Getting Netflix at no cost? Here’s how to snag a Netflix subscription for free

Mandatory quarantines in 2020 have made Netflix something of a vital necessity. While many streaming services compete for your attention, Netflix’s first-mover advantage has made it almost synonymous with streaming entertainment – like Texans calling all soft drinks “Cokes” or everyone naming all online searching “Googling”.

A more inconvenient side effect of the 2020 quarantines is reduced entertainment budgets. The pandemic (or political reactions to it) has made spending $8.99 to $17.99 a month for a Netflix subscription seem downright irresponsible to some. What many of us need is ways to watch Netflix for free.

Netflix trials?

Once upon a time, Netflix offered thirty-day trials. It was the easiest, most direct way to get Netflix for free. If you weren’t opposed to gaming the system, you could get multiple trials throughout the year using different email accounts.

That might be why Netflix doesn’t offer thirty-day free trials anymore,  replacing standard trials with limited access to popular selections in their catalog. Exploring the “Watch Free” section allows you to check out movies like Murder Mystery & Birdbox and TV episodes from Stranger Things & Love is Blind for free.

It’s worth noting that if you live outside the U.S., Netflix might still offer free thirty-day trials where you are. At any rate, your first stop in the quest to get Netflix for free should be the Netflix website itself.

T-Netflix

Another easy way to get Netflix for free is to combine your search for free streaming with your search for a mobile carrier. Assuming you don’t have anything against T-Mobile, the wireless network operator is your best bet to get Netflix without directly paying for it.

T-Mobile’s “Netflix on Us” program is available to customers who have two or more lines in some of their wireless plans. Magenta plans cover up to $8.99 of the Netflix basic subscription, allowing users to watch on one screen at a time in standard definition. ONE plans cover up to $10.99 of the Netflix Standard subscription: watch on two screens simultaneously in high definition.

Magenta Plus & ONE w/ ONE Plus plans cover up to $13.99 of the Netflix Standard subscription. T-Mobile customers on the Plus plans can also choose to upgrade to Netflix Premium, priced at $17.99 and Netflix on Us will cover up to $12.99, so users only have to pay the remaining $5.

Subletting, Netflix style

A less common – but more ingenious – way to get Netflix for free is signing up for an account then letting others use it with Netflix Cookies, while charging each less than what Netflix would charge them directly. Think of it as subletting your Netflix account.

Netflix allows you to create up to five separate profiles per account. Some users leverage this feature to separate their streaming choices from those of their spouses, roommates, etc. You can use the extra profiles to “rent” your Netflix to other people, and still keep a profile to yourself. Let your “tenants” split the monthly subscription fee and enjoy free Netflix.

An adjacent strategy to subletting is the tried & true “swap” with friends & family. If you happen to have access to other streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime, you’re likely to be able to share your login info to those services in return for someone else’s Netflix login info.

Rewards

If you don’t mind putting in some work to get Netflix for free, there’s always the option of using a website like Swagbucks or InboxDollars. These sites offer ways to accrue points – usually by filling out surveys & watching TV – you can eventually redeem in the form of Netflix subscriptions or Netflix gift cards (which you can use to pay for a subscription.)

Along the same lines, you can also try Google Opinion Rewards (as long as you’re an iOS user – Android users can only get their payment as Google Play credits) or Facebook Viewpoints. Both options feature ways to rack up credits by taking part in surveys (helping advertisers learn about their market). You can use your payment to open up a Netflix account!

—

Do you know of any other ways to get Netflix for free? Let us know in the comments!