As a student, you can still enjoy the best streaming services on a budget without spending a fortune. Many platforms offer discounts or free trials, and some even have special student pricing. Here's how you can access streaming services without breaking the bank:
1. Take Advantage of Student Discounts
Many streaming services offer discounts for students, allowing you to enjoy premium content at a fraction of the price. Here are some of the best streaming services with student discounts:
Netflix
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Student Discount: Currently, Netflix does not offer a student discount, but you can share a plan with friends or family (if they have a Premium plan) to split the cost.
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Alternatives: Use the Basic with Ads plan at just $6.99/month to enjoy Netflix at a lower price.
Hulu
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Student Discount: Hulu offers a great deal for students: $1.99/month for the ad-supported plan. This is a massive discount compared to the usual price of $7.99/month.
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Bundle: You can also get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $19.99/month as part of a student bundle. This bundle is a great way to access multiple services at a discounted price.
Amazon Prime Video
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Student Discount: If you’re an Amazon Prime Student member, you can get Amazon Prime Video (along with other Prime benefits like free shipping and Prime Music) for $7.49/month (or $69/year). This is 50% off the regular price.
Spotify + Hulu + Showtime Bundle
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Student Discount: Spotify Premium for Students comes with a free Hulu subscription and Showtime for just $5.99/month.
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You get Spotify Premium, which gives you access to music and Hulu’s ad-supported plan, plus Showtime, all for a student-friendly price.
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Apple TV+
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Free for Students: If you purchase an Apple device, you can get Apple TV+ for free for 6 months.
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After the free trial, the price is $9.99/month.
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Disney+
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Student Discount: Disney+ does not offer a direct student discount, but you can access it at a discounted rate as part of a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+. The Bundle costs $19.99/month for students.
Paramount+
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Student Discount: Paramount+ offers a 50% discount on the ad-supported plan for students, bringing the price down to $4.99/month.
2. Use Streaming Bundles
Many streaming services offer bundled packages that combine multiple services for a lower price. These bundles are perfect for students who want access to multiple streaming platforms at once without paying for each one separately.
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Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ Bundle: Get access to Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $19.99/month. This is one of the best bundles available, giving you a variety of content for a single price.
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Spotify + Hulu + Showtime Bundle: As mentioned above, get Spotify Premium, Hulu (ad-supported), and Showtime for $5.99/month. It's perfect if you love music and shows!
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Amazon Prime Student: If you’re already a Prime Student member, you get access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and free shipping for $7.49/month. That’s an incredible deal for students.
3. Share Accounts with Family or Friends
If you’re not able to find a student discount or bundle, sharing accounts is a great way to reduce the cost of streaming services. Most streaming platforms offer family plans that allow multiple users to access the service simultaneously.
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Netflix Premium Plan: You can share a Premium plan (which allows up to 4 streams) with friends or family, bringing the cost down for each person. At $19.99/month, if you share with 4 people, each person only pays $5 a month.
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Hulu + Live TV: Hulu allows for 6 account profiles with a single subscription, which means you can split the cost with friends and family.
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HBO Max: The Standard plan allows 3 streams at once, so you can share with family or friends to reduce the cost.
4. Take Advantage of Free Trials
Many streaming services offer free trials that allow you to enjoy content for 7 days or more before committing to a subscription. You can rotate between different services to enjoy content for free over time.
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Netflix used to offer free trials, but they’ve since removed them in most regions.
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Hulu offers a 7-day free trial for new users.
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HBO Max offers a 7-day free trial to explore their entire library.
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Apple TV+ provides a 7-day free trial for new users.
Set reminders to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged, or use the trials strategically to watch content on multiple platforms.
5. Check for Student-Only Promotions
Keep an eye out for special student-only promotions or discounts. Streaming platforms often run limited-time offers that cater specifically to students, especially during back-to-school seasons or holidays.
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Apple TV+, for example, might offer extended free trials for students with new Apple devices.
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HBO Max and Paramount+ have also run student promotions in the past, offering discounts or extended free trials for new users.
6. Use Free Streaming Services
If you're really trying to save money, there are some free streaming services that provide ad-supported content. While they might not offer the latest movies or shows, they do provide a wide variety of content for free:
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Tubi: Free movies and TV shows with ads.
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Crackle: Offers free, ad-supported movies and TV shows.
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Pluto TV: Free live TV, movies, and shows.
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Peacock: Free plan available with ads, offering a large selection of movies, TV shows, and even live sports.
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Vudu: Free, ad-supported movies and TV shows, though the selection is limited.
7. Check Out Public Library Streaming Services
Many public libraries now offer free access to streaming services like Kanopy and Hoopla, which allow you to watch movies, documentaries, and even kids’ content for free with a library card. These services provide a wide range of high-quality content at no cost to you.
Conclusion
As a student, there are several ways you can enjoy streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max on a budget:
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Take advantage of student discounts offered by Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others.
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Use streaming bundles like the Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ deal to save money.
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Share accounts with family or friends to split the cost of subscription plans.
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Take advantage of free trials to watch content without paying.
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Explore free streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Kanopy for free movies and shows.
By using these strategies, you can access all your favorite shows and movies while sticking to your student budget!
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