Everybody loves Netflix, but not everyone wants to pay the full price. Netflix does not offer a free trial to new subscribers. Does that mean you have to pay the full price? Not really! If you are someone who is trying to get a Netflix free trial, or simply put, you’re in the mood to save money on continuing to watch the familiar shows and movies that you like to watch. 

5 ways to get Netflix cheap or maximise value

Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world, but let’s face it, it’s also not the cheapest. You are not alone if you are hoping to stay within a budget or get the best out of your subscription. The good news? Here are some smart legal ways to save a few bucks on Netflix or at least stretch your current account further.  From special promotions to sharing tricks, even clever tools to save your favorite shows here are five practical ways to enjoy Netflix without overspending.

1. Partner promotions

Netflix is bundled with some mobile carriers and internet provider packages. Some people may be able to get Netflix for free or perhaps just as a discounted add-on without realiing that they were already paying for it on their T-Mobile, Verizon, or other major carrier bills.

Pros

• Can have Netflix at no extra cost
• No separate bill anymore
• Perfect for families or users with existing eligible plans

Cons

• Applicable to selected plans or promotions only
• You could potentially lose access if you decide to cancel your mobile plan
• It can sometimes include just the basic Netflix plan

2. Family sharing tactics

Account sharing is adding a new “extra member” option for those Netflix knows are not part of your household, but you can still always split the cost with friends or family who live elsewhere. This is an easy way to decrease your bill each month, but you can still enjoy all the content. Best of all, each person on the account can download content to watch Netflix offline. This will make sharing even more convenient.

Pros

• Sharing the cost makes the price cheaper for all
• It functions on each device and profile.
• All subscribers can download content to watch offline

Cons

• Netflix now charges extra for users outside your household
• May cause account access issues if members live in different regions
• Need to manage who pays and shares the account

3. Downgrade your subscription tier

Netflix has three plans: Standard with ads, Standard, and Premium. If you’re shelling out for the highest tier but don’t actually want 4K or additional screens, downgrade to a cheaper plan. However, just keep in mind that lower-tier plans have download limitations.

Pros

• Choose a lower plan and save $5–$10/month
• The ad-supported plan still accesses everything except for most content
• Easy to switch anytime

Cons

• Fewer devices can watch simultaneously
• You will get lower video quality (no 4K on cheaper plans)
• Fewer downloads allowed

4. Gift cards and regional pricing

You can also save by purchasing discounted Netflix gift cards through deal sites such as Raise, GiftCardGranny, or Slickdeals. Certain users also access VPNs to use regional pricing in countries where Netflix is less expensive, but this also does not work all the time and is theoretically a violation of Netflix’s terms as well.

Pros

• One-time savings with discounted gift cards
• Can extend subscription without using a credit card
• Regional pricing can be significantly lower

Cons

• Some deals can only be redeemed or are limited to certain locations
• Changing regions may result in problems with accounts or content
• Netflix may not support the use of VPN

Save videos for offline playback

If you are afraid that you will not be able to watch a show anymore when your subscription ends, then you could try a Netflix Downloader. With this tool, you can keep your favorite movies and series verifiably in your collection. This way, if you end up cancelling Netflix down the road, your library will be intact.

Pros

• Create your own Netflix library that you can access offline
• Watch anytime without the internet
• For travel, commuting or archival purposes

Cons

• Downloading still requires an active Netflix subscription
• Not every third-party downloader is trustworthy or secure

FAQs

• Does Netflix offer a student discount or a student premium plan? No, Netflix will not have any Black Friday or holiday promotions. They have the same price every year. If you’re looking for discounts, you should look for partner promotions (these are usually more common) or discounted gift cards.
• Is there a Netflix Black Friday deal? Wondering if Netflix is going to have any Black Friday or other holiday specials? Nope. They keep the same price for the entire year. You should look to partner promotions (which are more frequent) or discounted gift cards for discounts.
• Can I share my Netflix account with someone outside my household? Yes, there is an option to share Netflix access with an extra member feature. You may add an “extra member” and include a person who does not live in your home for a small additional fee.
• What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription? As soon as you cancel your Netflix subscription, you cannot play any of your downloaded videos. The app will not play any downloads until you have an active paid membership.

Takeaway

While Netflix doesn’t offer a ton of short-term bargains, you can still find ways to avoid paying full price by using a few smart approaches. From sharing accounts to using gift cards to saved shows for offline viewing, there are ways to stretch out every dollar spent on that subscription. You can experiment with these tips and tricks and find which ones work best for your bank account.

Ellen Diamond, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.