8 Best Anime Streaming Apps and Websites
The anime community is one of the fastest-growing and can’t get enough of the excellent manga adaptations. Every day, new anime likeChainsaw Man, Blue Lock, and Spy x Family are released to cater to this community. Now, we have already covered the topapps to read manga on iPhone and Android. However, if you are looking to get started with watching anime and can’t decide what platform to use, we are here to help. We have compiled a list of the best anime streaming services for beginners.
Last updated on February 26, 2024 to remove Funimation as it’s merged with Crunchyroll and updated some of the descriptions
We have considered several factors when compiling this list of anime streaming platforms. We have highlighted what website is the best for beginners, what free services you should use to watch some of the most popular anime, and what website you should use to watch new anime. These websites and apps will help you kick-start your anime journey, so let’s dive in!
1. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the most popular anime streaming platform and the go-to destination for most anime fans worldwide. You might be familiar with popularanime like Death Note, Naruto, and others, and Crunchyroll has you covered with over 1,000 anime series and movies.
Now that Crunchyroll hasacquired both Funimation and VRV, the library is even bigger. Don’t worry if you prefer watching anime with subtitles or anime dubbed in English, as Crunchyroll offers you to watch both versions of all popular anime. Not just that, Crunchyroll has now started dubbing animes in other regional languages like Hindi, Spanish, Tamil, and more.
Crunchyroll Features
If you are wondering about all the amazing features that Crunchyroll offers, check out the list below:
Crunchyroll Plans
The Crunchyroll premium plan gives you full access to their anime library as well as many other features such as simulcasts, high-quality streaming options, a manga library, and more.
If you want to use these premium features, Crunchyroll starts at $7.99 per month and goes up to $14.99 per month with the Ultimate plan. It also offers a14-day free trial, whichyou can take advantage of and test the service for yourself. Further, Crunchyroll isalso testing a new website UI, providing a new look and several exciting features. So, this might be the ideal moment to get a Crunchyroll membership. And without a doubt, Crunchyroll is the best anime streaming platform right now.ProsConsWorld’s largest anime collectionDubbed anime selection is slimAnime simulcasts at the same time when it airs in JapanQuality of translation for subtitles can be average at timesCan be streamed on all devices
Note:Following the acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. in March 2022, it was announced that Funimation and VRV will be merged with Crunchyroll. While VRV has already been merged, Funimation merger will full complete on April 2, 2024 and the sites will be shutdown permanently.
Database:1000+ anime series and moviesPlatform:Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing:14-day free trial, Fan plan –$7.99/month, Mega Fan Plan –$9.99/month, Ultimate Fan plan –$14.99/monthTry outCrunchyroll
2. Netflix
Almost all of the well-known anime movies and TV series are available on Netflix, which now has a significant selection of anime content. In particular for beginners, if you are just starting your anime-watching journey, Netflix is probably the best streaming service to use. You can watch both subbed and dubbed versions of a majority of popular anime on Netflix, so you don’t have to worry about that. As for all the features you get on Netflix, there are as under:
Netflix Features
Netflix Plans
As mentioned before, this anime streaming service is the greatest option for newcomers. When compared to other platforms, Netflix’s sole drawback is how pricey its premium plans are, but you also get access to thebest Netflix moviesand TV shows along with anime.
Netflix no longer offers free trials to new users, so you are required to subscribe to one of their plans. You can get thecheaper ad-supported $6.99 Netflix planto experience the service, though. It is currently available in select countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, and the UK.ProsConsPerfect anime streaming app for beginnersFast-growing anime library; but smaller than competitorsDubbed version available for many showsSubscription plans are expensiveSimulcasts some of the major new animeInconsistent release scheduleOffers several add-on features
Database: 200+ anime series and moviesPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV,Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing: No free trials, Ad-supported Plan –$6.99/month, Standard Plan –$15.49/month, Premium Plan –$22.99/monthTry outNetflix
3. Hulu
As everyone knows, Hulu is also one of the world’s leading streaming platforms and an excellentalternative to Netflix. Hulu also attracts anime fans by hosting anadequate amount of anime contentin their library. They have all the popular anime that a newcomer would want to watch, including Naruto, AOT, Demon Slayer, and many others.
And if you wish to take a break from anime, you get access to their vast library of movies and TV shows. And if you are interested in adult animated shows, Hulu also has a lot of them, including Rick and Morty, Family Guy, and The Simpsons, to name a few.
Furthermore, speaking of the anime category, a newbie would find all the basic genres, including shounen, shoujo, seinen, and Isekai, on Hulu. As for the feature set on offer here, check them out here:
Hulu Features
Hulu Plans
Hulu has three different subscription plans with monthly as well as yearly membership offerings. You have the Basic plan with ads, the Premium plan, and the Premium + Live TV plan. Hulu also offers a 30-day free trial period for newcomers to test out their platform.ProsConsImpressive UI experienceOffline downloading feature limited to premium usersStream other titles along with animeLimited anime content availableOffers popular anime for beginnersNo simulcast feature
Database: 100+ popular anime series and movies are available along with movies and showsPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing: 30-day free trial, Hulu Basic (with Ads) –$7.99/month, Hulu Premium –$17.99/monthTry outHulu
4. Anime-Planet
Anime-Planet is another legal streaming platform that lets you watch anime for free. They don’t give away access to their complete anime library for free. But they do have popular anime such as Naruto Shippuden, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Noblesse, Tower of God, etc., which you can stream for free.
Much like VRV, anime series on Anime-Planet are available through a partnership with Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. The website supports all the premium content, but you can only access it by becoming a premium member.
Anime-Planet Features
Anime-Planet Plans
Anime-Planet doesn’t have any subscription plans of its own. The only way to access premium content is to get a Crunchyroll subscription and link your account here. Then, you can watch all the anime content available on this platform, which sounds like a bit of a hassle.ProsConsYou can watch popular anime for freeOnly a few popular anime are available for freeDecent anime librarySeparate subscription is needed to unlock premium contentCommunity to share reviews and lists with other anime fans
Database: 45,000+ anime episodesPlatform: WebsitePricing: Free, Get a Crunchyroll premium account and link it hereTry outAnime-Planet
5. RetroCrush
Retrocrush is like a time machine for anime fans, enabling them to travel back in time and watch classic anime series and movies. There’s no denying that RetroCrush is known as the“criterion channel”for otakus and weebs. You can easily watch all of your childhood favorites here, as they offer hundreds of classic anime.
Even if you didn’t watch it back then, this platform has many vintage gems such as Astroboy, GTO, Urusei Yatsura, Devil Lady, and more, and we suggest one should not miss them at any cost. If you want to begin your anime journey by watching old-school anime, Retrocrush might be the best platform for you.
Retrocrush Features
Retrocrush Plans
If you prefer an ad-free experience, subscribe to the Retrocrush premium planstarting at $4.99/ monthand $49.99/ year. It grants you full access to its vast library of exclusive premium content, dubbed TV series, and other offerings. You can try out the premium features with a 7-day free trial.ProsConsWon’t find a classic anime library like this on any other platformDoesn’t have a watchlist optionWatch popular vintage anime for free (with ads)Buggy media player and not-so-good UIPremium plan is pretty cheapAs it only concentrates on retro anime, you won’t find any new-gen anime here
Database: 100+ popular vintage anime series and moviesPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, WindowsPricing: 7-day free trial, Premium –$4.99/month,$49.99/yearTry outRetrocrush
6. HIDIVE
HIDIVE has a unique set of anime that is mostly a hit or miss for many people. Depending on your anime taste, you may or may not want to watch these anime. HIDIVE has around 500 anime shows and movies, including popular titles like Parasyte, The Promised Neverland, Bloom Into You, Made in Abyss, and Clannad, to name a few. It also hosts classic anime like Legend of the Galactic Heroes, among many others. So, if you want to start your anime career in a niche or distinct way, HIDIVE is the platform for you.
HIDIVE Features
HIDIVE Plans
HIDIVE does have some episodes available to watch for free, but it lacks popular anime on this list. HIDIVE supportstwo subscription planswith monthly as well as yearly subscriptions. Further, it is augmented by a 7-day free trial period to let users test out the features.ProsConsUncut versions of shows like Akame ga KillSmaller library; Lacks a lot of popular animeOffers a more unique library than other platformsNo option for offline downloadsPrivate chat room option
Database: around 500 anime series and moviesPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing: 7-day free trial, Hidive Plan –$4.99/monthor$47.99/yearTry outHIDIVE
7. YouTube
You are probably wondering why we have included YouTube in this list of the best anime streaming websites and apps. But you read that correctly, YouTube channels such as Muse-Asia and Ani-one Asia give free access to popular anime like One Punch Man, Bleach, The God of High School, Tokyo Retribution, Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation, and many others.
Both YouTube channels mentioned above are legal, and they own the rights to all of the anime that they distribute for free. They are doing this for free to spread the word about the anime industry. There is also a channel called Official Beyblade Asia that you should check out if you are a die-hard fan of the old Beyblade anime like us.
Features
Plans
You can also join these channels by subscribing to their membership planstarting at Rs 119/month(or $1.50/ month, but only available in Asian countries at this moment), which provides you with full access to their premium exclusive content. Chainsaw Man, for example, is currently being simulcasted on the Ani-one Asia channel as part of their premium plan. Check out this dedicated article to learn abouthow to watch Chainsaw Man anime.ProsConsYou can stream anime in high-quality for freeSmaller anime libraryThe premium plan is very cheap compared to other platformsCan Simulcast the latest anime but with a delay (free membership)New anime will be added regularlyNot available worldwide
Database: N/APlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing: Membership Plan starts atRs 119/monthTry outMuse Asia,Ani-one Asia, andOfficial Beyblade Asia
8. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular streaming platforms, but its anime library is limited in comparison to the other platforms. If you already have a Prime membership for one-day delivery needs, Prime Video might come in handy if you are a beginner. Despite not having many popular animes, Prime Video includes a few well-known TV series such as Vinland Saga, Hunter x Hunter, GTO, Psycho-Pass, Dororo, and others.
Since Prime Video’s anime library is limited, it might not be the best alternative if you have to sign up for a new membership. But if you are using Amazon Prime for deliveries or Prime Gaming for free rewards, do check out their anime library. In this way, a beginner can make use of the limited content available on Prime Video.
Amazon Prime Video Features
Amazon Prime Video Plans
Prime Video has two different memberships with monthly as well as yearly subscription plans. It also offers you a 30-day free trial, where you can stream well-known movies and shows, along with your favorite anime.ProsConsExclusive X-ray option to know more about your favorite showTiny anime libraryYou can stream movies and shows along with animeVery less dubbed contentHigh-quality streamingExpensive for the limited content that is available
Database: Only a few popular anime series and movies are available along with movies and showsPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Windows, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox, and Sony PS5 consolesPricing:30-day free trial, Prime Video with Amazon Prime Membership –$14.99/monthor$139/yearTry outAmazon Prime Video
So these are the best anime streaming platforms that are ideal for newcomers and hardcore fans alike to delve into the world of anime. As we have already stated, even if the majority of platforms offer some free streaming capabilities, you must take advantage of the free trial to fully test them out and see if they are worth subscribing to. Let us know which anime streaming platform you like the most and plan to use in the comments below.
Crunchyroll is the most popular app among anime fans, followed by Funimation, Netflix, and others.
Although Crunchyroll provides the largest collection of anime, you may also check out options like Retrocrush, and Hidive, each of which has its benefits. And if you are a beginner looking for the best streaming service to start your anime journey, we suggest you go for Netflix.
The best free and legal anime streaming services at the moment are YouTube channels like Muse-Asia and Ani-one Asia.
Ajith Kumar
An entertainment writer with a passion for analyzing and sharing insights on movies, shows, and anime.
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