Does Chegg Have a Free Trial? Updated 2026 Guide 

If you’re a high school or college student looking for academic help, it’s likely you’ve come across Chegg. Known for its textbook solutions, homework help, and study tools, Chegg is a popular platform among students who want extra support with their coursework. However, many students on a budget often wonder: Does Chegg offer a free trial? In this updated 2026 guide, we’ll answer that question and more, diving into Chegg’s pricing, free alternatives, and clever ways to take advantage of its services without breaking the bank.

TL;DR

Chegg no longer offers a traditional free trial in 2026, but there are limited-time offers and student discounts available. While you can’t access the full range of Chegg Study services for free, you can still preview solutions or take advantage of third-party trials and discount codes. For full access, a subscription is required. However, we’ll walk you through some smart ways to cut costs or explore free alternatives.

What is Chegg?

Chegg is an educational technology company that provides digital and physical textbook rentals, online tutoring, scholarship search tools, and more. Most notably, Chegg Study offers step-by-step solutions to textbook problems and expert Q&A services. Students use it for:

• Finding textbook solutions
• Getting help with difficult homework questions
• Studying for exams using practice questions and flashcards
• Accessing writing help and plagiarism checks

Does Chegg Offer a Free Trial in 2026?

As of 2026, Chegg does not offer a traditional free trial for its Chegg Study subscription. In previous years, Chegg occasionally tested 7-day free trials, particularly during peak student seasons. However, this is no longer a standard offering and is not currently available to new users.

That said, Chegg may still offer limited-time promotional deals throughout the academic year. These promotions sometimes include discounted first-month rates (e.g., $6.99 instead of $15.95) or access to select tools for a short duration.

Why Doesn’t Chegg Offer a Free Trial Anymore?

There are a few reasons why Chegg might have chosen to discontinue free trials:

• Content piracy concerns: Users may have taken advantage of free trials to access vast amounts of content and then cancel.
• Operational costs: Hosting expert Q&A services and textbook content is resource-intensive.
• Subscription model optimization: Chegg encourages long-term subscriptions that come with loyalty benefits instead.

How Can You Still Try Chegg for Free?

Even though there’s no official free trial, students have found creative ways to explore Chegg’s services for free or at a discounted rate:

1. Use the Preview Feature: Chegg sometimes allows non-subscribers to preview parts of a solution or see if their textbook is available in the database.
2. Look for Chegg Discount Codes: Sites like RetailMeNot or Honey occasionally feature Chegg discounts for first-time users.
3. Explore Campus Partnerships: Some universities partner with Chegg and provide students limited free access. Ask your student services or academic success office.
4. Try Referral Programs: If a friend has a subscription, they can refer you for a discount or in some cases, a trial period.

Chegg Subscription Tiers and Pricing (2026)

If you decide to subscribe, it helps to know what you’re paying for. As of 2026, Chegg offers a few main subscription plans:

• Chegg Study: $15.95/month – Includes access to step-by-step textbook solutions and expert Q&A.
• Chegg Study Pack: $19.95/month – Adds extra tools like math solver, writing help, and citation support.
• Chegg Math Solver (standalone): $9.95/month – Ideal for students who need math-specific help.

Note: Prices may vary slightly depending on your region or any active promotions.

Are There Any Free Alternatives to Chegg?

If you’re not ready to invest in Chegg yet, several reliable educational platforms also offer free resources:

• Slader: Offers free access to textbook solutions, especially for math and science.
• Khan Academy: Excellent for video tutorials, practice exercises, and deep learning in subjects like math, science, and economics.
• Quizlet: A great tool for flashcards and learning aids made by students and educators.
• Wolfram Alpha: Powerful math engine for solving equations and step-by-step math help (some features are paid).
• Course Hero: Offers homework help and study documents with a limited free access option.

How Does Chegg Compare to Other Services?

Let’s take a quick look at how Chegg stacks up against other platform options in terms of features and value:

Tips to Maximize Your Chegg Subscription

If you do choose to purchase a Chegg subscription, make the most of it with these tips:

• Use the Q&A feature strategically: You get a limited number of questions per month—ask clear and specific ones.
• Download or bookmark solutions: So you can reference them offline or later without needing to log in again.
• Use Chegg’s writing tools: Their grammar and plagiarism checkers can save you time while writing papers.
• Cancel before renewal: If you’re only using it for a semester or month, set a calendar reminder to avoid auto-renewal charges.

The Bottom Line: Is Chegg Worth It?

Whether or not Chegg is worth it depends on your needs:

• If you’re struggling with coursework and need step-by-step help regularly, Chegg is a solid investment.
• If you only need help occasionally, you might get by with the preview features or free alternatives.
• If affordability is a concern, explore student discounts, referral offers, or university-provided access.

While the lack of a traditional free trial in 2026 might be disappointing, the value Chegg offers to dedicated students can make the monthly fee worthwhile—especially if you use all the features it comes with.

Final Thoughts

Chegg continues to be a valuable educational tool, even without a free trial. As of 2026, while users can’t unlock full services for free right away, smart navigation of discounts, previews, and partner offers can help you gain access at a lower cost—or even for free in some cases. Whether you’re majoring in biology, math, engineering, or humanities, Chegg remains a powerful option to enhance your academic life.

Just remember: use all educational apps responsibly and in compliance with your school’s academic integrity guidelines!