven days, and it allows you to try all its features—including DVR and simultaneous viewing. But unlike most services, Youtube TV occasionally extends the trial period to 14 or even 21 days, and it allows you to try their add-ons in addition to their base plan for free too. You should note, however, that the base plan and the add-ons are billed separately, which makes sense considering their trial lengths are likely to vary. Another unique perk of Youtube TV’s free trial is that in the event you forget to cancel it on time, you can actually request a refund. It’s a case-to-case basis, but it’s worth noting since it’s not something most services will even allow. Although, like most services, once you’ve canceled the trial, you won’t be able to regain access to it.

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME (previously Paramount+ Premium) is mostly a Netflix-style streaming service, offering movies and TV shows on-demand like The Good Fight and Yellowstone.

It gives you access to Live TV from CBS: CBS local channels, CBS News (CBSN), CBS Sports, ET live, and some live sporting events like NFL on CBS Live. It also offers on-demand access to programming from Comedy Central, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Paramount Pictures, and Smithsonian Channel.

As of 2023, it increased its monthly price to $11.99, but with that comes a significant upgrade: members now have access to all of Showtime's content, which includes movies and shows like Billions, Dexter, and Yellowjackets, as well as live coverage on sports including boxing, football, and MMA. Since Showtime shut down its standalone service in early 2024, this Paramount+ plan is now one of the few ways to watch Showtime without cable.

Live sports, news, and CBS round out the Paramount+ Premium package. But don’t fear — the vast Paramount streaming library of on-demand content is included as well. For the reasonable price of $9.99 a month, it’s a deal that doesn’t demand any compromises.

DirecTV Stream Ultimate is one of the meatier live TV packages offered by DirecTV Stream. It includes unlimited streams, cloud DVR, and over 140 channels, many of which are entertainment and regional sports networks, making it quite the bundle for families with a variety of needs. Its $109.99/month subscription is no joke, however, so it’s great that the platform offers a handy 5-day free trial. You can see for yourself if the features all work, if the package is worth the price, and if it’s an overall good fit for your household. Just remember to cancel the trial before it ends if you don’t want DirecTV to automatically charge your card and renew the subscription monthly.

MGM+ (formerly Epix On Demand) is a streaming platform from the Epix television network that offers on-demand content from the channel. It’s offered to subscribers of the Epix television channel at no extra cost. 

Otherwise, the cost varies depending on your TV provider, though it averages at about $5.99/month whether you subscribe directly or via a third partner.

You can subscribe to MGM+ via supported providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DISH, DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Verizon FIOS. It can also be used as an add-on with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, AT&T TV NOW, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and EPIX NOW.

Magnolia Selects can be accessed via an array of iOS and Android phones and tablets as well as desktops and Roku devices. It is also available as a channel through Sling TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Subscriptions with unlimited access to Magnolia Selects cost $4.99 per month or a discounted $49.99 per year. 

Another plan is available for “sub-genre subscriptions” that gives access to specific genres (action, comedy, horror, documentary) for only $2.99 per month. 

Fubo Elite costs $10 more than Fubo’s basic $75/month plan, but this additional charge gives you access to 245 channels (that’s 77 more than the basic plan) and 4K viewing. Like all of Fubo’s plans, you can try Fubo Elite for up to seven days free. In those standard (and quite reasonable) seven days, you can try all of the plan’s features, including its 1,000-hour DVR storage, 10 simultaneous streams, and of course the aforementioned 4K viewing. If you don’t cancel the trial after seven days, Fubo will assume you’ll want to push through with the subscription and charge you $85/month.

Sundance costs $6.99 per month, with an annual subscription that goes for $59.99.

In addition to watching Sundance Now on the web, you can stream from the service’s apps for mobile, (Android and iOS) and media streaming (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku). 

Sundance Now does not offer any apps on game consoles, such as the Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

Shudder is an on-demand streaming service dedicated to niche horror movies. 

In the US, a monthly subscription currently runs at $5.99 per month, or  $56.99 per year. In 2020, Shudder extended its operations to Australia and New Zealand, where pricing differs. You can also sign up to Shudder via your Amazon Prime account. 

Shudder can be accessed via a full range of services including Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox One and is compatible across Apple and PC computers, and Android and iOS phones and tablets. 

Mubi is a movie-streaming service featuring a curated selection of 30 movies on a daily rotation, as well as a large library of movies from previous rotations. The subscription costs $10.99 per month or $95.88 for an annual subscription. If you just want to browse the database before paying up front, you can sign up for a free account for access. Mubi has a Now Showing section, with the newest entries to the library on a given day (the library is updated daily), and a Library section featuring a back-catalog of other highlights and previously “showing” movies. You may see a section called 'Live' for live broadcasts once in a while. Aside from the options to stream via web browser, Mubi also has mobile apps for Android and iOS, media streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), and you can subscribe to Mubi as a Prime Video channel. While Mubi is not available on the Xbox One, you can access the service on a PlayStation 4 console.

Britbox is a streaming service born out of an alliance between two British broadcasters: BBC and iTV. If you like British humour, British detective shows, or anything British TV, it's the place for you. You won't be the only one, by October 2020, the platform had 1.5 million subscribers, a number that's growing.

AMC Plus is a premium streaming bundle that includes the same benefits of AMC Premiere, the add-on subscription service available to subscribers of AMC. The service is currently available only in the US for $4.99 per month ($8.99 for the ad-free plan). You can subscribe at a reduced price if you’re an existing AMC channel subscriber on services like Xfinity, Dish Network and Sling TV. AMC Plus can currently be accessed via Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Comcast Xfinity, DirecTV, Dish, Roku, and Sling TV. While there is no AMC Plus app at the time of writing, you can access AMC Plus content via your provider’s app.

Univision NOW is a premium streaming service that specializes in Spanish-language content, both live and on-demand. Because it is operated by the largest Latino-targeted network in the United States, Univision NOW boasts a wide and varied catalog of movies, TV series, reality shows, and sporting events (the streamer has exclusive rights to air many football matches, making it a favorite among football fans). Aside from hosting exclusive content, Univision NOW also makes its cable and daytime programs available online and on-demand the next day. 

Strong Voices TV (SVTV) Network is a subscription-based internet streamer specifically catered to and created by members and allies of the LGBTQI+ community. Not only does it offer inclusive films and TV shows, but it also provides exclusive access to podcasts, music, and video games. If you're looking for a queer community-based streamer and would love to expand your entertainment horizons by adding unique elements into the mix, then you may want to consider subscribing. The website invites you to “join the movement” for just $5.99/month. SVTV was founded in 2016.

Ovid.tv is an on-demand streaming platform dedicated to independent movies, and is currently available in the US and Canada. 

In the US, Ovid.tv costs $6.99 per month or $69 per year.

You can access Ovid.tv via mobile platforms including Android and iOS, as well as media streaming devices including Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku. However, Ovid.tv does not offer any apps for game consoles at the moment. 

If you lived through the '80s, you may have heard of Night Flight, the nighttime cable channel that aired punk rock music videos, low-budget monster flicks, psychedelic documentaries, and adult cartoons, among many others. It went under at the turn of the '90s but has recently returned to join the streaming wars, seemingly bigger and better than ever. As a subscription-based streaming service, Night Flight Plus gives you access to classic gems, plus new content from partner studio companies. It's basically a time capsule with extra room for all the new niche movies it could've aired during its prime. If you're looking for carefully curated nostalgic picks, Night Flight Plus is a great choice to consider.

NFL+ is the league's official streaming service that gives you access to live and local regular season and postseason games, on-demand programs, and even tools for your next fantasy football game. As of 2023, NFL+ also offers the NFL Network and NFL Redzone channels in its plans, making it a solid option for true-blue football fans hoping to finally cut the cord.

A regular subscription costs $6.99/month and includes everything in the above, except for NFL Redzone and replays of full games, highlights, and all-22 coaches films, which are only available in NFL+'s premium subscription, priced at $14.99/month. Both plans offer free trials and are available on most major streaming devices, with the exception of live local and primetime regular season and postseason games, which can only be viewed on phones and tables. 

If you're a hardcore baseball fan, you'll be delighted to know that you can tune in to your favorite pastime via MLB.TV, the league's official streaming service. A subscription allows you to watch out-of-market games, as well as Minor League matches, local Pregame and Postgame shows, and expert commentary through MLB Big Inning, on all major streaming services live and on-demand. If you want to follow every team, you can pick their All Teams package for $25/month ($70 yearly) but if you're only interested in a single team, you can pick their Single Team package for $20/month ($60 yearly). It's important to note, however, that only out-of-market games can be watched live. Due to blackout restrictions, you'll have to wait 90 minutes after a local or national game has aired before viewing it. Another important reminder: if you're still on the cord and have the MLB Extra Innings cable TV package, you're likely entitled to a free MLB.TV subscription. Contact your provider to check whether you're eligible.

MagellanTV’s content focuses mostly on documentaries. New movies and series are added weekly, so the library is frequently updated. This streamer is for people who love learning about science, space, and the earth. MagellanTV provides a thoughtfully curated selection of films that focus on current events and global topics of importance. The cheapest subscription it offers is $4.99/month and it has a 14-day free trial. It was launched in 2019.

Lifetime Movie Club is a subscription video service that gives you access to thousands of original titles, many of which can also be found on its cable counterpart the Lifetime Channel. Lifetime movies are known for being unapologetically dramatic and occasionally sinister, so if you're one to indulge in such content, then this might be for you. Lifetime Movie Club also welcomes new movies to its library every Friday, as well as hosts a handful of syndicated shows, including the much-beloved Grey's Anatomy.

There are many streaming services out there dedicated to specific and underrepresented communities. Black-oriented streamers alone account for a significant portion. But Kweli TV stands out for its far-reaching and careful curation. It hosts films and series from all over the world, many of which are festival winners and official selections coming straight from Africa and the Caribbean. It also claims to dedicate 60% of its revenue to content creators, so you can be sure that your money goes to a good cause. On top of all this, Kweli TV also has a 24-hour live streaming service; a worthwhile package for just $5.99 a month.

Klassiki is a streaming service dedicated to classic and modern films from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The platform's team carefully curate the titles that go into their library, and every week, they handpick a special film for you to enjoy. Since Klassiki is still new, their library is not too stacked (they have about 50 titles as of this writing), but the leanness is perfect for those who value quality over quantity. A monthly subscription costs $10.99 (£9.99 if you're in the UK), and along with on-demand content, you get exclusive program notes, reviews, and interviews from different critics and filmmakers via their journal section.