Best Anime Streaming Service: US Prices Compared

Our pick for most US anime fans is Crunchyroll. It is anime-only, has no ads on any paid plan, and says it carries more than 2,000 series and films. Plans start at $9.99 a month, and there is no longer a free tier. Netflix ($8.99 with ads, $19.99 without) is the best second service because of exclusives such as Steel Ball Run. HIDIVE is the cheapest anime-only service at $7.99 a month. Hulu and Prime Video are worth it mainly if you already pay for them. For free, legal viewing, ad-supported Tubi carries some anime classics, such as subtitled Naruto and Hunter × Hunter; our where-to-watch table lists the legal home of each popular series.

Last checked: September 23, 2026 against Crunchyroll's help center, Netflix's Plans and Pricing page, Hulu's plans and prices page, Amazon's Prime page, HIDIVE's plan page, the official JoJo anime portal and TheWrap's report on Crunchyroll's 2026 prices.

Anime streaming services compared (US prices)

Prices are before tax and apply to the US. Crunchyroll's 2026 price change was US-only. Hulu requires you to be located in the US. Netflix says its catalog "varies by region and may change over time."

Crunchyroll: the anime-only default

Crunchyroll raised US prices by $2 a month on February 2, 2026. Existing subscribers moved to the new prices at their first billing date after March 4 (TheWrap):

• Fan, $9.99/month: no ads, the full library, offline downloads on one device.
• Mega Fan, $13.99/month: adds HD downloads, four streams at once and the Crunchyroll Game Vault.
• Ultimate Fan, $17.99/month: adds hundreds of manga titles through Crunchyroll Manga and six streams at once.

When the prices changed, Crunchyroll said it had more than 50,000 episodes and over 2,000 series and films. It also offered the Fan plan for $66.99 a year as a limited-time deal. According to Crunchyroll's help center, you pick quarterly or yearly billing through the Fan plan at checkout.

There is no free way to watch anymore. Crunchyroll ended its free, ad-supported viewing on December 31, 2025. Free users saw an in-player notice that "Ad-supported streaming ends December 31, 2025" (Cord Cutters News).

Choose Crunchyroll if you watch new seasonal anime every week or want one anime-first service. Skip it if your watchlist is mostly Netflix exclusives, or you watch anime only occasionally.

Does Crunchyroll have a free trial?

Yes. Crunchyroll's standard free trial lasts 7 days and gives you the same main perks as Premium: no ads, the full library, and concerts and music content. Promotional trials can be a different length, so the offer shown on the sign-up page applies.

• You need a payment method. The trial starts once you sign up for an eligible Premium plan and your payment method is accepted. It then runs for 7 days in a row.
• It turns into a paid plan automatically. Unless you cancel first, you are charged for the plan you picked at sign-up. The end date is on the Membership Info page and in your confirmation email.
• Canceling ends the trial immediately. Crunchyroll says you "immediately lose access to Premium features" when you cancel during a trial, rather than keeping access until the original end date. Canceling a paid plan is different: you keep Premium until the end of the billing period.
• You only get one trial. If you've used one before, you are charged as soon as you subscribe. You can also skip the trial and start paying right away.

How to cancel: cancel through the service you used to sign up. On the web, go to profile icon → Settings → Membership Info → Cancel Subscription. If you subscribed in the iOS or Android app, manage it through the app or your Apple or Google account. If you subscribed through Amazon Prime Video, PlayStation, Roku or YouTube, cancel there. Deleting the app, logging out or removing your card does not cancel the subscription.

Netflix: best for exclusives

According to Netflix's Plans and Pricing page:

• Standard with ads, $8.99: 2 screens, 1080p, downloads on 2 devices. Most titles are included, and unavailable ones show a lock icon.
• Standard, $19.99: no ads, 2 screens, 1080p. You can add one extra member for $7.99 (with ads) or $9.99 (without).
• Premium, $26.99: no ads, 4 screens, 4K + HDR, downloads on 6 devices. You can add up to two extra members.

For anime, the main reason to pay for Netflix is exclusives. Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is on Netflix worldwide only, and Netflix is also the only US service with every JoJo series. See our JoJo watch order for the full breakdown. On the ad plan, check for a lock icon on the specific show before relying on it.

Choose Netflix if your household already has it, or the show you want is exclusive there. Skip it as your only anime service if you follow a lot of simulcasts.

Hulu: useful if you already have it

According to Hulu's plans and prices page (updated September 16, 2026), Hulu costs $11.99/month with ads or $119.99/year. Hulu Premium has no ads, costs $18.99/month and adds downloads for select titles. Bundles cost more but include more: Disney+ and Hulu with ads is $12.99/month, and the no-ads version is $19.99. You must be located in the US to subscribe.

Hulu carries some major franchises. For example, the official JoJo portal lists Hulu for JoJo Parts 1–5, alongside Netflix and Crunchyroll. Anime availability varies by title, though, so search for your show before subscribing for anime alone.

Choose Hulu if you already have it through a Disney+ bundle and it carries your shows. Skip it as a service you sign up for just for anime.

Prime Video: good value for Prime members

Prime Video comes with Amazon Prime. According to Amazon's Prime page, Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day free trial. Prime for Young Adults is $7.49/month, and Prime Access is $6.99/month for eligible customers.

For anime, Prime Video's main advantage is add-on channels. Crunchyroll's help center confirms that you can subscribe to Crunchyroll through Amazon Prime Video. Billing and cancellation then go through Amazon, not Crunchyroll. That is convenient if you already watch everything in the Prime Video app. Prime Video's own anime selection changes as licenses come and go, so check your titles first.

Choose Prime Video if you already pay for Prime. Skip it as a service you sign up for just for anime.

HIDIVE: the budget anime service

HIDIVE's plan page lists $7.99/month or $79.99/year. Both come with a 7-day free trial, the full HIDIVE library, offline downloads and streaming on up to two devices at once. HIDIVE describes itself as focused on simulcasts, dubs, classics and "deep cuts," and it carries its own exclusives.

Choose HIDIVE if a show you want is exclusive to it, or you want the cheapest anime-only plan. Skip it as your only service if you follow the biggest seasonal hits.

Which service should you pick?

• You watch several new anime every season: Crunchyroll (Fan tier is enough for one viewer).
• You share an account: Crunchyroll Mega Fan (4 screens) or Netflix Standard (2 screens, no ads).
• You want one show that's a Netflix exclusive: Netflix Standard with ads is the cheapest way in.
• You're on a tight budget: HIDIVE at $7.99, or the Crunchyroll Fan annual plan when it's offered.
• You already pay for Prime or a Disney+ bundle: check Prime Video and Hulu first, then add Crunchyroll if gaps remain.

Our read: the most useful pair for most US fans is Crunchyroll plus one general service (Netflix, Hulu or Prime Video) that the household already uses. Paying for three anime subscriptions at once rarely adds much.

For more, see our where to watch anime guide and the streaming guides hub. To plan your season before paying, check the 2026 anime release schedule. Former Funimation users can find the account-transfer details in Crunchyroll vs Funimation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best anime streaming service?

For most US viewers, Crunchyroll. It is anime-only, has no ads, starts at $9.99 and says it carries more than 2,000 series and films. Netflix is the best second service for its exclusives, and HIDIVE is the cheapest anime-only option at $7.99.

Is Crunchyroll still free?

No. Crunchyroll ended free, ad-supported streaming on December 31, 2025. You now need a paid plan, which starts at $9.99/month in the US. New subscribers can get a 7-day free trial.

How long is the Crunchyroll free trial?

Seven days as standard. Promotions can differ, and the sign-up page shows the length that applies to you. A payment method is required, and the trial becomes a paid plan unless you cancel.

What happens if I cancel my Crunchyroll trial early?

You lose Premium access right away. Crunchyroll doesn't let you keep the rest of the 7 days after canceling a trial.

How much is Netflix per month in the US?

$8.99 for Standard with ads, $19.99 for Standard and $26.99 for Premium.

How much does HIDIVE cost?

$7.99 a month or $79.99 a year in the US, with a 7-day free trial.

Can I get Crunchyroll through Amazon Prime Video?

Yes. You can subscribe to Crunchyroll through Amazon Prime Video. You then manage and cancel it through Amazon, not on Crunchyroll's website.