A free trial gives a new user full or partial access for a limited time to demonstrate value before billing begins. It is a primary acquisition tool for SVOD, lowering the barrier to trying the service in the hope the user becomes a habitual, paying subscriber.
Operationally it requires careful entitlement and billing logic: granting time-boxed access, reminding before conversion, handling the trial-to-paid transition, and combating trial abuse (repeated sign-ups). Trials are measured by conversion rate and by the post-trial churn they produce - a generous trial that converts poorly or churns immediately can cost more than it earns, so they are tuned continuously.
The handbook · 7 volumes
Fora Soft Video Engineering Handbook
A free trial lowers the barrier to subscribing, and its entitlement rules decide whether it converts or gets abused. The seven volumes cover the video stack; for free trials start with Volume 3 on streaming economics, players, and license policy, then Volume 2 on delivery, with encoding cost in Volume 1. Written by Nikolay Sapunov, CEO at Fora Soft.
Designing a free trial that converts without inviting repeat sign-ups?
We will review your billing and entitlement flow and send a trial design with abuse checks and conversion tracking. 250+ video products shipped since 2005.
