Every major streamer appears to be jumping into the anime world. Each platform brings its own vibe — Crunchyroll has a massive library, Netflix regularly drops anime originals, and HIDIVE caters to niche audiences. Here’s a breakdown of the latest data comparing subscription costs, library size, dub and sub support, and overall user experience.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll still reigns as the go-to anime hub, boasting the largest anime selection of any streaming service. Its catalog includes more than 1,000 shows, featuring blockbusters like “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Solo Leveling,” plus simulcasts of classics such as “One Piece” and “Dragon Ball.” The platform uploads new episodes within an hour of Japan’s broadcast and now provides a free, ad-supported tier with episodes delayed by one week. Paid plans start at $7.99 per month for the “Fan” tier and go up to $15.99 for the “Ultimate” tier. Annual subscriptions rose from $54.95 to $99.99 in early 2025. Crunchyroll also offers subtitles and dubs in multiple languages, including Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic. Its interface runs on nearly every device, from Nintendo Switch and mobile to Apple TV, Roku, and even Apple Vision Pro.
Netflix
Netflix has quietly built a strong anime library filled with modern classics and exclusive titles. It’s the only platform streaming “Neon Genesis Evangelion” alongside Netflix originals such as “Devilman Crybaby,” “Pluto,” “Pokémon Concierge,” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.” In the United States, plans range from $8 a month for the basic plan with ads to $25 a month for the 4K premium tier, the streamer’s website states. The interface and recommendations are polished, and Netflix works on nearly every device. And while Netflix may not have every series, its anime exclusives and production quality make it a must-have next to Crunchyroll.
HIDIVE
HIDIVE is the underdog with its $6 a month or $60 a year subscription. The streamer has a mix of new and classic anime — including “Dororo,” “Elfen Lied,” and “Made in Abyss” — alongside shojo favorites like “K-On!” and cult hits like “Gunbuster.” Each season, it adds new titles with simulcasts, though not all are exclusive. In 2024, AMC Networks, HIDIVE’s parent company, launched redesigned apps and a new website featuring a sleek interface, improved search and watch history, and offline viewing. HIDIVE operates in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Hulu
In the U.S. market, Hulu’s anime hub is solid. It has big mainstream series – “Attack on Titan,” “My Hero Academia,” “Dragon Ball,” etc. — plus exclusives like “Undead Unluck” and the “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War” revival. Hulu’s standalone plans start at about $10 a month with ads or $19 a month without.
Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video’s collection is small but mighty. Its anime library is still growing, but it does hold exclusive rights to Hideaki Anno’s “Evangelion” Rebuild films and “Evangelion 3.0+1.0.” Per Amazon, Prime Video costs about $9 a month as a standalone service, or $139 per year with a full Prime membership and it runs on every major platform. However, its subtitling and dubbing options vary by show.
Which streaming service do you use to watch anime? Comment below!
