Philo is the entertainment-only live TV streamer that prices itself well below Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV by skipping sports and locals. At $28 a month it's already cheap, but a free trial helps confirm whether the channel list covers what you actually watch.
Philo Free Trial: The Definitive Answer
Yes, Philo offers a 7-day free trial to new subscribers. Full access to all 70-plus channels and the unlimited DVR is included during the trial.
It's a useful way to confirm the channel lineup, streaming quality, and overall experience on your preferred devices before committing to a paid plan.
Trial Duration and Eligibility for Philo
The Philo free trial is seven days for new subscribers. Eligibility is tied to your phone number and email, so reusing the same phone number from a prior Philo account usually disqualifies you. Signup requires a valid payment method, and the trial auto-converts into the $28 monthly plan unless you cancel before day seven. The full channel list, unlimited DVR with 1-year retention, and three simultaneous streams are all available during the trial.
Remember to cancel before the trial concludes if you don't want to be charged. Setting a calendar reminder for day 6 is the cleanest way to avoid an unintended renewal.
Philo Free Trial via Bundles and Promotions
Philo has a couple of routes worth knowing about beyond the headline 7-day trial:
- Premium channel add-ons free month: STARZ, MGM+, AMC+, and a few other premium add-ons are often free for the first month when stacked on top of a paid Philo subscription.
- Annual prepay: Prepaying for several months at once historically unlocked a small discount versus month-to-month billing.
- Referral credits: Philo's referral program gives a free month to both the referrer and the new signup, effectively extending your trial if a friend already subscribes.
- Roku Channel promo: Bundles with Roku devices have occasionally included a free Philo month.
Track these promos around major launch windows: new seasons of flagship shows, NFL kickoff, and the holiday shopping window are the usual peaks for Philo bundle deals.
Alternative Streaming Services with Free Trials (Like Philo)
If you want similar entertainment-heavy channels with a trial, look here:
- Sling TV: Sling Blue at $45/month includes locals (NBC, Fox in select markets) and a few sports channels. No consistent free trial, but half-off first month is common.
- Frndly TV: Frndly is the cheapest entertainment-only competitor at about $7-$10/month. Offers a 7-day free trial.
- Hulu: Hulu's on-demand library overlaps with a lot of Philo content next-day and runs a 30-day trial.
- Discovery+: Best if your viewing is mostly HGTV, Food, TLC, and ID. (See: Does Discovery+ Have a Free Trial?)
Comparing trial lengths, channel mix, and current promotional pricing is the fastest way to find the right fit if Philo doesn't quite work for you.