
Call of Duty Free Trial (2025) – Try Before You Buy
Call of Duty does not currently offer a traditional free trial for its main games, like Black Ops 6. However, the game periodically provides free access weekends throughout the year and has a permanently free-to-play Warzone mode.
From my testing of these options, I have found that they offer great ways to experience Call of Duty gameplay without committing to a full purchase.
This article will guide you through all available free options and discounts and show you how to make the most of them in 2025.
Call of Duty Free Trial: Quick Look
While Call of Duty doesn’t have a conventional free trial, its free access weekends and Warzone provide excellent opportunities to experience the game’s thrilling combat and mechanics before purchasing.
Does Call of Duty offer a free trial? | No, but free access weekends occur periodically |
Trial Length | 3–7 days during free access weekends |
Credit Card Required? | No, only a game download is needed |
Auto-renews After Trial? | Not applicable (no subscription required) |
Best For | Gamers exploring multiplayer or Warzone before purchasing |
Call of Duty doesn’t offer a regular free trial, but free weekends let you try the game without paying. It’s a great way to test the action before buying.
Who Is Eligible For The Call of Duty Free Access?
From my firsthand experience, Call of Duty free access weekends are designed to be accessible to as many players as possible. These promotional events typically have minimal restrictions to encourage new players to try the game.
- New players without a purchased copy of the game can participate fully.
- All supported platforms include PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Battle.net or Steam.
- Players with an Activision account, which is required for online play.
- Most geographical regions, though some content restrictions may apply in certain countries.
Whether you’re on console or PC, Call of Duty’s free weekends make it super easy to jump in and play. You don’t need to buy the game to join the fun.
How to Claim the Call of Duty Free Access?
Based on my usage of previous free access weekends, claiming access is straightforward once an event is announced. Here’s how to join the action when a free weekend is available:
Step 1: Visit callofduty.com to check for active free access events.

Step 2: Click on the Login button located at the top right corner of the page.

Step 3: Create an account by entering your details, such as date of birth and location, then click on Sign Up.

Step 4: Enter your preferred email address and click on “Next”.
Step 5: Download the game client (Warzone or multiplayer component) through your platform’s store (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, or Battle.net.
Step 6: Create or log in to your Activision account when prompted.
That’s All! It is that easy to claim the Call of Duty free access for the duration of the free weekend.
Features Included In The Call of Duty Free Access
Free access weekends give you a substantial taste of what Call of Duty has to offer. Having participated in several of these events, I can confirm they provide enough content to make an informed purchase decision.
- Select multiplayer maps and modes, including popular options like Team Deathmatch and Domination.
- Full access to the Warzone battle royale experience with all current maps.
- Cross-platform play allows you to team up with friends regardless of their gaming system.
- Seasonal events and challenges that are running during the free period.
- Weapon progression and unlocks during the access period.
These free weekends let you explore Call of Duty’s action-packed world. You can level up weapons, play top game modes, and enjoy seasonal content without spending a penny.
Call of Duty Free Access: Limitations
While free access weekends are generous, they do come with some restrictions. One issue I had was the limited access to certain content. Here are the key limitations to be aware of:
- No campaign access: Story mode is excluded from free weekends.
- Limited map rotation: Only specific multiplayer maps may be available.
- Time-restricted access: The free period typically lasts only 3-7 days.
- Possible progression limits: Some progression may not transfer to the full game if purchased later.
- No access to certain special modes: Some limited-time or special modes might be restricted.
Even though the free access is exciting, it doesn’t give you the full game experience. It’s a great way to try the basics, but not everything is unlocked.
How I Used My Call of Duty Free Access?
From my personal trial of several free weekends, I developed strategies to maximize the experience. Here’s how you can make the most of your limited time:
- Sample different game modes to find which ones match your playstyle.
- Test various weapons and loadouts to understand the progression system.
- Play with friends using cross-platform functionality for a more enjoyable experience.
- Evaluate performance on your specific hardware before committing to purchase.
- Participate in any active events to experience seasonal content.
During my free access weekends, I focused on experimenting with different strategies. I explored multiple modes, tried new weapons, and joined friends for co-op play. This helped me understand the game’s flow and decide if it’s worth investing in the full version.
Call of Duty Pricing & Plans
After the free access period ends, you’ll need to purchase the game to continue playing (except for Warzone, which remains free). From my hands-on experience, understanding the pricing structure helps make an informed decision.
Game Title | Price | Features |
---|---|---|
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle | $69.99 | Full game access, cross-platform play, campaign, multiplayer, Game Pass included |
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition | $74.99 (25% off from $99.99) | Premium content, exclusive skins, battle pass, cross-platform play |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III – Cross-Gen | $69.99 | Full game, cross-generation compatibility, campaign, multiplayer modes |
Call of Duty: Warzone | Free | Battle royale experience, in-game purchases available, regular updates |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II – Cross-Gen | $69.99 | Complete game experience, cross-generation support, full feature set |
For the best value, I recommend watching for sales like the current 25% discount on the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition, which brings the premium version down from $99.99 to $74.99.
Game Pass subscribers benefit from access to select Call of Duty titles, as indicated by the Game Pass badge on certain games.

Warzone remains completely free-to-play while offering the authentic Call of Duty combat experience with optional in-game purchases for cosmetic items and battle passes.
Call of Duty Refund Policies
Based on my experience researching Call of Duty’s policies, they offer a fairly comprehensive refund system that varies by purchase type. The official Call of Duty Shop has a more generous policy than digital game purchases.
For physical merchandise from the Call of Duty Shop:
- Items can be returned within 31 days of receipt.
- Products must be in original, unused condition with all tags attached.
- Return processing typically takes 5 business days, but may extend to 14 days during busy periods.
- A prepaid return shipping label costs $9 (deducted from the refund).
- Personalized items, collectibles, and “Final Sale” products are non-returnable.
For digital game purchases, refund policies depend on the platform:
- PlayStation Store: Generally allows refunds within 14 days if you haven’t downloaded the game.
- Xbox Store: Digital game refunds possible within 14 days if played for less than 2 hours.
- Steam: Refunds are available within 14 days of purchase if played less than 2 hours.
- Battle.net: Case-by-case basis, typically more restrictive than other platforms.
If you receive damaged or faulty products, contact customer support immediately for assistance. For exchanges of physical merchandise, you’ll need to return the unwanted item and place a new order and For pre-orders or pending purchases you wish to cancel, contact customer support promptly, as orders are processed quickly and may not be cancelable once confirmed.
Call of Duty Discounts & Promotions
While there’s no standard free trial, Call of Duty offers significant discounts that can help you save when purchasing the game. From my personal experience monitoring these promotions, the current deals are quite attractive.
- Current promotion: 25% off the Vault Edition across Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation platforms.
- Game Pass availability: The Standard Edition is available through Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
- Platform options: Purchase through multiple storefronts, including Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store.
- Cross-generation access: Standard edition includes cross-gen compatibility for console players.
- Annual discount of approximately 30% by choosing the Standard Edition over the Vault Edition.
The 25% discount brings the Vault Edition to a more competitive price point, making its premium features more accessible. Based on my usage, this represents excellent value if you’re interested in the additional operator skins and battle pass content.
Call of Duty Pros And Cons
After extensively testing both free access weekends and purchased versions, here’s my balanced assessment:
Pros:
- Fast-paced, responsive gameplay.
- Free Warzone mode with regular updates.
- Strong cross-platform support.
- Regular content additions and seasonal events.
Cons:
- No permanent free trial option.
- Demanding system requirements.
- Prevalence of microtransactions.
- Limited refund flexibility.
Conclusion: Call of Duty Free Trial Is Not Available
Call of Duty doesn’t offer a standard free trial, but the combination of free access weekends and the permanently free Warzone experience provides excellent opportunities to test the game.
All players with supported hardware and an Activision account are eligible for these free offerings.
If you’re interested in trying Call of Duty, I recommend watching for announced free weekends on the official website or jumping into Warzone today!
FAQs
How do I find out about upcoming Call of Duty free weekends?
Follow the official Call of Duty social media accounts or check their website regularly for announcements about upcoming free access events.
Can I keep progress made during a free access weekend?
Your progress typically carries over if you purchase the full game, including weapon unlocks and player level advancements.
Is Warzone completely free to play?
Warzone is fully free-to-play with no purchase necessary, though optional in-game purchases for cosmetic items and battle passes are available.
How often does Call of Duty go on sale?
Major sales typically occur 4-5 times per year, coinciding with seasonal events like Black Friday, holiday sales, and publisher promotion periods.
Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold to play during free weekends?
Console players typically need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) for online multiplayer, even during free weekends.
Can my PC run Call of Duty?
The minimum requirements include an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 380 graphics card for basic performance.
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Free Access
Product Information
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Price:
Free Access
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Select multiplayer maps and modes:Available
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Full access to the Warzone:Available
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Cross-platform play:Available
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Seasonal events and challenges:Available
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Weapon progression and unlocks:Available
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Released:
May 15, 2025
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Last Updated:
May 15, 2025