Netflix is bringing back the free trial to attract new subscribers. Six years after dropping the 30-day offer, users in some countries now see a sign-up screen with 15 or 30 days free. Netflix confirmed the feature is back but hasn’t made a big announcement.
Netflix is testing the free trial with select new users in a few countries, including India. If your account, device, and location match Netflix’s criteria, you’ll see the offer. If not, you won’t qualify. Gadgets 360 found that creating a new Netflix account with a new email in India may show a ‘Try 30 days for ₹0’ prompt. Some users only get a 15-day trial, so Netflix appears to be testing which length leads to more paid sign-ups.
Netflix chose this time to bring back free trials. After cracking down on password sharing, adding ads, and raising prices, Netflix is looking for new users. For millions of price-sensitive people in India who never signed up or left after the free trial ended in 2020, this offer gives them an easy way to try Netflix again.
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Netflix took away in 2020
Netflix used to offer a 30-day free trial in most markets, including India, when it first expanded globally. The idea was simple: let people try the catalog, get interested, and sign up. It worked. By 2020, Netflix had gained so many new subscribers during the pandemic that it stopped offering free trials. The company decided that its content alone, like Squid Game, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton, would bring in new users.
That approach worked for a while, but the situation has changed. In India, Netflix faces tough competition from cheaper services like JioCinema, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video. A free trial, especially one that lasts 30 days, lowers the price barrier for new users. With the mobile plan starting at ₹149 per month, this matters to many people.
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How to claim the Netflix free trial and where to be careful
Eligibility check:
- You must create a new Netflix account using an email address that has not been used on the platform before.
- The offer appears automatically during sign-up if your account, device, and location are deemed eligible. There’s no code or separate landing page.
- If you don’t see the “Try 30 days for ₹0” or “15-day free trial” option, you’re not in the current test cohort. Netflix hasn’t disclosed which factors determine eligibility.
Steps to sign up:
- Visit the Netflix website or download the app.
- Create a new account with a new email address.
- Look for the free trial offer on the plan selection screen.
- Choose a plan: Mobile, Basic, Standard, or Premium. The trial applies to whichever plan you pick.
- Add a valid payment method: debit card, credit card, or supported UPI option.
- Complete sign-up and start streaming. You won’t be charged during the trial.
Netflix enables AutoPay by default. When your trial ends, your plan renews, and your payment method is charged unless you cancel first. This is the same system Netflix used before 2020. Set a reminder if you only want to try the service.
why Netflix is doing this now
Netflix now earns more from its ad-supported tier and from stopping password sharing. But subscriber growth has slowed in mature markets, and India still has plenty of potential users. A free trial is a low-cost way to get new sign-ups. It costs Netflix some bandwidth and licensing fees, but it often turns undecided users into paying members.
Netflix is testing both 15- and 30-day trials to see which one works better. The company is likely tracking sign-ups, watch time, and how many keep paying. If 30 days proves too generous, Netflix might switch to 15. If shorter trials push people away, 30 days could become the standard in price-sensitive markets.
For now, the free trial is back for some users, but Netflix is not making a big announcement. Netflix is restoring a perk it once removed. No one knows how long this offer will last.
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