For the first time in history, each and every one of us is faced with the same challenge: How do we go about our lives remotely? We live in a world that has seemingly been preparing to keep us home more and more as technology advances. Many companies have been taking advantage of remote opportunities for employees for years, and for years we have had the option to order-in and binge watch Netflix instead of going out. However, in these unprecedented times, we are now seeking new virtual activities and creative ways that we can create a “new normal” online.

From work to entertainment and education to travel, families are leaving no stone unturned in an effort to bridge the gap in our regular routines. Startups and tech companies’ user bases are soaring, and many are offering free trials to help those in need. Here is a list of free trials and offers to take advantage of during COVID-19.

Streaming Services

One thing we can agree on is that being stuck at home 24/7 isn’t as fun as we’d all imagined. Thankfully, there are a number of TV and movie-streaming services offering free trials to satisfy your binge-watching needs.

• Netflix – The original pioneer of video streaming has always offered a 30-day free trial, so if you’re wondering what all the hype about Tiger King and Stranger Things is about, now’s the time to sign up.
• Amazon Prime – Amazon Prime offers a massive library of popular shows and movies. What many don’t realize who are using the perk-filled delivery program from Amazon is that it is included with a Prime membership. If you’re not a Prime member, there’s always a 30-day free trial waiting for you.
• Quibi – Quibi is a short-form mobile-only video platform with original content that consists of 10 minutes or less. Anyone who signs up before April 30 will receive a 90-day free trial.
• Shudder – Shudder is owned and operated by AMC Networks and features horror, thriller, and supernatural films, TV shows, and podcasts for horror enthusiasts. New users can get a 30-day free trial with promo code SHUTIN.
• Showtime – Showtime offers a variety of TV shows, films, and original content, including Homeland and Shameless. The service will offer a 30-day free trial for viewers who sign up before May 3.
• HBO – Since Friday, April 3, HBO has been making 500 hours of programming available for free via HBO Now and HBO GO. You don’t need a subscription.
• SiriusXM – SiriusXM has made its 300-plus channel-streaming service available for free in North America through May 15.

Work Tools

If it’s possible for you to work from home, you likely already are, but it takes a little getting used to. Here are some popular remote-work tools offering free trials during the pandemic.

• Teams chat app by Microsoft – Microsoft has opened up a free six-month trial of its popular Teams chat app. The tool allows work teams to communicate quickly and efficiently in one place to keep employees connected.
• Zoom – Zoom has always offered a free version of its video conferencing service, but as it saw its usership skyrocket in the last few months, it has focused on ramping up it’s free offerings.
• DocuSign – DocuSign is offering free access to its electronic signature software for managing electronic agreements.
• Hootsuite – Hootsuite is offering free access for Hootsuite Professional to small businesses and nonprofits until July 1, 2020. This will help users manage social media and stay connected with customers and communities.

Utilities

By now, you’ve probably started to think about how you can cut expenses during this unusual time. These utility and service providers have implemented ways to help their customers.

• Comcast – Comcast is offering free Xfinity WiFi for everyone with hotspots available, including non-Xfinity subscribers. To access the service, look for the “xfinitywifi” network name in a list of hotspots.
• AT&T & Charter Communications – Offering free public WiFi for 60 days.
• Cellular Providers – Companies like Verizon, Spring, and others are pledging not to shut off service during the pandemic, and most are offering additional data to support customers’ needs. Others, like Mint Mobile, are offering unlimited data as needed.
• Spectrum – Free Spectrum internet for 60 days if you live in a household with a K-12 or college student.
• Sprint – Offering free unlimited data to all customers.

At Home

If you’re looking for a break from the screen, below are some free trials that allow you to unplug.

• Headspace – Headspace is offering free meditations you can listen to anytime.
• Calm – Calm is extending free hand-picked resources to support your mental and emotional wellness.
• Audible by Amazon – Audible is offering free stories for kids of all ages to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
• Shopify – Need a little retail therapy? Shopify is offering a free 90-day trial for all new customers. If you’re currently on a 14-day trial, you can extend it to 90 days.

Exercise

If walking back and forth between the couch and the refrigerator isn’t meeting your goal step count for the day, here are a few companies offering free exercise programs during the pandemic.

Cardio/Strength:

• Peloton – Peloton is providing a free 90-day trial of its subscription workout app. The fitness freebie doesn’t require a Peloton-branded bike or treadmill. Users can choose from classes such as yoga, meditation, strength training and more.
• Planet Fitness – Planet Fitness is offering free in-home workouts on Facebook and in its mobile app.
• ObéFitness – Live fitness classes with a 30-day free trial (use code ATHOME).
• Fhitting Room – On demand HIIT and strength workouts with a 30-day free trial.
• Beachbody – Online classes with a 14-day free trial.
• 305 Fitness – 305 Fitness, which boasts dance cardio workouts, has a variety of free workout videos on its YouTube channel.

Yoga/Pilates:

• YogaWorks – Online yoga classes with a 14-day free trial.
• Sky Ting – Online yoga classes with a free seven-day trial.
• Blogilates – Free workout videos, challenges and plans.
• Pilates Anytime – Access to over 3,000 Pilates classes with 15-day free trial.
• CorePower Yoga – Free week of yoga for new users.

Education

How are your little ones holding up? With schools shuttered for the rest of the year in most parts of the country, keeping your kids engaged in learning is not an easy task. Below are some free educational tools that will help.

• Codecademy – Offering a free seven-day trial for coding classes in a variety of programming languages with no credit card required.
• Skillshare – Free two-month trial for on-demand learning in business, technology, design, photography and more.
• LinkedIn Learning – Free one-month trial to learn business, tech and creative skills from industry experts.
• Coursera – Offers online courses provided by the top global universities and major companies. Trials are available for most specializations.
• QuickStart – Online IT certification courses and self-paced training.
• Adobe – Adobe is supporting educators and students with free at-home access to its Creative Cloud applications online after thousands of schools switched to online learning to combat the coronavirus spread. Adobe’s current global higher education and K-12 institution customers are able to request at-home access, which will be granted until May 31, 2020.

Art

Need a cultural break to stimulate your senses? Here are some free trials that will keep your eyes and ears busy during the pandemic.

• The Met – The Metropolitan Opera is offering free streams of its performances in HD.
• Playbill – Enjoy Broadway shows from the comfort of your home. Playbill has 15 shows waiting for you to stream online.
• Art Museums – Many of the world’s most popular museums are offering free virtual tours.
• Art Classes – Looking to explore your artistic side? These universities are providing free art classes online.
• Music Lessons – California Music Academy and School of Rock are just a few of the organizations offering free music lesson trials.

Live Music and Sports

While you won’t be attending many live events anytime soon, here are some sites offering free trials to get you through until you can:

• NFL Game Pass – Watch replays of NFL games as well as insider access free through May 31.
• NBA League Pass – Watch free NBA games online.
• NHL – The NHL and Sportsnet has made full replays of all the 2019-20 NHL regular-season games free to stream on demand.
• Musicians – Musicians like John Legend, Keith Urban, and Chris Martin of Coldplay have been live-streaming mini concerts on Instagram and Facebook. Keep an eye on your favorite musicians’ social media pages to catch them in action.
• Coachella – Watch the popular music festival with a free one-month trial of YouTube Premium.

However you choose to spend your time at home, we hope that you find opportunities to grow and learn.