Do you love movies and shows, but don’t want to pay for another streaming service? The good news is that Starz offers a free trial, and that’s a game-changer.
You can stream premium content at no cost.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to start your Starz free trial, what to watch, and how to cancel if needed.
We’ll also share tips to make the most of it—and even some great alternatives.
Read on!
What’s the Deal with Starz?
Starz has come a long way since 1994. It started as a simple cable channel. Now, it’s a global streaming platform. You can watch it through its own app. And yes—it’s packed with hit shows and movies. You’ll find it in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and more.Think original shows like Power, BMF, and P-Valley, as well as a huge lineup of classic to recent blockbuster movies.
By 2025, Starz will have over 29 million subscribers worldwide, and that number keeps growing, according to their latest report [source: Starz official stats]. Why? Because it’s completely ad-free, easy to use, and offers exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else.
But here’s the big question: Can you try it out without paying upfront? Of course you can, and I’ll show you how.
Does Starz Offer a Free Trial in 2025?
As of now, there is no standalone free trial directly on Starz’s website. They used to offer a 7-day free trial, but this year, they’ve switched gears. Instead, they’re offering some pretty attractive deals – like $5/month for the first three months or the annual plan for $36 upfront (which is just $3/month!).
That might sound crazy to many of them.
Still, if you’re set on trying Starz for free, don’t worry – there are ways to get a trial through other platforms. Here’s what you can do.
Where to Grab a Starz Free Trial
Starz partners with other streaming services to offer free trials as an add-on. Here’s the rundown:
- Hulu – Hulu gives you a 30-day free trial for their base plan (starting at $7.99/month after), and you can add Starz with a 7-day free trial on top. That’s a week to binge Starz content alongside Hulu’s massive library.
- Amazon Prime Video – If you’re a Prime member (or new to it), you can get a 30-day Prime trial, then add Starz with a 7-day free trial. Post-trial, Starz costs $10.99/month on top of your Prime fee.
- DIRECTV STREAM – This one’s a goldmine! New subscribers to their Entertainment or Choice packages get three months of Starz free alongside other premium channels like Max and Cinemax. After that, it’s $11/month.
- Roku Channel – Got a Roku device? Register a new one, and you can score a 7-day Starz free trial through their platform.
- FuboTV – Fubo offers a 7-day free trial for their service, and you can tack on Starz for free during that week too.
Pro Tip: Before signing up, double-check the trial length on each platform’s website. Promotions can shift, and I’ve seen Hulu extend theirs to 14 days during holidays once!
How to Sign Up for a Starz Free Trial
Getting started is super easy. Let’s take Hulu as an example since it’s a popular choice:
- Head to Hulu’s website or app.
- Sign up for their 30-day free trial (you’ll need a credit card, but you won’t be charged yet).
- Add Starz as an add-on during setup—it’ll say “7-day free trial” next to it.
- Hit confirm, and boom—you’re streaming Starz in minutes!
The process is similar for Amazon, Roku, or Fubo. Just look for the “Add Starz” option and make sure the trial is active. One thing I’ve learned: set a reminder on your phone for the trial’s end date. It’s a lifesaver to avoid surprise charges!
What You Get with a Starz Free Trial
So, if you sign up for the free trial, you might be curious what you get in it and what real benefits you get. A lot! During your trial, you can unlock everything that Starz has to offer for premium users. Let’s find out here.
- Original Series: Watch hits like Outlander (over 75 episodes across 7 seasons by 2025), Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Three Women.
- Movies: From John Wick to Spider-Man: Homecoming, they have over 7,000 titles [source: Starz Library Stats].
- No Ads: Watch without interruptions – pure bliss.
- Downloads: Save shows or movies to watch offline. It’s perfect for long road trips!
According to the experience shared by users on the internet, the quality is fantastic, and downloading episodes is a game-changer and there is no buffering and the content and user interface/navigation is awesome.
Valuable Stats That Show Starz’s Worth
If you still want more, then these stats might blow your mind after knowing about the value of Starz. These are research-based statements that might differ in some numbers but given the actual reality. Let’s find out
- 29 million+ subscribers as of May 2021, with a steady increase since then [Source: Starz Report].
- Over 80% of users say original content keeps them hooked [Source: Streaming Observer Survey, 2024].
- 7-day trial users are 60% more likely to subscribe long term than non-trial users [Source: Internal Streaming Analytics, 2023].
These stats prove that Starz isn’t just hype – it delivers result.
Useful Tips to Maximize Your Starz Free Trial
Here’s some advice from my own trial adventures:
- Make a Watch List: Before you start, browse Starz’s library and pick 3-5 must-sees. I wasted a day scrolling once—don’t be me!
- Test Offline Mode: Download a movie or episode right away to see how it works. It’s clutch for spotty Wi-Fi zones.
- Stream on Multiple Devices: Starz lets you use up to 4 screens at once. Share with family or test it on your phone, TV, and tablet.
- Cancel Early if Unsure: You can ditch the trial anytime and still use it until the end. I canceled on day 6 once and watched Power guilt-free on day 7.
Useful Tip: If you’re into marathons, wait for a show’s full season to drop—like Outlander Season 8, expected late 2025—so you can binge it all in your trial week.
Alternatives to Starz Free Trial: Top 5 Options
Don’t worry if Starz isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options available. Here are five other streaming services offering free trials in 2025:
- HBO Max – No trial now, but their $9.99/month plan has House of the Dragon.
- Showtime – 30-day free trial with gems like Yellowjackets.
- MGM Plus – 7-day trial, great for classic movie buffs.
- Paramount+ – 7-day trial, home to Star Trek and more.
- Peacock – Free tier with ads, or a 7-day premium trial for $5.99/month after.
Each has its own flavor—Showtime’s trial is the longest, while Peacock’s free tier is a no-cost teaser.
FAQs About the Starz Free Trial
Q1. How long is the Starz free trial?
It’s usually 7 days through partners like Hulu or Amazon, but DIRECTV STREAM offers 3 months with certain plans.
Q2. Can I get another free trial if I’ve used one before?
Nope, trials are for new users only. But if it’s been over a year, some platforms might let you sneak back in—worth a shot!
Q3. Will Starz charge me after the trial?
Yes, unless you cancel before it ends. Hulu, for example, jumps to $10.99/month for Starz post-trial.
Q4. What’s the best way to watch Starz for free?
Bundle it with Hulu or Amazon’s trial. You get more bang for your buck with their base content too.
Q5. Does Starz have live TV?
Yes! You can stream their live channels, like Starz East or West, during the trial.
Final Thoughts: Is the Starz Free Trial Worth It?
If you want to get it, just go to the Starz website or app. Click “Start your free trial.” Sign up, add your payment information, and you’re in! Enjoy 7 days free. While it’s not available alone yet, with partners like Hulu, Amazon, or DIRECTV STREAM, you can still join for free. With exclusive shows, a thick movie catalog, and no ads, it can be the awesome option for a week-long binge or a three-month splurge.
If you’re still on the fence, let’s play a game. You can take a trial, watch Outlander or John Wick, and see if it clicks. If it doesn’t click, cancel without a hassle.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.