- How to find out if you qualify
- What happens if you do get a trial
- The partner rule that ends your trial
- Which Netflix plan to try
- No trial? You can still leave whenever you like
- Signing up on a TV or Android phone
- A shortcut if you want Netflix for its games
- Why your friend got a trial and you didn't
- My verdict on the Netflix free trial
- Frequently asked questions
Netflix only offers a free trial in certain countries, and only to eligible new members. Its help centre says that if you qualify, the trial option appears automatically during sign-up, and if you don't see it, a trial isn't available for your location or device right now. In most places, Netflix starts as a normal monthly plan that you can cancel online at any time.
That's why you'll see people online swearing they got a free month while others are told Netflix has no trials. Both can be right. Here's how Netflix's own help pages say it works, and the one rule that can cancel a trial you've already started.
How to find out if you qualify
You can't request a Netflix trial or enter a code for one. Netflix says the option shows itself during sign-up if you're eligible. The quickest way to check is to start signing up on netflix.com and look at the plan screen before you add a card. If there's no mention of a trial, Netflix isn't offering one to you on that device in that country.
Netflix's help pages also change by country, which is why a friend abroad may see something you don't. Netflix asks you to pick your country before it shows plan details for exactly this reason.
What happens if you do get a trial
Netflix says you still need to add a card when you sign up for a trial, but nothing is taken until the trial ends. At that point your chosen plan starts at its normal rate. Some cards may show a small temporary hold to check the card works. Netflix says this is usually removed quickly, though your bank may take a few working days to clear it from your statement.
The partner rule that ends your trial
This is the line most people never read. Netflix says your free trial is forfeited if you link your account to a partner package. If your phone network, broadband provider or TV box offers Netflix as part of a bundle and you connect it during a trial, the trial goes. Decide which route you want before you link anything.
Which Netflix plan to try
If you do get a trial, pick the plan you'd keep, because that's the one that carries on. Netflix's plans page lists three ad-free plans in many countries:
| Plan | Screens at once | Picture | Download devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 1 | 720p HD | 1 |
| Standard | 2 | 1080p Full HD | 2 |
| Premium | 4 | 4K Ultra HD with HDR | 6 |
Standard lets you add 1 extra member who doesn't live with you, and Premium lets you add up to 2. Netflix also says you can't share an account outside your household, which it defines as the devices connected at your main home.
No trial? You can still leave whenever you like
Netflix makes a point of this on its trial page: even without a trial, there's no penalty for cancelling. You can change your plan or cancel online at any time. Netflix also says it doesn't offer annual, multi-month or lifetime plans, and your plan renews monthly on the date you signed up. So the realistic way to test Netflix is to join, watch for a month, and cancel before the renewal date if it's not for you.
Signing up on a TV or Android phone
If you're starting on a TV, Netflix says most TVs and streaming devices ask for your email address or phone number first, then send you a link by email or text to continue. Some older TVs can't sign you up at all, so Netflix suggests using its app on your phone or tablet, or netflix.com.
On Android, there's a quirk. Netflix says that if you start in the app from the Google Play store, you'll need to finish in a mobile or computer browser, and it emails you a link to do that. The Samsung Galaxy store version is the exception: you can sign up inside the app.
A shortcut if you want Netflix for its games
Every Netflix plan includes its games, and some work without a connection. My guide on whether you can play Netflix games offline explains which ones. If you're weighing Netflix up against other services, these Netflix alternatives are worth a look too.
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Why your friend got a trial and you didn't
Netflix ties trials to country and device, so two people searching on the same day can get different answers. Netflix's free trial page explains that if the trial option isn't shown, it isn't currently available for your location or device. Trying a different device in the same country may show a different result, but there's no setting you can change to switch a trial on, and Netflix doesn't take requests for one.
It's also worth knowing that Netflix's plans and their details vary by country. Netflix says plan details can change if you have Netflix through a package or add-on, so a bundle from your phone network may not match the plans you see on netflix.com.
My verdict on the Netflix free trial
Don't waste time on trial codes or tricks. Start signing up and look at the plan screen: if a trial is there, take it, and don't link a partner package until it's over. If it isn't, treat your first month as the trial and cancel the day before renewal if Netflix isn't winning its place.
Frequently asked questions
Does Netflix have a free trial?
Only in certain countries. Netflix says it offers a limited free trial to eligible new members in some locations, and the option appears automatically during sign-up if you qualify.
Why can't I see a Netflix free trial?
Netflix says that if you don't see the trial option during sign-up, a trial isn't currently available for your location or device.
Do I need a card for a Netflix free trial?
Yes. Netflix says you must add a card when you sign up for a trial, but nothing is taken until the trial ends.
Can I lose my Netflix free trial?
Yes. Netflix says your free trial is forfeited if you link your account to a partner package, such as Netflix included with a phone or broadband deal.
Can I cancel Netflix any time?
Yes. Netflix says there's no penalty for cancelling, and you can change your plan or cancel online at any time.
Does Netflix offer annual plans?
No. Netflix says it doesn't offer annual, multi-month or lifetime plans. Plans renew monthly on the date you signed up.
