Bollywood is no longer just India’s film industry — it’s a global cultural phenomenon. From the emotional storytelling of iconic family dramas to high-energy dance numbers, crime thrillers, romance sagas, and award-winning originals, Bollywood has become a worldwide brand. With millions of fans across India, Pakistan, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America, people everywhere want one thing:
Affordable and easy access to high-quality Bollywood content.
And good news:
Most major Bollywood streaming platforms offer free trials or promotional intro periods that let you explore their libraries without paying upfront.
This 2025 guide breaks down:
- Which Bollywood streaming apps offer free trials
- How long the trials last
- What’s included
- Geo-restrictions and how to bypass them legally
- Which service is best for which type of Bollywood fan
- Hidden offers from telecom companies and smart TV brands
- Everything you need to know before you sign up
Plus, at the end, you’ll get a complete list of buying and upgrade options if you’d prefer not to rely on free trials.
Let’s dive in.
Why Free Trials Are a Huge Advantage for Bollywood Viewers
Unlike Hollywood streaming services, Bollywood platforms vary widely in terms of:
- Content variety
- Regional languages
- Original series
- Premium movie rights
- Sports integration (especially Hotstar)
- User experience
- Streaming quality
- Ads vs. no-ads
- Regional pricing
This makes free trials extremely valuable, because you can test:
- How fast the app loads
- Whether subtitles are available in your preferred language
- If the platform supports your device (Smart TV, Fire Stick, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, etc.)
- How soon new Bollywood movies are added after theatrical release
- Whether buffering issues occur in your region
- How many screens you can share with family
Some Bollywood apps are great for movies but poor for live TV. Some excel at originals but lack older classics. Some are built for mobile users, not TVs.
A free trial lets you test all that risk-free.
The Top Bollywood Streaming Apps Offering Free Trials in 2025
Let’s break down the most popular Bollywood streaming platforms worldwide and their free trial status.
1. Disney+ Hotstar (India + Global Versions)
Disney+ Hotstar remains one of the biggest and most important Bollywood streaming platforms.
Free Trial Status (2025)
Hotstar India does NOT usually offer a traditional free trial.
However, you can still get Hotstar trial access through:
✔ Telecom Promotions
Many Indian telcos offer Hotstar subscriptions bundled with prepaid/postpaid plans, including:
Jio
- Jio Fiber plans include Hotstar free for a month
- Some mobile prepaid plans include Hotstar Mobile plan
Airtel
- Airtel prepaid bundles offer Hotstar Mobile trial versions
- Airtel postpaid plans may include 30-day Hotstar access
Vi (Vodafone Idea)
- Periodic 1-month Hotstar promo for certain recharge packs
✔ Smart TV and Device Bundles
Hotstar often partners with:
- Samsung TVs
- LG Smart TVs
- Android TV devices
- Tata Sky Binge
- Airtel Xstream
These devices may include 14-day to 30-day Hotstar trials.
What You Get
- Latest Bollywood movies
- Disney+ content
- Indian TV shows
- Live sports (cricket, football, kabaddi, etc.)
- Hotstar Specials originals
- Regional-language content (Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada)
Best For
- Bollywood lovers who also enjoy Indian sports
- Fans of regional-language cinema
- Families wanting a consolidated app for movies + shows + cricket
2. Amazon Prime Video India (Bollywood Section)
Prime Video has one of the strongest Bollywood collections, mixing:
- 2020–2025 new movies
- Bollywood classics
- International Hindi-dubbed content
- Amazon Originals
- MiniTV free content
Free Trial Status (2025)
Prime Video typically offers a 30-day free trial in many countries.
In India, the free trial occasionally disappears, but you can still access:
✔ Airtel, Jio, and VI Bundles
These mobile networks sometimes include 30 days of Prime Video Mobile Edition, a mobile-only version of Prime Video.
✔ Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (Global)
In US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several regions across Europe & Africa, the standard Amazon Prime 30-day free trial is still active.
What You Get
- Huge Bollywood library (new & old)
- Hindi-dubbed Hollywood content
- South Indian cinema
- Prime Video originals like Mirzapur, The Family Man, Made in Heaven
- Free delivery with full Prime (in eligible countries)
- Early access to deals
- Prime Music
Best For
- Users wanting one subscription for everything
- Fans of premium originals
- Those who want Bollywood + Hollywood + global content
3. Netflix India (Bollywood + Hindi Originals)
Netflix has significantly expanded its Bollywood catalog with exclusive originals, movies, and reality shows.
Free Trial Status (2025)
Netflix does NOT offer free trials in most countries.
However…
Netflix India Intro Offers
Occasionally, Netflix India offers:
- 30 days for ₹5
- First month 50% off
- Mobile-only plan discounts
These are not free trials but work similarly for new users.
Best For
- Users who enjoy high-production-value Hindi originals
- Bollywood fans wanting premium movies quickly after release
- Viewers wanting Hindi + global cinema
4. Zee5 (Huge Hindi + Regional Movie Library)
Zee5 has one of the biggest Bollywood collections, including:
- Zee Studios movies
- Daily soaps
- Hindi originals
- Premium movies with early release
Free Trial Status (2025)
Zee5 occasionally offers:
- 15-day free trial
- Buy 1 month, get 1 free
- Promo codes via Paytm, PhonePe
- Telco offers through Jio Fiber
Trials vary by country, but Zee5 is known for frequent promotions.
What You Get
- Bollywood movies (new + classics)
- Web series
- Regional cinema from 12+ languages
- Live TV channels (in some regions)
- Kids content
Best For
- Viewers who want a large Hindi movie library
- Users who enjoy Indian daily soaps and serials
- Families wanting a cheaper streaming option
5. Sony LIV (Bollywood + Sony Entertainment Network)
Sony LIV has grown rapidly due to:
- Live sports
- Thriller/drama originals
- Sony Pictures films
- SAB TV, Sony TV shows
Free Trial Status (2025)
Sony LIV sometimes offers:
- 7-day free trial
- 14-day trial via Google Play promo
- Device promotions with Sony TVs and Android Boxes
Best For
- Bollywood + Crime thriller fans
- People who watch SAB/Sony channels
- Sports fans
6. ALTBalaji (Now Known as Balaji’s OTT Platform)
This platform focuses on:
- Hindi web dramas
- Romance
- Crime
- Youth-oriented content
Free Trial Status (2025)
ALTBalaji sometimes offers:
- 3-day free trial
- Pay ₹1 for the first month promotions
7. JioCinema (Bollywood + HBO + Studios Content in India)
JioCinema recently transformed the Indian streaming landscape due to:
- Bollywood blockbusters
- Hollywood tie-ins
- HBO content
- New premium originals
- The IPL (Indian Premier League)
Free Trial Status (2025)
JioCinema Premium may offer:
- 7-day free trials
- Free access for Jio SIM users
- Smart TV promotional access
8. Eros Now
Eros Now focuses heavily on Bollywood and Indian film industries.
Free Trial Status (2025)
Eros Now offers:
- 14-day free trial
- Pay-per-movie rentals
Best For
- Fans of classic Bollywood + 90s films
- Viewers who want cheap monthly pricing
9. Hoichoi, Sun NXT, Aha, and Other Regional Apps (with Hindi Dub Options)
These regional apps also offer:
- Free trials (7–30 days)
- Mobile-only plans
- Device-based promotions
Though not strictly “Bollywood,” many fans enjoy dubbed movies from these platforms.
A Comparison Table of Bollywood Streaming Free Trials (2025)
| Streaming Service | Free Trial? | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotstar | Limited (via telcos) | Varies | Best for Bollywood + Sports |
| Prime Video India | Yes in many regions | 30 days | Mobile edition via telcos |
| Netflix India | No | — | Sometimes ₹5 first month |
| Zee5 | Yes | 15 days | Frequent promotions |
| Sony LIV | Yes | 7–14 days | Strong sports content |
| ALTBalaji | Yes | 3 days | Low-cost plans |
| JioCinema Premium | Sometimes | 7 days | Huge Bollywood growth |
| Eros Now | Yes | 14 days | Massive classics collection |
How to Maximize Your Free Bollywood Trial
✔ 1. Start only when you’re ready to watch
Don’t activate a trial randomly — plan a “binge period.”
✔ 2. Create a watchlist before starting
This ensures you don’t waste your trial finding content.
✔ 3. Test the app on all your devices
Smart TV
Fire Stick
Mobile
Laptop
Tablet
Check for buffering, subtitle issues, casting problems.
✔ 4. Invite family members
Make the most of multi-screen options.
✔ 5. Cancel early but keep watching
Most services allow access until trial ends.
✔ 6. Use multiple trials across platforms
This gives you 3–6 months of free Bollywood entertainment.
If You Prefer to Buy
If you prefer to buy or upgrade rather than join a free trial, here are some options you can consider.
Below is the full list of paid plans, premium tiers, and upgrade bundles offered by each Bollywood streaming platform in 2025.
Paid and Upgrade Options for Bollywood Streaming Services (2025)
1. Disney+ Hotstar
- Hotstar Mobile Plan
- Hotstar Super Plan
- Hotstar Premium Plan
- Annual Plans (discounted)
- Disney+ Hotstar Bundle
- Telecom-recharge bundles
- Smart TV subscription offers
2. Amazon Prime Video
- Prime Video Mobile Edition
- Full Amazon Prime Monthly
- Full Amazon Prime Annual (cheapest option)
- Prime Video Channels (add-ons):
- Lionsgate Play
- Eros Now
- discovery+
- Hoichoi
- Pay-per-view rentals
- Device-based free trials with purchase of Fire Stick
3. Netflix India
- Mobile Plan
- Basic Plan
- Standard Plan
- Premium Plan
- Mobile-only limited offers
- Seasonal “first month discount” offers
4. Zee5
- Monthly Premium
- Annual Premium (value option)
- Zee5 + TV Packs (country-specific)
- Bundles through telecom providers
- Paytm/PhonePe discounted subscriptions
5. Sony LIV
- Mobile Only
- LIV Premium Monthly
- LIV Premium 6-Month Plan
- LIV Premium Annual
- Sony TV Bundles
- Cable/DTH integration bundles
6. JioCinema Premium
- JioCinema Mobile
- JioCinema Premium Family
- Annual discounted packs
- Jio SIM and Jio Fiber bundles
7. ALTBalaji
- Quarterly All-Access
- Annual All-Access
- Partner bundles with MX Player or Balaji teleco partners
8. Eros Now
- Eros Now Basic
- Eros Now Premium
- Annual Premium (best value)
- Bundled offers via TV manufacturers
9. Regional Platforms (Optional Bollywood Dubbed Content)
Aha
- Monthly
- Annual
Hoichoi
- Monthly
- Annual
- Family plan
Sun NXT
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Annual
Voot (now part of JioCinema ecosystem)
- Premium offerings via JioCinema subscription tiers
Final Recommendations: Which Bollywood Streaming Trial Should You Try First?
Based on your viewing habits:
✔ For Bollywood + Cricket + Disney + TV
Disney+ Hotstar
✔ For Bollywood + Global Content + Originals
Amazon Prime Video
✔ For Premium Hindi Originals & International Quality
Netflix India
✔ For Massive Bollywood Movie Library
Zee5
✔ For Crime Thrillers + SAB/Sony TV
Sony LIV
✔ For 90s Classics & Evergreen Films
Eros Now
✔ For Budget-Friendly Binge Watching
ALTBalaji
✔ For IPL + HBO + Blockbusters
JioCinema Premium
Conclusion: Enjoy Bollywood Free Trials Without Spending Money
Bollywood content has never been more accessible — and with the right combination of trials and promotions, you can enjoy months of free viewing across multiple platforms.
Whether you’re a die-hard Shah Rukh Khan fan, a lover of South Indian cinema dubbed in Hindi, or someone who enjoys family dramas and comedies, there is a perfect streaming platform for you.
And remember, if free trials aren’t your style or you want long-term stability, the “If You Prefer to Buy” section gives you all the purchasing options in one place so you can choose the best value for your budget.