LinkedIn Premium Free Trial & Discount Guide (2026)
Get LinkedIn Premium free trial, find discounts, and learn about Recruiter Lite pricing. Complete 2026 guide to saving money on LinkedIn subscriptions.
Looking for a LinkedIn Premium free trial or discount? LinkedIn offers a 1-month free trial for eligible members, plus up to 33% off with annual billing. This guide covers how to get the free trial, available discounts, and whether LinkedIn Recruiter Lite is worth its $170/month price tag.
Key Takeaways
- 1-month free trial available for Premium Career and Business (cancel anytime)
- Annual billing saves 33% on all LinkedIn Premium plans
- No student discount currently exists for LinkedIn Premium (despite rumors)
- Recruiter Lite costs $170/month ($140/month annual) with 30 InMails
- Military members may qualify for 1 year of free Premium Career
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.
| 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:
| 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 |
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 LinkedIn Premium free trial?
Visit premium.linkedin.com, click "Start my free month," choose your plan (Career or Business), and enter payment information. Cancel before the month ends to avoid charges. You must wait 12 months between free trials.
Is there a LinkedIn Premium student discount?
No, LinkedIn does not currently offer a student discount for Premium subscriptions. However, many universities provide free LinkedIn Learning access, and students qualify for the same 1-month free trial as everyone else.
How much does LinkedIn Recruiter Lite cost?
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite costs $170/month on monthly billing or $1,680/year ($140/month) on annual billing. It includes 30 InMails, 21 search filters, and candidate tracking features designed for individual recruiters.
Can I get LinkedIn Premium for free?
Yes, through the 1-month free trial available to eligible members. Military members may qualify for 1 year of free Premium Career. Some employers provide Premium as a benefit. After canceling a trial, you must wait 12 months for another.
What's the difference between LinkedIn Recruiter Lite and Sales Navigator?
Sales Navigator ($99/month) offers more InMails (50 vs. 30), more search filters (30+ vs. 21), and full LinkedIn database access. Recruiter Lite ($170/month) includes candidate tracking and job posting tools. Sales Navigator is often the better value for recruiters who don't need ATS features.
How do I cancel LinkedIn Premium free trial?
Go to Settings & Privacy → Subscriptions & Payments → Manage Premium Account → Cancel Subscription. Cancel at least 1 day before your trial ends to avoid charges. See our complete LinkedIn Premium cancellation guide.
Does LinkedIn Premium annual billing save money?
Yes. Annual billing saves 18-33% depending on the plan. Premium Career drops from $29.99/month to $19.99/month (33% savings). However, you pay upfront for 12 months, so only choose annual if you're confident you'll use Premium long-term.
Looking for a better return on your LinkedIn investment? Start your free trial and discover how inbound authority attracts leads without paying for InMails.
