Plenty of streaming services still offer free trials, letting you try before you buy.
Netflix is one of the best streaming services available. However, plenty of other options have launched since Netflix made streaming cool. And some of them still offer free trials.
1. Peacock
Peacock is a streaming service that is owned and operated by NBCUniversal. It
offers over 20,000 hours of movies, television shows, news, sports, and
original programming.
If you sign up for a membership, two-thirds of Peacock's content is free
indefinitely. There are two paid packages available as well:
- Peacock Premium: This package offers access to all of Peacock's entertainment, with advertisements.
- Peacock Premium Plus: This is Peacock's ad-free package.
Peacock also offers the option to stream television channels like NBC, Bravo, USA Network, Oxygen, and E!. Peacock is currently only available to customers in the United States.
2. Hulu
Hulu is a streaming service owned by Disney. It offers popular television
shows, like Grey's Anatomy, Family Guy, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as well as
blockbuster movies like Good Will Hunting.
Since Hulu is now a Disney service, it offers bundles with Disney+ and ESPN+
if you live in the United States. Although this bundle doesn't allow a 30-day
trial, Hulu alone offers one so you can try it for free.
Hulu offers three different plans for you to choose from:
- Hulu (No ads): 1 month free, then US$11.99/month plus applicable taxes.
- Hulu (With ads): 1 month free, then US$5.99/month plus applicable taxes.
- Hulu (+ Live TV): 1 week free, then US$54.99/month plus applicable taxes.
The Hulu + Live TV bundle plan offers the option to stream over 65 TV channels live and on-demand and record television shows to watch later. This would be a great service for someone who doesn't have cable.
3. BritBox
BritBox is the perfect streaming service for anyone who enjoys entertainment
from the United Kingdom. BritBox offers compelling mysteries, dramas,
comedies, documentaries, and lifestyle television shows, as well as classic
movies.
Like the other streaming services on this list, BritBox can be used on
multiple devices. It also possesses the largest amount of British boxsets of
any streaming service. It even has all of the episodes of the popular
television show Doctor Who.
You can try BritBox for free for 7 days, after which it will cost you
US$6.99/month or US$69.99/year plus applicable taxes.
4. Shudder
Shudder is the most popular streaming platform available for horror movies.
The platform offers access to ad-free horror, sci-fi, and thriller content for
a low monthly price.
After the week-long trial, this service is available for US$5.99/month or
US$56.99/year plus applicable taxes.
This is a great streaming platform for anyone who enjoys the darker side of
entertainment. Screambox is another streaming platform for horror movies, so
be sure to read about both in order to pick wisely
5. Sundance Now
Sundance Now is another streaming platform owned by AMC. According to the
Sundance Now website, its mission is to celebrate movies, television shows,
and documentaries with authentic storytelling told from global
perspectives.
This platform features true-crime series, exclusive thrillers, and original
dramas. As with the other streaming platforms listed here, you can switch
devices mid-show and not lose your place.
Sundance Now offers a 7-day free trial, after which there are two choices for
packages:
- Monthly: A month-to-month membership costs US$6.99/month plus applicable taxes.
- Annually: A commitment to a year-long membership lowers the monthly price to US$4.99/month plus applicable taxes.
You can stream Sundance Now on Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and the web.
6. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is one of the best streaming services available. It offers
quality television shows and blockbuster movies. It also has a great selection
of indie horror movies and content from channels like Funny Or Dies.
Prime Video is set up a lot like Netflix, with sections covering movies and TV
shows across a range of genres. An Amazon Prime membership also has other
benefits like 2-day shipping and free standard shipping for qualifying items
on Amazon.com.
The trial period for Prime is 30 days, and during this time, trial members can
enjoy all of the perks of the membership, including free shipping and
access to Prime Video. The cost after the free trial is US$7.99/month or
US$79/year (plus applicable taxes).
7. HBO Max
HBO Max is the streaming service of the popular TV channel HBO. Brought to us
by WarnerMedia, it offers popular television shows like The Big Bang Theory
and Friends, plus movies like The Lord of the Rings.
If you already have HBO through your cable provider, you may be eligible to
get HBO Max for free. Download the HBO app and insert your cable TV provider's
credentials to see if you qualify to access HBO Max for free.
If you don't have HBO on cable, you can still order HBO Max and enjoy the free
7-day trial. The cost after the free trial is US$14.99/month plus applicable
taxes.
8. The Criterion Channel
The Criterion Channel is a movie streaming service that will appeal to any
lover of film classics. You can download movies to watch offline as well, so
this service is great for you if you travel frequently and love to watch
movies in your downtime.
There are no ads on The Criterion Channel and you also have access to extra
film features like commentaries and interviews from the stars.
The Criterion Channel offers a 14-day free trial and after that it ,costs
US$10.99/month or US$99.99/year plus applicable taxes.
9. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is Apple's streaming service. Although it doesn't offer a back
catalog like most streaming services, it does boast a selection of movies,
television shows, documentaries, and child-friendly content.
You can download television shows and movies to watch offline. And if you
purchase a new Apple device, Apple TV+ is free for a year. For everyone else,
Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial and after that, it costs US$5.99/month.
Why Not Try A New Streaming Service Today?
With so many streaming platforms currently available, it's impossible to pick
just one service. This is why free trials are so important. Are you
listening, Netflix?!
Thankfully, as we've shown here, there are plenty of streaming services that you can still try for free to decide if they're worth paying for.
Source: Makeuseof.com