Want to get your hands, or rather eyeballs, on Netflix for free?
I am a self-confessed Netflix addict. Over the last few years the creators at Netflix have made some truly epic content.
The price has rocketed though in recent years. I was paying £5.99 a month three years ago and it’s now £10.99 a month for the same package that allows us to watch on two devices at a time.
We use Netflix every single day though, so I personally find it to be a bargain given how much we all watch it.
The kids love the children’s content and I love TV shows such as Stranger Things and Love is Blind, plus their original documentaries such as Beckham.
But if you’re looking to save money then it’s understandable you may want to cut back on your Netflix bill.
Here’s a look at ways you can get the streaming service on the cheap, or free.
How much is Netflix?
The cost of Netflix ranges from £4.99 to £15.99 a month.
How to get free Netflix in the UK
Getting Netflix for free used to be a doddle with their free 30-day trial offer.
But sadly the subscription service scrapped this option for new customers.
And you used to be able to share a Netflix password with people from outside your household, but the service now only allows you to use your account on devices within your household.
Netflix closed this loophole because it says it was impacting on its revenue and ability to make new shows.
So what can you do? Here are a few ideas.
Take advantage of a free month offer
Netflix itself does not offer a one-month free trial. However some companies will bundle in a free 30-day Netflix trial with its own services.
For example Sky Stream offers a one-month free trial that includes Netflix, as well as the Sky TV content.
After this you would need to cancel if you then do not want to be charged, but it gives you a taste of Netflix for 30 days for free.
Share a loved one’s account
Netflix does not want you to be able to share your password with people who do not live with you.
However Netflix had to create a loophole here, because sometimes you may go abroad and need to use your Netflix account. Therefore you won’t be using the usual IP address as your household.
So it is still possible to piggy back someone else’s account.
When you try to use the Netflix account outside the household Netflix may ask you to verify the device using the account.
To do this Netflix will:
- Send an email with a link to the address of the primary account holder.
- Within that link is a 4 digit code.
- You need to enter that code on the device you are trying to stream Netflix on within 15 minutes. Once you’ve done this you’ll have access to the account.
Doing this can be tricky if you’re trying to share your account with someone who doesn’t live with you. You’ll need to be in communication to share the 4 digit code. But it is possible.
How to save money on Netflix
If you can’t find a free offer that works for you then there are some ways to save money on your Netflix subscription.
Choose the standard package
You can save £72 per year if you select the standard package with ads for Netflix from the range of pricing options.
| STANDARD WITH ADS | STANDARD | PREMIUM |
|---|---|---|
| £4.99 a month | £10.99 a month | £15.99 a month |
| Ads in content and you don’t get access to all movies and TV shows. | Unlimited ad-free content, watch on two devices at a time. | Unlimited ad-free content, watch on four devices at a time. |
| Option to add 1 extra member who does not live with you for £4.99 a month. | Option to add 2 extra member who does not live with you for £4.99 each a month. |
This limits the number of devices you can use Netflix on to watch at the same time, but most people will find this is plenty.
The basic package offers HD quality viewing but will have adverts in content. In addition you will not have full access to the Netflix library of content and you can’t watch Netflix on more than one device at a time.
But if you’re happy to sacrifice this then you will save quite a bit of cash.
Agree to share a loved one’s account
Under the standard and premium packages you have the option to add one or two extra members who do not live with you for £4.99.
So you could add, for example, an older child who has moved out of the family home. Their part of the Netflix bill would be £4.99 a month, which is far cheaper than forking out the full £10.99 a month for a standard package of their own.
Check out other streaming platforms
There are lots of other platforms that create original content and stream old favourites.
Amazon Prime is the most obvious competitor, which does offer a 30-day free trial. As part of this subscription you will also get access to the Prime benefits such as next day delivery on goods from the Amazon online shop.
Other similar options include Disney+, Paramount and Now TV. Both have a monthly fee but you can shop around for offers. For example O2 has been offering free Disney+ for six months with new mobile phones.
BBC iPlayer is free if you have a TV licence and has tons of TV shows and movies you can stream.
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