The Best Netflix Alternatives With Free Trials in 2025

Exploring Netflix Alternatives: Free Trials and Streaming Options

The entertainment landscape is dominated by streaming services, making it challenging to choose just one. Netflix's recent price hike might have you searching for alternatives. While Netflix boasts a vast library of original content, many competitors offer compelling options, often with free trials. This makes comparing Netflix to other services easier than ever before.

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Fortunately, many popular alternatives offer free trials, allowing you to explore their offerings without financial commitment. While their original content libraries might not match Netflix's scale, they provide high-quality entertainment. These trials provide a risk-free way to assess them before committing.

Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)

Hulu consistently delivers high-quality original content rivaling Netflix. Exclusive shows like Shōgun, Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale are compelling reasons to check it out. The 30-day trial offers extensive exploration. Subscription options range from $7.99 to over $100 per month, depending on add-ons like live TV and premium channels (note: live TV reduces the trial to three days). Bundling options with Disney+ and Max are also available.

Amazon Prime (30-Day Free Trial)

Amazon Prime Video, included with Amazon Prime, offers a generous 30-day trial. Known for its high-quality, arthouse films and series, its original content rivals Netflix. After the trial, it costs $14.99/month ($139/year) or a student discount of $7.49/month ($69/year). Exclusive shows like the Fallout series and Rings of Power are strong draws.

Crunchyroll (14-Day Free Trial)

For anime enthusiasts, Crunchyroll is a top contender. While offering paid tiers ($7.99-$14.99/month), it also has free content. Its access to new anime episodes shortly after their Japanese release is a significant advantage over Netflix. It boasts complete seasons of shows like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer, unavailable elsewhere in their entirety.

Apple TV+ (7-Day Free Trial)

Apple TV+ is a rising star, known for its exclusive, critically acclaimed shows (Ted Lasso, Severance, Masters of the Air) and movies (Killers of the Flower Moon, Spirited, Napoleon). The 7-day trial offers a taste of its offerings. After the trial, it costs $9.99/month (pricing varies based on users). Requires an Apple ID.

Paramount+ (7-Day Free Trial)

Paramount+ offers a diverse range of original shows and movies, including exclusive access to franchises like Mission Impossible, Halo, and Star Trek. Its original content is rapidly expanding. The 7-day trial is followed by monthly subscriptions starting at $4.99 (with ads) or $11.99 (ad-free, includes SHOWTIME). It's also the streaming home for the Sonic franchise.

DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)

DirecTV Stream offers a streaming service with a short 5-day trial. It includes live TV and various movies and series. Packages range from $79.99 to $119.99/month, with add-on streaming services (Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, Cinemax) included for the first three months.

Netflix Without a Subscription?

Netflix's original content is only available with a paid subscription; no free trial is offered. Subscription tiers range from $6.99 to $22.99/month.