STARZ only offers a free trial some of the time. Its terms say STARZ decides the timing, availability and eligibility of any trial, and you're limited to one. As of October 2026, the offer on the STARZ sign-up page is a discount that, in STARZ's words, "does not include free trial", so check which button you're pressing before you sign up.
People search for a STARZ free trial expecting a fixed seven days. The reality is that STARZ runs trials and discount offers in rotation, and the two usually don't stack. Here's how to tell which one you're getting and how to make sure a trial never turns into a charge you didn't plan.
STARZ trial or discount: what's on offer
STARZ's help centre says the sign-up button on its website can read "Sign Up Now", "Get STARZ", "Start Your Free Trial" or "Claim Special Offer". Only one of those is a trial. As of October 2026 the sign-up page showed:
| Option on starz.com | What STARZ says |
|---|---|
| Special offer | A discount for the first 3 months; STARZ says the offer does not include a free trial |
| After the offer | Rolls to month-to-month at the then current price, currently $11.99/month plus applicable taxes, unless cancelled |
| Prepay option | $29.99 for 12 months |
| Free trial | Only when STARZ chooses to run one; terms set out in the offer itself |
So if you see Claim Special Offer, you're paying from day one at the discounted rate. If you see Start Your Free Trial, the trial rules below apply.
The STARZ free trial rules, from its own terms
- One trial only. You're limited to one Trial Subscription, and STARZ or the distributor decides whether you've already had one.
- Card up front. You must give a valid payment method, but STARZ says it won't be charged during the trial.
- Automatic charge. If you don't cancel before the trial expires, the subscription fee is charged when it ends.
- No reminder promised. STARZ says it isn't obligated to notify you that your trial is ending, except where the law requires it.
- A hard deadline. To avoid the charge you must cancel before midnight Eastern time on the last day of the trial.
That last point catches people in the UK, Australia and on the US west coast. Midnight Eastern is 9pm Pacific, so if you're in California and wait until bedtime on the last day, you've already missed it. Your trial end date sits under Settings in the STARZ service if you signed up on starz.com, or in your account with the company that bills you if you didn't.
Signed up through someone else? Different rules apply
STARZ is sold directly on starz.com and through distributors, such as Amazon or a TV provider. Its terms treat both the same way on trials: either STARZ or the distributor can decide whether to offer one, and either can decide whether you've had one before. The practical differences are where you look and where you cancel.
- Trial end date: under Settings in the STARZ service for starz.com sign-ups; in your distributor account for everything else.
- Cancelling: on starz.com or in the STARZ app for direct sign-ups; with the distributor otherwise, using their steps.
- Offer terms: STARZ says the terms of each trial are set out in the marketing that comes with it, so screenshot the offer when you sign up.
That screenshot is the only record you'll have of the trial length if a dispute ever comes up, so it's worth the two seconds it takes.
How to cancel STARZ during the trial
On a computer (STARZ recommends this)
- Go to starz.com and select log in at the top of the screen.
- Select the user icon at the top right and choose Settings.
- Under Billing Plan and Information, select Cancel Subscription on the right.
- Follow the on-screen steps and select Submit.
In the STARZ app
- Open the app and log in.
- Select More at the bottom right, then Settings, then Account Management.
- Under My Subscription, select Cancel Subscription. It opens your phone's browser to finish.
- Complete the steps and select Submit. You may be asked why you're cancelling.
If you signed up through Amazon or another distributor, cancel with them. Cancelling on starz.com won't stop a bill that comes from somewhere else.
Getting the most out of a STARZ trial
- Pick the series you want to finish before you start the trial, so every free day counts.
- Set two reminders: one the day before the trial ends and one at lunchtime on the last day, in Eastern time.
- Cancel as soon as you've decided rather than waiting for the last evening. The cancel steps take a couple of minutes on starz.com.
- If a trial isn't on offer and you only want one show, compare the 3-month discount against the prepay option before committing.
If you're weighing STARZ against other streamers, my Peacock free trial guide shows how a rival handles trials, and the Netflix alternatives roundup covers what else is worth a look.
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My verdict
A STARZ free trial is worth taking when the website shows Start Your Free Trial. Don't assume one exists, because the current discount explicitly excludes it. If you do get a trial, cancel a day early and remember the deadline is midnight Eastern, not your local midnight. STARZ says it doesn't have to remind you, so the reminder has to be yours.
For a quieter, mystery-led alternative, have a look at the Acorn TV offer.
Frequently asked questions
Does STARZ have a free trial right now?
Not always. STARZ's terms say it decides the timing, availability and eligibility of any trial. As of October 2026 its sign-up page showed a discount offer that does not include a free trial.
Does STARZ charge my card during the free trial?
No. STARZ says you must give a valid payment method but it won't be charged during the trial. The subscription fee is charged when the trial expires unless you cancel first.
What time does a STARZ free trial end?
To avoid charges, STARZ says you must cancel before midnight Eastern time on the last day of your trial.
Will STARZ remind me before my trial ends?
STARZ says it isn't obligated to notify you that your trial is ending, except where the law requires it, so set your own reminder.
Can I get a second STARZ free trial?
No. The terms limit you to one Trial Subscription, and STARZ or the distributor decides whether you've used one before.
