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, and choosing just one can be challenging, especially with Netflix's recurring price hikes. Netflix, once a mail-order giant, now produces vast amounts of exclusive original content. This trend has spread to other platforms, making the choice between services increasingly complex.

Fortunately, many popular alternatives offer free trials, allowing you to explore their offerings before committing. While their original content libraries may not match Netflix's scale, they provide compelling options.

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Here are some noteworthy alternatives:

Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)

Hulu boasts high-quality original content rivaling Netflix, including exclusives like Shōgun, Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale. Its 30-day trial (reduced to 3 days with live TV) offers extensive exploration before choosing from various subscription tiers ($7.99-$100+ per month). Bundling options with Disney+ and Max are also available.

Amazon Prime (30-Day Free Trial)

Amazon Prime Video, included with Amazon Prime, provides a 30-day trial. Known for its arthouse films and series, its original content rivals Netflix's. After the trial, it costs $14.99/month ($139/year) or $7.49/month for students. Exclusives include The Fallout series and Rings of Power.

Crunchyroll (14-Day Free Trial)

Crunchyroll offers a compelling anime selection, with various membership tiers ($7.99-$14.99/month) and some free content. It provides early access to new episodes, surpassing Netflix's anime offerings (e.g., all 6 seasons of My Hero Academia vs. Netflix's 4).

Apple TV+ (7-Day Free Trial)

Apple TV+ features exclusive, critically acclaimed shows (Ted Lasso, Severance) and movies. Its 7-day trial precedes a $9.99/month subscription (price varies with users). Requires an Apple ID.

Paramount+ (7-Day Free Trial)

Paramount+ offers original shows and movies, including exclusive access to Mission Impossible films, Halo, and the Star Trek universe. Its 7-day trial leads to a $4.99-$11.99/month subscription (with ad variations). It will eventually stream Sonic 3.

DirecTV Stream (5-Day Free Trial)

DirecTV Stream provides a streaming service with a short 5-day trial, offering live TV and various movies and series. Subscription packages range from $79.99-$119.99/month, including add-on streaming services for the first three months.

Netflix Without a Subscription?

Original Netflix content is unavailable without a subscription. Netflix offers various plans ranging from $6.99-$22.99/month.