The Best Netflix Alternatives With Free Trials in 2025

In today's entertainment landscape, dominated by streaming services, choosing just one can be a challenge. Netflix's recent price hike might have you searching for alternatives. From its mail-order beginnings, Netflix now boasts thousands of hours of exclusive original content. Other services have followed suit, creating exclusive libraries and making the choice between Netflix and its competitors more difficult than ever.

Fortunately, many popular Netflix alternatives offer free trials. While their original content libraries may not yet match Netflix's breadth, they offer compelling choices, and free trials let you explore before committing.

Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)

7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial

61See it at Hulu

A strong Netflix contender, Hulu consistently produces high-quality original content. It's the exclusive home of shows like Shōgun, Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale. Hulu's 30-day trial (reduced to three days with live TV) provides access to its extensive library. Subscription options range from $7.99 to over $100 a month, depending on add-ons like live TV and premium channels (ESPN+, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, etc.). Hulu also offers attractive bundles with Disney+ and Max.

### Get the Disney+, Hulu, Max Streaming Bundle

27$16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free.See it at HuluRead 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 offers a generous 30-day trial. Known for its high-quality, arthouse films and series, its original content rivals Netflix's. After the trial, the monthly cost is $14.99 ($139 annually), with a student discount of $7.49 ($69 annually). Prime Video exclusively streams shows like The Fallout series 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 fans, Crunchyroll is a must-consider. Offering various subscription tiers ($7.99/mo to $14.99/mo), it also streams some anime for free. Crunchyroll provides access to new episodes shortly after their Japanese release, making it superior to Netflix for many anime series (e.g., My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer).

Read our review of Crunchyroll.

Apple TV+ (7-Day Free Trial)

### 7 Days Free Apple TV+ Free Trial

20See it at Apple

Apple TV+ is a rising star, offering exclusive, critically acclaimed shows (Ted Lasso, Severance, Masters of the Air) and films (Killers of the Flower Moon, Spirited, Napoleon). After the 7-day trial, the monthly subscription is $9.99 (pricing may vary based on users). An Apple ID is required.

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 franchises like Mission Impossible, Halo, and the Star Trek universe. The monthly cost is $4.99 (with ads) or $11.99 (ad-free with SHOWTIME). It will eventually stream Sonic 3.

Read our review of Paramount+ or learn more about the Paramount+ free trial.

DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)

DirecTV Stream offers a streaming service with a short 5-day trial, including live TV and various movies and series. Subscription packages ($79.99-$119.99/month) include add-on streaming services (Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, Cinemax) for the first three months.

See our guide on how to get the DirecTV Stream free trial.

Can You Watch Netflix Without a Paid Subscription?

While some Netflix content might be available elsewhere, its original shows and movies require a subscription. Netflix does not offer a free trial but provides various subscription tiers ($6.99-$22.99/month).

Check out our guide to Netflix plans and prices for more info.