Yes, Philo has a free trial. Philo says new users who sign up for the Essential plan can try it free for 7 days, with no contract, and you can cancel any time before the trial ends. Philo also has a separate free channel lineup that needs no credit card at all.
That second option is the useful surprise. If you only want to see how Philo looks on your TV, you can start with the free channels and save your 7-day trial for when you're ready. Here's how both work.
Philo's free options at a glance
| Essential free trial | Free Channels | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 7 days | No end date |
| Who it's for | New users | Anyone who creates an account |
| Card needed? | Yes, the trial moves onto the Essential plan | No, Philo says no credit card required |
| Live channels | 70+ | Philo's free lineup |
| On demand | Over 75,000 films and shows | Free lineup only |
| DVR recordings kept | Up to a year | 30 days |
What the 7-day trial includes
Philo says the trial lets you explore its channels, features and content before your Essential plan begins. Essential includes:
- 70+ live channels.
- Over 75,000 films and shows on demand.
- Unlimited cloud DVR, with recordings saved for up to a year and the option to fast forward through ads on recordings.
- Streaming on up to 3 devices at once.
- Up to 10 profiles.
Philo also offers add-ons such as Movies and More, ALLBLK and Hallmark+. They sit on top of the plan, so add them only if you want to test them during the trial.
Free Channels need no card
Philo says that if you're not ready for a plan, you can watch its Free Channels with no credit card required: you create an account and start watching. You can upgrade to the core offering whenever you like. The difference to know is the DVR: Philo says Free Channels recordings are saved for 30 days, compared with a year on Essential.
This makes Free Channels a good test of the app itself. You can check it runs well on your TV and that the guide suits you before you start the 7-day clock.
Devices you can use
Philo lists these devices on its FAQ:
- Web browsers.
- iPhone and iPad, and Android phones and tablets.
- Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV.
- Samsung, VIZIO and LG smart TVs.
- Chromecast via Android.
Philo also says no hardware is needed for the DVR. It's built into the app, so there's no box to set up.
How to start the Philo free trial
- Go to philo.com on your phone, computer or TV.
- Choose the Essential plan, which is the plan Philo says carries the 7-day trial for new users.
- Create your account and add your card.
- Start watching and record anything you want to keep. Recordings on Essential are saved for up to a year.
- Put a reminder in your phone for day 6 if you're not sure you'll stay.
How to cancel
Philo says there's no contract and you can cancel at any time before your trial ends without losing anything. If you decide Essential isn't for you but still want something to watch, you can keep using the Free Channels on the same account.
Philo's DVR during the trial
Philo's DVR is one of the main reasons people try it, so use it during the 7 days. Philo says you can record an unlimited amount of live or upcoming content to your cloud DVR and keep it for up to a year on Essential. There's nothing to plug in or set up, because the DVR is built into the app. You can also fast forward through ads on recorded shows.
If you cancel and drop back to Free Channels, remember the shorter window: Philo says Free Channels recordings are saved for 30 days.
Profiles and streams
Philo says both of its plans let you create up to 10 profiles and stream on up to 3 devices at once. If you live with family or housemates, set up a profile for each person during the trial so you can see whether 3 screens at once is enough for your home.
Is the Philo free trial worth it?
Yes, if the channels you watch are in Philo's lineup and you'd like an unlimited DVR. Test the app on Free Channels first, then use the 7 days when you've got time to watch. If you're comparing the guide with a rival, here's how to customise the YouTube TV guide, and if you watch from your phone, my guide to casting from your phone to your TV covers the basics.
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My verdict: start with Philo's Free Channels to check the app on your TV, then take the 7-day Essential trial on a week you'll use it, and cancel before day 7 if it isn't for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does Philo have a free trial?
Yes. Philo says new users who sign up for the Essential plan can try it free for 7 days.
Do I need a card for the Philo free trial?
Yes for the Essential trial. Philo's Free Channels need no credit card at all.
What's included in the Philo free trial?
Philo's Essential plan includes 70+ live channels, over 75,000 films and shows on demand, unlimited DVR, 3 streams at once and up to 10 profiles.
How long does Philo keep my recordings?
Philo says Essential and Bundle+ recordings are saved for up to a year. Free Channels recordings are saved for 30 days.
Can I cancel the Philo free trial?
Yes. Philo says there's no contract and you can cancel any time before your trial ends.
Which devices does Philo work on?
Philo lists web browsers, iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung, VIZIO and LG TVs, and Chromecast via Android.
How many people can watch Philo at once?
Philo says both plans let you stream on up to 3 devices at once and create up to 10 profiles.
Is there a free version of Philo?
Yes. Philo says you can watch its Free Channels with no credit card required, and upgrade to a plan whenever you like.
Do I need a DVR box for Philo?
No. Philo says its DVR is built into the app, so there's no hardware to rent or set up.
Can I add channels during the Philo trial?
Philo offers add-ons such as Movies and More, ALLBLK and Hallmark+ on top of the Essential plan.
