Free trials are one of the easiest ways to explore a streaming service without paying for it upfront. They let you get a feel for the app, the library, the channels and the overall viewing experience.

The year 2025 comes with a good mix of options. Some services offer generous thirty day trials. Others let you browse for a week. Some allow you to test on demand shows while others focus on live channels.

If you want a clear picture of today’s best options, this guide walks you through the five platforms that are worth trying. You will see what each one offers, how long you can test it, what kind of viewer it suits and the benefits and drawbacks you should know before starting a trial.

After the individual sections, you will also find a lifestyle match guide to help you pick the service that makes sense for the way you watch TV.

Settle in. There is a lot to explore.

Our 5 Best Free Trial Streaming Services in 2025 at a Glance

This is the quick summary before we dive deeper.

• Sling TV
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video
• Philo
• fuboTV

These five services are among the strongest options because they still give new users a reasonable trial period. While some platforms have reduced or removed trials in recent years, these five remain reliable choices for testing before paying.

1. Sling TV

Sling TV stands out because it gives you access to live television in a flexible way. It is one of the earlier services to offer live channels without a traditional cable contract. Over the years it has built a large audience and a familiar interface. Most people pick Sling because they want live sports, news or lifestyle channels without paying for a full cable package.

What Sling TV Offers

Sling TV splits its channels into a few simple packages and add ons. This means you can pay for only the channels you care about. It focuses on live viewing, but it also offers on demand content. It is not a massive on demand library, but it does cover popular shows, movies and series from the channels included in your plan.

Sling also has a free tier that does not require any card information. This free version lets you browse some live channels and a library of on demand films and shows. It is not a full trial of the paid service, but it still gives you a real sense of how the service looks and feels.

In past years Sling offered short trials for its paid plans. Today the availability of a true free trial depends on the device you sign up with or the promotion being offered at that moment. Some regions or partner devices occasionally unlock a seven day trial. Others may not offer one at all. The free tier remains the safest way to try the platform without risk.

Who Sling TV Is Best For

Sling is ideal for people who want a taste of traditional television but with a lighter price tag. It works well for sports fans who want certain channels, viewers who watch cable news or anyone who likes the structure of live programming. The interface is simple and familiar, which makes it an easy platform to learn.

Strengths

• The free tier gives you a real look at the service.
• Live channels are the main attraction and Sling delivers them well.
• You can build your own plan by choosing add ons.
• Good for people who want cable style viewing without a cable bill.

Limitations

• The standard free trial is limited or not always available.
• The full channel list may require extra add ons.
• The on demand library is not as large as the major streaming giants.

Sling TV is a good place to begin if you want to explore live channels without commitment. The free tier helps you understand the platform immediately. If a free trial for the paid version is available during sign up, then you get even more value.

2. Hulu

Hulu is one of the strongest on demand platforms in the United States. It offers a wide range of shows, original content and a large rotating library of popular films. It is also home to many next day television episodes. This means a show that airs on cable or broadcast television often appears on Hulu shortly afterward.

Aside from on demand content, Hulu also has a live TV plan. This combines streaming with a full lineup of live channels. It is more expensive, but it gives you a complete cable style experience inside the Hulu app.

What Hulu Offers

Hulu gives new users a thirty day trial for its on demand plans. This is one of the longest trial periods available in 2025. Thirty days is more than enough time to test the app, explore the library and decide whether the service fits your routine.

If you choose the live TV plan, the trial terms depend on the promotion at that time. Some users may receive a short trial. Others may not receive a live TV trial at all. The on demand trial is the most consistent option.

Hulu’s library covers drama, comedy, lifestyle, reality shows, documentaries, original programming and a wide mix of current and classic titles. It is one of the best options for binge watchers.

Who Hulu Is Best For

Hulu suits viewers who love on demand content. If you want shows to watch at your own pace, this is a great choice. It also works well for people who like a steady stream of new releases and a library that changes often.

If you add the live TV plan, it becomes a strong alternative to cable. It includes a large channel list, cloud DVR and the same interface you already learned during your trial.

Strengths

• A full thirty days to explore the service.
• A deep and constantly updated library.
• A blend of current shows and older classics.
• Strong originals along with mainstream hits.

Limitations

• The live TV trial is not always available.
• Some of the most popular movies rotate frequently.
• You may feel overwhelmed by the huge library.

If you want a long trial period and a rich selection of content, Hulu is one of the best choices in the market. The thirty day on demand trial makes it extremely easy to try without pressure.

3. Amazon Prime Video

Many people use Prime Video without thinking about it because it comes bundled with Amazon Prime. The streaming service includes thousands of films and shows along with original content. It mixes free titles with options to rent or buy.

What Amazon Prime Video Offers

Amazon usually offers a thirty day trial for new Prime members. This trial gives you full access to Prime Video. It also includes the other Prime features such as fast shipping, music and reading benefits.

Of course the exact features vary by country. The main point is that the thirty day trial covers everything.

Because the trial covers the whole membership, you can explore Prime Video as much as you like during those thirty days. This is a generous amount of time to watch shows, test the interface and see how much of the library matches your taste.

Prime Video includes a range of genres. There are big name movies, original series, documentaries, reality shows, action films, science fiction, romance, thrillers and more. There are also channels you can add for an extra cost, but those add ons usually do not include a free trial unless a specific promotion is running.

Who Amazon Prime Video Is Best For

Prime Video works well for people who want a large library without paying individually for every platform. It suits families who want a mix of kids content and adult content. It also suits fans of original series.

If you already shop with Amazon, the full Prime membership may be worth keeping after the trial. If not, you still get a full month to enjoy the streaming side before deciding.

Strengths

• A full thirty day trial.
• A large and diverse library.
• Original series and exclusive films.
• A good mix of older and newer titles.
• Useful if you shop on Amazon.

Limitations

• The interface can feel crowded for some viewers.
• Some popular movies rotate behind a rental option.
• Add on channels cost extra.

Prime Video is one of the easiest platforms to recommend because the trial is long and the library has something for everyone. It is worth trying even if you do not plan to keep the full Prime membership.

4. Philo

Philo is a smaller service compared to the giants, but it fills an important niche. It focuses on entertainment channels rather than sports or local news. This creates a lighter and more affordable mix of live channels.

What Philo Offers

Philo offers a seven day free trial for new users. This trial gives you full access to the service. You can explore live channels, on demand content and features like cloud DVR.

The channel lineup usually includes lifestyle networks, cooking channels, home improvement channels, reality TV networks, true crime networks and a good amount of family friendly content. It is not built for sports or local news. Instead it focuses on casual viewing and light entertainment.

The on demand library includes episodes from the channels included in the plan and a selection of movies. It is not as large as Hulu or Prime Video, but it is more than enough to get value from the free trial.

Who Philo Is Best For

Philo suits people who enjoy relaxing television. If you watch shows like home renovation programs, cooking competitions, reality shows or simple evening entertainment, Philo works well. It is also a good choice for families who want calm content without the price of a major live TV service.

Strengths

• A clean seven day free trial.
• A simple lineup that is easy to understand.
• A friendly price once the trial ends.
• Great for casual entertainment.

Limitations

• No sports content.
• No local news channels.
• Smaller on demand library compared to larger platforms.

Philo is a refreshing option for anyone who wants a calm viewing experience. If you enjoy lifestyle content, this trial is worth using.

5. fuboTV

fuboTV is one of the most complete live TV streaming services available today. It includes a large range of channels and is especially strong for sports. It offers coverage of major leagues, international sports, tournaments and events. It also carries entertainment, news and lifestyle channels.

What fuboTV Offers

fuboTV usually offers a trial of five to seven days. The exact number can change depending on the plan or promotion. The trial gives you full access to channels, cloud DVR and the entire interface.

The library includes live broadcasts, on demand episodes, movies and sports replays. The strength of fuboTV is the channel lineup. It is one of the most complete collections you can get without signing a traditional cable contract.

Once the trial ends, the service is on the higher end in terms of price. This makes the free trial especially useful because you can test the channel list and the viewing experience before paying.

Who fuboTV Is Best For

fuboTV is ideal for sports fans. If you follow football, basketball, international soccer, golf, racing, tennis or other sports, this service offers a wide range of channels and events. It also suits people who want a cable style experience in general.

Strengths

• A true trial that gives you full access.
• Excellent sports coverage.
• A wide range of live channels.
• Reliable streaming quality.

Limitations

• The trial is shorter than some platforms.
• The service is one of the more expensive options.
• The amount of content may feel overwhelming at first.

fuboTV remains one of the top choices for live television, especially if sports are part of your routine.

Match Your Streaming Services to Your Lifestyle

With so many choices available today, the best way to select your service is to consider how you watch television. Just because a platform is popular does not mean it fits your habits. Here are a few questions to guide you.

What type of viewer are you

Think about what you normally watch. Do you watch movies and series in long sessions. Do you follow sports. Do you prefer background television. Do you switch channels. The answer helps you match your personality to the right service.

Do you prefer on demand or live channels

On demand content is best for people who watch in bursts or enjoy binging. Live television is best for people who follow news, sports or structured schedules.

How long do you want to try the service

Some platforms give you thirty days. Others offer only seven. If you want time to test the service slowly, a longer trial is ideal.

How many people will use the service

If you have a household with different tastes, you might prefer a large library like Hulu or Prime Video. If you live alone and prefer quiet background viewing, Philo may be the better choice.

What is your budget after the trial

Some services become expensive after the trial ends. This is something to keep in mind so you do not feel pressured to cancel at the last minute.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best place to stream the Champions League in 2025 depends heavily on your country, because broadcast rights differ from region to region. But if your main goal is to test streaming platforms to see which ones fit your viewing needs, these five services offer some of the best free trials available today.

Sling TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, and fuboTV each bring something different to the table. Some focus on entertainment, others on sports, and some offer a blend of both. Whether you care about football, movies, or everyday TV, a free trial gives you the chance to explore without pressure.

If you want, I can also write a regional version of this guide tailored to the country where you plan to watch the Champions League.