paramount plus free trial
Paramount+ Free Trial Update (as of January 2026): No direct free trial is available anymore, but smart workarounds exist amid the recent price changes.
Quick Scoop
Paramount+ ended its standard 7-day free trial for new subscribers on January 15, 2026, coinciding with a price hike on both Essential (now $8.99/month) and Premium ($13.99/month) plans. This shift aligns with broader streaming trends where services phase out trials to boost paid subs, especially as Paramount+ adds UFC events starting this month—no PPV fees needed. Existing annual subscribers lock in old rates ($79.99 Essential, $119.99 Premium yearly), making now a last-chance signup window.
Current Ways to Try Paramount+ Free
Direct trials are gone, but bundled options keep entry low-risk:
- Walmart+ Bundle : New Walmart+ members get a 30-day free trial including Paramount+ Essential access, plus grocery delivery perks—perfect for testing without commitment.
- DirecTV or Partner Perks : Some cable/streaming bundles (e.g., via DirecTV) offer free Paramount+ tiers; check eligibility if you're already subscribed elsewhere.
- Annual Pre-Hike Deal : Sign up yearly before rates jump to save $30+ upfront—no trial, but effectively a "free month" equivalent vs. monthly billing.
Plan| Old Monthly Price| New Monthly (Post-Jan 15)| Annual Savings Tip
---|---|---|---
Essential (ads)| $7.99| $8.99| Lock $79.99/year now 17
Premium (ad-free + Showtime)| $12.99| $13.99| Lock $119.99/year 57
Forum Buzz & Trending Views
Reddit threads (e.g., r/cordcutters, r/Yellowjackets) light up with hacks like Walmart+ trials or sharing logins, but users warn of auto-renew traps—cancel early!
"Paramount's killing the trial right before UFC? Sneaky, but Walmart+ is a solid free ride." – Recent YouTube commenter vibe
Others gripe about the hike amid 79M+ subs, yet praise value for live sports and RuPaul's Drag Race S18. UK users still snag 7-day trials via Amazon Prime, sparking envy in US forums.
Why the Change & What's Next?
Price bumps fund UFC exclusivity and originals, per reports—smart for retention but tough on wallets. Speculation: Trials might return seasonally, as past 30-day promos did. Pro tip: Use a VPN for global deals if traveling, or stack with CBS All Access remnants.
TL;DR : Free trials axed Jan 15; grab Walmart+ 30-day freebie or annual lock-in ASAP. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.