How to Get Free Streaming Services

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The average American spends over $50 a month on streaming. But you don’t have to. This guide breaks down how to watch TV for free—legally.

From Sling Freestream’s no-cost live TV to Hulu’s 30-day trial, plenty of free streaming services offer solid entertainment.

Platforms like Tubi and RetroCrush have thousands of movies and classic anime, all without charging a dime.

You can even get Apple TV+ free for three months with a new device.

I’ll show you how to take full advantage of free trials, mobile carrier bundles, and ad-supported options without compromising your security.

Key Takeaways

Free trials range from 3 days (DirecTV Stream) to 30 days (Hulu), allowing you to stream without paying.
Sling Freestream and The Roku Channel provide free TV watching, with no trial needed.
Apple One and Verizon bundles slash costs: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $14.99/month.
Plex and Kanopy offer unlimited streams via free versions, while Metro’s Flex Plus gives Amazon Prime free.
Free platforms like Crunchyroll and Vudu include ad breaks every 10 minutes but save you $500+ yearly.

Table of Contents

Legitimate Free Streaming Services Available in the US

Find legal free streaming options that save you money. These services use ads instead of monthly fees.

You can choose from networks, libraries, and device-based channels—all without spending a dime.

Network-Owned Platforms

Major networks offer free tiers. Peacock free tier gives you access to NBCUniversal content like classics and news. No credit card is needed—just sign up and browse thousands of episodes.

Ad-Supported Streaming

Tubi streams 50,000+ movies and TV shows with minimal ads.
Pluto TV offers 250 live channels and on-demand picks.
Crackle features classic films and new series, updated weekly.

Premium Free Sections

Even paid services have free parts. Peacock free tier lets you explore NBC content. Roku Channel and Google TV include built-in options like Ion TV.

Sling Freestream gives live news from ABC and CBS—all for free.

Library Access

Public libraries partner with Kanopy and Hoopla. You can borrow movies and shows with your library card. Students also get free access through schools.

Check your TV or streaming device. Samsung TVs and Roku come with free channels. Google TV has 400+ options, including Ion and live news. These are preloaded—no setup is required.

Maximizing Free Trials for Premium Content

Make free trials last longer without spending money. Services like Hulu (30 days) and Apple TV+ (7 days) give you access to top content.

Follow these steps to keep trials going, extend your time, and dodge extra fees.

Strategic Email Management for Multiple Trials

Have a unique email for all sign-ups. This keeps your main inbox tidy and makes tracking easier.

Use Gmail’s “+” trick (e.g., name+trial1@gmail.com) to sort trials. Never use personal emails to avoid spam and overspending.

Sign up for trials using a separate email provider like ProtonMail.
Set up filters to flag all trial-related emails as urgent.

Calendar Tracking for Trial Periods

A streaming trial calendar is essential. List every trial’s end date on Google Calendar or a spreadsheet.

To cancel automatically, set reminders 3 days before they expire. For example, if you start a 30-day trial on Jan 1, set a reminder for Jan 30.

Family Sharing Options to Extend Access

Share accounts with family to extend free time. Apple TV+ allows 6 users to watch at once. Plan with a friend to manage trials.

Watch Hulu and Disney+ together by sharing login details—no extra costs.

Credit Card Requirements and Workarounds

Most trials require a card, but prepaid Visa/Mastercard works. Some platforms accept PayPal or mobile payments.

Remove your card before the trial ends to block auto-charges. Always cancel through the app’s settings—don’t rely on emails.

How to Access Free Streaming Services Through Partnerships

Your phone bill might have carrier streaming deals worth hundreds each year. T-Mobile Netflix is just the beginning. Here’s how to unlock these benefits:

T-Mobile: The Go5G Next plan includes free streaming with phone plan options like Netflix (ads), Apple TV+, and Hulu (ads).
Verizon: Unlimited Plus subscribers get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ in their bill.
Metro by T-Mobile: Free Amazon Prime Video and ViX Premium for Spanish content.
Cricket Wireless: Max with ads added to qualifying plans.

Check your carrier’s portal: Log into your account, navigate to “mobile streaming benefits,” and activate these services. Keep your plan active to retain access—there are no extra fees!

Bundling can save you big. For example, switching to T-Mobile’s 5G plan could cut your streaming budget by $150+/year. Add ad-supported platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV for even more savings.

Tip: Ask your carrier about promotional tiers. Many offer carrier streaming deals for loyalty or upgrading. T-Mobile Netflix alone saves $120 yearly compared to standalone subscriptions.

Don’t miss out! These partnerships turn your phone bill into a streaming powerhouse. Your next call to customer service could unlock free Hulu or Disney+ without lifting a finger.

Alternative Methods to Stream Without Subscriptions

Want to stream for free without trials? There are clever ways to save money. Over 50% of U.S. homes have more than four subscriptions.

But you can do better. Check your mobile or internet bills.

Providers like Xfinity and T-Mobile offer streaming perks. For example, they might include Hulu or Peacock with your plan.

Remember about credit card perks. Cards from American Express or Chase give you $5–$10 a month for Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+.

Plus, students get 50% off Hulu and Spotify. Teachers and seniors can get discounts, too.

Check bundled ISP/mobile plans for free tiers like Peacock or ESPN+
Use credit card streaming perks to offset subscription costs
Claim student discounts for 50% savings on major platforms

Sharing accounts is legal but can be tricky. Netflix lets you stream to 2–4 devices at once. Use profiles smartly. For travel, ExpressVPN unlocks U.S. content libraries.

Avoid illegal sharing. Stick to family accounts. Saving money on streaming adds up quickly. Start saving today and reduce your subscription stack!

Conclusion: Enjoying Entertainment Without the Cost

Free streaming options and innovative strategies help you save on streaming. You can cut costs by using ad-supported platforms like Tubi and smart trial use.

Even small savings can add up, like saving $360 a year for a vacation.

Tubi has become a top choice for free streaming. But it’s essential to check their privacy policies.

Paid services like Netflix raised prices in 2024, making it even more important to save money. You can find free alternatives to expensive movies.

Stream smarter by watching only what you really want. Combine free services and carrier perks. Try free trials for new shows instead of long-term subscriptions.

Over 80% of U.S. households stream, but many can save money by switching to free options.

Streaming has changed a lot since Netflix started in 2007. Now, we have faster speeds and more free options.

Start by switching one paid service to a free one. Your wallet and your streaming quality will appreciate it.