Let’s face it, no one likes paying to watch their favorite shows and movies, especially across multiple platforms. What’s even worse is having to pay for a platform before being able to try it out and see if you like it for yourself. Thankfully, there’s still a number of streaming services that provide free trials to new users.
- YouTube TV: 21-day free trial, then $82.99 per month
- Fubo: 7-day free trial, then from $73.99 per month
- Philo: 7-day free trial, then $33 per month
- DirecTV Stream: 5-day free trial, then from $84.99 per month
Our top 4 picks for live TV free trials
YouTube TV
Try 21 days free
$82.99/month
tv.youtube.com
Channels
100+
Simultaneous streams
3
Cloud DVR
Unlimited
On-demand titles
2,000+
Top channels
Fubo
Try 7 days free
$73.99/month
fubo.tv
Channels
180+
Simultaneous streams
10
On-demand titles
15,000+
Top channels
Philo
Try 7 days free
$33/month
philo
Channels
70+
Simultaneous streams
3
On-demand titles
60,000+
Top channels
DirecTV Stream
5 days free, $30 off 1st month
$84.99/month
directv.com
Channels
75+
Simultaneous streams
Unlimited
Cloud DVR
Unlimited
On-demand titles
40,000+
Top channels
1. YouTube TV: 21-day free trial
What is YouTube TV?
In 2017, YouTube TV set out to revolutionize TV for a new generation by offering a unique experience distinct from traditional cable. They did this by securing local station streaming rights early and focusing on mobile apps over TV-based ones.
Despite a slower rollout compared to competitors like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV has grown substantially, offering a wider range of sports and entertainment content and appealing to a larger audience.
How long is YouTube TV’s free trial?
YouTube TV’s free trial is pretty generous compared to other streamers’. The platform gives you a whopping 21 days to see if it’s right for you.
How to sign up
Sign up for YouTube TV using the steps listed below:
- Go to YouTube TV’s website and click “Try it for free”
- Sign in with a Google account
- Choose your plan
- Add any add-ons (optional)
- Enter your payment information (you won’t be charged until after the free trial)
- Enjoy!
Try YouTube TV free
YouTube TV
Only $49.99 for the first 6 months
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts for one price
- Stream on three screens
- 100+ live TV channels
$82.99/month
Devices supported by YouTube TV include Chromecast, web browsers, Android phones, Android TV, Apple TV and Samsung smart TVs.
Our YouTube TV review goes deeper into its channels, apps and picture quality.
2. Fubo: 7-day free trial
Does Fubo have a free trial?
Yes. Fubo has a free trial, and allows you to try its full lineup of channels without committing to a month-to-month subscription.
Remember, though, that you will be billed if you don’t cancel your membership before the trial ends, so keep this in mind when choosing which package to try. If you’re interested in cutting the cord, giving Fubo a try is a good place to start.
How long is the Fubo free trial?
The Fubo free trial lasts a week. As long as you log into Fubo and cancel your subscription before the trial ends, you won’t be billed. If you’re not sure that Fubo will be right for you, we recommend setting a calendar reminder to make sure you do so.
How do I sign up for the Fubo free trial?
Simply choose your preferred plan from the available options, choose any add-ons you’d like to try, and proceed to the “Checkout” menu. Enter your payment and personal details. You will need a valid credit or debit card to get the free trial, but you won’t be charged until the 7-day trial ends.
Can I cancel Fubo before the trial ends?
Yes. There are no penalties for doing so. As long as you cancel within 7 days of your subscription, you won’t pay a dime.
Try Fubo free
Fubo Pro
Try 7 days free
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Stream on ten screens
- 180+ channels
$73.99/month
Fubo Elite
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
$94.99/month
Fubo Premier
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Showtime included
$109.99/month
Devices supported by Fubo include Android phones, iPhone and iPad, Chromecast, web browsers, Vizio smart TVs and Samsung smart TVs.
Our Fubo review goes deeper into its channels, apps and picture quality.
3. Philo: 7-day free trial
What is Philo?
Philo caters to the preferences of cord-cutters by providing a budget-friendly live TV streaming service. It stands out with its streamlined channel selection, intentionally excluding the more expensive sports and local broadcast networks. The outcome is an exceptionally economical television service that features entertainment, educational, and lifestyle networks.
Does Philo have a free trial?
Yes. Philo offers a free trial, and has offered a free, no-strings-attached trial since it launched, so it’s unlikely that this offer will end any time soon.
How to sign up
You can get signed up for Philo’s free trial in just a few steps:
- Go to Philo’s website and click “Start your 7-day free trial”
- Enter your phone number or email and hit continue (it’ll ask you to agree to the terms and conditions)
- Choose your add-ons (if you want any)
- Choose your payment plan
- Enter your payment information (you won’t be charged until after the free trial)
- Enjoy!
How much does Philo cost after the free trial?
Currently, Philo offers a single pricing plan with 70+ channels. If you don’t cancel your plan before your free trial ends, you’ll get charged for a full month of membership.
Try Philo free
If you only want on-demand shows and movies, not live TV:
Philo Base
Try 7 days free
- Unlimited cloud DVR saved for 1 year
- Stream on three screens
- Shows movies and 70+ channels
- 7-day free trial
$33/month
Devices supported by Philo include Android phones, web browsers, iPhone and iPad, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.
Our Philo review goes deeper into its channels, apps and picture quality.
4. DirecTV Stream: 5-day free trial
How long is the DirecTV Stream free trial?
DirecTV Stream’s free trial lasts for 5 days, which may not sound like much at first. However, this means you have 120 hours to enjoy all of the content offered through this streamer, and there’s a lot to enjoy.
How to sign up
Signing up for a free trial through DirecTV Stream is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Navigate to DirecTV’s website and select a plan
- Click ‘Start 5-day free trial’
- Input your account and payment information (you won’t be charged until after the trial ends)
- Enjoy!
What’s on DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream focuses on live TV as compared to VOD (Video On Demand) and original programming like its competitors Netflix and Hulu. With its cheapest package you’ll get access to channels like FX, E!, Bravo, Comedy Central, and HGTV, and it also offers a host of local channels.
Though it’s not its main appeal, DirecTV Stream does offer over 60,000 movies and shows on demand, so you’ll always have something to watch at your fingertips.
How does DirecTV Stream’s free trial compare?
It’s only a bit shorter than Philo and Fubo’s 7-day free trial, but it’s leagues shorter than YouTube TV’s generous 21-day free trial. Though this may not give you a ton of time to check out the platform, it’s still long enough to see if DirecTV Stream may be right for you.
Try DirecTV Stream free
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
5 days free, $30 off 1st month
- 75+ channels
- Stream on unlimited devices at home
- Unlimited DVR space
$84.99/month
DirecTV Stream Choice
5 days free, $30 off 1st month
- 105+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$89.99/month
DirecTV Stream Ultimate
5 days free, $30 off 1st month
- 140+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$119.99/month
DirecTV Stream Premier
- Unlimited DVR space
- 150+ channels
- Includes Max Cinemax SHOWTIME and STARZ
- Includes regional sports networks
$164.99/month
Devices supported by DirecTV Stream include Android phones, web browsers, Chromecast, iPhone and iPad, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Samsung smart TVs.
Our DirecTV Stream review goes deeper into its channels, apps and picture quality.
Which live TV services don't have a free trial?
The four services above aren't the only ways to watch live TV without cable, but they're the ones that still let you try before you pay. Here's where the others stand.
Does Sling TV have a free trial?
No. Sling dropped its free trial and offers a discount on your first month instead, so you'll pay something from day one. Its cheapest plans are still some of the lowest prices in live TV, which is why it shows up on our cheap live TV list.
Does Hulu + Live TV have a free trial?
Yes, but it's short. Hulu + Live TV's trial runs three days when it's offered, the shortest of the major live services, so check the sign-up page before you plan a weekend around it.
Does YouTube TV have a free trial?
Yes. At 21 days, it's the longest free trial in live TV right now.
Does Fubo have a free trial?
Yes, for 7 days on every plan.
Does Philo have a free trial?
Yes, for 7 days.
Does DirecTV Stream have a free trial?
Yes, for 5 days, along with $30 off your first month.
Watching live TV free trials on your devices
Every service here works on phones, tablets and the major streaming players, but not every one is on every TV. Here's which free trials you can start on the devices you already own.
Free trials on Amazon Fire TV
You can start a free trial on Amazon Fire TV with Philo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Android TV
You can start a free trial on Android TV with YouTube TV, Philo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Apple TV
You can start a free trial on Apple TV with YouTube TV and Philo. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Samsung smart TVs
You can start a free trial on Samsung smart TVs with YouTube TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Vizio smart TVs
You can start a free trial on Vizio smart TVs with Fubo. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Chromecast
You can start a free trial on Chromecast with YouTube TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on iPhone and iPad
You can start a free trial on iPhone and iPad with Fubo, Philo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on Android phones
You can start a free trial on Android phones with YouTube TV, Fubo, Philo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
Free trials on web browsers
You can start a free trial on web browsers with YouTube TV, Fubo, Philo and DirecTV Stream. Sign up on the service's website first, then sign in on the app.
The bottom line: four live TV free trials worth starting
YouTube TV is our top pick, and its 21-day trial is the longest in live TV by a wide margin. If you watch a lot of sports, start with Fubo; if you only want entertainment channels, Philo is the cheapest to keep once the trial ends. DirecTV Stream has the shortest trial, but it's the closest thing to the cable package you're replacing. Whichever you pick, set a reminder for the day before the trial ends.
Contributors
Written by: Lisa Holden, Eric Liston, Staff
Edited by: Davan Hamilton, Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden
Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself.
She began working as an editor for Flixed in 2023. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.
Eric Liston
Freelance Writer
Eric Liston is a content writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2015, he’s been writing about technology, cord-cutting, and helping everyday people save money. He also has expertise writing about medicine, dentistry, insurance, and a variety of other industries. No matter what he’s writing, his focus is always on simplifying complex concepts and making them approachable for everyone. When he’s not slamming away on his keyboard at his home office, you’ll find Eric reading sci-fi novels, improving his disc golf game (he just hit his first 400-foot drive) and playing video games on his gaming PC.
Davan Hamilton
Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry.
Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
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