Ever get stuck flipping through the same FM stations, only to hear the same songs on repeat or endless commercials?
That’s where SiriusXM changes the game.
SiriusXM is a satellite and streaming radio service that gives you access to hundreds of channels featuring music without ads, live sports play-by-play, talk shows, comedy, and even exclusive hosts you can’t find anywhere else. Think of it as radio without limits.
The service is built for people who spend time on the road. Whether you’re commuting, driving cross-country, or just want better music on your weekend trips, SiriusXM makes every ride feel less like background noise and more like a personal entertainment hub.
The best part? If you’re now getting started, you don’t need to commit right away.
With the SiriusXM 90-day free trial, you can test it out in your car and on your phone. For the car + streaming trial, you don’t even need a credit card. Just activate it and start enjoying commercial-free stations, live sports, and exclusive shows.
If you’re curious about how it works, what you’ll get, and what to watch out for before the trial flips into a paid plan, this guide will break it all down for you.
This post may contain affiliate links. TrialBear earns commissions at no extra cost to you when purchases are made through links on this page. For more info, visit the disclosure page.
What You Get on SiriusXM Free Trial
The 90-day SiriusXM free trial isn’t watered down. You get access to the same lineup paying subscribers enjoy, whether you’re listening in your car or streaming on your phone or on a device in your living room.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Car + Streaming Trial (Platinum Plan)
This is the flagship trial – and the one most drivers should grab since it covers both your car radio and streaming devices. On this plan, you’ll get:
- 425+ channels across music, sports, comedy, news, and talk.
- Ad-free music by decade, genre, and mood.
- Live sports play-by-play for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college games.
- Exclusive hosts and shows like Howard Stern, Andy Cohen, and Kevin Hart’s LOL Radio.
- Comedy and news channels you can’t get on FM.
- Access in your car, phone, smart speakers, and more with one account.
Streaming-Only Trial (All Access Plan)
If you don’t have a SiriusXM-equipped car (or just want it on your phone), the app trial gives you:
- The same 400+ channels available via streaming.
- Personalized Pandora-powered stations that adapt to your tastes.
- Full app access on iOS, Android, web browsers, smart TVs, Alexa/Google devices.
The biggest difference with this free trial is that you’ll have to enter your credit card info to get started.
What’s Not Included
- Premium add-ons like SiriusXM Traffic, Travel Link, or Weather Now.
- Some multi-radio discounts that kick in only after you’re a paying customer.
- Older car radios may need an upgrade or add-on hardware to activate.
You’re actually not missing too much during the trial. You’ll experience SiriusXM the same way regular subscribers do, which is the whole point – it’s a true test drive.
Things To Know Before You Start
Like most free trials, SiriusXM’s 90-day offer comes with a few strings attached. Nothing shady, but definitely things you’ll want to know upfront so you don’t get surprised later.
Auto-Renewal After Trial
When your 90 days are up, If you’re choose the App-only (All-Access plan) SiriusXM will automatically convert your trial into a paid subscription. That means you’ll start getting billed unless you cancel ahead of time.
The good news is you’ll get the same plan you tried.
The not-so-good news? You’ll pay full price unless you catch a promotion or switch to a cheaper plan.
Credit Card Requirements Vary
- Car + Streaming Trial: No credit card required. You just activate your radio and enjoy.
- App-Only Trial: Requires a card upfront. You won’t be charged until day 91, but the system needs billing info to start the trial.
Device Compatibility
Not every car is eligible. If you’ve got an older model that doesn’t come with SiriusXM built-in, you may need an aftermarket receiver or tuner.
You can still stream on your phone, but the “car radio” experience won’t be there unless your vehicle is equipped.
Premium Features Cost Extra
Add-ons like SiriusXM Traffic, Travel Link, and Weather Now aren’t part of the free trial. Those are extras you’d have to subscribe to later. Most people don’t need them unless they use SiriusXM as a full navigation tool.
Regional Coverage
The satellite service mainly covers the U.S. (and parts of Canada). If you travel internationally, the car radio won’t pick it upbut the streaming app will work anywhere with internet.
Takeaway: The SiriusXM free trial is very generous. However, depending on which option you choose, don’t forget to set a reminder before day 90 if you don’t plan on keeping it.
SiriusXM Free Trial Maximization Tips
Three months is a long time to try any service and a free trial only matters if you actually use it.
SiriusXM packs a lot into 90 days, so here’s how to make sure you don’t miss the good stuff.
1. Explore Genres Beyond Your Usual
It’s tempting to stick to the music you know, but SiriusXM is built for discovery. Test channels by decade (’60s, ’70s, ’80s), genre (rock, hip-hop, country, EDM), and even mood. You might find a new favorite channel you never expected.
2. Catch a Live Game or Sports Show
One of SiriusXM’s biggest advantages over Spotify or Apple Music is live sports play-by-play. Tune into an NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL game during your trial. It feels different when you’re driving and the broadcast follows you everywhere – no need to find a local AM station.
3. Try Exclusive Shows
Don’t just use it like a jukebox. SiriusXM is home to names like Howard Stern, Andy Cohen, and Kevin Hart. These are premium shows that make the subscription worth it for fans – and they’re included in your trial.
4. Take the App for a Spin
Even if you signed up for the car trial, don’t ignore the app. It lets you stream on your phone, laptop, smart TV, or even Alexa/Google devices. Plus, you can use Pandora-powered personalization to create custom stations.
5. Set Up Favorites
Use the “favorites” feature in the car or app to mark channels you like. That way you’re not flipping through 400+ stations every time you drive.
6. Test Reception in Different Spots
If you’re using the car trial, check signal quality on highways, rural areas, and city drives. SiriusXM satellite coverage is strong, but it’s good to see how it performs where you actually travel.
7. Calendar Your Cancellation
Last but not least: mark your calendar for Day 85. That gives you time to decide whether you’re keeping the service or canceling before auto-renewal kicks in.
Pro tip: If you do plan to stay, call SiriusXM before your trial ends. They often offer discounted rates ($5–$8/month for the first year) if you ask.
SiriusXM Free Trial Signup Process
Getting started with SiriusXM doesn’t take long, but the signup process is slightly different depending on whether you’re activating it in your car or only using the app.
Option 1: Car + Streaming (Platinum Plan)
This is the most popular way to try SiriusXM. If your vehicle is already SiriusXM-equipped, you can activate the 90-day Platinum trial without entering payment info.
Step 1: Check if your car is eligible
Most new cars come with SiriusXM built in. You can check by tuning your radio to Channel 0 or visiting SiriusXM’s trial page and entering your Radio ID or VIN.
Step 2: Go to the SiriusXM Free Trial page
Choose the “Car + Streaming” option. No credit card is required. You will need to enter your name, your last name, and your zip code to complete signup.
Step 3: Activate the trial
After you enter your details, SiriusXM will “refresh” your radio signal, activating the channels in your car.
Step 4: Set up streaming access
Along with the car trial, you’ll get an account for the SiriusXM app and website. Use your email to create a login and start streaming on your phone, smart speaker, or computer.
The entire process should take less than 10 minutes. Once activated, the channels appear almost instantly in your car.
Option 2: App-Only Streaming (All-Access Plan)
If you don’t have a SiriusXM-enabled car, you can still try the service through the app. This trial requires a credit card and rolls over into a paid subscription if not canceled.
To get started, you can open the free trial page on SiriusXM.com or download the SiriusXM app. I’m more comfortable with a desktop workflow when testing free trials so the instructions below will be for when signing up via the website in a desktop browser.
The process is similar for the app if you want to sign up on mobile. SiriusXM is available for iOS, Android, and connected devices like smart TVs and speakers.
Step 1: Create an account
To create an account, you just need to enter your email, create a secure password then click the continue button.
Step 2: Set up your payment
Next, you’ll set up your payment. You wouldn’t be charged when you activate the trial – only after the free trial ends. You can cancel at any time to avoid charges.
You’ll see the regular monthly price ($9.99) which is due if you continue after the 90-day period.
Step 3: Start listening
Once you’re signed up, you can explore live channels, on-demand shows, exclusive podcasts, and curated playlists.
This process takes about 5 minutes. The setup is straightforward, similar to signing up for Netflix or Spotify.
Compared to…
SiriusXM isn’t the only way to stream music, but it plays in a different lane compared to other services like Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn.
SiriusXM vs. Spotify Premium
- Spotify Strengths: On-demand playlists, powerful music discovery, easy sharing with friends. Great if you want to control every track you hear.
- SiriusXM Strengths: Live radio, exclusive shows, and sports coverage you’ll never get on Spotify. It’s built more like a live experience than a library.
- Key Difference: Spotify is your personal jukebox. SiriusXM is like having hundreds of live radio stations plus exclusives.
SiriusXM vs. Pandora Premium
- Pandora Strengths: Smart algorithm for discovering new artists, personalized stations that adapt to your taste.
- SiriusXM Strengths: More variety across talk, comedy, sports, and entertainment – not just music. SiriusXM also integrates directly with car radios, something Pandora doesn’t.
- Key Difference: Pandora is great for music discovery, but SiriusXM is for people who want everything in one place, especially on the road.
SiriusXM vs. TuneIn Radio
- TuneIn Strengths: Access to 100,000+ traditional AM/FM stations worldwide, free tier with ads, strong for local news and niche stations.
- SiriusXM Strengths: Exclusive, curated channels with ad-free music and premium talk/sports shows that TuneIn doesn’t carry.
- Key Difference: TuneIn mirrors what’s already on AM/FM (just streamed). SiriusXM creates its own channels and experiences you can’t get anywhere else.
Why SiriusXM Stands Out
- Built for Cars: Many vehicles come pre-equipped with SiriusXM, making it more convenient than apps you have to stream using Bluetooth.
- Exclusive Hosts & Shows: Howard Stern, Kevin Hart, Andy Cohen -personalities you won’t find on other services.
- Live Sports Coverage: Real-time play-by-play for major leagues, something Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn don’t match.
If you just want on-demand music, Spotify or Pandora works. If you want local radio streams, TuneIn delivers. But if you’re after a complete entertainment package – exclusive hosts, sports, ad-free music, and car-ready integration, then SiriusXM is the clear winner.
SiriusXM Pricing After Free Trial
SiriusXM’s free trial is a little different depending on how you sign up.
No credit card is required when choosing the 90-day free trial for Car + Streaming (Platinum Plan). After the trial ends you get to decide whether you want to continue with the service or not.
With the All-Access Plan, a credit card is required to start the 90-day streaming-only free trial. This is the plan that rolls right into a paid subscription unless you cancel before it ends.
So what happens after day 90? Let’s look at the plans.
The Platinum Plan (Car + Streaming)
The Platinum Plan is $24.98/month and gives you full SiriusXM everywhere – your car radio, the mobile app, smart speakers, and more. It includes over 425 channels covering music, sports, talk, comedy, and news. This is best for drivers who also want to keep listening on their phone or connected devices.
If you’re just into music, you can just get the music channels for $9.99 instead of paying almost $25/month.
And you can also build your own plan by adding on to the All Music plan. For example, if you just wanted sports, you’d pay $8 more. News and Talk options are $5 each.
All-Access (App Only)
The All-Access Streaming Plan (app-only) is $9.99/month. You don’t get the satellite car radio channels, but you still get the deep music library, on-demand shows, podcasts, and curated playlists.
This plan is best for people who don’t own a SiriusXM-equipped car and want an alternative to Spotify or TuneIn.
Discounts & Deals
While the sticker price might feel high, SiriusXM almost always runs promotions. Common ones include:
- The current $1/month for 3 months discount
- First-year discounts where you pay as little as $5 – $8/month.
- Special pricing for students, veterans, and military members.
- Retention offers if you call and ask for a deal when your plan renews.
Best Value
For most listeners, the Platinum Plan delivers the best value for the money. You’re essentially getting two services in one – satellite radio for your drives and streaming for when you’re not in the car. But if you only care about mobile listening, the All-Access streaming plan is a lower-cost way to stay connected.
How To Cancel SiriusXM During Free Trial
If you’re on the “no credit card required” plan (Car + Streaming), you don’t have to worry about canceling. The trial simply shuts off at the end of 90 days unless you decide to subscribe.
However, if you’re on the “credit card required” plan (App-only Streaming), you’ll need to actively cancel before the 90 days are up to avoid rolling into a paid subscription.
The steps are simple, but timing matters – cancel too early and you might lose access right away, cancel too late and you could get charged.
Canceling the Car + Streaming Trial (No Credit Card Required)
No credit card, no problem. This trial ends automatically after 90 days. You won’t be billed unless you manually sign up for a paid plan.
If you want to continue service, you’ll need to subscribe before the trial ends, or your car radio and app access will shut off immediately on day 90.
Canceling the App-Only Streaming Trial (Credit Card Required)
Since you entered your credit card info to activate this plan, you’ll need to cancel at least 24 hours before your free trial ends. SiriusXM makes it easy for you to cancel online through your account.
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Log in to your SiriusXM account
In your browser, visit SiriusXM.com and click Sign In.
You can also cancel in the app by tapping Settings (gear icon), then Manage My Subscription.
Step 2: Go to Manage Plan
Under “My Account”, look for “Manage Plan”, then look for Modify or Cancel.
Step 3: Confirm cancellation
SiriusXM may offer you a discount to stay (like $5/month). This is a great reason to go through the cancel process even if you plan on continuing.
If you’re sure you want to cancel though, keep going until you get a confirmation message.
Step 4: Double-check your status
In your account, the plan should now show a definite end date instead of “auto-renewing.”
Final Thoughts: Is the SiriusXM Free Trial Worth It?
If you’re even a little curious about SiriusXM, the 90-day free trial is a no-brainer. It gives you full access to hundreds of live channels, exclusive shows, and on-demand content, without you having to spend anything.
The best part?
- If you try the Car + Streaming trial, you don’t even need a credit card. Just sign up and enjoy.
- If you go with the Streaming-only trial, you can cancel before day 90 if you don’t want to be billed.
Either way, you’re getting three full months to test SiriusXM everywhere you listen – your car, your phone, even your smart speaker.
So, is it worth it?
Absolutely. Whether you’re a commuter, a podcast junkie, or just someone who wants more variety than FM radio can offer, SiriusXM’s free trial is one of the best ways to upgrade your daily listening.
Ready to start listening? Grab your 90-day free trial of SiriusXM here and see what you’ve been missing.
