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As of August 18, 2026, Crunchyroll’s full on-demand library requires Premium in the United States, and the lowest regular monthly plan costs $9.99 plus applicable taxes. The old free, ad-supported on-demand option is no longer listed as a standard membership plan. Crunchyroll still has a free, curated 24/7 channel on select platforms, but it is not a replacement for choosing episodes from the full catalog.
What happened to Crunchyroll’s free version?
Crunchyroll’s U.S. membership page now presents its full library, simulcasts and ad-free streaming as Premium benefits, with no standard free, ad-supported on-demand plan listed. The exact date the former free tier ended is less certain: reports commonly put its end on December 31, 2025, with paid access beginning January 1, 2026, but the current official plan page does not itself confirm that date. Check Crunchyroll’s current membership options.
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That does not mean all free Crunchyroll viewing has disappeared. The Crunchyroll Channel is a free, curated 24/7 stream available on select services, including Roku, Amazon Freevee, LG Smart TVs and Vizio Smart TVs. It does not require an account or subscription, but its programming is scheduled: you cannot browse and play the entire on-demand library whenever you want.
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Crunchyroll announced U.S. price increases on February 2, 2026. Existing subscribers were due to see the new prices on their first billing date after March 4. These are monthly prices before applicable taxes:
#1 Best Overall
- Dub Cast Panel / Voice Actor Q&A
- Promo Videos
- Commercials
- Textless Opening & Ending Songs
| Plan | Price | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | $9.99/month | Ad-free on-demand library, new episodes shortly after Japanese broadcast, one simultaneous stream, offline viewing and a 5% Store discount. |
| Mega Fan | $13.99/month | Fan benefits, four simultaneous streams, offline viewing with HD support, Crunchyroll Game Vault, a 10% Store discount, member offers and free U.S. shipping on qualifying orders. |
| Ultimate Fan | $17.99/month | Mega Fan benefits, six simultaneous streams, Crunchyroll Manga in the U.S. and Canada, a 15% Store discount and eligibility for an annual swag bag after 12 consecutive months in the U.S. |
The company’s February 2026 pricing announcement lists the previous monthly prices as $7.99 for Fan, $11.99 for Mega Fan and $15.99 for Ultimate Fan. Benefits and prices can vary by country, platform and offer, so the table is specifically for the U.S.; check the checkout page for the terms that apply to you.
Which plan makes sense?
- Choose Fan for solo viewing. At $9.99 a month, it is the least expensive regular monthly route to the on-demand library. It includes one simultaneous stream and offline viewing, but not Game Vault or the higher tiers’ household and Store perks.
- Choose Mega Fan if you need more streams or its extras. It costs $4 more per month than Fan and allows four simultaneous streams. It is the practical middle tier for a household watching at once, or for someone who will use Game Vault, downloads or Store benefits.
- Choose Ultimate Fan only if its specific extras matter. The additional streams, Crunchyroll Manga, larger Store discount and swag-bag eligibility may suit a heavy Crunchyroll user. For one viewer who does not use those features, it is unlikely to be the economical choice.
Annual offers, trials and renewal terms
Crunchyroll announced a limited-time Fan Annual Plan at $66.99 for one year—about $5.58 per month when averaged over 12 months, but charged upfront. The live Premium page may show different promotional annual prices or eligibility: a captured U.S. offer displayed first-year prices of $69.99 for Fan and $99.99 for Mega Fan, and $179.99 per year for Ultimate Fan. These are offer signals, not guaranteed prices for every customer. Confirm the amount due now, the renewal price and the renewal date at checkout; promotional plans can renew at the regular rate.
Eligible new subscribers may receive a seven-day free trial. A payment method is required, and the trial automatically converts to a paid membership unless canceled before it ends. Crunchyroll says canceling during the trial ends Premium access immediately, rather than letting you use the remaining trial days. Check your membership page and confirmation email for the exact renewal date. Users who have already used a trial may not be eligible for another one. See Crunchyroll’s trial terms.
Before subscribing: Remember that annual plans charge upfront, taxes may apply, and a verification charge may temporarily appear when a payment method is checked. Set a reminder before a trial or promotional rate renews if you do not want to continue.
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- Promo Video Collection
- Behind-the-Scenes Videos
- All 18 “The Making Of” Videos
- Textless Opening & Ending Songs
Does Premium mean no ads and every show?
Crunchyroll describes Premium streaming as ad-free, but that promise concerns playback; it does not necessarily mean the app will never show trailers, service announcements or store and event promotions. A third-party platform or channel may also have its own interface or advertising behavior.
Premium also does not unlock every title in every country. Anime availability depends on licensing rights, so a show may be unavailable in your region even with a paid membership. Crunchyroll does not support using a VPN to bypass those restrictions. Check the title in your local catalog before subscribing if access to a particular series is the main reason you are considering a plan. See Crunchyroll’s regional availability guidance.
Rank #4
Direct subscription or partner billing?
A membership purchased through Roku, Apple, Amazon or another partner may be managed by that platform and may not work like a direct Crunchyroll account subscription. Crunchyroll’s documentation for its Roku and Apple TV channels describes limitations: partner-channel subscriptions may be restricted to that channel and may not link to an existing Crunchyroll account.
If you want to watch through Crunchyroll’s app and website across devices, buying directly from Crunchyroll is the simpler choice. Buy through a partner if you specifically want its billing and playback setup, and first confirm which tier and benefits it includes. For help with billing options or moving a subscription, consult Crunchyroll’s payment-method information and its guide to moving a subscription from another service.
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Free and paid alternatives
If scheduled programming is enough, the free Crunchyroll Channel is the no-cost option within Crunchyroll. For other legal services, HIDIVE is an anime-focused competitor, while Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Prime Video offer anime alongside broader entertainment. Their catalogs differ, and titles, dubs, simulcasts and availability depend on licensing and region. None should be assumed to replace Crunchyroll for your particular watchlist; compare the shows you want to see before choosing another subscription.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
