How to Use Microsoft Teams Premium at No Cost – 2025

How to Use Microsoft Teams Premium at No Cost

Microsoft Teams Premium offers enhanced features over the free and standard versions of Microsoft Teams, making it a powerful solution for businesses, educators, and professionals looking to maximize productivity. However, the Premium version is a paid tier, which leads many users to ask: Is there a way to get Microsoft Teams Premium for free?

The answer is yes—at least temporarily. In this guide, we’ll walk you through legitimate methods to try Microsoft Teams Premium without paying, what features it includes, and some tips for getting the most out of your trial.

What Is Microsoft Teams Premium?

Microsoft Teams Premium is an advanced plan that builds upon the base Microsoft Teams offering by adding features tailored for organizations that require more security, customization, and productivity tools.

Key Features Include:

• AI-powered meeting recaps with automatic notes and action items

• Advanced meeting protections like end-to-end encryption and watermarking

• Custom branding for meetings

• Virtual appointments with SMS reminders and analytics

• Real-time translation for live captions

• Webinar enhancements with registration waitlists and custom communications

These features are especially useful for companies conducting confidential meetings, client consultations, or live events.

Is Microsoft Teams Premium Free?

Microsoft Teams Premium is not free by default. It is a subscription-based service that costs a monthly or annual fee. However, Microsoft offers a free trial of Teams Premium for eligible users, which gives access to all its features for a limited period—typically 30 days.

Method 1: Sign Up for the Free Trial via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

If you are a Microsoft 365 admin, the simplest way to get access to Microsoft Teams Premium for free is through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Steps:

1. Sign in to your Microsoft 365 Admin Center
   Go to admin.microsoft.com and log in using your administrator credentials.

2. Navigate to Billing > Purchase Services

3. Find Microsoft Teams Premium
   Search for Teams Premium in the list of services. You’ll see an option labeled “Free Trial.”

4. Click Start Free Trial
   This will activate a 30-day trial for your organization. You can assign Teams Premium licenses to up to 25 users.

5. Assign Licenses
   Go to the Users section and assign the trial licenses to the relevant team members.

Important Notes:

• Only Microsoft 365 admins can activate this trial.

• Once the trial expires, you’ll need to upgrade to continue using the features.

Method 2: Use Microsoft Developer Program for a Free Developer Tenant

If you’re a developer or IT professional, you can join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, which gives you a free E5 license for 90 days (renewable). This includes Teams Premium trial capabilities.

How to Join:

1. Go to developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/dev-program

2. Click Join Now and sign in with your Microsoft account.

3. Choose the “Instant Sandbox” setup to get a preconfigured environment.

4. You’ll receive an E5 tenant with 25 user licenses and full Microsoft 365 services.

This is ideal for testing advanced features, including Teams Premium, without needing to pay.

Method 3: Microsoft Partner Network (for Businesses)

If you’re part of a registered Microsoft Partner company, you may be eligible for internal-use rights (IUR) that include free licenses for Microsoft services—including Teams Premium in some packages.

How to Access:

1. register your company with the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN).

2. Once approved, access your benefits through the Partner Center.

3. Check your included software licenses and assign them accordingly.

This is not a method for individuals, but it’s useful for IT companies or consultants who need to use Microsoft services in-house.

Method 4: Educational Institutions and Nonprofits

If you’re part of an academic institution or nonprofit, Microsoft often offers free or discounted licenses. While Teams Premium is not included by default, schools and nonprofit organizations can apply for trial licenses through special channels.

Steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Education or Microsoft for Nonprofits page.

2. Submit eligibility documentation.

3. Once approved, consult with a Microsoft representative to request Premium trials.

Method 5: Wait for Microsoft Promotions

Occasionally, Microsoft runs promotions that bundle free Teams Premium access with other services like Office 365 E5 trials or Microsoft Viva. Keep an eye on:

• The Microsoft Teams Blog

• Microsoft 365 promotions in the Admin Center

• Emails from your Microsoft account manager (if you’re an enterprise customer)

Tips for Making the Most of Your Free Trial

• Enable AI-Powered Recaps: These are one of the best features in Teams Premium. Try scheduling a meeting and test how summaries are generated automatically.

• Explore Webinar Tools: Set up a webinar with custom branding and a waitlist. This will help you determine if Premium fits your event strategy.

• Try Real-Time Translations: Organize meetings in multiple languages and test the automatic caption translation feature.

• Customize the Lobby Experience: Teams Premium lets you create a branded lobby for external users—perfect for client calls.

What Happens When the Trial Ends?

Once your free trial ends, you’ll lose access to the Premium-only features unless you subscribe. Microsoft typically gives you a grace period to purchase the license. After that, meetings will still work, but advanced capabilities will be disabled.

To avoid disruption:

• Monitor the expiration date from the Admin Center.

• Decide in advance which features are essential for your team.

• Purchase licenses before the trial ends if you plan to continue.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Teams Premium offers a robust set of tools for professional collaboration, and trying it for free is a great way to evaluate whether it’s right for your organization. By using the Admin Center, Developer Program, or special Microsoft programs, you can legally access these powerful features at no cost—at least temporarily.

Before committing to a subscription, take advantage of these trial opportunities, test all the premium features, and see how they enhance your workflows.

With smart planning, you can enjoy the full power of Microsoft Teams Premium without paying upfront.