Streaming services that offer free trials

Want a streaming service while you’re at home, but want to try it out first? Or maybe money is tight right now and you just need something to keep you or the kids entertained without the strain on your wallet. Many of the most popular streaming services offer free trials – some are 30 days, some are only a week. You can also try each one listed here one at a time and keep the entertainment going for a few months without spending a penny.

The most important part of free trials is to make sure that you remember to cancel before the free trial is up so you’re not billed again. All require that you sign up with a credit card and if you don’t cancel before the free trial is up, they will automatically convert you to a paid monthly membership. None listed here require anything more than a month-to-month commitment.

Netflix: You can binge watch some great television shows on Netflix, such as Stranger Things, Breaking Bad, The Good Place, Fuller House, and Grace and Frankie. The kids will enjoy such shows as Carmen SanDiego, One Day at a Time, Goosebumps and The Magic School Bus. There are a bunch of movies to keep everyone occupied, as well as documentaries and Netflix originals. Try Netflix free for 30 days. They do say that the free trial duration and availability may vary by region.

HBO NOW: Here you can find Curb Your Enthusiasm, My Brilliant Friend, and Westworld. Get 7 days (not a month) for free, then it’s $14.99 per month. Simply sign up and log in to stream on your computer, phone, tablet, and smart TV.

Disney Plus: If you have children at home (or admit it, it’s for you and that’s okay), Disney Plus offers a one-week free trial, then it’s $6.99 a month. The kids can watch faves like 101 Dalmations (actually all of the Dalmations movies), The Lion King, Ice Age, A Wrinkle in Time, as well as the Marvel Universe movies such as Black Panther and Iron Man. And who can’t love The Mandalorian with the fabulous Baby Yoda, or Star Wars: The Clone Wars. There is definitely enough to fill your Disney void.

Hulu: If all of your friends have been talking about The Handmaid’s Tale, Dollface, Little Fires Everywhere, or Big Time Adolescence, you’ll find them here on Hulu. They have their own original programming as well as years upon years of Grey’s Anatomy that you can work your way through. Sit back because Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for any of their four levels of services — basic ($5.99 per month), Premium ($11.99 per month), Basic + Live TV ($54.99 per month), and Premium + Live TV ($60.99 per month).

Amazon Prime Video: Oh Mrs. Maisel, how we love you and if you want to see what all the praise is about, trial a free Amazon Prime Video trial. But that’s not all they have. Amazon Prime offers 30 days of free trial before you can buy any package. Amazon Prime offers box office hits as well as more Amazon originals, such as Troop Zero, Honey Boy, The Grand Tour and more, for all ages.

Showtime: Watch Oscar winners such as The Green Book, or catch up on The L Word, Dexter, Shameless, Homeland or Billions. The choice is yours and you’ll have plenty to watch during your 30-day free trial. After it’s up, Showtime is an affordable $10.99 per month. So what are you going to binge first?

FUBO TV: Free TV If you don’t have access to the game shows on television, such as The Price Is Right, Family Feud, and Let’s Make a Deal or you want to rewatch episodes of Saturday Night Life, FUBO TV has a seven-day free trial. Be careful, FUBO TV is one of the pricier options at $59.99 to $79.99 per package, depending on your selection.

Sling TV: Do you wanna sling (you have to love those commercials!). SLING TV does not have a free trial for their regular services, but they did launch SLING TV free during the virus which includes news from ABC News Live, a 24/7 streaming video news channel for breaking news and live events, thousands of movies and shows suitable for kids and families. It’s available through Roku, Amazon or an Android device, or by visiting sling.com on a Chrome, Safari or Edge browser and following the instructions on the welcome screen.