Top 10 Best Anime Streaming Websites in the US: Free & Paid (Latest Guide)
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| The best anime streaming sites in the US. Image: KnowInsiders |
Anime fans in the United States have more legal streaming options than ever before. Some platforms focus entirely on anime, while others bundle anime with movies, TV series, or live channels. Prices, libraries, and strengths vary widely.
Quick Recommendations for US Viewers• Best overall: Crunchyroll • Best free option: Tubi • Best anime + TV: Hulu • Best anime movies: Max • Best niche service: HIDIVE • Best retro anime: RetroCrush |
1. Crunchyroll – Best Overall Anime Streaming Service
Official website: https://www.crunchyroll.com
Crunchyroll is the most anime-focused streaming service in the US and the industry standard for seasonal anime.
Price (US, 2026)
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Fan: $9.99/month
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Mega Fan: $13.99/month
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Ultimate Fan: $17.99/month
Strengths
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Largest licensed anime library in the US
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Fast simulcasts from Japan
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Strong sub and dub support
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Offline downloads on higher tiers
Weaknesses
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No free ad-supported viewing
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Prices have increased over time
Recommended for: Hardcore anime fans who follow new seasons
Verdict: The single best paid anime service in the US.
2. Hulu – Best Anime + TV Shows Combo
Official website: https://www.hulu.com/anime
Hulu is uniquely strong in the US thanks to anime licensing alongside mainstream TV content.
Price (US)
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With Ads: $11.99/month
Strengths
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Solid anime catalog plus US TV series
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Some near-simulcast releases
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Works well in Disney+ bundles
Weaknesses
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Smaller anime library than Crunchyroll
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Ads on the base plan
Recommended for: Viewers who want anime and TV shows in one service.
Read more: Top 5 Free and Legal Anime Websites in the US (Updated Guide)
3. Netflix – Best for Anime Originals & Movies
Official website: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/7424
Netflix continues to invest heavily in exclusive anime series and high-quality movies.
Price (US)
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Standard with Ads: $6.99/month
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Standard: $15.49/month
Strengths
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Strong lineup of anime originals
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Excellent anime movies
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Best overall streaming quality
Weaknesses
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No simulcasts
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Anime catalog rotates frequently
Recommended for: Casual anime fans and families.
4. HIDIVE – Best for Niche & Exclusive Anime
Official website: https://www.hidive.com
HIDIVE focuses on titles you often won’t find on larger platforms.
Price (US)
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$6.99/month or $69.99/year
Strengths
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Exclusive and niche anime
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Good English dub selection
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Affordable pricing
Weaknesses
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Smaller overall library
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Basic interface
Recommended for: Long-time anime fans who already use Crunchyroll.
5. Max – Best for Studio Ghibli Films
Official website: https://www.max.com
Max is the exclusive streaming home of Studio Ghibli in the US.
Price (US)
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With Ads: $10.99/month
Strengths
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Complete Studio Ghibli collection
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High-quality anime films
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Premium video quality
Weaknesses
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Very limited TV anime content
Recommended for: Anime movie lovers and Ghibli fans.
Read more: How to Watch/Download Anime Online Without Ads and Free
6. Disney+ (via Hulu Bundle) – Best Value Bundle
Official website: https://www.disneyplus.com
Bundle page: https://www.hulu.com/disney-hulu-bundle
Bundle Price (US)
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Disney+ + Hulu (With Ads): $12.99/month
Strengths
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Excellent value bundle
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Access to Hulu’s anime library
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Family-friendly content ecosystem
Weaknesses
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Anime not available directly on Disney+ US
Recommended for: Families and multi-genre viewers.
7. Amazon Prime Video – Best if You Already Use Prime
Official website: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/genre/anime
Price (US)
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Prime Video standalone: $8.99/month
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Amazon Prime: $14.99/month
Strengths
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Included with Prime membership
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Anime movie rentals and purchases
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Reliable streaming performance
Weaknesses
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Anime is not the main focus
Recommended for: Existing Amazon Prime members.
8. RetroCrush – Best for Classic & Retro Anime
Official website: https://www.retrocrush.tv
Price (US)
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Free with ads
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Premium: $4.99/month
Strengths
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Dedicated classic anime catalog
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Very affordable premium option
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Legal free viewing
Weaknesses
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No modern anime
Recommended for: Fans of old-school anime.
9. Tubi – Best Free Anime Streaming Website
Official website: https://tubitv.com/category/anime
Price: Free (ad-supported)
Strengths
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100% free and legal in the US
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No subscription required
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Decent anime variety
Weaknesses
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Ads
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Mostly older or mid-tier titles
Recommended for: Budget-conscious viewers.
10. Pluto TV – Free Anime with Live Channels
Official website: https://pluto.tv
Price: Free (FAST model with ads)
Strengths
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Live anime channels plus on-demand
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No account required
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Stable and legal in the US
Weaknesses
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Limited control on live streams
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Frequent ads
Recommended for: Casual and discovery viewing.
Final Advice
For most US users, Crunchyroll combined with one free service like Tubi or Pluto TV covers nearly every anime need. Add Hulu or Netflix for broader entertainment, or HIDIVE if you want deeper, niche anime titles.
