In today's era of streaming services dominating the entertainment landscape, choosing the right platform can be a daunting task. With Netflix recently announcing yet another price hike, you might be considering exploring other options for your movie and TV show fix. From its origins as a DVD-by-mail service, Netflix has evolved into a powerhouse, producing thousands of hours of exclusive original content that you can only find on its platform. This trend of exclusive content has been adopted by other services as well, making the decision between sticking with Netflix or switching to a competitor more complex than ever.
AnswerSee ResultsFortunately, many of Netflix's rivals offer free trials, giving you the chance to explore their offerings without any financial commitment. While these services may not yet match Netflix's extensive library of original content, they provide compelling alternatives, and their free trials allow you to test them out before making the switch from Netflix.
Hulu (30-Day Free Trial)
7 Days Free### Hulu Free Trial
61See it at Hulu
If you're looking for a Netflix alternative, Hulu is an excellent starting point. It offers a robust collection of high-quality original content that can rival Netflix's offerings. Hulu is the exclusive home to acclaimed series like Shōgun, new episodes of Futurama, The Bear, and The Handmaid's Tale. Their library is packed with award-winning shows and popular movies, and their original content is definitely worth exploring. With a generous 30-day free trial, you can dive deep into Hulu's extensive catalog. After the trial, subscription options range from $7.99 a month to over $100 a month, depending on whether you want to include live TV or premium add-ons like ESPN+, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, and more. Note that if you include live TV, the free trial shortens to just three days.
If you're not interested in a trial, Hulu also offers some of the best streaming bundles on the market. The Disney+, Hulu, and Max Bundle, priced at $16.99 a month, gives you access to a vast array of content. Alternatively, you can bundle Hulu with just 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 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 is a well-known contender in the streaming service arena, offering a 30-day free trial to test out its offerings. Known for its high-quality, arthouse films and series, Amazon Prime's catalog of original content is a strong competitor to Netflix's. 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 streaming platform for popular 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 looking to expand their viewing options, Crunchyroll offers an unbeatable deal. With three different membership tiers ranging from $7.99 to $14.99 a month, Crunchyroll also provides a substantial amount of free anime content. While Netflix offers some excellent anime series, Crunchyroll is the go-to platform for accessing the best anime worldwide. As a leader in anime production, Japan releases new episodes shortly after their initial airing, and Crunchyroll provides premium access to these episodes. For instance, while Netflix has only four seasons of My Hero Academia, Crunchyroll boasts all six seasons and is the only place to watch new episodes of Season 7 or 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 content that has garnered significant praise. With critically acclaimed original series like Ted Lasso, Severance, and Masters of the Air, along with movies such as Killers of the Flower Moon, Spirited, and Napoleon, Apple TV+ is quickly closing the gap with its competitors, including Netflix. After a 7-day free trial, the subscription costs $9.99 per month, with pricing varying based on the number of users added to the account. Note that a verified Apple ID is required to access the premium Apple TV+ 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+ is another solid alternative to Netflix, boasting a notable selection of original shows and movies. With a hand in numerous projects, Paramount+ provides exclusive access to content such as the Mission Impossible series, the Halo series, and the entire Star Trek universe. The platform regularly releases new shows and movies, making it a strong contender in the original content race. After a 7-day free trial, subscription plans 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 exclusive home for all things Sonic, including the upcoming Sonic 3 movie after its theatrical run.
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 robust streaming service with a 5-day free trial. DirecTV Stream provides a variety of movies, series, and live TV streaming options. After the trial, you can choose from three packages priced between $79.99 and $119.99 a month, which come with premium content and add-on services like Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, MGM+, and Cinemax included for the first three months. It's a great option if you're 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, while some content available on Netflix might be found elsewhere, its original shows and movies are exclusive to paid subscribers. Netflix does not offer a free trial, but it does provide multiple subscription tiers ranging from $6.99 to $22.99 per month. For more information, check out our guide to Netflix plans and prices.
