In the era of streaming services dominating the entertainment landscape, choosing a platform can be daunting. With Netflix recently announcing yet another price hike, many are exploring alternatives for their movie and TV show fix. From its origins as a DVD-by-mail service, Netflix has evolved into a powerhouse, churning out thousands of hours of exclusive original content. This trend of exclusivity has been adopted by other platforms, complicating the decision between sticking with Netflix or switching to another service.
AnswerSee ResultsFortunately, many popular alternatives to Netflix offer free trials, allowing you to sample their offerings without immediate financial commitment. While these services may not yet match Netflix's extensive original content library, they provide compelling content and the free trials give you a chance to explore before deciding to cancel your Netflix subscription.
Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)
7 Days Free
Hulu Free Trial
61See it at Hulu
Hulu stands out as a strong contender against Netflix, boasting a robust selection of original content that rivals its competitor. It's the exclusive home to acclaimed series like Shōgun, new episodes of Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale. Hulu's library is packed with award-winning shows and well-known films, making its original content a topic of conversation. With a generous 30-day trial, you can explore Hulu's vast offerings before choosing from a range of subscription plans starting at $7.99 a month, up to over $100 a month for packages that include live TV and premium add-ons like ESPN+, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, and more. Note that the free trial is reduced to three days if you opt for live TV.
For those looking to bypass the free trial, Hulu offers some of the best streaming bundles available. The Disney+, Hulu, and Max Bundle, priced at $16.99 a month, provides access to a vast content library. Alternatively, you can bundle Hulu with Disney+ for $10.99 a month.
Get the Disney+, Hulu, Max Streaming Bundle
27$16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free.See it at Hulu
Read our review of Hulu or check out all of the Hulu bundles available.
Amazon Prime (30-Day Free Trial)
30 Days Free Amazon Prime Free Trial
45Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime subscription.See it at Amazon
Amazon Prime is a well-known contender in the streaming wars, offering a 30-day trial to explore its offerings. Known for its high-quality, arthouse films and series, Amazon Prime's original content catalog rivals that of Netflix. After the trial, the subscription costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year, with a student discount available at $7.49 a month or $69 a year. Prime Video is the exclusive platform for series like Fallout and Rings of Power.
Read our review of Prime Video.
Crunchyroll (14-Day Free Trial)
14 Days Free Crunchyroll Free Trial
80See it at Crunchyroll
For anime enthusiasts, Crunchyroll offers an unbeatable deal. With three membership tiers ranging from $7.99 to $14.99 a month, Crunchyroll also provides a significant amount of free content. While Netflix has some excellent anime, Crunchyroll boasts the world's best anime collection, offering premium access to new episodes shortly after their release in Japan. For instance, while Netflix has four seasons of My Hero Academia, Crunchyroll has all six seasons and is the only place to watch new episodes of season 7 and Demon Slayer season 4.
Read our review of Crunchyroll.
Apple TV+ (7-Day Free Trial)
7 Days Free Apple TV+ Free Trial
20See it at Apple
Apple TV+ has emerged as a formidable player in the streaming wars, offering exclusive, highly acclaimed original shows like Ted Lasso, Severance, and Masters of the Air, along with movies such as Killers of the Flower Moon, Spirited, and Napoleon. After a 7-day free trial, the subscription costs $9.99 a month, with pricing varying based on the number of users. Note that a verified Apple ID is required to access the premium library, even if you don't own Apple products.
Read our review of Apple TV+.
Paramount+ (7-Day Free Trial)
7 Days Free Paramount+ Free Trial
109Includes a 7-day free trial.See it at Paramount+
Paramount+ offers a solid selection of original shows and movies, including exclusive access to the Mission Impossible series, the Halo series, and the entire Star Trek universe. With new content regularly added, Paramount+ is quickly catching up to its competitors. After a 7-day free trial, subscription costs start at $4.99 a month or $59.99 a year with limited ads, or $11.99 a month or $119.99 a year for an ad-free experience with SHOWTIME's full library. Paramount+ is also the home of all things Sonic, including future streaming of Sonic 3.
Read our review of Paramount+ or learn more about the Paramount+ free trial.
DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)
While DirecTV is often associated with satellite TV, it also offers a streaming service with a 5-day free trial. DirecTV Stream provides a wide range of movies, series, and live TV streaming. Subscription packages range from $79.99 to $119.99 a month, with premium add-ons like Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, and Cinemax included for the first three months. This makes it a viable option for those seeking a live TV alternative to Netflix.
See our guide on how to get the DirecTV Stream free trial.
Can You Watch Netflix Without a Paid Subscription?
Unfortunately, Netflix's original content is not available without a paid subscription. Netflix does not offer a free trial, but provides multiple subscription tiers ranging from $6.99 to $22.99 a month. For more information, check out our guide to Netflix plans and prices.
