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Apple TV+ is ringing in the new year by making its library free for one weekend; from Jan 3 through Jan 5, Apple TV+ will be free on any Apple TV-enabled device. The free preview is distinct from a free trial, which requires a credit card to sign up. The free weekend does, however, require an Apple ID, which is free to create.

Apple is likely looking to get new fans in the door before two of its signature shows, Silo and Severance air their season 2 finale and premiere, respectively. Both will air on Jan 17. At $9.99/mo, Apple TV+ is already one of the more affordable streaming services.

How Much Is Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ is ad-free and starts at $9.99/mo, and subscribers can share an account with up to five family members. Netflix’s Standard monthly plan, in comparison, costs $15.49 per month. The Apple TV app is also home to MLS Season Pass, which requires a separate subscription. MLS Season Pass costs $14.99/mo or $12.99/mo for Apple TV+ subscribers and includes live access to every regular season match, plus the playoffs and finals.

Once you start your Apple TV+ subscription, you can watch shows and films through the Apple TV app. An Apple TV device is not required — Apple TV is available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, native TV operating systems like LG, Sony, and Vizio, as well as gaming consoles like PlayStation.

What to Watch on Apple TV+

Apple’s emphasis on original programming makes it one of the more unique (and affordable) streaming services. Unlike studio-backed streamers like Paramount+ or Max, which have deep vaults of content to draw from, or Netflix, which has extensive distribution deals, Apple TV+ primarily hosts Apple-produced TV shows and movies.

Original films include the Martin Scorsese-directed Killers of the Flower Moon and the Brad Pitt and George Clooney two-hander Wolfs, while shows include Silo, Severance, The Morning Show, and Slow Horses. The streamer’s signature hit, Ted Lasso, ended in 2023, though a potential fourth season has been teased, and Ted Lasso’s showrunners went on to produce Shrinking. Beyond its originals, Apple TV+ also hosts the Charlie Brown holiday specials and distributes Major League Soccer through its separate MLS Season Pass subscription.

If you’re comparing the cost of Apple TV+ to other streamers, like Netflix, it’s still one of the most budget-friendly streaming services out there right now.

Does Apple TV+ Have a Free Trial?

The free weekend of Apple TV+ isn’t the only way to get the streaming service for free. Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial before you have to pay the monthly subscription of $9.99. Like most free trials, a credit card is required to sign up, which is why Apple’s free weekend is a great, no-risk way to check out Apple’s library of content.

But there’s also another way to get an even longer trial period: Certain eligible Apple hardware purchases come with a three-month Apple TV+ free trial. Apple says that you can automatically see the free trial option in the Apple TV app on your new device.

Get Apple TV+ Free Through T-Mobile: That’s not a typo, either. You can get your very own Apple TV+ subscription for free through T-Mobile’s Go5G Next and Go5G Plus plans. You’ll need a T-Mobile account, and you can check to see if your plan is eligible for the Apple TV+ promotion online through T-Mobile’s site.

Get Apple TV+ at Best Buy: Another one of the best Apple TV+ deals online right now? You can also score three months of Apple TV+ for free through Best Buy — no strings attached. Check out the deal online at Best Buy.