Sling TV officially ended its free trial — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying upfront. There are still smart ways to watch Sling for free or nearly free, including Sling Freestream, short-term passes, and new-customer deals that often beat the old trial model. Want to keep costs low? Check Groupon's Sling promo codes to shave a little off your first month.

If you’re looking to sample Sling without committing to a full month, here’s how to do it in 2025.

Why Sling TV Removed Its Free Trial

Sling quietly retired its classic 7-day free trial — the kind where you sign up, set a calendar reminder, and rush to cancel before getting charged. Instead, Sling now leans on a more sustainable (and honestly, more useful) approach: a permanent free tier called Sling Freestream.

Think of it as a trial that never expires — you get real content, zero commitments, and no countdown timer.

Sling Freestream: The Easiest Free Way to Watch Sling

Sling Freestream is the new “free trial,” except it never ends. It includes 600+ live channels and tens of thousands of on-demand movies and shows — all without needing an account or credit card.

What You Get with Freestream

• 600+ free live channels
• 40,000+ on-demand titles
• Free news channels like ABC News Live and CBS News
• 10 hours of free DVR (account required, but still free)
• Wide mix of movies, reality shows, true-crime channels, classic TV and more

It’s not a replacement for Sling’s paid sports and entertainment networks, but it’s the most generous free tier in live TV streaming right now.

How to Start Watching for Free

1. Download the Sling TV app on your smart TV or mobile device.
2. Open the app — Freestream appears right on the home screen.
3. Select “Freestream.” That’s it. No login, no credit card, no commitment.

You can stay on Freestream forever or upgrade later if you want premium channels.

Short-Term Passes: Try Sling’s Premium Channels Without a Subscription

If you want to experience Sling’s full lineup without paying for a whole month, short-term passes give you quick, low-cost access.

Day Pass — $4.99 (Best for One-Off Events)

24 hours of Sling’s premium channels, including entertainment and sports networks. Great for testing the service, watching a specific game, or catching a finale.

Weekend Pass — $9.99 (Best for Sports)

A Friday–Sunday pass gives you three days of full access — ideal for NFL weekends, UFC fights, or bingeing a show.

Week Pass — $14.99 (Closest to a Real Trial)

A full 7-day pass lets you explore Sling’s interface, DVR, and channel lineup at your own pace. It’s basically the old free trial, just with a small price tag.

New-Customer Deals That Beat the Old Free Trial

Sling regularly runs promotions where new customers get 50% off their first month. That brings the cost of a paid plan down significantly — often cheaper than a restaurant meal and far better value than a one-week trial.

Because you get a full month, you can actually see whether Sling fits your real-life viewing habits. And if not? You cancel anytime. To see the latest offers, check Sling’s official deals page.

Freestream vs Paid Plans: What You Actually Get

Here’s the honest breakdown: Freestream is excellent for casual, background and news viewing — but premium Sling plans unlock major networks, live sports and top cable channels.

If you want a detailed look at how Sling’s paid plans compare, including updated pricing and channel lists, see our Sling Orange vs Blue guide.

Two other factors matter:

• Live sports: Paid plans unlock ESPN, FS1, TNT and more.
• Local channels: ABC/FOX/NBC are only available in select markets. See our Sling local channels guide to check availability.

Is Upgrading Worth It?

You’ll know within a week whether Sling’s interface and lineup feel right for your household.

If you upgrade, consider Sling’s optional channel add-ons (sports, entertainment, lifestyle) to build a plan that fits your exact viewing habits. Explore them here: Sling Extras Guide.