Top 10 Anime Streaming Platforms, Ranked by Monthly Subscription Price

While not all are equally popular, there are many legal anime streaming platforms where you can watch your favorite shows without worrying about buffering or low picture quality. However, most of them are only accessible through monthly or yearly subscriptions. There are a few exceptions, though, which allow you to watch their collection of licensed anime through an ad-supported revenue model.

Now, if you’re wondering which platform charges the most and which has a more reasonable subscription plan, we’ve ranked the 10 best legal anime streaming platforms based on their monthly subscription prices, from highest to lowest. However, each has its own pros and cons, so let’s check them out.

10 Apple TV – $12.99/month

Even though Apple TV charges the most per month, the platform itself isn’t exactly recommended specifically for watching anime. While it does have many big-time titles like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Solo Leveling, etc., the main focus of the platform remains on cinematic originals. Their anime section is more experimental, and rarely is any new seasonal anime made available on it. But in case you already have an Apple TV subscription, then you can surely stream some of anime’s classic titles on it.

9 Disney+ – $12.99/month with ads

Though anime fans aren’t Disney+’s main target audience, there are a few exclusive anime that come out once in a blue moon, such as the recent Medalist Season 2, which was exclusive to this platform and is often considered one of the best sports anime. Still, the overall anime library of Disney+ is quite limited. Furthermore, the availability of certain titles changes by region. Therefore, it is only recommended for those who love Disney shows and anime simultaneously. Otherwise, there are better platforms.

8 Hulu – $12.99/month with ads

Hulu has a more vast collection of anime, comprising both mainstream classics and a few continuing long-running series like Naruto and Bleach. They even offer occasional simulcasts of seasonal anime, so new-gen fans can watch what the modern anime industry has in store for us. However, it is again not an anime-exclusive platform; anime is mostly secondary. But still, it is a good alternative if you love both anime and other Western live-action content. The primary monthly subscription contains ads, however.

7 HBO Max – $10.99/month with ads

HBO Max might be a bit cheaper than some other platforms, but it also doesn’t specialize in anime content. The library is pretty small, with only some classics like Perfect Blue and Your Name available to stream. The recent Shinichirō Watanabe anime Lazarus is also available on HBO Max. A few legacy titles also arrive on the platform via partnerships. Still, for die-hard anime fans, there are better alternatives. HBO Max mainly has a lot of Western cartoons, along with selected anime titles.

6 Crunchyroll – $9.99/month

With one of the most reasonable subscription plans, Crunchyroll offers an anime-exclusive streaming platform for audiences across the globe. The platform itself isn’t region-blocked; however, some titles may be. Still, it has a vast collection of anime, from 90s classics to modern masterpieces. The seasonal simulcast titles also keep new viewers coming to the platform. Therefore, it is arguably the best option to watch anime on this list. Still, a few titles may not be available that are exclusive to other platforms.

5 Amazon Prime Video – $8.99/month

Prime Video is an odd one out. Though it never really focuses on anime-only content, some titles exclusively available on the platform are straight-up hidden gems, such as Nippon Sangoku, Inuyashiki, and even Vinland Saga Season 1, which originally released as a Prime Video exclusive. Prime Video also has a decent amount of anime titles, from old to new, and it also charges less per month. But the platform’s anime section is poorly organized, and the licensing agreements are inconsistent as well.

4 Netflix – $8.99/month with ads

Netflix has long been trying to monopolize the anime market and is even competing with Crunchyroll. Although anime is more of an experimental side for them, the recent success of the medium has led them to produce many platform-exclusive titles. Netflix even has a bigger budget to produce or license new anime, and they have been experimenting with it for a while now. However, it doesn’t have as many titles as Crunchyroll, and some seasonal simulcast anime often get delayed by a few weeks on the platform.

3 HIDIVE – $6.99/month

HIDIVE is honestly a great pick if you enjoy niche anime. If you already have a subscription to it, then it will give you access to many underrated anime released every season. The overall library size of the platform is also pretty good. Furthermore, many mature-themed anime content does get released on this platform that may not be available legally anywhere else online. On top of that, it even simulcasts many seasonal anime, which is why, within this price range, a HIDIVE subscription can be a good investment.

2 RetroCrush – primarily free but ad-supported

Another odd entry, but certainly a treasure trove for veteran anime fans, RetroCrush, as the name suggests, offers many retro anime titles, focusing on classic anime from the 70s to 90s. Unfortunately, you’d rarely see a new title getting released on the platform. Even so, it is a great alternative, as the platform primarily follows a free, ad-supported revenue model. However, you can buy their monthly subscription for $4.99 per month to go ad-free. Regardless, you get full access to its entire anime library.

1 Tubi TV – free but ad-supported

Surprisingly, the best platform to watch anime with no subscription plan required is Tubi TV. Though it surely doesn’t have as big a library as Netflix, Prime Video, or HIDIVE, you’ll see many old classics along with selected new-gen seasonal anime on the platform. You can simply go to their website and start watching without paying a single dollar. However, the ads might be a bit bothersome, and the titles also rotate frequently. Plus, there’s no simulcast consistency on Tubi TV. Still, free is free, right?

PLATFORM	SUBSCRIPTION PLAN (WITH ADS)	SUBSCRIPTION PLAN (WITHOUT ADS)
Apple TV	No ads	$12.99 per month
Disney+	$12.99 per month	$19.99 per month
Hulu	$12.99 per month	$19.99 per month
HBO Max	$10.99 per month	$18.49 per month
Crunchyroll	No ads	$9.99 per month
Amazon Prime Video	No ads	$8.99 per month
Netflix	$8.99 per month	$19.99 per month
HIDIVE	No ads	$6.99 per month
RetroCrush	Free	$4.99 per month
Tubi TV	Free	No subscription plan

Since some of the platforms listed above offer similar subscription plans, we’ve ranked them one higher than the other based on the quantity and quality of content you get for the price you pay. Doesn’t that sound about right? Anyway, do you have an active subscription plan for any of the above platforms? Or maybe, if you’re willing to buy one, let us know which one you would prefer in the comments below.