What’s the Best Anime Streaming Service? A Fan's Comparison
Everywhere I look, I just see anime.
The anime world is your oyster. Wherever you look, there’s a subscription service calling your name. But how do you know which service is right for you? From the different shows offered to how quickly newer shows hit the service to price, there’s a lot that can impact your decision. Check out our Anime Services Guide with the low-down on all the details on where to stream Studio Ghibli films or how to catch up on the latest season of My Hero Academia to help make your decision!
Funimation
If you’re looking for an anime service that has a great catalogue of both sub and dub titles, then look no further than Funimation. This service immediately receives the latest simulcasts straight from Japan, with new episodes dubbed within 2 weeks of the Japanese broadcast. You’ll find your fan favorite dubs here like My Hero Academia, Fire Force, Doctor Stone, Fruits Basket, Horimiya, and so much more. Want more than just the latest anime? Check out the easy-to-navigate “Genre” section to find your next obsession.
Supported devices: Apple TV, iOS, Android, AndroidTV, Amazon Fire, Kindle, Roku, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Chromecast, Samsung, and LG.
With three different tiers of membership, you can have all you need for a small fee.
Premium $5.99/month
- Ad-free access to the entire Funimation library when and where available.
- Subs and Dubs
- 2 Simultaneous Streams
Premium Plus $7.99/month
- Everything included in Premium Membership
- 5 Simultaneous Streams
- Download for offline viewing on supported mobile devices
- Exclusive member-only events
- Early access on Funimation Shop orders of $20
- Members-only offers
Premium Plus Ultra $99.99/year
- Everything included in the Premium Plus Membership
- Annual anniversary gift
Crunchyroll
If subtitled anime is your jam, then might we suggest Crunchyroll? Crunchyroll has one of the largest libraries of subtitled anime, and new episodes arrive to this streaming service just one hour after they air in Japan. As an added bonus you get access to hundreds of chapters of digital manga. If you’re new to watching anime and not sure if you prefer to watch your shows in sub or dub, Crunchyroll has a 14-day trial period so go on and take it for a test drive.
Supported devices: desktop, mobile, gaming consoles, and other devices that include OS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox, Roku, and PS4.
Fan $7.99/month
- No ads
- Unlimited Access to the Crunchyroll library
- Access to digital manga
- Stream on one device at a time
Mega Fan $9.99/month
- Everything included in the Fan Membership
- Stream on 4 devices at a time
- Offline viewing
- First access to special Crunchyroll Expo events and lotteries
- $15 off $100 purchase in the Crunchyroll Store every 3 months
Ultimate Fan $14.99/month
- Everything included in the Mega Fan Membership
- Stream on 6 devices at a time
- $25 off $100 purchase in the Crunchyroll Store every 3 months
- Annual swag bag
- Access to an exclusive limited-run Hime Nendoroid Figure
HIDIVE
HIDIVE is a newer anime service that was built with the needs of anime fans in mind. You can find subs, dubs, classics, and uncensored anime on this streaming service. Since Sentai Holdings is the parent company, you’ll find incredible anime like Akame Ga Kill, No Game No Life, and Food Wars! from Sentai Filmworks on here. The best part? HIDIVE gives you a lengthy 30-day free trial to test out their catalogue and see if this is the service for you!
Supported devices: Chromecast, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Amazon Fire, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire Tablet, Roku, VRV.
There’s only one plan choice for this streaming platform, but you can choose to pay $4.99 monthly or save 20% by paying $47.99 yearly. Here’s what comes with the plan:
- Access to dubcasts, simulcasts, dubs, and home video editions
- 2 simultaneous streams of 1080P HD with up to 3 profiles (custom avatar)
- Exclusives
- Live chat while streaming
- Customizable subtitles
- Parental controls
HBO Max
Looking for the only streaming service where you can watch Studio Ghibli movies right now? HBO Max is calling your name. That’s right —Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, and more are all available with the click of your remote. HBO Max’s anime library is not as large as the services listed above, but it has some classics you can’t find anywhere else. For $14.99/mo you can enjoy a large collection of fantasy, sci-fi, and badass TV shows and movies outside of the anime realm.
Supported devices: Amazon Appstore, iOS, Samsung, PS4, Xbox One, Roku, Android TV, Apple TV and Samsung TV
Netflix
Earlier this year, Netflix announced that it would be bringing around 40 anime titles and movies to its streaming service this year, outside of the library they already have including originals and classics. While Netflix typically brings live-action Netflix Originals to it’s platform, the company is stepping up its game by building original anime content and bringing incredible K-Dramas to the platform. There are three different plans for Netflix—the major difference being the price and how many devices you can stream on at a time.
Supported devices: Apple TV, Chromecast, Portal, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, Roku, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, Android, Windows.
Basic $8.99/mo
- Unlimited Access to the Netflix library
- Stream on 1 device at a time
- Downloadable tv shows and movies available on 1 device
Standard $13.99/mo
- Unlimited Access to the Netflix library
- Stream on 2 devices at a time
- Downloadable tv shows and movies available on 2 devices
- HD available
Premium $17.99/mo
- Unlimited Access to the Netflix library
- Stream on 4 devices at a time
- Downloadable tv shows and movies available on 4 devices
- HD and Ultra HD available
Hulu
Hulu is a well-rounded streaming service if you’re looking for a website or app that has some anime, but also a lot of other selections. You’ll find movies based on the popular anime series’ Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online, and Pokémon, but you won’t find as large of a selection as the previous services listed. See below for the plans you can choose from.
Supported devices: Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Echo Show, Fire Tablets and Sticks, Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, PS5, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox X|S.
Hulu $5.99/mo or $59.99/yr
- Has commercials
Hulu (No Ads) $11.99/mo
Hulu + Live TV $64.99/mo
- Hulu shows have commercials
Hulu (No ads) + Live TV $70.99/mo
While this guide is to help you figure out which streaming service is the best for your anime preferences, we also have guides prepared to help you find your next anime obsessions. Check out our picks on your next superhero-adjacent anime to watch.
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