Have you ever wanted to check out what’s available to stream on Netflix before signing up? Or maybe you had an account before but cancelled it, and now you miss browsing for new shows and movies. Well, there are a few tricks that allow you to peruse Netflix’s offerings without an active subscription. Read on to learn how you can get a peek at what’s on Netflix without paying!
Ways to Watch Free Content from Netflix Without an Account
VPN Trick
One sneaky method is using a VPN (virtual private network) to make Netflix think you’re accessing it from another country. Netflix has different libraries of content available in each region, so by switching your location with a VPN you can sometimes view titles you wouldn’t see if you were truly in the US.
To try this:
- Get a VPN service that allows you to choose server locations around the world. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two reputable options.
- Connect to a server in a different country like Canada, the UK, Japan, etc.
- Go to Netflix.com in your browser. It should now show you the library for that region.
- Browse around without logging in to peek at the titles available there.
The downside is you won’t be able to watch anything, just look at what’s offered in that geography. It’s a handy way to scout out Netflix hits that might not be visible in your home country yet.
Use the Netflix Party Chrome extension
Here’s one last sneaky hack for browsing Netflix for free. Install the Netflix Party Chrome extension. This add-on lets you sync your Netflix watching with friends and family remotely.
But even if you aren’t planning to sync up with anyone, it lets you browse Netflix without being logged in! Just open a new window and go to netflixparty.com. Click “Start Party”, then click “Click Here to Sign in With Netflix.”
Instead of signing in, close that popup. You’ll now see the Netflix browsing page where you can look through different sections without an account.
You won’t be able to play full shows or movies. But you can scroll through categories, see descriptions, and get a feel for what’s available to stream.
When you’re done browsing, just close the Netflix Party window. This is a handy little workaround that avoids having to sign up or login.
Use Netflix’s Public Site
Here’s a little known fact: Netflix has a public website at whatsonnetflix.com that anyone can access without an account. It shows the full library broken down by genre.
You can browse through each section and see descriptions, images, and details for all the titles. It’s not as visually slick as the real Netflix, but it gets the job done if you want to scope out their selection.
This is a great way to get a sense of what’s available in your country without logging in. The only catch is you can’t watch previews or trailers. But you’ll at least see if that movie you’ve been dying to see was recently added!
You can also make use of apps like Rabbit to stream Netflix without an account but one of your friends must have an account in order for this trick to work.
Here are other site to stream netfkix movies for free but they contain lots of pop ads and might be illegal in some countries.
Sites like Primewire for movie streaming
Fmovies alternative site with no sign-up
Theflixer alternative site for free streaming
Use aggregator sites
There are various sites around the web that aggregate data on what’s streaming on Netflix and other services. These can serve as handy browsing tools when you don’t have an active subscription.
Some top aggregators for peeking at Netflix’s library are:
- ReelGood – Browse by genre and see ratings/reviews
- JustWatch – Filter by content type and date added
- Finder.com – Lists top shows and movies by genre
- Flixable – Lets you filter by IMDb rating, Rotten Tomatoes, and more
These aggregate sites typically have dated information and may show some titles that have since been removed. But they’re useful for getting a general snapshot of what’s available across genres, new releases, and more.
Use a friend’s account
Got a generous pal who lets you “borrow” their Netflix login? Lucky you! With their credentials you can freely browse and watch to your heart’s content.
Just be mindful of how much you stream – you don’t want to eat up all their bandwidth allowance if they’re on a limited data plan. And avoid messing with their watch history, recommendations, or profiles too much.
If you can responsibly access a friend’s account once in a while to peek at new releases, that’s a convenient way to check out Netflix here and there for free. Just make sure your friend is cool with lending you their login first!
Sign up for a free trial
Of course, the most direct way to browse Netflix properly is to sign up for your own account, at least temporarily.
Netflix offers new subscribers a free 30 day trial. You don’t need to enter any payment information to start the trial.
Here’s how to take advantage of Netflix’s free trial offer:
- Go to netflix.com and click “Start Free Trial”
- Create an account and username
- Start streaming! You have 30 days of unlimited access.
During the trial you can freely watch anything on Netflix and check out all their sections:
- Home – Top recommendations
- New & Popular
- Coming Soon
- Top 10 Lists
- Categories like Crime TV Shows, Quirky Romance Films etc.
You’ll get the full Netflix experience and can watch trailers, add stuff to Your List, and stream on multiple devices.
Just make sure to cancel before the 30 days are up if you don’t plan to continue the paid membership. Otherwise, you’ll be charged!
Set a reminder on your calendar app so you don’t forget. But for a month you’ll have completely free reign to dig into their entire catalog.
The Bottom Line
While nothing quite matches the experience of having your own real Netflix account, there are plenty of crafty ways to peek at what’s streaming without paying.
Using a free trial, Netflix Party, or aggregator sites grants you temporary access to peruse and get a feel for their library. And location-shifting with a VPN allows you to unlock other region’s catalogues on the sly.
At the end of the day Netflix is a paid service designed to entice you into subscribing. But with the right tricks you can browse and window shop their offerings for free before committing. Happy viewing!
FAQs About Browsing Netflix Without an Account
How much of Netflix can I see without signing up?
You can see quite a lot! Using their public site or various aggregators, you can browse through all of their content that’s available in your country organized by genre. The only limitation is you can’t actually watch full shows or movies.
Can I watch Netflix previews without an account?
Unfortunately, you’re not able to watch trailers, teasers, or scene previews without logging into a Netflix account. Only members can view video previews. But you can read descriptions of all their titles while browsing the libraries.
What’s the best free alternative to Netflix?
Some top free streaming services similar to Netflix include Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Peacock TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube, and Crackle. While the selection isn’t as robust, they offer thousands of free movies and shows to watch legally.
Can I use a Netflix gift card without an account?
No, Netflix gift cards must be redeemed by an existing member for credit towards their account. The gift card value can’t be used to pay for a new subscription. You must first have an active Netflix account in order to apply a gift card towards it.
Does Netflix offer any free shows or movies?
There are no 100% free shows or movies on Netflix. However, you can sign up for their 30 day free trial to gain unlimited access to stream their full catalog for a month without paying. Just be sure to cancel before the month ends to avoid being charged.
Can I get Netflix for free if I’m low income?
Netflix doesn’t offer discounted plans based on income level. However, there are some internet service providers that include free Netflix with qualifying affordable internet plans for lower income households and students.
Is it illegal to use Netflix without an account?
Technically, sharing login credentials or accessing content without being a paid member is infringing on Netflix’s terms of service. However, using tricks like free trials and VPNs in good faith to briefly preview content generally isn’t illegal.
Can I get in trouble for using a friend’s Netflix account?
Netflix does prohibit account sharing outside of a household. If both users are consistently streaming at the same time, Netflix may crack down by requiring verification of primary residence. Best practice is to only occasionally use a friend’s login with their knowledge, not daily.
What’s the cheapest way to get Netflix?
The cheapest way to get Netflix is to split the cost of membership with family or friends. The basic plan supports two simultaneous streams for $9.99/month. If you can split that cost with someone, it brings it down to just $5/month each!
Disclosure: The articles, guides and reviews on BlowSEO covering topics like SEO, digital marketing, technology, business, finance, streaming sites, travel and more are created by experienced professionals, marketers, developers and finance experts. Our goal is to provide helpful, in-depth, and well-researched content to our readers. You can learn more about our writers and the process we follow to create quality content by visiting our About Us and Content Creation Methodology pages.
