Netflix is the world‘s leading streaming entertainment service, offering unlimited movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more. However, with standard plans starting at $9.99 per month, Netflix subscriptions can become costly over time. This prompts many people to seek out free Netflix accounts to save money.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore multiple methods to access free Netflix accounts and memberships legally.
Why Do People Want Free Netflix Accounts?
Here are the top reasons that free Netflix accounts are highly sought-after:
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Save Money – Netflix pricing ranges from $9.99 to $19.99 per month for paid plans. For budget-conscious consumers, especially students, that ongoing subscription fee can be prohibitive. A free account provides all the Netflix benefits without the financial outlay.
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Preview the Service – A free Netflix account enables people to test out the streaming service first to evaluate the content selection and features before paying. This "try before you buy" approach helps avoid buyer‘s remorse.
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Unlock Restricted Content – Netflix‘s media library varies by country, with some titles available abroad but blocked in other regions. A free account lets you circumvent geographic restrictions to stream exclusive international content.
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Share Access – Many people use free accounts to share Netflix access with family and friends. This allows multiple households to enjoy the service without each paying for their own subscription.
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Limited Free Trials – Historically, Netflix offered extensive free trial periods. However, as of 2020, Netflix no longer provides free trials for new subscribers in the U.S., Canada, and other major countries. This makes free accounts more appealing.
The allure of free Netflix is clear. But are there still legitimate ways to access it in 2022? Let‘s find out.
4 Ways to Get Netflix for Free Legally
While Netflix has cracked down on illicit account sharing and free trials, there remain a few legal ways to enjoy Netflix without paying monthly fees.
1. Free Mobile Phone Plan Perks
Certain mobile phone carriers offer free Netflix subscriptions as an extra benefit on select data plans.
For example:
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T-Mobile – Most T-Mobile plans with 2 or more lines include a free Netflix Basic (1-screen SD) subscription, saving $9.99/month. Simply sign up through T-Mobile and link your Netflix account.
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Verizon – Top-tier Verizon unlimited plans offer 6 months or 12 months of free Netflix Premium (4 screens + 4K). You must activate within the provided timeframe.
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AT&T – AT&T Unlimited Elite wireless plans include a free HBO Max subscription, which bundles in free access to the Netflix Standard plan.
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Telcel (Mexico) – Amigo Sin Límite and Superior Prepaid Telcel plans include an Essential Netflix subscription.
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Vodafone (Europe) – RED plans on Vodafone Spain and Italy include a free Netflix subscription. Vodafone Germany plans offer 6 free months.
Check with carriers in your region to see if they offer any free Netflix perks with certain mobile plans.
2. Netflix Free Trial Offers
While Netflix officially discontinued its 30-day free trial option for new subscribers in the U.S. and other countries, it still occasionally offers free trial promotions:
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New Subscriber Offers – Netflix sometimes advertises 1-month free trials to attract new users in select countries. These deals are not publicly listed but may appear during sign-up.
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Returning Subscribers – Previous Netflix subscribers may get special offers like 1-3 months free when reactivating a canceled account. Netflix lures back these one-time customers with freebies.
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Student Offers – Students at certain U.S. colleges/universities can unlock up to 12 months of free Netflix through their school email addresses. Offer availability varies by institution.
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Partner Promotions – Netflix sometimes partners with consumer brands to offer free month codes with purchases. For example, Netflix previously teamed with Coca-Cola to provide free months on Coke bottle caps.
Keep an eye out for any short-term free Netflix deals and take advantage before they expire!
3. Netflix Account Sharing
Account sharing is an extremely common way users access Netflix for free. The steps are simple:
- Ask a friend or family member who pays for Netflix if you can use their login.
- Obtain their email and password to sign into Netflix on your own device.
- Enjoy Netflix without paying!
Netflix‘s standard plan allows 2 simultaneous streams while the premium plan permits 4. So account sharing works seamlessly for multiple households to share one subscription.
However, Netflix is cracking down on rampant account sharing violating its Terms of Service. The company may restrict sharing beyond one household. Still, judicious account sharing remains a popular way to access free Netflix today.
4. Free Netflix Programs and Perks
Less mainstream ways to get free Netflix include:
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Scholarships – Organizations like StandForBC offer scholarships for high school students that include 12 months of free Netflix.
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Credit Card Rewards – Some travel/rewards credit cards give sign-up points redeemable for Netflix gift cards.
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Employee Perks – Select companies provide free Netflix subscription codes as a work benefit in lieu of raises or bonuses.
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Prizes/Giveaways – Contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways sometimes offer free Netflix subscriptions as prizes.
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Student Discounts – While not free, students get 25% off Netflix plans, reducing the cost to just $7.49 per month.
If you‘re lucky, you may be able to snag one of these limited free Netflix offers.
Key Considerations About Free Netflix Accounts
While gaining free access to Netflix is great in theory, here are some caveats to keep in mind:
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Netflix actively targets shared accounts being accessed outside of the primary owner‘s household, which could lead to free account access being blocked.
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Mobile carrier and promotional deals typically only provide Netflix‘s Basic (SD) plan, limiting video quality and number of concurrent streams.
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Utilizing VPNs or proxies to access Netflix from other geographic regions violates Netflix‘s Terms and could get accounts banned.
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Free accounts limit downloading options for offline viewing compared to paid accounts.
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Scholarships, rewards programs, contests etc. providing free Netflix are extremely competitive to actually win or qualify for.
The reality is that while free opportunities exist, nothing beats the functionality of having your own paid Netflix account if you plan to use the service regularly.
Should You Pay for Your Own Netflix Account?
While accessing Netflix for free may seem very appealing initially, here are key benefits to getting your own paid subscription:
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No Limits on Devices – Paid accounts allow Netflix viewing on PCs, phones, tablets, smart TVs, and more with no device restrictions.
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HD and 4K Streaming – Only paid accounts unlock Netflix‘s best HD and 4K Ultra HD video quality options for a superior viewing experience.
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Unlimited Profiles – Paid subscribers can create multiple personalized viewing profiles for each user.
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Enhanced Security – Paying for your own account gives you control over login information and prevents risks associated with account sharing.
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Simultaneous Streams – Netflix‘s premium plan allows you to watch on 4 different devices concurrently – perfect for bigger households.
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Unrestricted Access – A paid subscription means 24/7 unlimited access to Netflix‘s full content library without worrying about licenses expiring.
For heavy Netflix users, a paid subscription is a worthwhile investment, starting at just $9.99 per month. But occasional viewers can still benefit from leveraging the free options when possible.
Top Sites to Find Shared Free Netflix Accounts and Passwords
While I don‘t recommend abusing shared accounts long-term, here are helpful sites that aggregate freely shared Netflix account login credentials:
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Reddit – Subreddits like r/NetflixShare and r/NetflixAccounts provide shared accounts
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Safaribookings – Large database of shared entertainment accounts, including many Netflix logins
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UserPass – Posts continually updated shared Netflix accounts collected from various sources
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Mobilax – Lists shared free accounts for Netflix, Spotify, Hulu and more media services
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Pastebin – Users upload .txt files of shared accounts. Search "Netflix" to find free logins.
Use at your own discretion, since account sharing violates Netflix TOS. Treat any shared accounts as temporary free trials.
Closing Thoughts on Getting Netflix Free
While Netflix no longer offers an easy free trial, legal options like mobile plan perks, limited-time promotions, account sharing, and special programs provide opportunities to access Netflix for free or at big discounts.
Take advantage of these free offers when possible, but the benefits of paid accounts often outweigh inconveniences of limited free Netflix options for frequent streamers. Consider sharing the costs of a subscription with family or friends in order to unlock superior viewing benefits if the full monthly fees are unaffordable for you alone.
With creativity and persistence, you can avoid paying full price for Netflix while still enjoying your favorite movies and shows. But carefully weigh the pros and cons of free vs paid accounts based on your usage habits.
No matter what, refrain from illegal methods like unauthorized account sharing, password selling/trading, or manipulating Netflix‘s systems with VPNs, mods or cracks. Leverage only legitimate means to lighten the cost of your Netflix bill. Then sit back and delight in bingeing Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Glass Onion on Netflix for less!