If you've ever found yourself scrolling through LinkedIn, looking at those enticing Premium features, you're not alone. The ability to send InMail messages, see who's been creeping on your profile, and access deep insights into job applicants and companies sounds great—until you check the price tag. At $29.99 a month (at least), it’s not exactly pocket change. So, the big question is: How to Get LinkedIn Premium for Free.
Surprisingly, there are a few legit ways to score LinkedIn Premium access without paying a dime—or at least get it at a significant discount. In this guide, I’ll break down the methods of how to get LinkedIn Premium for free, the fine print, and is LinkedIn premium worth it.
Why Do You Need a Premium Plan?
So, is LinkedIn Premium worth it or is it merely another shiny subscription designed to suck money out of you? That solely depends on how you operate on LinkedIn. If you're seriously job searching, networking, and actively working in sales or recruitment, Premium can be a game-changer. Outside messaging people that are not your connections, seeing who has been viewing your profile (hello, mysterious recruiter?), and gaining deeper analytics gives you an edge. For those who just log on to like the occasional post or update their job title every two years, this value might be hard to see. It really comes down to, does it justify the price for your particular goals?
LinkedIn Premium subscriptions explained
LinkedIn Premium: just think of it as the covered VIP section of the professional networking universe. Rather than usual services, higher-paying members enjoy upgraded job insights, greater direct messaging capabilities, and some see-who-viewed-your-profile fun. But not so fast. A worthy consideration before you leap into this is the fact that no two Premium plans are the same. The tiers are all quite different and serve different needs. There is a plan— and a price tag on it— for job hunters, business networkers, sales professionals, and recruiters alike. Let’s dive into different premium plans.
LinkedIn Premium Plans:
Before we dive into free LinkedIn Premium, let’s quickly go over what LinkedIn Premium actually includes. Because let’s be real—there’s no point in hunting for something if you’re not sure you even need it, and you must be wondering how much does LinkedIn premium cost.
Here’s a breakdown of the main LinkedIn Premium plans:
- Premium Career – Tailored for job seekers. It lets you send direct messages (InMail), see who's viewed your profile, and get insights into salary trends.
- 💰 Price: $29.99/month
- Premium Business – Best for networking. You get advanced search filters, deeper company insights, and the ability to reach out to more people.
- 💰 Price: $59.99/month
- Sales Navigator Core and Advanced – Aimed at sales professionals who need to track leads, interact with prospects, and stay organized.
- 💰 Price: $99.99/month and $149.99/month
- Recruiter Lite – Designed for recruiters managing job postings and outreach.
- 💰 Price: $170/month
Alright, now that you know how much does LinkedIn premium cost and what you’re (potentially) missing out on, let’s get into the good stuff: how to get it for free.
1. LinkedIn Premium Free Trial
The simplest way to get free LinkedIn premium is through their 30-day free trial. It’s open to new users and gives full access to all Premium perks.
Starting LinkedIn Premium free trial - Steps:
- Log into your LinkedIn account.
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Subscriptions & Payments.
- Go-to🡪 “Try Premium for Free” 🡪 Click.
- Enter your payment details (don’t worry, you won’t be charged—yet).
🚨 Heads-up: Set a reminder to cancel before the 30 days are up. I’ve seen too many people forget and wake up to an unexpected charge. And let's be honest, arguing with customer support over an accidental LinkedIn charge isn't how anyone wants to spend their afternoon.
2. Getting LinkedIn Premium free from employee
Believe it or not, some LinkedIn employees offer free LinkedIn premium accounts through the #PlusOnePledge initiative. It’s a program where employees can grant Premium access to people who might benefit from it.
How to Try This:
- Search LinkedIn for #PlusOnePledge posts.
- Engage with LinkedIn employees who are sharing about the program.
- Politely reach out and ask if they’re still offering free Premium passes.
It’s a long shot, but it does work for some people. Just don’t be that person spamming every LinkedIn employee with “Hey, gimme Premium?” messages. That’s a one-way ticket to the ignored inbox.
3. Students and graduates can use LinkedIn Premium free too
If you’re a student (or even a fresh graduate), you might be eligible for LinkedIn Premium through your university. Many schools partner with LinkedIn to provide free access, especially for career-building purposes.
How to Check If You Qualify:
- Visit your university’s career services page.
- Contact your school’s LinkedIn liaison (yes, some schools have one).
- Check LinkedIn Learning—sometimes Premium access is bundled with it.
How to get a LinkedIn Premium discount?
This is one of the most overlooked ways to get free Premium, and it’s definitely worth a shot if you’re still rocking that student email address.
Okay, so maybe free isn’t in the cards. But if you’re still set on getting Premium, here are a few ways to pay less:
1. Annual Billing Discount
- If you commit to a full year, LinkedIn knocks up to 20% off the total price.
- It’s a bigger upfront cost, but it saves money in the long run.
2. Holiday & Promo Discounts
- LinkedIn sometimes runs discounts around Black Friday, New Year’s, and other major sales events.
- Regularly check their promotional offers.
3. Company Perks
- Some employers cover LinkedIn Premium for their employees. It’s worth asking HR!
4. Sales Navigator Discounts
- If you already have LinkedIn Premium, you might get a discount when upgrading to Sales Navigator.
- LinkedIn occasionally offers trial discounts for new Sales Navigator users.
LinkedIn Premium: Is It Worth the Hype?
For anyone currently active in job hunting, networking, or sales outreach, LinkedIn Premium is a great weapon in your arsenal. The ability to message those outside of your network, knowing who is checking out your profile, and using advanced search filters can seriously give you an edge.
If the only time you log into LinkedIn is about once a month to see how that old coworker is doing, then, yes, you probably don't need it.