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
- WEBTOON is the best free starting point, with a huge official catalogue and many free episodes, plus coins for early access.
- Tapas suits readers who want indie webcomics and web novels together, with an ink system for premium chapters.
- Tappytoon and Lezhin Comics suit fans of premium licensed Korean manhwa, though both use pay-per-chapter coin models.
- Manta suits binge readers, with a flat subscription for all-you-can-read access to a curated romance and fantasy library.
- Toomics, Manga Plus, and INKR add more choice: Toomics for VIP manhwa, Manga Plus for manga, and INKR for a mixed comics library.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
WEBTOON | largest free webtoon library | Free; coins from $0.99 | Yes |
Tapas | indie comics and novels | Free; ink from $1.99 | Yes |
Tappytoon | premium licensed manhwa | Free chapters; coins for more | Yes, limited |
Lezhin Comics | mature premium manhwa | Free chapters; coins for more | Yes, limited |
Manta | flat-fee binge reading | $4.99 to $9.99 per month | No, samples only |
Toomics | VIP manhwa subscription | $47.99 per year for VIP | Yes, limited |
Manga Plus | official manga reading | Free; paid options vary | Yes |
INKR | mixed manga and webtoon library | See website | Yes, limited |
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The best Toonily alternatives
Starting priceFree; coins from $0.99
Free planYes
WEBTOON is the largest legal webtoon platform in the world, and it is the natural first stop for readers leaving Toonily. Originals, Canvas creator series, and licensed titles cover romance, fantasy, action, thriller, and slice of life, with new episodes daily. Most series offer many free episodes, so a new reader can binge a long story without paying at first.
The reading experience is built for phones, with vertical scrolling, comments, and notifications for new episodes. WEBTOON also runs a creator ecosystem, so indie artists can publish on Canvas and graduate to Originals. That pipeline keeps fresh series arriving each week.
Coins pay for early access through Fast Pass, with coin packs from $0.99 in recent listings. Waiting a week usually opens the same chapter free, so patient readers can read most series at no cost. WEBTOON suits readers who want breadth, discovery, and a large free library.
What we like- Huge official catalogue with daily updates
- Many free episodes
- Polished apps and creator community
Watch out for- Newest chapters often need Fast Pass or coins
- Ads on free reading
- Some series are region-limited
Starting priceFree; ink from $1.99
Free planYes
Tapas blends webcomics and web novels, which sets it apart from pure comic apps. Readers can follow an indie comic, then switch to a serial novel by the same creator, all in one account. That mix appeals to readers who enjoy long-form romance, fantasy, and BL stories in both formats.
The ink currency pays for premium chapters, with ink packs from $1.99 in recent listings. Free ink comes from events, ads, and daily rewards in some cases, so active readers can open chapters without constant spending. Tapas also runs community features, comments, and creator support tools.
Long premium series can still add up, since each chapter costs ink. Tapas suits readers who like indie voices and are happy to pay for a favourite series, while using free episodes and events to discover new work. It is less suited to readers who want only mainstream action manhwa.
What we like- Strong indie creator presence
- Comics plus serial novels in one app
- Flexible ink system with events and rewards
Watch out for- Premium series can cost a lot chapter by chapter
- Catalogue leans to romance and fantasy
- Some novels update slowly
Starting priceFree chapters; coins for more
Free planYes, limited
Tappytoon focuses on premium, officially licensed Korean manhwa, with an emphasis on romance and fantasy hits. Translations are polished, art is crisp, and new chapters often appear early compared with free platforms. For fans of popular manhwa, Tappytoon often has the official English release first.
The model is pay-per-chapter with coins, plus a limited number of free chapters for many series. That makes Tappytoon pricier for binge reading a long series, since costs add up chapter by chapter. Readers should set a budget and use free chapters to test a series before buying a full run.
Tappytoon suits readers who value official licensing, translation quality, and early access over a large free library. If you read one or two premium series at a time, the cost is manageable. If you binge many long series, Manta flat subscription may be cheaper.
What we like- High-quality licensed Korean manhwa
- Crisp art and careful translations
- Early access to trending titles
Watch out for- Mostly pay-per-chapter
- Limited free chapters
- Catalogue is smaller than WEBTOON
Starting priceFree chapters; coins for more
Free planYes, limited
Lezhin Comics is known for mature, curated manhwa, including 18-plus, dark romance, and niche drama titles that larger free platforms do not carry. The catalogue includes exclusive series with professional translations and high production quality. For readers seeking edgier stories, Lezhin is a key platform.
Reading uses a coin model, with recent listings showing about 20 to 30 coins per chapter for many titles. Free chapters let you test a series, but finishing a long series can cost more than a monthly subscription elsewhere. Lezhin also offers events and coin bonuses, which can lower the effective cost for regular readers.
Age ratings and content filters matter here, especially if younger readers share a device. Lezhin suits adult readers who want mature, premium manhwa and are willing to pay per chapter. Readers who prefer flat-fee binge reading should compare Manta first.
What we like- Curated mature and niche catalogue
- Professional translations
- Exclusive titles and dark-themed series
Watch out for- Coin model can get expensive on long series
- Some titles are region-limited
- Mature content needs age checks
Starting price$4.99 to $9.99 per month
Free planNo, samples only
Manta takes the subscription approach to manhwa. For a flat monthly fee, recent listings show $4.99 to $9.99 per month, readers get unlimited access to the Manta library. That model suits binge readers who finish several series a month, since the cost does not rise with chapter count.
The library focuses on romance and fantasy, with curated hits and Manta exclusives. That focus means Manta does not match WEBTOON for breadth, but it does offer a tidy, high-quality set for its core genres. The app is clean, with offline reading and library management for series you follow.
The trade-off is clear: when you cancel, access ends, and the catalogue is smaller than WEBTOON or Tapas. Manta suits readers who mainly read romance and fantasy and want predictable monthly cost. Readers who want many genres should pair Manta with WEBTOON free reading.
What we like- All-you-can-read subscription
- Curated romance and fantasy hits
- Simple pricing for binge readers
Watch out for- Catalogue is smaller and genre-focused
- Access ends when you cancel
- Few free previews beyond samples
Starting price$47.99 per year for VIP
Free planYes, limited
Toomics offers a large manhwa library with a VIP subscription model. Recent listings show VIP at $47.99 per year, which gives full access to VIP titles without per-chapter coins. That annual price can be cheaper than coin models for readers who finish many series.
The catalogue covers romance, drama, action, and fantasy, with titles in several languages. Free chapters let new readers test series before subscribing, and the app supports reading on phone and web. Toomics suits regular manhwa readers who want a broad library at a fixed yearly cost.
The interface feels busier than WEBTOON, and regional availability varies by title. Toomics also leans more to adult and mature romance in parts of its catalogue, so check age ratings. For a steady manhwa reader, VIP annual pricing is a strong value alternative to coin platforms.
What we like- Large manhwa library across genres
- VIP subscription for full access
- Supports multiple languages
Watch out for- VIP cost is annual in many listings
- Interface is busier than WEBTOON
- Some titles vary by region
Starting priceFree; paid options vary
Free planYes
Manga Plus is the official platform from Shueisha, publisher of major manga series. It suits readers who want manga beside manhwa, with simulpub chapters that release close to Japan. Many first and latest chapters are free, which makes it easy to follow ongoing hits without a subscription.
The library includes long-running action, adventure, and drama series, plus newer titles that update weekly. Reading is clean on web and app, with a simple chapter list and no coin system for most current chapters. That simplicity appeals to readers tired of coin math.
Manga Plus is not a manhwa platform, so it does not replace Tappytoon or Manta for Korean webtoons. It complements them well: read manhwa on WEBTOON or Manta, and read official manga on Manga Plus. For a reader who enjoys both formats, that pair covers a lot of ground at low cost.
What we like- Official Shueisha manga, including major hits
- Many chapters free
- Simulpub releases close to Japan
Watch out for- Focus is manga, not manhwa
- Some chapters need a subscription for full back catalogue
- Webtoon-style series are limited
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes, limited
INKR offers a mixed library that includes manga, manhwa, webtoons, and comics from several publishers. That mix helps readers who do not want a separate app for each format. The reading app is clean, with library management, notifications, and offline options on some plans.
Publisher partnerships give INKR official titles that are harder to find on free platforms, and the catalogue spans action, romance, fantasy, and slice of life. Free chapters let readers test series, while coins or subscription open full runs depending on title and region.
Pricing varies by region and plan, so check the current INKR pricing page for your country before you commit. INKR suits readers who want one app for manga and manhwa together. Readers who want the largest free webtoon library should still start with WEBTOON.
What we like- Mixed library of manga, manhwa, and comics
- Publisher partnerships
- Clean reading app
Watch out for- Pricing and catalogue vary by region
- Smaller community than WEBTOON
- Some series need coins or subscription
How we chose
We compared legal, official platforms that offer the same kind of reading as Toonily: webtoons, manhwa, and related comics in English, on phone and web. We used pricing and feature details from vendor pages and recent comparison guides found in web search, and we kept only platforms active in 2026. We favoured official licensing over unofficial scan sites, and we included free, coin, and subscription models so readers can match a platform to budget and reading habits.
What to check before you pay
Start with genre and model. If you read romance and fantasy in bulk, Manta or Toomics VIP may be cheapest. If you read one premium series at a time, Tappytoon or Lezhin coins may be fine. If you read widely and patiently, WEBTOON free episodes plus Manga Plus free chapters may cost nothing at all.
Next, test the app on your phone. Check vertical scrolling, offline reading, notifications, and library sync, since a clumsy reader can spoil a good series. Finally, use only official apps and sites, and buy coins or subscriptions inside the official app store or site. Unofficial sites that promise free premium chapters often carry malware, broken links, and stolen work that does not support creators.
Frequently asked questions
Are these Toonily alternatives legal?
Yes, the eight platforms here are official, licensed services. They pay creators and publishers, which keeps series updating and translations professional. Unofficial scan sites may offer more titles free, but they do not support creators and often carry security risks.
What is the cheapest way to read webtoons legally?
WEBTOON free episodes and Manga Plus free chapters cost nothing for most series if you wait for new chapters. Tapas free ink events can also open premium chapters at no cost. Paid reading becomes worthwhile only for early access or for series that are coin-only.
Is Manta better than Tappytoon?
Manta is better for binge readers who finish many romance and fantasy series, since one monthly fee covers all reading. Tappytoon is better for readers who follow one or two premium manhwa titles and value early access and translation quality.
Do these platforms work on desktop as well as phone?
Yes, most offer web reading beside iOS and Android apps, including WEBTOON, Tapas, Tappytoon, Lezhin, Manta, and Toomics. Check offline reading, since some platforms limit downloads to mobile apps.
Can I read mature content safely on these platforms?
Lezhin, Toomics, and parts of Tapas and Tappytoon include mature titles with age ratings. Use age checks, content filters, and separate profiles if younger readers share your device, and review purchase history regularly on coin platforms.
Will my favourite Toonily series be on these platforms?
Not always. Licensing varies by title and region, so a series on an unofficial site may not have an official English release yet. Search the official platforms by title, and follow the creator or publisher for licensing news if a series is missing.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.webtoons.com
- https://tapas.io
- https://www.tappytoon.com
- https://www.lezhin.com
- https://manta.net
- https://www.toomics.com
- https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp
- https://www.inkr.com
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.
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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.