Cheggs Free Trial And Promotional Offers A 2026 Guide For Students

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, and accessing writing help and plagiarism checks. Many students on a budget often wonder about accessing these services without cost, prompting questions about free trials and promotional offers.

Is Chegg Free?

Chegg is not completely free, but there are a few limited options available to new users. Most features, such as expert Q&A and full access to textbook solutions, are locked behind a subscription plan. Despite this, students can use a seven-day free trial to explore some of Chegg's services without payment. Other tools, like flashcards on Chegg Prep or limited grammar checks, are accessible at no cost. These features offer basic academic help but don't replace the full benefits of a subscription. Chegg doesn't advertise itself as a free service, but there are ways to use some of its tools without being charged. These include trial periods, free standalone resources, and even access through schools that offer academic subscriptions.

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. One source states that Chegg does offer free trial coupons to new users, but notes that these are not always available and the free trial feature is released from time to time, requiring students to be on the lookout for it. This source also indicates that Chegg's trial period can last 4 weeks, during which students can utilize options like assistance with homework and assignments, tutoring sessions, career counseling, and support.

Why Doesn’t Chegg Offer a Free Trial Anymore?

There are a few reasons why Chegg might have chosen to discontinue free trials. These include content piracy concerns, as users may have taken advantage of free trials to access vast amounts of content and then cancel. Another reason is operational costs, as hosting expert Q&A services and textbook content is resource-intensive. Furthermore, subscription model optimization is a factor, as Chegg encourages long-term subscriptions that come with loyalty benefits instead.

How Can You Still Try Chegg for Free or at a Discount?

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.

• 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.
• Look for Chegg Discount Codes: Sites like RetailMeNot or Honey occasionally feature Chegg discounts for first-time users. 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.
• Explore Campus Partnerships: Some universities partner with Chegg and provide students limited free access.

Accessing Chegg Services Without a Subscription

For students seeking academic help without a subscription, several limited options exist. As mentioned, some standalone tools on the Chegg platform are accessible at no cost, such as flashcards on Chegg Prep or limited grammar checks. While these don't provide the full range of services like expert Q&A or full textbook solutions, they offer basic academic support. Additionally, some educational institutions have partnerships with Chegg, which may grant students limited free access through their university's academic subscriptions. Students are advised to check with their school's library or academic support department to see if such an arrangement exists.

Understanding Chegg's Subscription Model

Chegg's primary revenue model is based on subscription plans. The company has a significant subscriber base, with 8.2 million subscribers reported in 2022. A subscription to any of Chegg's plans is the best way to enjoy the full benefits of the platform, including step-by-step solutions, expert Q&A, tutoring sessions, and writing assistance. The platform is designed to be an all-rounder for students, following the universal design for learning. While Chegg does not currently offer a standard free trial, the company's strategy appears to focus on encouraging long-term subscriptions, which come with loyalty benefits, rather than short-term trial access.

Free Alternatives and Supplementary Resources

Students looking for free academic help can explore other websites that provide similar support at no cost. While the provided sources do not specify which alternatives are available, they acknowledge that such resources exist. Additionally, some of Chegg's own tools, like flashcards on Chegg Prep, are accessible without a subscription. For students who need more comprehensive help, the combination of free standalone resources from various platforms and limited-time promotional offers from Chegg may provide a partial solution, though it does not replicate the full experience of a paid subscription.

Conclusion

In summary, as of 2026, Chegg does not offer a standard free trial for its Chegg Study subscription. While promotional deals and discounted first-month rates may be available sporadically, students cannot rely on a consistent, no-cost trial period to access the full suite of services. Limited free features exist on the platform, and some universities may provide access through partnerships. For comprehensive help, a subscription remains necessary. Students interested in exploring Chegg's services are advised to look for discount codes, check for campus partnerships, and utilize any available preview features, while being aware that the most reliable access to full services requires a paid plan.

Sources

1. Does Chegg Have a Free Trial? Updated 2026 Guide
2. Is Chegg Free? Find Out Here
3. Chegg Free Trial