7 Tried and Tested Ways to Get LinkedIn Premium for Free in 2026
LinkedIn Premium costs between $40 and $170 per month depending on the plan. That's real money, especially if you're not sure whether it's worth it for your situation.
The good news: there are several legitimate ways to get LinkedIn Premium for free or at a significant discount. Some are well-known, some are surprisingly underused. Here are seven that actually work.
TL;DR
- LinkedIn's free trial gives you one month free (requires a credit card, auto-renews)
- Your employer may already pay for Premium — ask before buying
- Libraries and universities often provide free LinkedIn Learning access
- LinkedIn for Veterans gives eligible users one free year of Premium Career
- Journalists can apply for free Premium through LinkedIn's Journalism Project
- Referral credits and promotional discounts come up periodically
- You can negotiate discounts directly with LinkedIn, especially for Sales Navigator
Why Do You Want Free LinkedIn Premium?
Before diving into the methods, it's worth being clear about which Premium plan you actually need. LinkedIn has several:
Premium Career ($40/mo): For job seekers. Includes InMail credits, applicant insights, and LinkedIn Learning.
Premium Business ($60/mo): For professionals who want expanded search and business insights.
Sales Navigator Core ($100/mo): For salespeople. Advanced search filters, lead lists, and CRM integration.
Recruiter Lite ($170/mo): For recruiters. Advanced candidate search and InMail.
LinkedIn Premium Cost
The free methods below apply to different plans. Some (like the Veterans program) are specific to Premium Career. Others (like the free trial) apply to any plan. Know which plan you're targeting before you start.
How to Get LinkedIn Premium for Free
1. LinkedIn Premium Free Trial and Hacks
The most obvious option, but worth starting here because the details matter.
LinkedIn offers a one-month free trial for most Premium plans, including Sales Navigator. You need a credit card to start, and it auto-renews at the end of the trial period.
How to get it:
- Go to linkedin.com/premium
- Choose a plan
- Click "Try free for 1 month"
- Enter payment information
The catch: You must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged. Set a calendar reminder for day 25 or 26 of your trial.
Is it worth doing? Yes, especially for Sales Navigator. One month is enough time to run real searches, build a lead list, and evaluate whether the tool fits your workflow.
Note: LinkedIn limits free trials — you typically get one per account, per plan. If you've already used a trial for Sales Navigator, you can't get another one for the same plan. Some users have reported success creating a new LinkedIn account for a second trial, but this violates LinkedIn's Terms of Service and risks both accounts.
2. Connect with Some LinkedIn Employees
LinkedIn employees sometimes have access to Premium credits or promotional codes they can share. If you have a connection who works at LinkedIn, it's worth asking.
This isn't a guaranteed method, but it comes up often enough to be worth mentioning. LinkedIn employees are generally active on the platform and often willing to help connections who ask politely.
3. Free LinkedIn Premium for Students
LinkedIn has offered student discounts in the past, and some universities provide LinkedIn Premium access as part of their student software packages.
What to check:
- Your university's software or learning resources portal
- Your student email inbox for LinkedIn promotional offers
- LinkedIn's current student pricing at linkedin.com/learning/subscription/products
Student pricing varies by region and changes periodically. Check directly rather than relying on outdated information.
4. Go Get a Referral
LinkedIn occasionally runs referral programs where existing Premium users can share credits or discounted trial links with their network. These aren't always active, but when they are, they can get you 1-3 months free.
Where to find referral links:
- Ask Premium users in your network if they have any referral credits
- Check LinkedIn's promotional emails if you're already a member
- Look for LinkedIn partner promotions through tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, or other business software
5. LinkedIn for Veterans Program
LinkedIn offers one year of free Premium Career to veterans and military spouses through their LinkedIn for Veterans program.
Eligibility: U.S. veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses.
How to apply: Go to linkedin.com/veterans and follow the application process. You'll need to verify your military status.
This is a genuine, ongoing program — not a limited-time offer. If you're eligible, there's no reason not to use it.
6. More Free LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is included with Premium Career and Premium Business. But you might be able to access it for free through other channels.
Public libraries: Many public library systems in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia provide free access to LinkedIn Learning with a library card. Check your local library's digital resources page.
Universities: Many universities provide LinkedIn Learning access to students and alumni. Check your university's software or learning resources portal.
LinkedIn Learning free content: LinkedIn Learning also has a selection of free courses that don't require Premium. Not the full library, but worth checking if you're specifically after learning content.
Note: If LinkedIn Learning is the main reason you're considering Premium Career, check these free options first. You might get what you need without paying anything.
7. Premium Business for Journalists
LinkedIn offers free Premium access to journalists and members of the press through their LinkedIn Journalism Project.
Eligibility: Working journalists, editors, and media professionals.
How to apply: Check linkedin.com/journalism for current program details and application requirements.
The program has evolved over the years, so check the current status and eligibility requirements directly on LinkedIn's site.
FAQs
Can I get LinkedIn Premium for free forever? No legitimate method gives you Premium for free indefinitely. The methods above give you free access for a limited period (one month to one year) or through specific programs you qualify for.
What happens if I don't cancel my free trial? LinkedIn will automatically charge your credit card at the end of the trial period. Set a calendar reminder for day 25 of your trial to give yourself time to cancel if you decide not to continue.
Is it safe to use browser extensions that claim to unlock LinkedIn Premium? No. Browser extensions that claim to unlock Premium features are usually malware or phishing attempts. Avoid them entirely.
Can I share a LinkedIn Premium account with someone else? No. Account sharing violates LinkedIn's Terms of Service and can get both accounts suspended.
Does LinkedIn offer discounts for annual billing? Yes. LinkedIn typically offers 20-30% off when you pay annually instead of monthly. If you've decided to keep Premium, switching to annual billing is the easiest way to reduce the cost.
Conclusion
The seven methods above are all legitimate. Some require specific eligibility (Veterans program, Journalism Project). Others are available to anyone (free trial, employer benefits, library access).
Start with the easiest option for your situation. If you're a student, check your university portal. If you're a veteran, apply for the Veterans program. If you're evaluating Sales Navigator for your sales team, use the free trial and make the most of the month.
Getting More From LinkedIn Without Premium
If none of these free options work for your situation and you're not ready to pay, LinkedIn's free tier is more capable than most people realize.
You can still search for people, send connection requests, post content, engage with your network, and build relationships — all without Premium. The limits are real (search limits, no InMail, limited profile views), but they're not as restrictive as LinkedIn's marketing suggests.
And if you want to automate your LinkedIn outreach without paying for Sales Navigator, Outly works with your existing LinkedIn account to run personalized connection campaigns and follow-up sequences at scale. Starter plan from $39.99/mo.
Ready to get more from LinkedIn? Start your free trial with Outly and automate your outreach without needing Sales Navigator. Starter plan from $39.99/mo.
