LinkedIn Premium Free Trial 2026: How to Get 1 Month Free + 33% Off
Get LinkedIn Premium free for 1 month in 2026. Step-by-step signup guide, how to cancel before being charged, and all available discounts (student, military, annual).
To get the LinkedIn Premium free trial, visit premium.linkedin.com, click "Start my free month," and enter your payment details. LinkedIn offers a 1-month free trial for Premium Career ($29.99/month) and Premium Business ($59.99/month). Cancel anytime before the trial ends to avoid charges—you must wait 12 months between free trials. For a detailed breakdown of whether Premium is worth the cost, see our LinkedIn Premium review.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn Premium free trial: 1 month free at premium.linkedin.com—available for Premium Career and Business plans
- How to get it: Click "Start my free month" → Choose plan → Enter payment info → Cancel before billing starts
- Cancel to avoid charges: Go to Settings & Privacy → Subscriptions → Cancel at least 1 day before trial ends
- Annual discount: Save up to 33% with annual billing—Premium Career drops from $29.99 to $19.99/month
- No student discount: LinkedIn doesn't offer student pricing despite rumors—universities often provide free LinkedIn Learning
- Wait period: After canceling, wait 12 months before you're eligible for another free trial
LinkedIn Premium Free Trial: Everything You Need to Know
How Long Is the Free Trial?
According to LinkedIn's official help documentation, the LinkedIn Premium free trial lasts exactly one month from the date you redeem it.
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| Trial Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 month (30 days) |
| Available Plans | Premium Career, Premium Business |
| Credit Card Required | Yes |
| Cancel Anytime | Yes |
| Reminder Email | 7 days before trial ends |
How to Start Your Free Trial
- Visit LinkedIn Premium
- Click "Start my free month"
- Choose Premium Career or Premium Business
- Enter payment information
- Confirm your trial
Important: Your card will be charged automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel.
Free Trial Eligibility
According to LinkedIn's eligibility guidelines:
- New users: Most new Premium users qualify
- Previous trial users: Wait 12 months after canceling before another trial
- Former subscribers: May not be eligible if you've had Premium before
- Some regions: Trial availability varies by location
How to Cancel Before Being Charged
According to LinkedIn's cancellation FAQ, cancel your trial at least one day before it expires to avoid charges:
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- Click Subscriptions & Payments
- Select Manage Premium Account
- Click Cancel Subscription
- Confirm cancellation
Note: Mobile subscribers don't receive email reminders, so set your own calendar alert.
After cancellation:
- You keep Premium features until the trial end date
- You become ineligible for another free trial for 12 months
- Your account reverts to free LinkedIn
LinkedIn Premium Discount Options
Annual Billing Discount (Best Value)
The most reliable LinkedIn Premium discount is annual billing. According to LinkedIn's pricing page:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Monthly Equivalent | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Career | $29.99 | $239/year | $19.99/month | 33% |
| Premium Business | $59.99 | $575.88/year | $47.99/month | 20% |
| Sales Navigator Core | $99.99 | $959.88/year | $79.99/month | 20% |
| Recruiter Lite | $170 | $1,680/year | $140/month | 18% |
Recommendation: If you're confident you'll use Premium for 6+ months, annual billing pays for itself.
Does LinkedIn Have a Student Discount?
According to multiple sources, LinkedIn does not currently offer a student discount for Premium subscriptions.
However, students do get:
- LinkedIn Learning: Free access through many universities
- Free Premium trials: Same 1-month trial as everyone else
- Career services: Many schools provide LinkedIn resources
Some third-party sites claim student discounts exist, but these are typically affiliate promotions, not official LinkedIn programs.
Military Discount
According to various reports, eligible military members may qualify for:
- 1 year of free Premium Career
- Verification through military ID
- Available to active duty and veterans
Contact LinkedIn Support directly to inquire about military discounts.
Employer-Provided Premium
Many companies offer Premium as an employee benefit:
- 12 months of free Premium access
- LinkedIn Learning for professional development
- Check with your HR department
Promotional Discounts
LinkedIn occasionally offers promotional discounts:
- Seasonal sales: Black Friday, New Year promotions
- Retargeting offers: After you cancel, LinkedIn may offer discounts to return
- First-time subscriber deals: Occasional reduced pricing for new subscribers
According to CouponFollow, promotional discounts up to 60% off have appeared, though these are irregular.
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite: Complete Guide
What Is LinkedIn Recruiter Lite?
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite is LinkedIn's recruiting-focused subscription designed for individual recruiters and small hiring teams. According to LinkedIn Helper's analysis, it's positioned between Premium Business and full Recruiter.
Recruiter Lite Pricing (2026)
| Billing Option | Price | Effective Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $170/month | $170 |
| Annual (1 license) | $1,680/year | $140/month |
| Annual (2-5 licenses) | $2,670/year per license | $222.50/month |
Recruiter Lite Features
According to Leonar's comparison:
| Feature | Recruiter Lite | Included |
|---|---|---|
| InMail credits | 30/month | ✅ |
| Search filters | 21 filters | ✅ |
| Candidate tracking | Basic ATS | ✅ |
| Job posting management | Yes | ✅ |
| Saved searches | Yes | ✅ |
| Skills & Assessments filter | Exclusive | ✅ |
| Year of Graduation filter | Exclusive | ✅ |
| Full LinkedIn database access | No | ❌ |
| 3rd+ degree connections | No | ❌ |
Recruiter Lite vs. Sales Navigator
According to Evaboot's comparison, here's how they compare:
| Feature | Recruiter Lite ($170/mo) | Sales Navigator ($99/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $170/month | $99/month |
| InMails | 30/month | 50/month |
| Search Filters | 21 | 30+ |
| Network Access | 1st-3rd degree only | Full database |
| Best For | Recruiters needing ATS | Sales + recruiting |
| Candidate Tracking | Built-in | Requires external CRM |
| Job Posting Tools | Yes | No |
Key insight: Sales Navigator offers more InMails (50 vs. 30), more filters (30+ vs. 21), and full database access for $71/month less than Recruiter Lite.
When to Choose Recruiter Lite
Choose Recruiter Lite if you:
- Need built-in candidate tracking and ATS features
- Post jobs directly through LinkedIn
- Want the Skills & Assessments filter
- Prefer an all-in-one recruiting workflow
Choose Sales Navigator instead if you:
- Want full LinkedIn database access
- Need more InMails (50 vs. 30)
- Also do sales prospecting
- Want to save $71/month
Recruiter Lite Alternatives
According to Leonar's analysis:
| Alternative | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Navigator + Automation | $99 + $50 | Full database access, automation |
| Premium Business | $59.99 | 15 InMails, limited for recruiting |
| Free LinkedIn + Boolean Search | $0 | Limited to 1st-3rd degree |
| Full Recruiter | $835+ | For enterprise recruiting teams |
Many budget-conscious recruiters pair Sales Navigator ($100/month) with tools like Linked Helper for outreach, getting similar capabilities for a fraction of Recruiter Lite's price.
Money-Saving Strategies for LinkedIn Premium
Strategy 1: The Free Trial Sprint
Time your free trial strategically:
- Wait until you have a specific job search or project
- Activate the trial when you're ready to use Premium intensively
- Accomplish your goal within the month
- Cancel before being charged
Strategy 2: Annual Billing Math
Do the calculation before committing:
- Break-even point: ~8 months of use
- If you're confident you'll use Premium for 8+ months, annual billing saves money
- If unsure, pay monthly and reassess
Strategy 3: Leverage Free Alternatives
Many Premium features have free alternatives:
| Premium Feature | Free Alternative |
|---|---|
| InMail | Engage with posts, get introduced via connections |
| Who viewed your profile | Focus on inbound visibility |
| LinkedIn Learning | YouTube, Coursera, freeCodeCamp |
| Applicant insights | Research on Glassdoor, network with employees |
Strategy 4: Ask Your Employer
Many companies provide:
- LinkedIn Learning access (often included in Premium)
- Sales Navigator for sales teams
- Recruiter licenses for hiring managers
- Professional development budgets for individual subscriptions
Strategy 5: The Inbound Alternative
Instead of paying for Premium features to do outbound (InMails, advanced search), consider investing in inbound lead generation:
| Outbound (Premium) | Inbound (Authority Building) |
|---|---|
| $30-170/month for InMails | $0-39/month for visibility |
| Chase prospects who don't know you | Attract prospects who find you |
| 10-25% InMail response rate | 70%+ positive conversations |
| Transactional relationship start | Trust established before contact |
Learn more about LinkedIn engagement strategies that work without Premium.
How ConnectSafely.ai Compares
While LinkedIn Premium helps you reach out to strangers, ConnectSafely.ai helps strangers find and reach out to you:
| Feature | LinkedIn Premium | ConnectSafely.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $29.99-$170 | $39 |
| Approach | Outbound (you chase) | Inbound (they come to you) |
| Response Quality | Cold, skeptical | Warm, interested |
| Account Risk | None | None (platform-compliant) |
| Primary Value | InMails, insights | Visibility, authority |
The key difference: Premium gives you credits to interrupt strangers. ConnectSafely.ai builds visibility so the right people discover you naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the LinkedIn Premium free trial?
To get the LinkedIn Premium free trial: 1) Go to premium.linkedin.com, 2) Click "Start my free month," 3) Choose Premium Career ($29.99/month) or Premium Business ($59.99/month), 4) Enter your payment information, 5) Start using Premium features immediately. Cancel before the month ends to avoid charges. According to LinkedIn's official help, you must wait 12 months between free trials.
How long is the LinkedIn Premium free trial?
The LinkedIn Premium free trial lasts exactly 1 month (30 days) from your activation date. According to LinkedIn's documentation, you'll receive a reminder email 7 days before the trial ends. Your credit card will be charged automatically when the trial expires unless you cancel. Set a calendar reminder to cancel if you don't want to continue. For help with cancellation, see our how to cancel LinkedIn Premium guide.
Is there a LinkedIn Premium student discount in 2026?
No, LinkedIn does not currently offer a student discount for Premium subscriptions. Despite claims on some websites, there is no official student pricing. However, students can: 1) Use the same 1-month free trial as everyone else, 2) Access LinkedIn Learning free through many universities, 3) Check if their school's career services offers LinkedIn resources. For alternatives to Premium, see is LinkedIn Premium worth it.
How do I cancel LinkedIn Premium free trial before being charged?
To cancel your LinkedIn Premium free trial: Go to Settings & Privacy → Subscriptions & Payments → Manage Premium Account → Cancel Subscription. According to LinkedIn's cancellation FAQ, cancel at least 1 day before your trial ends. After canceling, you keep Premium features until the trial expiration date. Mobile subscribers don't receive email reminders, so set your own calendar alert. Complete step-by-step instructions in our Premium cancellation guide.
Can I get LinkedIn Premium for free permanently?
You can get LinkedIn Premium free temporarily through: 1) The 1-month free trial for new users, 2) Military discount (1 year free for eligible service members and veterans), 3) Employer-provided Premium as a company benefit, 4) Promotional offers after canceling (LinkedIn sometimes offers discounts to win back customers). There's no permanent free Premium option. After any free period, you'll need to pay $29.99-$170/month depending on plan. Consider inbound LinkedIn strategies as a free alternative to Premium's outbound features.
What's the difference between LinkedIn Premium Career and Business?
LinkedIn Premium Career ($29.99/month) includes 5 InMails, "Who Viewed Your Profile" history, applicant insights, salary insights, and LinkedIn Learning access—designed for job seekers. Premium Business ($59.99/month) includes 15 InMails, unlimited people browsing, and business insights—designed for networking and lead generation. For recruiting, consider Recruiter Lite ($170/month). For sales, Sales Navigator ($99.99/month) offers better value. Full comparison in our LinkedIn Premium review.
How much does LinkedIn Recruiter Lite cost in 2026?
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite costs $170/month on monthly billing or $1,680/year ($140/month equivalent) on annual billing. It includes 30 InMails per month, 21 search filters, candidate tracking, and job posting features. For comparison, Sales Navigator at $99.99/month offers 50 InMails and 30+ filters but no ATS features. Many recruiters find Sales Navigator plus external tools more cost-effective than Recruiter Lite.
Does annual billing save money on LinkedIn Premium?
Yes, annual billing saves 18-33% depending on the plan. Premium Career drops from $29.99/month to $19.99/month (33% savings). Premium Business drops from $59.99 to $47.99/month (20% savings). The break-even point is ~8 months—if you're confident you'll use Premium for at least 8 months, annual billing saves money. Otherwise, pay monthly and reassess after 3 months.
Looking for a better return on your LinkedIn investment? Start your free trial with ConnectSafely.ai and discover how inbound lead generation attracts leads without paying for InMails. Build LinkedIn authority that works for you 24/7.
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