Start 2026 With 3 or 30 Days of Free Streaming and Gain Access to Thousands of Titles With a Hulu Free Trial

How does the 30-Day Hulu Free Trial Work

Once you sign up, you're able to explore Hulu's full platform just like a paying subscriber can. Browse between genres, the immense series library, and discover all your favorite shows and movies.

The Hulu Basic Plan free trial gives you 30 days (a full month!) to experience thousands of titles across Hulu’s on-demand library before deciding if you want to continue your subscription.

What You Need To Know about the Hulu Free Trial (30-Day)

Eligibility for the free trial: For the typical 30-day Hulu streaming video on-demand (SVOD) free trial, you need to be a new subscriber who hasn't had an active Hulu subscription in the past month.

What information Hulu requires: You'll enter your current and valid billing information to start your free trial on Hulu. You won't be charged until your free trial with Hulu has completed. You need to cancel before the 30-day trial period ends to avoid being charged (don't forget to set a reminder).

Be wary of modifying your Hulu free trial plan: Altering, upgrading, or changing your Basic/On-demand streaming free trial could result in immediate charges. Always read the fine print before you check out.

How the Hulu + Live TV 3-Day Free Trial Works

Once you sign up, same as the above just for the live TV plan, you'll get immediate access to 95+ live TV channels, Disney+ (With Ads), ESPN Select, and Hulu's entire on-demand library. Stream live sports, breaking news, and current shows just like a paying subscriber.

The Hulu + Live TV free trial gives you 3 full days to experience live TV, unlimited DVR, and thousands of on-demand shows and movies before your subscription begins at $89.99/month.

What You Need To Know about the Hulu + Live TV Free Trial

Eligibility for the free trial: The 3-day trial is available to new subscribers and eligible returning subscribers who haven't had an active Hulu + Live TV subscription recently.

What's included: The same access as a paying subscriber to 95+ live channels including ABC, ESPN, CBS, NBC, and FOX, plus Disney+ (With Ads), ESPN Select content, unlimited DVR storage, and the complete Hulu streaming library.

After the trial: Your subscription automatically continues at $89.99/month unless you cancel. You can cancel anytime online with no hidden fees or equipment returns. Don't forget to set a reminder on your phone if you don't want to be charged.

Tips for Sharing and Making the Most of Your Hulu Free Trial

All plans allow you to stream on two screens simultaneously, so you can share your free Hulu trial with someone else in your household. Don't forget about the extra content on Disney Plus and ESPN Plus with the bundle offering.

Hulu’s 30-day free trial is available for its ad-supported plan and not the Hulu (No Ads) plan. Only the No Ads option allows you to download content for offline viewing, so you'll need to sign up for this plan outside of a free trial if you need this ability.

Right now, Hulu + Live TV has returned with its highly sought-after 3-day free trial that includes access to 95+ live channels like ABC, ESPN, FOX, and NBC, plus the entire Hulu streaming library, Disney+ (With Ads), and ESPN Select - all for $89.99/month after the trial ends.

And with the special opportunity to test out Hulu's Live TV plans, it's a perfect time to watch the NBA and NHL seasons, as we inch closer to the playoffs.

How To Sign Up for the Hulu Free Trial in 2026

Hulu’s free trial is only available to new and eligible returning subscribers, so if you’ve used your email to sign up for Hulu before, you won’t be able to enjoy another free trial.

Let's take you through the sign-up process for a free trial:

Navigate to the Hulu Signup Page

Select your Hulu Free Trial Plan

Here's where you can try the Basic Hulu Plan with ads for 30 days for free, or choose Hulu + Live TV for 3 days.

Sign Up With the Email Address You Would Like Assigned to Your Account

This email will also be used for your Disney Plus and ESPN Plus login. If you already have accounts with these platforms, make sure they are all under the same email.

Enter Your Billing Info You’d Like To Use for the Hulu Free Trial

Remember, you won't be charged until your free trial is over. After you enter in your billing info, scroll a little further down the page and press the button to subscribe and start your free trial!

Set a Reminder for a Day Before Your Free Trial Will End

Ensure you set a reminder for a day or two before your 30-day Hulu free trial is up. This way, you can choose whether to move forward with becoming a full-time subscriber or explore other streaming platforms. 

Hulu’s Free Trial Compared to Other Streaming Service Providers in 2026

Hulu is the only major streaming platform to offer a full 30-day trial and a 3-day free trial for its Hulu + Live TV plan. Many streamers have stopped offering free trials entirely or only offer shorter testing periods. 

Netflix and Peacock, for example, no longer offer free trials, while Paramount Plus and Fubo allow users to test them out for a week. DIRECTV's free trial is a 5-day period. Sling TV doesn't offer a free trial, but it does provide new subscribers with 50% off their first month.

The Hulu 30-day free trial gives you much longer to explore its on-demand library than the typical free trial lengths you get with other competitors. Plus. no risk or commitment is involved. 

Hulu's + Live TV has returned with its 3-day free trial. Snag it now, because it was off the table for over a month!

Subscribing to Hulu Once the Free Trial Expires

After your 30-day free trial of Hulu ends, you’ll automatically begin paying your monthly subscription fee on the credit card you used to sign up to continue using the service, amounting to $11.99 per month.

Comprehensive Chart of Hulu Plans and Prices (Updated 2026)

The primary difference between these plans is that the no-ads plan allows you to watch most on-demand content ad-free once you've signed up and paid. You can also download content for offline viewing with the no-ads plan. In either case, you’ll have full access to Hulu’s library of shows and movies.

Hulu + Live TV plans include access to more than 100 live TV channels, along with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.

Hulu’s Student Discount for $1.99 per Month

Hulu has a special deal, just for the college students out there. With the Hulu Student Deal, students get the Hulu (With Ads) plan for 75% off the regular price, bringing the monthly price down to just $1.99 per month. (Only students enrolled at a US Title IV accredited college or university are eligible for our Hulu Student discount.)

To get the deal, click on “Sign Up Now” on the Hulu Student page and create an account. You’ll be redirected to Sheer ID to verify your student status. Then, you can start streaming Hulu content on a smart TV, computer, tablet, mobile device, or game console.

Is the Hulu Free Trial Worth It?

The Hulu free trial 30 days grants full access to one of the best on-demand libraries available. And now, Hulu + Live TV's 3-day free trial has returned, so you can test-drive the ultimate cable replacement with no strings attached. 

With nothing to lose by testing out the service, you can explore countless shows and movies with no commitment to make the choice if Hulu is right for you. 

With most people staying signed up post free trial, there's no doubt that the Hulu free trial is worth it for subscribers. If you don't love it, as long as you cancel your plan before the end of the trial period, you won’t pay a dime. This is still one of the best offers you can find from any streaming service.

FAQ

What Free Trials Does Hulu Have Right Now?

We're back in action! Hulu has returned with two free trial options. For streaming on-demand Hulu content, you'll get an ads-supported (it shows you ads) 30-day free trial and for Hulu + Live TV, you'll get a 3-day ads-supported free trial.

Does Hulu Offer a 30-Day Free Trial?

Absolutely! Hulu gives you a 30-day free trial of its basic plan, which means you'll see some ads while you watch. After the 30 days are up, it costs $11.99/month. If you don’t want to be charged, just make sure to set a reminder to cancel before your trial ends.

How Can I Get Hulu for Free Without Paying?

You can get Hulu for free without breaking the bank by trying the 30-day basic free trial. For Hulu + Live TV, check out the newly re-added 3-day free trial. Unfortunately, you won't have luck swapping in new emails, and trying to gain infinite free trials (this isn't the way to go). Take your time exploring the platform. If it's a good fit, it's well worth the money.

Can I Still Use the Hulu Free Trial if I Cancel Before the 30-Day Trial Period Ends?

Yes, you can! You'll find mixed answers online, but the truth is that if you cancel, whether it's 10 days into the trial or just 2 days in, your free trial will still continue for the full 30 days. The cancellation status will be marked as "pending" until the 30 days are over.

Is Hulu $1 for 3 Months?

Originally, Hulu offered a stellar deal of trying 3 months of Hulu for $1. This promotional offer is no longer offered, but that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the current free trials.

How Much Does It Cost To Add Disney Plus to Hulu?

Subscribers can add Disney Plus to Hulu starting at $12.99/month with ads or $19.99/month without ads.