What Crunchyroll Premium includes
Crunchyroll Premium is a paid tier of the Crunchyroll streaming service that removes ads from anime episodes and films, lets you watch new episodes the same day they air in Japan, and gives you access to the full Crunchyroll library instead of a limited free catalog. The service costs money each month, and you choose how often to pay — monthly, quarterly, or annually — with the annual option costing less per month than paying month-to-month.
The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs through the Crunchyroll app or website. You create an account, enter payment information, and can start watching immediately. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time, and you will not be charged again after the current billing period ends.
Key Takeaways
- Crunchyroll Premium removes ads, gives you same-day access to new episodes, and unlocks the full anime library for a monthly fee.
- You can pay monthly, quarterly, or annually, with annual payment offering the lowest per-month cost.
- The service works on most devices — phones, tablets, computers, and many smart TVs — through the Crunchyroll app or website.
- You can cancel anytime and will not be charged after your current billing period ends.
- Crunchyroll also offers a free tier with ads and limited content, so you can test the service before paying.
How payment and billing work
When you sign up for Crunchyroll Premium, you enter a credit card, debit card, or other payment method. Crunchyroll charges you on the date you subscribe and then again on the same date each month (or quarter, or year, depending on which plan you chose). Your payment method must remain valid — if your card expires or is declined, Crunchyroll will attempt to charge a backup payment method if you have added one.
You can change your payment method anytime in your account settings. If a charge fails and Crunchyroll cannot collect payment, your account will be downgraded to the free tier after a grace period. You will not lose your account or watchlist, but you will see ads again and lose access to premium features until you update your payment information and resubscribe.
Canceling your subscription
To cancel, log into your Crunchyroll account, go to Account Settings, find the Subscription section, and select Cancel Subscription. Crunchyroll will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed, but you can proceed with cancellation. You will not be charged again after your current billing period ends, and you can continue watching until that date arrives.
If you cancel mid-month or mid-quarter, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion — you simply stop being charged after the current period. If you want to resubscribe later, you can do so anytime by logging back in and selecting a plan.
Differences between payment plans
| Plan Type | Billing Frequency | Cost Per Month (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Charged once per month | Highest per-month rate |
| Quarterly | Charged every three months | Lower per-month rate than monthly |
| Annual | Charged once per year | Lowest per-month rate |
The exact dollar amounts vary by region and change over time, so check Crunchyroll's pricing page for current rates in your country. Annual plans typically offer the biggest savings if you plan to watch for a full year. If you are unsure whether you will stick with the service, the monthly plan lets you cancel without losing money to unused time.
What the free tier offers and how it differs
Crunchyroll offers a free tier that includes ads and access to a smaller library of anime — usually older series and films, plus a limited selection of newer content. Free users can watch most episodes, but new episodes that just aired in Japan are locked behind the Premium paywall for a week or two. Free accounts also have lower video quality and fewer simultaneous streams than Premium.
The free tier is useful if you want to test whether you like the service or explore specific shows before committing to a paid plan. You can upgrade to Premium anytime without losing your watchlist or progress.
Devices and simultaneous streams
Crunchyroll Premium works on phones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows and Mac through the website or app), and many smart TVs (including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and PlayStation). The number of devices you can stream on at the same time depends on your plan — Premium typically allows one or two simultaneous streams, though this varies by region and plan tier.
If you reach your simultaneous stream limit, you will see an error message, and you will need to stop playback on another device before starting a new stream. You can log out of devices remotely in your account settings if you lose access to a device or want to remove an old login.
Account sharing and household restrictions
Crunchyroll's terms of service state that your account is for your personal use only and should not be shared with people outside your household. In practice, Crunchyroll has not enforced strict household restrictions the way some other streaming services do, but the company has indicated it may introduce limits in the future. If you share your login with many people or stream from many different locations simultaneously, your account could be flagged or suspended.
If you want to give someone else access to Crunchyroll, the safest approach is to have them create their own account. They can use the free tier, or you can gift them a subscription if Crunchyroll offers gift cards or codes in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Crunchyroll does not refund unused portions of your subscription. When you cancel, you keep access until the end of your current billing period, but you do not receive money back. If you cancel on the first day of a monthly plan, you still have access for the full month.
What happens if my payment method fails?
Crunchyroll will attempt to charge your payment method on your billing date. If it fails, the company may try a backup payment method if you have added one. If all payment attempts fail, your account will be downgraded to the free tier after a grace period. You can update your payment information anytime to restore Premium access.
Can I change my billing plan from monthly to annual?
Yes. Log into your account, go to Subscription settings, and select a different plan. The change takes effect on your next billing date. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, Crunchyroll will prorate the cost based on your remaining time.
Do I need a credit card to subscribe?
Crunchyroll accepts credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes digital payment methods like PayPal or Google Pay, depending on your region. Check the payment options shown during signup to see what methods are available in your country.
Can I watch Crunchyroll offline?
Crunchyroll does not currently offer offline download for most content. You must stream episodes and films while connected to the internet. Some regions or plans may have limited offline features, so check your app settings to see what is available.