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Want to watch your favourite movies and shows without spending a cent? Good news: you can. From completely free streaming services to making clever use of free trials, there are plenty of ways to cut down your entertainment bill. Here’s what you need to know to start watching for free.
What are the free streaming services in Australia?
They might not have as much content available as paid platforms, but these free streaming services are home to hidden gems and cult classics.
- Kanopy
- Tubi
- SBS On Demand
- ABC iView
- Ten Play
- 9Now
- 7plus
Kanopy
Kanopy is a free streaming service that partners with libraries and universities across Australia. It provides free movies to library card holders and university students, with a focus on educational and high-quality content. You can choose from a wide collection of Australian and foreign cinema, documentaries and classics. There are even some new releases available.
Tubi
Tubi is known for its vast collection of niche movies. Many of its titles, such as Attack of the Mushroom People and Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, aren’t available to watch for free anywhere else, which may appeal to those who enjoy offbeat movies but don’t want to pay for them. The service is free to sign up to, but you'll have to watch advertisements about every 15 minutes.
SBS on Demand
SBS on Demand lets you watch your favourite SBS shows for free, whenever you want. The service includes SBS, Viceland, NITV and the SBS Food Channel. It also has cult series favourites like Shorsey and Marchella, as well as a range of blockbuster and independent movies. You’ll have to watch ads but not as many as you do on free-to-air TV.
ABC iView
Viewers can watch all ABC live channels on ABC iView as well as a huge selection of on-demand shows and movies. Its vast library covers drama, comedy, kids shows, documentaries, sports and more.
10
Loving Survivor? Want to catch up on Have you been paying attention? 10 lets you watch Channel Ten shows whenever you want (with ads) at no cost. You can also catch replays of local and international news and a range of sports.
9Now
9Now is home to more than 10 live channels and a large library of on-demand content. It includes full seasons of shows like McLeod’s Daughters, Chicago Med and M*A*S*H, as well as reruns of comedy classics like Seinfeld and Bewitched. Its live channels cover sports, news, lifestyle and more.
7plus
Seven has one of the widest ranges of live and on-demand television shows available for free. From cricket to Australian Idol and Fox drama 911, the service is built on a ‘something-for-everyone’ approach. Like most free-to-air services, you’ll have to watch ads. 7flix, 7two, 7food and 7mate shows are also available.
What streaming services have free trials in Australia?
There are a number of streaming services that offer free trials to entice you to subscribe. Streaming platforms with free trials include:
- Stan
- Kayo
- BINGE
- Amazon Prime Video
- Paramount+
- Hayu
- Apple TV+
- Flash
- BritBox
- iwonder
- Shudder
- Acorn TV
Kayo Free Trial
Kayo is the home of sport in Australia, streaming the NRL, basketball, soccer and many more leagues. Kayo has a seven-day free trial for new users who sign up to a Standard or Premium plan directly through Kayo. The regular subscription fee – $30 for Kayo Standard or $40 for Kayo Premium – will be charged once your free trial ends. Kayo also has an option called Kayo Freebies that lets you watch selected sports content for free by streaming them online through Kayo’s site or app when you register for the Freebies service.
Amazon Prime Video Free Trial
Amazon Prime Video has original titles including Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, sport docos such as The Test, and plenty of kid-friendly content. You get access to Prime Video with an Amazon Prime subscription, which has a 30-day free trial.
Paramount+ Free Trial
Paramount+ features content from Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV and Nickelodeon. Paramount+ is also the home of the A-League and W-League football seasons. Paramount+ has a seven-day free trial that rolls over to $6.99 per month when your trial ends.
Hayu Free Trial
Hayu has all the reality TV classics, including Keeping up with the Kardashians, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules. Sign up for a seven-day free trial and access all the drama the same day it airs in America. Subscribers pay $6.99 a month following their free trial.
Apple TV+ Free Trial
Apple TV+ showcases its original content, including hit shows Severance and Ted Lasso, and award-winning movies like Killers of the Flower Moon and CODA. You can get a seven-day free trial before paying a monthly subscription fee of $15.99.
Flash Free Trial
Flash is a news-focused platform from parent company Foxtel. It features over 25 local and global news sources and offers news-related talk shows and analysis. If you’ve already got Foxtel, Flash comes free with your subscription. Otherwise, you can get a 14-day free trial, which rolls over to an $8 per month subscription.
BritBox Free Trial
BritBox is dedicated to the best of British TV. It has classics including Doctor Who and Blackadder, plus David Attenborough documentaries, and plenty of genres to keep you entertained. You can try BritBox free for seven days, then pay $13.99 per month for a subscription.
iwonder Free Trial
iwonder is a niche streaming service for those who enjoy current affairs and documentaries. Whether you’re a fan of sports, true crime or nature docos, you’ll find something to keep you entertained and informed. You can try before you buy with a 14-day free trial and then pay $6.99 a month.
Shudder Free Trial
Shudder is a streaming platform dedicated to one genre: horror. It features classic and new horror movies and shows, as well as live channels. Shudder offers a seven-day free trial before rolling over to a $8.99 per month subscription.
Acorn TV Free Trial
Acorn TV is another streaming service that focuses primarily on British content, although it also offers titles from Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia. Costing $6.99 per month, Acorn TV offers HD streams in addition to exclusive and original content, covering genres such as period dramas, comedy and thrillers. You can try Acorn TV for seven days with no cost.
