which anime streaming service is better

Here are all the best places to stream anime online, including both free and paid streaming options. For casual anime, Hulu/Netflix might be good enough. But if you’re an anime addict, get VRV or Funimation.

Full Answer

Is Funimation or Crunchyroll better?

Crunchyroll is the best option for you if your main interest is a big collection of anime entertainment. However, Funimation is the best option if you'd prefer dubs over subtitles and would want to watch anime offline.

Is Hulu or Crunchyroll better?

Best Offline Viewing: Crunchyroll Vs. Hulu. Crunchyroll wins when it comes to offline viewing, since it has slightly better features. With Crunchyroll, you can download up to 100 episodes in total.

Why does Crunchyroll have less anime?

Because CR doesn't have a license to show the series there. There can be a number of reasons for that, including (but not limited to) the publisher selling the license to it for that country to another company.

Is Funimation free with Hulu?

Funimation wins this category. It costs $5.99/month to subscribe to Funimation Premium, which gets you access to its entire anime library. Hulu costs $6.99/month for the cheapest membership.

Does Hulu have everything on Crunchyroll?

Watch Crunchyroll Network Online | Hulu (Free Trial) Watch Crunchyroll with any Hulu plan starting at $6.99/month. No hidden fees, equipment rentals, or installation appointments.

Is Crunchyroll free with Hulu?

Crunchyroll and Hulu are two of the bigger players when looking for anime and manga content. Both Crunchyroll and Hulu are available through web and mobile access, with Crunchyroll having free and paid access levels and Hulu requiring a subscription commitment.

Is Crunchyroll better than Netflix?

It's the #1 streaming service worldwide for a reason. However, Netflix is more expensive than Crunchyroll. And while it has lots of great anime shows, it doesn't even come close to Crunchyroll's anime library. So if you're on a budget or you're just interested in anime, Crunchyroll is the superior choice.

Does Hulu have a lot of animes?

Hulu has a bunch of anime, including fantasy, moe, drama, and others. Here are the best anime series on Hulu. Hulu has a variety of great anime on its platform. It's one of the few streaming services with dubbed Gundam shows and there are a bunch of other great options as well.

Crunchyroll

What Netflix is to streaming, Crunchyroll is to anime streaming. If you want the biggest library of titles, with a mix of both classic titles like Captain Harlock and new hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, you can’t do much better than Crunchyroll.

Funimation

While we wait to see what the Funimation/Crunchyroll merger ends up looking like, Funimation remains the other biggest player in anime streaming. Though you can subscribe to both Funimation and Crunchyroll, there is enough library overlap that you’re probably better off picking one or the other.

HIDIVE

If you want something more grown-up than the teenage-aimed action shows that other streamers focus on, HIDIVE is the service for you. This streamer prides itself on offering edgier or more cultured shows like Redo of a Healer and Elfen Lied, but also Made in Abyss and the earlier Lupin the Third seasons.

RetroCrush

Enough about all these mainstream shows with clean animation and formula-heavy stories; take me back to the good ol’ days! If that’s you, then RetroCrush is your streamer.

The mainstream services great for watching anime

Hulu’s anime hub, home to new simulcast anime like Attack on Titan and classic films like Akira . Photo: Hulu

Netflix

At this point, do you really need someone to pitch you on Netflix? What you may not know, however, is that it has a pretty great anime library too.

Hulu

If you are new to anime or simply don’t want to commit to a dedicated streaming service just for that medium, then consider Hulu. Rather than license exclusive titles to try and compete with other streamers, Hulu hosts a collection of shows and movies from Crunchyroll, Funimation, and even HIDIVE.

Why can't I find certain anime content on some streaming services?

Due to licensing agreements, some streaming providers' anime lineups will change. This also depends on which country you live in, as various content may only be available in Japan, the US, or other regions.

What is the meaning of OAD and OVA in anime and does it matter?

They can be prequel episodes or storylines that happen during or after what's seen in a series and act as cool additions for anime lovers.

What is anime?

Anime is literally the Japanese term for ‘animation’, and it refers to a wide range of Japanese-made (or influenced) cartoon series and films, for a range of ages. And there there’s a lot of pirated anime to stream online! Even the free sites we've listed for you here are perfectly legal, however. (Support animators!)

How many seasons of Attack on Titan are there?

Due to licensing costs and issues, though, you won’t always get the latest or most complete series. Attack on Titan only has one of its three seasons, and anime not produced by Netflix tends to land a good while after release.

What is the price of Hulu?

For a package deal of Hulu’s comedy, drama, and anime content, you’re getting a lot for the buck, though the $7.99 price won’t remove ads from the service: you’ll need the $11.99 premium account for that.

What is a subbed anime?

In anime that's been subbed, or ‘subtitled’, you’re hearing the original Japanese voice acting, with English (or otherwise) translations rolling across the screen throughout. Dubbed anime, on the other hand, features a new voice cast in languages other than Japanese, for people who don’t like reading words while they’re watching.

Is Funimation the best anime streaming service?

For others, it makes anime a lot more accessible. If you’re in the latter camp, Funimation is probably the best anime streaming service for you. As a dedicated anime platform, you get a lot of overlap with the Crunchyroll library. One thing Crunchyroll doesn’t have, however, is the full roster of Dragon Ball TV shows, ...

Is Hulu a Funimation?

Hulu signed a partnership deal with Funimation back in 2018, so you ’re getting a lot of the biggest Funimation shows to help pack out the catalogue here. However, much like Netflix, not all these seasons are complete, and it doesn’t have the breadth of a dedicated anime service.

Does Crunchyroll have Dragon Ball Z?

As a dedicated anime platform, you get a lot of overlap with the Crunchyroll library. One thing Crunchyroll doesn’t have, however, is the full roster of Dragon Ball TV shows, with Funimation hosting Dragon Ball Z, Z Kai, Super, and GT alongside the original series (albeit only in the US).