: Periodically, the 7 Days to Die Steam page hosts "Free Weekends" where the full game (including multiplayer) can be downloaded and played for a few days at no cost.
: If a friend owns the game on Steam, they can use Steam Family Sharing to let you download and play it for free, though you cannot both play at the exact same time on the same license. Multiplayer Features 7 Days to Die Free Download (Incl. Multiplayer)...
: The console version is often available via Xbox Game Pass , which sometimes offers "first month for $1" deals or limited free trials for new subscribers. : Periodically, the 7 Days to Die Steam
: For a 24/7 world that stays online even when the host is off, you can join public servers or host your own. Some services like Squadnox offer free dedicated server hosting for small groups. : For a 24/7 world that stays online
If you want to play without purchasing the full game outright, these are your official options: