What Crunchyroll offers and how much it costs

Crunchyroll is a streaming service that shows anime, manga, and some live-action shows. The service offers three paid tiers plus a free version with ads. The paid plans are Fan ($14.99 per month in the US), Standard ($24.99 per month), and Premium ($27.99 per month). Prices vary by country and may change; check Crunchyroll's website for your region.

The free tier lets you watch with ads and access a limited library. Fan tier removes ads and gives you access to the full anime library, but streams at standard definition. Standard tier adds high-definition streaming and the ability to watch on two devices at once. Premium tier adds 4K streaming where available and lets four devices stream at the same time.

All paid tiers include access to manga through Crunchyroll's manga reader, though the manga library differs by region. Crunchyroll also bundles with other services — you can add Crunchyroll to a Hulu or Disney+ bundle, which may cost less than paying for Crunchyroll alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Crunchyroll has three paid tiers ranging from $14.99 to $27.99 per month, each with different streaming quality and device limits.
  • The Fan tier removes ads and gives you the full anime library in standard definition on one device.
  • Standard and Premium tiers add higher video quality and the ability to stream on multiple devices at the same time.
  • You can bundle Crunchyroll with Hulu or Disney+ for a lower total monthly cost than paying for each service separately.
  • A free tier with ads exists, but it has a smaller library and lower video quality than any paid plan.

How to start a subscription and manage your account

To start, go to Crunchyroll.com and click the sign-up button. You will need an email address and a password. After you create your account, you choose which tier you want and enter payment information. Crunchyroll takes payment by credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Your subscription renews automatically each month on the same date you signed up.

You can change your tier at any time by going to your account settings. If you upgrade mid-month, Crunchyroll prorates the difference — you pay only for the days you use the higher tier. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months without cancelling it entirely, which keeps your account and watch history intact.

To cancel, go to your account settings and select "Cancel Subscription." Crunchyroll will ask you why you are leaving and may offer you a discount to stay. Once you confirm cancellation, your access ends at the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again.

What devices you can watch on

Crunchyroll works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices. The service has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. For TV, Crunchyroll is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer.

The number of devices you can stream on at the same time depends on your tier. Fan tier allows one stream at a time. Standard tier allows two simultaneous streams. Premium tier allows four simultaneous streams. This means if you have Standard, two people can watch different shows at the same time, but a third person cannot start watching until one of the first two stops.

You can download episodes on the mobile app to watch offline, but only on Fan tier and above. Downloaded episodes expire after a set period — usually 48 hours — so you cannot keep them permanently.

Regional differences and content availability

Crunchyroll's library varies by country. The US, Canada, UK, Australia, and most of Europe have the largest libraries. Some shows are available in certain regions but not others due to licensing agreements. A show you can watch in the US might not be available in Japan or vice versa. Crunchyroll's website shows you what is available in your region once you log in.

Subtitles and dubs also vary by region. Most anime on Crunchyroll has English subtitles worldwide. English dubs are more common in the US and UK but less common in other regions. Some shows have dubs in other languages like Spanish, French, or German depending on where you are.

If you travel to another country, you can still watch your subscription, but the library you see will change to match your new location. This is because of licensing restrictions, not a problem with your account.

How Crunchyroll's free tier compares to paid tiers

The free tier with ads is a real option if you want to try the service before paying. You get access to a smaller library than paid subscribers — usually the most recent episodes and popular older shows, but not the full back catalog. Video quality is limited to standard definition. You can watch on one device at a time, and ads play before, during, and after episodes.

The free tier does not include manga access or the ability to download episodes. If you want to watch a specific older show or series, it may not be available on the free tier even if it is available to paid subscribers. Crunchyroll rotates which shows are free, so something you can watch today might move behind the paywall next month.

The Fan tier ($14.99) removes ads and gives you the full library, which is the main reason most people upgrade from free. If you watch regularly, the cost of Fan tier usually pays for itself within a few weeks compared to the time you spend watching ads on the free version.

Bundling Crunchyroll with other services

Crunchyroll is part of the same parent company as Hulu and Disney+. You can buy a bundle that includes all three services for less than paying for them separately. The bundle prices vary — as of now, a bundle with ads costs around $14.99 per month, and an ad-free bundle costs around $24.99 per month, but these prices change. Check the Crunchyroll website for current bundle pricing in your region.

If you already have Hulu or Disney+, you can add Crunchyroll to your existing account. The cost difference depends on which Hulu plan you have and whether you want ads. Adding Crunchyroll to an ad-supported Hulu account costs less than adding it to an ad-free Hulu account.

Bundles are a good choice if you watch anime on Crunchyroll and also watch other shows or movies on Hulu or Disney+. If you only want anime, a standalone Crunchyroll subscription may be cheaper.

Billing, payment methods, and cancellation

Crunchyroll charges your payment method on the same day each month. If your payment fails, Crunchyroll will try again a few times before suspending your account. If your account is suspended, you can update your payment information and resume service without losing your watch history or settings.

You can change your payment method in your account settings at any time. Crunchyroll accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Some regions may have additional payment options like local payment services.

If you cancel your subscription, you keep access until the end of your current billing period. Crunchyroll does not refund partial months. If you cancel on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you still have access until the 20th. After that date, your account reverts to the free tier if you do not resubscribe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Crunchyroll account with family members?

Crunchyroll's terms say accounts are for personal use only, but the service allows multiple simultaneous streams on Standard and Premium tiers. This means family members in different locations can watch at the same time. However, Crunchyroll may ask you to verify your location if it detects unusual activity, and sharing passwords across households is technically against the terms of service.

What happens if I pause my subscription?

You can pause for up to three months without cancelling. Your account, watch history, and settings stay intact. You will not be charged during the pause. After three months, you must either resume or cancel. Pausing is useful if you know you will not watch for a while but want to come back later.

Do I need a VPN to watch Crunchyroll in a different country?

Crunchyroll does not block VPNs, but using one to watch content not available in your actual location violates the terms of service. The service detects location based on your IP address and payment method, so a VPN may not work reliably. If you travel, your account will show you the library for your new location automatically.

Can I watch Crunchyroll offline?

You can download episodes on the mobile app to watch without internet, but only on Fan tier and above. Downloaded episodes expire after 48 hours, so you cannot keep them permanently. Downloads are useful for travel or commuting, but not for building a permanent offline library.

What is the difference between Crunchyroll and other anime streaming services?

Crunchyroll has the largest anime library of any streaming service and includes manga. Other services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have anime but smaller selections. Hidive is another anime-focused service with a smaller library but lower prices. Your choice depends on which shows you want to watch and whether you want manga access.