For the thoughtful consumer, free trials are a great way to make sure you're getting the perfect product for your needs. In the case of streaming, trials let you test features like DVR storage, multiple account creation, and download capability. And for live TV, you get to see what reception is like and whether some channels are available or not. The thing is, not all streaming services offer free trials. Netflix notoriously has never offered it. Max doesn't either, though some cord-cutters found that you could try it for free if you purchase it as an add-on to Amazon Prime and YouTube TV. Most streaming services, however, offer a standard weeklong trial. And it's those services, both on-demand and live, that we've listed below for your convenience. Read on to learn more about the best streaming services that currently offer seven-day trials.
30 Best Streaming Services With a 7-Day Free Trial
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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.
Take streaming and live TV up a notch with FuboTV Elite. This upgraded subscription plan from FuboTV is $84.99 per month which lets you access more than 170 broadcast channels in the main Fubo service, 130 sporting events, and an additional 41 Fubo extra channels. Enjoy 1,000 hours of cloud DVR and watch shows for up to 10 screens at home and 3 devices on the go. With News Plus, NBA TV, and NHL TV among the additional channels, FuboTV Elite is perfect for news junkies and sports enthusiasts alike.
Price: $89.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku
Channel lineup: A&E, ABC, ABC News Live, AccuWeather, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Bein Sports, BET, Big Ten Network, Bravo, CBS, CBS local channels, CBS Sports Network, CBSN, Cheddar, CMT, CNBC, Comedy Central, Comet, Cooking Channel, Cozi TV, Curiosity Channel, CW, Destination America, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, DUST, E!, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, Estrella TV, FOX, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Freeform, fubo Sports Network, Fuse, FX, FXM, FXX, FYI, Galavision, Game Show Network, GetTV, GINX Esports TV, Golf Channel, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Family, Hallmark Mystery, History, IFC, Local Now, Logo, Magnolia Network, MLB Network, MotorTrend, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, MTVU, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBATV, NBC, NBC local channels, NBCSN, Newsmax, Newsy, NFL Network, NHL Network, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, NickMusic, Nicktoons, Olympic Channel, Oxygen, Pac-12 Network, Paramount Network, People TV, Pop, REVOLT, Revry, RSNs, Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Sony Movie Channel, Stadium, SYFY, Tastemade, TeenNick, Telemundo, Telemundo local channels, Tennis Channel, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, TV Land, TVG, Unimas, Unimas local channels, Universal Kids, Universo, Univision, Univision local channels, USA, VH1, Vice, WGN America, YES Network, Zona Futbol
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.
Price: $8.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV
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.
Price: $10.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Website
Unicorns.Live is an LGBTQI+ streaming service offering shows and episodes that are more personal and less formal. It also features educational videos that detail introductions to personal pronouns, gender-neutral language, indigenous two-spirit identity, and inclusivity. Unicorns.Live was launched in 2018, initially created with the intention to support artists by live-streaming their events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Price: $9.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Android TV, iPhone, Website
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.
Unlike other streaming services, Sling doesn't have just one but six Spanish-language plans that you can choose from. The base Sling Latino plan just costs $10/month and includes more than 20 channels, including BeinSports so you can tune into soccer games live. When you combine that with another regional Latino plan, like Sling Mexico (11 channels), Sling Sudamérica (11 channels), Sling Caribe (9 channels), Sling España (4 channels), or Sling Centroamérica (3 channels), you only have to pay $5 more on top of your existing plan. On their own, however, they also cost $10/month each. Following the same logic, combining any of these Latino plans with either Sling Orange (which has the Disney networks) or Blue (which has more news and sports channels) will cost you $45/month.
That's one thing about Sling: the options may get overwhelming, but at least you know you can customize your plan to your specific liking. Needless to say, every single one of these plans comes with the usual Sling TV features like 50 hours of cloud DVR (which you can upgrade for a fee) and three simultaneous streams.
Price: $10/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: AirTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Cox, iOS, LG TV, Mi Box, Roku, Samsung TV, TiVo, Vizio, Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Xbox One
Channel lineup: ¡Hola! TV, Azteca, BabyTV Español, beIN Sports en Español, CBeebies, Cine Latino, Clan, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Estrella TV, France 24 Espanol, History en Español, Nat Geo Mundo, NTN24.com, Nuestra Vision, Pasiones, PX Sports, QVC, Sony Cine, Universo, Zee Familia, Zee Mundo
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.
Price: $4.75/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, Roku, Shareplay supported, Xbox
Screambox as its name would indicate is a horror-themed streaming service that offers up a selection of chilling titles to keep you entertained through the darkest nights. They try to offer a mix of indie and classic movies and shows.
OutTV is one of the earliest LGBTQ+ oriented streaming services, dating back to a channel by the same name that was launched in 2001. OutTV offers a wide range of programming, from original series and movies to licensed content from other networks. Some of their most popular titles include "Canada's Drag Race" and "Call Me Mother".
Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 14 live TV streaming services that offer a free trial.
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The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.