Quick Answer
Since October 2020, Netflix has stopped offering free trials in the United States. Although Netflix began testing limited-time free trials in a few countries and regions in July 2026, according to the Netflix Help Center, the offer is still not available to U.S. users. That said, there are still several ways to watch Netflix for free or at a lower cost without paying the full subscription price.
With Netflix raising its prices again in March 2026, more users are looking for ways to lower their subscription costs without giving up the shows and movies they enjoy.
There are plenty of “free Netflix” tricks online, but many of them are outdated, limited, or simply don’t work in the US.
This guide focuses on the options that are actually worth checking, including free bundle offers, current promotions, and practical ways to get cheap Netflix without paying the full subscription price.
Which Countries Have a Netflix Free Trial in 2026?
If you've seen posts claiming that the Netflix free trial is back, there's some truth to them. In 2026, Netflix began testing limited free-trial offers again in selected markets, but this is not a global promotion.
Based on local media reports and recent user screenshots, the following countries have reported Netflix free-trial offers in 2026:
The important thing to understand is that Netflix free trials are not automatically available to everyone in these countries. Eligibility may depend on your location, account status, and the specific promotional test Netflix assigns to you. Trial length can also vary from one user to another.
For users in the United States, however, more realistic options include obtaining Netflix through an eligible bundle, promotion, or lower-cost subscription method, which we'll cover next.
How to Watch Netflix for Free Without a Free Trial
Here are 4 ways to watch Netflix at little to no extra cost. These options come with some limitations, but if you already use T-Mobile, DIRECTV, or another eligible service, getting Netflix through your existing plan can still be a practical way to watch without paying much more.
T-Mobile: Free Netflix with Your Plan
T-Mobile's Netflix On Us gives eligible customers Netflix Standard with Ads at no additional cost, currently worth $8.99 per month.
The benefit is available with qualifying plans including:
- Go5G or Magenta: two or more eligible voice lines
- Experience More 2.0, Experience Beyond 2.0, Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, or Magenta MAX: one or more eligible lines
- Eligible 55+, Military, First Responder, and Student Perks versions of these plans
To activate Netflix, open the T-Life app, go to Manage > See plans > Manage add-ons, select Netflix under Services, and follow the prompts to create a new account or link an existing one. You can also upgrade to Netflix Standard or Premium and pay only the additional cost through T-Mobile.
If you already pay for an eligible T-Mobile plan, this is one of the simplest ways to get Netflix for $0 extra per month, saving up to $107.88 per year compared with paying $8.99 per month separately.
DIRECTV: Get 12 Months of Netflix Free
DIRECTV currently gives qualifying new customers 12 months of Netflix Standard with Ads at no additional cost when they add a DIRECTV Gemini device to any Genre Pack. At the current $8.99 Netflix price, that's worth more than $100 for the first year.
To qualify, you need:
- A qualifying DIRECTV Genre Pack
- An active DIRECTV Gemini device
- To be a new qualifying customer
The main catch is that the Gemini device currently costs an additional $10 per month, and you need to maintain both the eligible DIRECTV service and device to keep the Netflix promotion. After the 12-month offer ends, Netflix Standard with Ads automatically continues at its regular price, currently $8.99 per month, unless you cancel it.
So, this offer is most useful if you're already planning to subscribe to DIRECTV. Signing up for a TV package only to save $8.99 per month on Netflix wouldn't make much financial sense.
Use Netflix Through Your Household
If someone you live with already pays for Netflix, you can use the same account without buying another subscription. Netflix officially allows people who live together in the same Netflix Household to share an account.
Household members can create their own Netflix profiles, so each person can keep separate recommendations, viewing history, and My List. A single Netflix account can support up to five profiles.
However, Netflix does not allow regular account sharing with someone who lives outside the household. People living elsewhere generally need their own Netflix account or must be added as a paid Extra Member on an eligible Standard or Premium plan.
So, if your parent, partner, roommate, or another person you actually live with already subscribes to Netflix, sharing the household account is one of the easiest legitimate ways to watch Netflix without paying for a separate subscription.
Watch Free Netflix Episodes on YouTube
The easiest option requires no Netflix subscription at all. Netflix regularly uploads selected full episodes, documentaries, clips, and other content to its official YouTube channels.
For example, full episodes of Our Planet are available directly from Netflix on YouTube, so you can watch them without creating or paying for a Netflix account. However, this only covers a small selection of Netflix content rather than the complete streaming library.
This makes YouTube a good option if you simply want to sample Netflix Originals for free, but it won't replace a full Netflix subscription.
If you want access to Netflix's complete catalog without paying a separate Netflix bill, the next options are more useful.
How to Get Netflix Cheaper: Best Ways to Save on Netflix
If you don’t qualify for any of the free Netflix options above, don’t worry. There are still several ways to lower the cost of your Netflix subscription, especially if you plan to use Netflix in the long term and want to keep your monthly expenses as low as possible.
Buy Netflix Accounts for Less on GamsGo
Right now, Netflix has 3 official plans: Standard with Ads, Standard, and Premium.
If you want to buy Netflix accounts at a lower price, GamsGo Marketplace gives you access to a wide range of Netflix subscription offers from screened sellers worldwide.
There are currently 30+ screened and verified Netflix sellers on GamsGo, with 300+ available Netflix offers across different plans and subscription periods. Depending on the seller, you can choose from Netflix Standard with Ads, Standard, or Premium, with 1-, 3-, and 6-month options available.
With multiple sellers competing on the Marketplace, prices can be significantly lower than Netflix's official subscription rates. Some options start from $3.49 per month, with savings of around 60% compared with the official price.
Netflix Discounts from Credit Card and Bank Offers
Netflix often partners with credit cards and banks to offer promotional deals that help offset your subscription cost. Keep in mind: this doesn't make Netflix free, it just reduces what you end up paying out of pocket.
For example, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go credit card offers a $15 annual streaming credit — pay for streaming for 11 consecutive months each year and you'll get this subsidy.
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% cash back on select streaming services, including Netflix. Or, for a $695 annual fee, the American Express Platinum Card offers a $20 monthly digital entertainment credit.
Verizon: Netflix + HBO Max Bundle
Verizon offers eligible customers a $13/month Netflix + HBO Max (with ads) bundle, which includes Netflix Standard with Ads and HBO Max Basic with Ads. These plans normally cost $8.99 and $10.99 per month separately, so the bundle saves you $6.98 per month, or about 35%.
To get this bundle, you need one of the following eligible Verizon plans:
- Mobile Plans: Simplicity Plan, Unlimited Ultimate, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Welcome
- Home Internet Plans: 5G Home, Verizon Home Internet Lite, eligible LTE Home plans, or select Fios Home Internet plans (excluding Fios Classic Standalone)
You can add the perk through My Verizon and then activate Netflix and HBO Max separately. If you already have a Netflix account, you can connect it to Verizon instead of creating a new one. If you already use both services, paying $13 per month through Verizon instead of $19.98 separately saves you $83.76 per year.
Xfinity StreamSaver Bundles with Netflix
Xfinity also offers several StreamSaver bundles that combine Netflix with other streaming services at a lower monthly price. You need an eligible Xfinity Internet or TV plan to purchase these bundles.
Current Netflix bundles include:
- Peacock + Netflix + HBO Max: $22/month, saving 33%
- Peacock + Netflix + Disney+ & Hulu + HBO Max: $30/month, saving 35%
- Peacock + Netflix + Apple TV + Disney+ & Hulu + HBO Max: $35/month, saving 41%
For example, the $22 StreamSaver bundle includes Netflix Standard with Ads, Peacock Premium with ads, and HBO Max Basic with Ads. Buying these three services separately would cost $32.97 per month, so Xfinity saves you $10.97 each month, or about $131.64 per year.
If you're already paying for Xfinity Internet or TV and use several streaming platforms, StreamSaver can be a cheaper way to keep Netflix without paying the full standalone price for every service.
Before making a decision, it’s worth comparing your options. Our complete Netflix discount guide compares different ways to save, including coupons, annual plans, and account sharing.
Netflix Alternatives That Still Offer a Free Trial
Although Netflix no longer offers a free trial to US users, several other streaming services still do. Here's what's actually available right now.
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial. Its content includes Hollywood blockbusters, classic films, and original series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Rocky series.
2. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial, focused on original content like The Morning Show, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and The Shrink Next Door. Buying a new Apple device also unlocks 3 free months of Apple TV+.
3. Hulu
Hulu no longer offers its classic 30-day trial — it was discontinued in June 2026. The only trial left is a 3-day Hulu + Live TV trial. Hulu is still worth a look for anyone into current American dramas and variety shows like Saturday Night Live, The Voice, and America's Got Talent.
4. Paramount+
Paramount+ dropped its direct 7-day trial in early 2026, but you can still get a 7-day trial by subscribing through Amazon Prime Video Channels. Paramount+ focuses on content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount. We've also tested some effective ways to watch Paramount+ for less.
5. Crunchyroll
If you're looking to dive into Japanese anime, Crunchyroll's 7-day free trial is the easiest way to start. If you decide to keep watching after it ends, this Crunchyroll Subscription Guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Conclusion
As of 2026, Netflix still doesn't offer a free trial for new or existing US customers, although it's testing one in a few other countries.
While you're unlikely to be eligible for that test, there are still a few ways to watch for less. You can share a netflix subscription through GamsGo, bundle it with your phone or internet plan, or try an alternative platform like Hulu's Live TV trial or Amazon Prime Video.
And if you’re not sure what to watch first on Netflix, don’t worry — we’ve put together guides to the best comedies on Netflix as well as a list of the 8 best classic shows that will help you dive right in.
FAQ
Can I share my Netflix account with family in a different home?
Yes, Netflix's official Standard and Premium plans support sharing accounts within a family. If you want to share your account with members of different families, Netflix will require you to pay for additional accounts.
Is Netflix still worth it?
Netflix remains a popular streaming platform. If you value the variety, originality, and speed of its content library, Netflix is a good choice. However, if you are primarily concerned about the cost of the subscription, you may want to explore subscription sharing or wait for a promotion.
Is the Netflix free trial gone?
Not entirely. Netflix discontinued its 30-day free trials in the United States back in October 2020, and that policy still applies to U.S. users today. However, starting in July 2026, Netflix began testing limited free trials again in select countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and India.
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