Spoiler: Read to the end, because there you can get Sales Navigator for up to 2 months free and at a discounted rate afterwards. And this package is the most powerful tool LinkedIn offers for sales and new customer acquisition.
Getting LinkedIn Premium for free is an appealing goal for many users—after all, LinkedIn Premium offers numerous advantages over the basic version. With advanced search filters, InMails, profile insights and LinkedIn Learning, you can use the platform far more effectively for your career, networking or sales. But how can you get LinkedIn Premium for free, and what should you keep in mind?
In this article, you will learn how to start a free trial of LinkedIn Premium, which plans are available and which features you can use during the trial.
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium is the paid extension of the world's largest business platform. It offers exclusive features for job seekers, entrepreneurs, sales professionals and recruiters.
Many people mistake the term for a single package—but LinkedIn Premium actually includes several subscription options with different focuses.
Here is an overview of the main LinkedIn Premium plans:
- Premium Career: For job seekers—with access to LinkedIn Learning, advanced applicant insights and direct contact with recruiters.
- Premium Business: For self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs—including 15 InMails, detailed company data and advanced search filters.
- Sales Navigator: For sales professionals—with lead lists, intelligent recommendations and advanced filtering options.
- Recruiter Lite: For HR teams and recruitment agencies—with targeted search options and direct candidate outreach.
These plans can generally be tried through the official trial — though LinkedIn decides on a per-account basis whether you are offered a trial.
LinkedIn Premium for free—How to start the trial
LinkedIn offers a free trial — but not to everyone. LinkedIn states: “Not all members qualify for a free trial. Eligibility depends on several factors, including whether you've used a Premium trial before.” The duration is not fixed either: “Trial length may vary based on region or promotional terms.” In the interface, the option usually appears as “Upgrade and try for free for 1 month”; this does not guarantee a 30-day period. During the trial, you can use the Premium features included in the plan you selected.
How to activate the free trial:
- Click your profile picture in the top menu bar.
- Select “Settings & Privacy”.
- Go to “Account preferences” > “Subscriptions & payments”.
- Click “Try Premium free for 1 month”.
- Choose the LinkedIn Premium plan you want (Career, Business, Sales Navigator or Recruiter Lite).
- Enter your payment details — LinkedIn requires a valid credit card to start the free month.
Tip: If you try LinkedIn Premium for free, remember to cancel the trial in time if you do not want a paid subscription.
Important information about the LinkedIn Premium trial
- After you cancel a trial, LinkedIn blocks another one for at least twelve months: “If you cancel a free Premium trial, you won't be eligible to sign up for another free trial for at least 12 months.”
- If you switch Premium plans during the trial, you lose the trial benefits — and you will not get them back if you switch back.
- During the free trial, you have access to all Premium features—from InMails to detailed profile insights.
- If you do not cancel the subscription, it automatically converts into a paid monthly subscription.
This means: Trying LinkedIn Premium for free is risk-free as long as you cancel in time.
LinkedIn states the conditions for Sales Navigator more specifically: the free trial is available to members who do not currently have a paid LinkedIn subscription, including Premium or Sales Navigator, and who have not used a LinkedIn trial in the past 365 days. Availability and features may vary by plan and region. A payment method is required; LinkedIn sends a reminder email seven days before the trial ends.
Sources: LinkedIn Help, “Try Premium for free”, “LinkedIn free Premium trial eligibility” it and enter it LinkedIn Sales Solutions, plan comparison; accessed 18 September 2026.
Why try LinkedIn Premium for free?
A free LinkedIn Premium trial is the ideal way to discover the platform’s full potential. You not only get access to exclusive features, but also valuable insights into your reach and visibility.
Benefits of the free trial:
- InMails: Direct messages to people outside your network.
- Advanced search filters: Precise searches for companies, job titles and decision-makers.
- Profile statistics: A complete overview of who has visited your profile.
- LinkedIn Learning: Access to thousands of online courses for your professional development.
- Company insights: Detailed data on growth, structure and employees.
If you actively use LinkedIn, these features can help you build more reach, better connections and new business opportunities — free of charge during the trial.
Tips for getting the most out of LinkedIn Premium for free
- Define your goal: Do you want to win new customers, find your next job or network strategically? Choose the right Premium package.
- Use LinkedIn Learning: Develop your skills to make your profile more attractive.
- Save searches: Work in a structured way with leads or candidates.
- Reach out strategically: Use InMails for relevant conversations instead of mass messages.
- Analyse your reach: Use profile statistics to optimise your activity.
The more actively you use the free month, the better you will understand whether an upgrade is worthwhile in the long term.
Are there other ways to use LinkedIn Premium for free?
In addition to the official trial, there are occasional promotions where LinkedIn Premium is offered for free for longer periods—for example, for students or through partner programmes. However, these offers are limited in time and vary by region.
Another option: Some educational institutions or companies provide LinkedIn Premium to their employees for free—primarily through access to LinkedIn Learning.
Conclusion: Use LinkedIn Premium for free—your start to greater success
Trying LinkedIn Premium for free is the easiest way to experience LinkedIn’s full potential. Whether you are looking for a job, want to increase your reach or build business connections strategically—the free trial provides all the tools you need.
The trial lets you find out which plan suits you and whether long-term use is worthwhile — but it is only risk-free if you cancel in time, as the subscription otherwise continues at a cost.
LinkedIn Premium for free is more than just a trial—it is your springboard to better networking, targeted outreach and professional growth.
How to get Sales Navigator for even less
Sign up for CompLeadly now. To do so, click "Start free trial" in the top right corner.
Only as a CompLeadly customer do you get access to up to 2 months of a free Sales Navigator trial (if you have not had a Premium membership in the last 12 months).
And only as a CompLeadly customer do you get access to up to 50% off Sales Navigator.
