Unpopular opinion: skipping the free trial was my smartest move

A consultant at a conference told me to always take the 30-day free trials on software because you get to test everything. I did that with a CRM last year and spent 3 weeks setting it up only to find out the reporting didn't work like I needed. Wasted all that time and had to switch to a paid option anyway. Now I just read detailed reviews first and skip the trial altogether. Has anyone else found free trials to be more trouble than they're worth?

2 comments

2 Comments

sethanderson1mo ago

Free trials are a trap for people who don't know what they actually need yet. I did the same thing with some project management software a few years back, spent a whole weekend getting it all set up with my crew's info and tasks, then realized the mobile app was a pile of garbage and none of my guys could use it in the field. Ended up just paying for the one I should have started with in the first place. Now I look for a solid review that spells out the dealbreakers before I even click download. Feels like these companies make the trial period long so you invest time and then just give up and pay out of sunk cost.

the_simon1mo ago

Same here, I stopped doing free trials after I spent two days setting up a scheduling tool and then realized it couldn't do the basic time zone thing I needed. Now I just skim through a few honest reviews and pick the paid version that fits, saves so much headache.