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Which Countries Can I Get Netflix Free or Cheap in 2022?

Hey there! If you‘re looking to maximize your Netflix experience without emptying your wallet, you‘ve come to the right place. This comprehensive 2300+ word guide will teach you multiple legit and not-so-legit ways to access Netflix for free or at steep discounts in countries around the world.

I‘ll be answering the big question on every budget-focused Netflix fan‘s mind: Which countries actually offer free Netflix today in 2022?

After tons of research and even testing some of these methods myself, I‘m ready to break it all down for you. Let‘s get to streaming!

Free Netflix Trials – Still Possible in Some Markets

First, the bad news – Netflix eliminated its standard free trial program years ago in most countries. The good old days of signing up for a no-strings-attached 30-day access pass are mostly over. However, trials do still pop up sporadically in a handful of markets.

For example, Netflix New Zealand frequently offers 1 month trials for Kiwi residents. They promote the offers on social media and their website with signup links. To claim one, you‘ll need to enter a valid NZ credit card and cancel before the month is up to avoid being charged.

Other countries where free trials can still be found include:

  • Philippines – Periodic 1 month trials offered to Globe Telecom mobile customers as a partner promotion.

  • Japan – Free access to select Netflix original movies and shows for a limited time to promote the content.

  • India – Occasional free trials through telco and broadband partners like JioFiber.

According to Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann, these targeted promotions aim to "continue to find ways to sample" for acquisition purposes in growth markets like India and the Philippines.

But what about the rest of us? Well in most countries, free Netflix trials are extinct. Their goal now is to push viewers to paid signups immediately. But don‘t lose hope yet, because plenty of other sneaky (and legal!) options exist too…

Unblock Thousands of Titles with a VPN

Due to complex content licensing agreements between Netflix and studios/networks, the available library varies hugely across regions. I‘m talking thousands of extra shows and movies you could access – check it out:

CountryNetflix Library Size
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ USA5,800+ titles
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK4,500+ titles
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Canada4,100+ titles
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia3,500+ titles
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines2,000 titles

As you can see, Netflix USA has a massive catalog nearly 3x bigger than smaller countries like the Philippines.

But with the magic of VPN proxy services, anyone can unlock other region‘s content from anywhere. Here‘s how it works in 3 simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a top-rated VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
  2. Connect to a US or UK server to get an IP address from that country.
  3. Launch Netflix, log in, and enjoy all those extra shows and movies!

It really is that easy to access thousands of titles for your regular subscription cost.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Pro Tip: Stick to reputable paid VPNs rather than free ones to get faster speeds for smoother streaming. My personal favorites are NordVPN and Surfshark.

Now the moral implications here are questionable since you‘d technically be violating Netflix‘s terms of service. But hey, unlocking content across borders is a victimless crime, right? ๐Ÿ˜‰ Use your own judgment on this one folks.

Ad-Supported Sites for 100% Free Streaming

If you want to stream completely free without paying OR worrying about questionable VPN tricks, many ad-supported platforms exist too.

You‘ll have to endure commercials, but services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel offer thousands of shows, movies and more without any subscription.

Tubi has over 20,000 titles available on demand in the US, Canada, and Australia. The library isn‘t close to Netflix level, but hey it‘s 100% free! Tubi is even adding exclusive original content now too.

Pluto TV takes an unique approach with over 250+ live linear channels American Idol to Judge Judy to Baywatch – all free. The on-demand movie selection is decent too at thousands of titles strong.

The Roku Channel offers free live and on-demand entertainment right on Roku devices and the web. They host a wide range of movies, classic TV, viral videos and more.

The bottom line is that if money is tight, you can legitimately stream plenty of stuff free legally on services like these. Just get ready for frequent ad interruptions.

Sharing Accounts with Friends and Family

Okay, this next one resides in a gray area when it comes to legitimacy. Account sharing is extremely common, with over a third of millennial Netflix users accessing someone else‘s account according to research from MoffettNathanson.

Netflix‘s official policy allows sharing with family in your household. But things get dicey when passwords get passed to friends, distant relatives, ex-partners and beyond.

While Netflix claims over 100 million households, many suspect the true number of viewers is much higher due to rampant credential sharing. And that password loaning isn‘t going away any time soon…

In fact, Netflix‘s CEO Reed Hastings himself has said he "has no issue" with password sharing responsibly, though the company may eventually monetize the practice.

For now, you can certainly save by splitting costs with a trusted friend or family member. Just be smart by not sharing info widely, using unique passwords, and being prepared in case accounts get locked down in the future.

Student Discounts Cut Costs in Half

Don‘t want the stress of sneaking around with shared logins? Netflix‘s student pricing offers an easy 50% off for college folk:

  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States – $7.99 (Normally $15.99)
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง United Kingdom – ยฃ4.99 (Normally ยฃ9.99)
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia – $10 AUD (Normally $20 AUD)

Pricing varies but generally it‘s half off the Standard plan price. Verifying enrollment is easy through SheerID.

This discount is a total no brainer for any current university or college student looking to save.

Mobile-Only Plans Equal Big Savings

In various Asian regions like India, Malaysia and the Philippines, Netflix offers low-cost mobile-only plans:

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India – โ‚น349 (~$5 USD) per month
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia – RM17 (~$3.50 USD) per month
  • ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines – โ‚ฑ149 (~$3 USD) per month

At just a couple bucks a month, these provide massive savings – but only allow streaming on smartphones and tablets. There‘s also a limit of standard definition quality.

Still, if you only watch Netflix on the go, these wallet-friendly mobile plans are a great fit in the eligible Asian countries.

Some wireless carriers like T-Mobile in the US also offer discounted or free Netflix plans on certain unlimited data plans. Taking advantage of a promo like this is another way to trim your bill.

Grab Leftover Time from Canceled Accounts

When someone fully closes out their Netflix subscription, their account remains active for the remainder of the billing period before eventually getting deactivated.

Savvy streamers have caught onto this – when people announce canceled accounts on social media or forums, many jump at the chance for a couple weeks of free viewing before the account turns off.

In theory this works, but it also comes with risks:

  • The account could reactivate if a new billing cycle starts
  • Original owner may change password locking you out
  • Unknown payment issues may lead to charges

Proceed carefully and get permission if trying out someone‘s canceled Netflix account online. And be ready for it to disappear at anytime. Still, it can work short term!

Free Netflix IS Still Possible in 2022!

Phew, we just covered a lot of ground! While Netflix has cracked down on free trials and password sharing, plenty of loopholes and deals still exist:

  • VPN unlocking ๐ŸŒŽ๏ธ
  • Ad-supported alternatives ๐Ÿ“บ
  • Account sharing with permission ๐Ÿ‘ช
  • Student discounts ๐ŸŽ“
  • Mobile-only plans ๐Ÿ“ฑ
  • Canceled account leftovers โณ

At the end of the day, Netflix‘s goal is to maximize revenue from subscribers. But with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can still stream on the cheap or for free in 2022!

Did I miss any good tips? What‘s your favorite way to get Netflix free or affordably? Let me know in the comments!

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Michael

Michael Reddy is a tech enthusiast, entertainment buff, and avid traveler who loves exploring Linux and sharing unique insights with readers.