Independent guide Not affiliated with Hulu or The Walt Disney Company. Pricing and eligibility verified April 2026, subject to change. Always confirm at hulu.com before signing up.
Verizon free Disney Bundle enrolment closes: 31 May 2026 Check if you qualify

Verified April 2026

Does Hulu still have a
free trial in 2026?

Yes. The 30-day trial is back on Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) for new and eligible returning subscribers. It is not available on any Disney Bundle, and Hulu + Live TV offers only 3 days.

The honest 30-second summary

+
Hulu (With Ads)
30 days free
$9.99/mo after
+
Hulu (No Ads)
30 days free
$18.99/mo after
~
Hulu + Live TV
3 days free
$82.99/mo after
x
Disney Bundle (any tier)
No trial
From $10.99/mo
Returning subscribers must have been away 12+ months
Payment method required - no charge until trial ends

Which plan should I pick for my trial?

Both 30-day plans give full access to the same on-demand library. Hulu Originals, current-season network TV, and all movies are included on both. You can upgrade from With Ads to No Ads mid-trial without restarting the 30-day clock.

PlanTrialMonthly afterAdsBest for
Hulu (With Ads)30 days$9.99/moYesMost people - cheapest tier, full library
Hulu (No Ads)30 days$18.99/moNoAd-free binge watchers
Hulu + Live TV3 days$82.99/moMixLive sports and local news
Duo Basic (Disney Bundle)None$10.99/moYesDisney+ and Hulu together - no trial

Other ways to watch Hulu for free or near-free

Most trial guides stop at the trial link. There are six more legitimate routes most searchers never find.

What about the Disney+/Hulu merger?

The Hulu app is being absorbed into Disney+ in late 2026. This does not affect your trial. The 30-day free trial rules are unchanged as of April 2026. After the merger, Hulu content continues inside the Disney+ app and your subscription migrates automatically. Nothing is going away - the Hulu brand becomes a hub within Disney+.

If you are considering signing up, there is no reason to wait. The trial is confirmed available now. Post-merger trial availability is not yet confirmed, so signing up sooner carries less uncertainty.

Full merger timeline and impact on subscribers →

Quick signup walkthrough

01
Go to hulu.com directly
Disable any VPN first. The trial is US-only and active VPNs trigger geo-block errors that prevent the offer from showing at checkout.
02
Choose Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads)
Only these two plans show the 30-day trial badge. Live TV and bundle options display 3-day or no trial. Selecting the wrong plan is the most common signup mistake.
03
Create or log in to your account
Use an email you have not previously used for Hulu. Trial eligibility is tied to your email and payment method combination - both must be new to Hulu.
04
Enter your payment method
Credit card, debit card, or PayPal work. Prepaid Visa and Mastercard gift cards are frequently declined. Use a real payment method to avoid the card-declined error at checkout.
05
Confirm the trial offer before clicking Subscribe
The checkout screen must say Start your 30-day free trial. If it shows a paid price immediately, you are not eligible at this email and payment combination.

How to cancel before you are charged

1
Go to secure.hulu.com/account
2
Click Cancel your subscription
3
Confirm - you keep access until the last trial day

Cancel at least 24 hours before your trial ends to be safe. If you signed up via Apple, Google Play, Roku, or Amazon, you cannot cancel via hulu.com. You must cancel through the platform you used to sign up.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hulu still have a free trial in 2026?
Yes. The 30-day trial returned on Hulu (With Ads) at $9.99/mo and Hulu (No Ads) at $18.99/mo. It applies to new subscribers and returning subscribers who cancelled at least 12 months ago. Hulu + Live TV offers only 3 days. No Disney Bundle tier offers any trial.
Which Hulu plans qualify for the 30-day trial?
Only Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) qualify for 30 days. Hulu + Live TV is 3 days. The Duo Basic, Duo Premium, Trio Basic, and Trio Premium bundle plans have no trial at all.
Can I get the Hulu free trial twice?
Only if your last Hulu subscription ended more than 12 months ago. If you cancelled within the past year, you may receive a $2.99/mo for 6 months win-back offer via email from Hulu. Using a new email but the same payment card does not work - Hulu checks both identifiers.
Does Hulu charge during the free trial?
No. A payment method is required at signup, but no charge processes until the trial ends. A temporary $1 authorisation hold may appear on some cards for 3-5 days - this is not a charge and will disappear automatically.
Can I watch Hulu Originals during the trial?
Yes. The 30-day trial gives full access to the tier you signed up for, including all Hulu Originals such as The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Shogun, and The Handmaid's Tale. There are no hidden restrictions on the on-demand library.
Is the Verizon Disney Bundle free?
Yes, for Verizon 5G Get More and Play More plan holders. Disney+ No Ads + Hulu With Ads + ESPN+ at no extra monthly cost. You must enrol by 31 May 2026 - after that date the perk becomes a paid add-on.
Is there a Hulu student discount?
$1.99/mo student plan for students at Title IV accredited colleges, verified annually via SheerID. Spotify Premium Student at $5.99/mo bundles Spotify ad-free with Hulu With Ads - the better deal if you use both services.
When is the Hulu Black Friday $0.99 deal?
Historically released the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, running through Cyber Monday. Expected again November 2026 but not currently active. The 30-day free trial is the best available deal in April 2026.

Explore all guides