How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Every service here is licensed and legal. Unlicensed streaming sites are left out on purpose: they harm the studios that make anime and often carry malware and aggressive ads.
- Crunchyroll is the best pick for most anime fans, with the deepest catalog and the most seasonal simulcasts, starting at $9.99 per month with no free tier.
- HIDIVE is the cheapest anime-only service at $7.99 per month and the best second service for niche titles and exclusives.
- Netflix is the best second service for exclusives and originals, while Hulu and Prime Video are worth it mainly if you already pay for them.
- Tubi is the best free legal option, with ad-supported classics. Prices in this category shift often and guides conflict, so confirm the checkout price before subscribing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Crunchyroll | Deepest catalog and simulcasts | $9.99 per month | No |
 HIDIVE | Niche titles and value | $7.99 per month | No |
 Netflix | Exclusives and originals | See website | No |
 Hulu | General TV plus anime | See website | No |
 Prime Video | Anime inside Prime | See website | No |
 Max | Studio Ghibli films | See website | No |
 Tubi | Free legal anime | Free | Yes |
 Pluto TV | Free anime channels | Free | Yes |
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The best anime streaming services
Starting price$9.99 per month
Free planNo
Crunchyroll is the anime-first service, and it shows. After absorbing Funimation, it holds the deepest licensed catalog in the US, with more than 2,000 series and films reported, plus dozens of seasonal simulcasts that air close to the Japanese broadcast. Dubs are extensive, the manga and store extras suit committed fans, and paid plans carry no ads.
The free tier ended in early 2026, so every plan now starts at $9.99 per month, with higher tiers for more simultaneous streams. That is still fair value for a fan who watches weekly, but casual viewers may prefer a free service first. If you watch anime every week, Crunchyroll is the first subscription to buy.
What we like- More than 2,000 series and films reported
- Dozens of simulcasts each season
- No ads on paid plans
- Extensive dubs
Watch out for- No free tier since early 2026
- Higher tiers cost more for extra streams
- No service carries every anime
Starting price$7.99 per month
Free planNo
HIDIVE is the best second anime service. At $7.99 per month, it is the cheapest anime-only option, and its curated catalog leans toward niche titles, exclusives, and uncensored editions that Crunchyroll does not carry. It offers seasonal simulcasts, dubs, and offline downloads on two streams.
The catalog is smaller, so HIDIVE works best as a companion to Crunchyroll rather than a replacement. Some older guides list $5.99 or $6.99, but current 2026 guides put the plan at $7.99, so confirm the checkout price. For fans who want the titles nobody else streams, HIDIVE earns its place.
What we like- Cheapest anime-only service
- Niche titles and exclusives
- Simulcasts and dubs
- Offline downloads
Watch out for- Smaller catalog than Crunchyroll
- Some guides list a lower older price, so confirm at checkout
- Two streams only
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Netflix is the best second service for anime fans who also watch everything else. Its anime investment has produced exclusives and originals that draw mainstream attention, and higher plans offer 4K HDR with downloads. For a mixed household, Netflix covers anime alongside film and TV in one bill.
The anime catalog itself is smaller than Crunchyroll, and titles rotate with licenses, so a favorite can leave without warning. Prices have risen over time and vary by plan, with recent guides citing an ad-supported entry and higher ad-free tiers, so check the current plan page. Buy Netflix for its originals and breadth, not as your only anime source.
What we like- Strong exclusives and originals
- 4K HDR on higher plans
- Downloads on mobile
Watch out for- Smaller anime catalog than Crunchyroll
- Availability varies by license and region
- Prices vary by plan and have risen over time
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Hulu quietly maintains one of the largest anime back catalogs among general services, with US simulcasts and a deep bench of popular series. For a household that already pays for Hulu for TV and film, its anime selection is a genuine bonus that may remove the need for a second service.
As an anime-only purchase, Hulu is harder to justify, since dedicated services cost less and carry more. Prices have risen over time, with recent guides citing higher ad-supported and ad-free tiers than older ones, so confirm the current price. If you already subscribe, explore its anime shelf before adding another bill.
What we like- Large anime back catalog
- US simulcasts
- Strong general TV and film library
Watch out for- Poor value if anime is the only reason to subscribe
- Ad-supported entry carries ads
- Prices have risen over time
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Prime Video is worth checking if you already pay for Amazon Prime, since its anime selection comes included with membership. It carries hundreds of anime titles, some in 4K, alongside a large general film and TV library. For a Prime member, it costs nothing extra to explore.
It is not an anime specialist. Simulcasts are few, and the catalog is smaller and more variable than Crunchyroll or HIDIVE. Treat Prime Video as a bonus shelf: watch what it carries, and add a dedicated service for current seasons and deep catalogs.
What we like- Included with a Prime membership
- Solid anime selection
- 4K on supported titles
Watch out for- Anime is a small part of a large library
- Fewer simulcasts than dedicated services
- Catalog varies by region
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Max earns its place on one strength: it carries the full Studio Ghibli collection in the US, alongside a solid set of anime films. For fans of Miyazaki and studio films, no other service matches that shelf, and stream quality is high.
Series coverage is thin, so Max cannot serve as a primary anime service. Prices vary by plan, with ad-supported and ad-free tiers, so check the current page. Add Max for Ghibli and film nights, and keep Crunchyroll or HIDIVE for series and simulcasts.
What we like- Full Studio Ghibli film collection in the US
- Strong film library
- High-quality streams
Watch out for- Few anime series
- Anime is a small slice of the service
- Prices vary by plan
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tubi is the best free legal anime option. It carries ad-supported classics, including subtitled runs of major series, with no subscription and no account tricks. For a new fan testing the waters, or a casual viewer who watches older shows, Tubi costs nothing and stays fully licensed.
The trade-offs are ads and age. The library skews toward older titles, and current seasons and simulcasts are absent. Treat Tubi as a free starting point and a classics shelf, then add a paid service when you want new episodes and deeper catalogs.
What we like- Free and legal
- Ad-supported classics including subtitled Naruto and Hunter x Hunter
- No subscription needed
Watch out for- Ads interrupt viewing
- Library skews older
- No simulcasts or current seasons
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Pluto TV offers free, legal anime through dedicated channels that run scheduled programming, similar to traditional TV. It costs nothing, needs no account for basic viewing, and suits fans who like to discover shows by channel surfing rather than picking from a catalog.
The channel model is also its limit. Most content is scheduled rather than on-demand, so you cannot always watch a specific episode when you want it, and ads run throughout. Pair Pluto TV with Tubi for free coverage, and add a paid service for on-demand current series.
What we like- Free and legal
- Dedicated anime channels with scheduled programming
- No account required
Watch out for- Channel-based, not on-demand for most titles
- Ads
- Smaller selection than Tubi
How we chose
We compared services on licensed catalog depth, simulcast availability, subs and dubs, stream quality, offline viewing, device support, and pricing in September and October 2026 guides and vendor pages. We included only licensed services and left out unlicensed streaming sites entirely, since they expose viewers to malware and do not pay creators. Prices conflict across guides in this category, so we used "See website" where guides disagreed and flagged the conflict rather than presenting a stale figure as fact.
How to pick an anime streaming service
Start with how you watch. Weekly fans who follow current seasons should start with Crunchyroll, then add HIDIVE for niche titles. Casual fans should start free with Tubi and Pluto TV, then add one paid service when a specific show hooks them. Mixed households should check what Hulu, Netflix, or Prime Video already carry before adding a dedicated bill.
Rotate subscriptions by season
Anime runs in seasons, and catalogs rotate with licenses. Many fans save money by rotating: Crunchyroll during big premiere months, HIDIVE during off-seasons for deeper cuts, and a free service in between. Track what you actually watch for a month before renewing, and cancel services that served only one show you already finished.
Check subs, dubs, and availability before paying
Sub and dub availability varies by title and service, and regional licenses change what you can watch. Use a trial week to check the exact shows you want, in your preferred language, on your devices. A service with a huge catalog that lacks your three must-watch titles is the wrong service for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best anime streaming service overall?
Crunchyroll is the best pick for most fans, with the deepest licensed catalog, the most simulcasts, and extensive dubs, starting at $9.99 per month. Casual viewers can start free with Tubi, and fans of niche titles should add HIDIVE.
Is there a free legal way to watch anime?
Yes. Tubi and Pluto TV both offer free, legal anime with ads. Tubi works on-demand for older classics, while Pluto TV runs scheduled anime channels. Neither carries current simulcasts, which remain on paid services.
Do I need more than one anime service?
Many serious fans use two: Crunchyroll for breadth and simulcasts, plus HIDIVE for niche titles or Netflix for exclusives. Casual fans usually need only one, and rotating subscriptions by season keeps costs down.
Are subbed or dubbed versions better?
It is personal preference, and the best services offer both for major titles. Subs preserve the original voice acting, while dubs suit multitasking and younger viewers. Check your must-watch titles in your preferred format during a trial before subscribing.
Why do anime titles leave streaming services?
Licenses expire and move between services, so titles rotate in and out of catalogs. No service carries every anime. If a favorite leaves, check other licensed services before turning to unlicensed sites, which do not support the creators.
Is Crunchyroll worth it if I already have Netflix?
For weekly anime fans, yes. Netflix carries strong exclusives but a smaller anime catalog and no seasonal simulcast slate like Crunchyroll. If you watch anime occasionally, Netflix plus free Tubi may cover you without another subscription.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.crunchyroll.com
- https://www.hidive.com
- https://www.netflix.com
- https://www.hulu.com
- https://www.primevideo.com
- https://www.max.com
- https://www.tubitv.com
- https://www.pluto.tv
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.