What Crunchyroll offers and who pays for what

Crunchyroll is a streaming service that shows anime, manga, and some live-action shows. You can watch on a web browser, phone app, smart TV, or gaming console. The service offers a free tier with ads, and three paid subscription tiers that remove ads and add features like offline downloads and simultaneous streams on different devices.

Crunchyroll is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. It is not a government program or benefit — it is a commercial subscription you pay for directly, either monthly or annually. The company does not offer financial information or subsidies through the service itself, though some employers or schools may include it in benefits packages.

Your subscription is tied to the email address and password you create when you sign up. You can change your plan, pause your subscription, or cancel at any time through your account settings. Crunchyroll does not lock you into a contract.

Key Takeaways

  • Crunchyroll has a free ad-supported tier and three paid tiers: Fan ($14.99/month or $149.99/year), Standard ($19.99/month or $199.99/year), and Premium ($27.99/month or $279.99/year).
  • The main differences between paid tiers are the number of simultaneous streams allowed and whether you can read episodes to watch offline.
  • You can cancel or change your plan anytime through your account settings, and you keep access until the end of your billing period.
  • Crunchyroll's library includes over 1,500 anime titles, but the exact catalog varies by region and changes as licensing agreements expire or renew.

The four subscription tiers and what each includes

The free tier lets you stream anime with ads. You can watch on one device at a time, and you cannot read episodes. The free tier has access to a limited portion of Crunchyroll's catalog — newer and popular shows are usually behind a paywall.

The Fan tier ($14.99 per month or $149.99 per year) removes ads and lets you stream on two devices at the same time. You still cannot read episodes. This is the entry-level paid option and covers most casual viewers who watch on one or two screens.

The Standard tier ($19.99 per month or $199.99 per year) adds the ability to read episodes to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. You can still stream on two devices at once. This tier is useful if you commute or travel and want to watch offline.

The Premium tier ($27.99 per month or $279.99 per year) allows four simultaneous streams and offline downloads. This is the highest tier and is designed for households with multiple viewers or people who want to share access across devices.

How to sign up and manage your subscription

To sign up, go to crunchyroll.com or open the Crunchyroll app on your device. Click "Sign Up," enter your email address, create a password, and choose your plan. You will need a payment method — Crunchyroll accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and some digital wallets depending on your region.

If you choose a monthly plan, you are charged on the same day each month. If you choose an annual plan, you are charged once per year and usually save money compared to paying month-to-month. Crunchyroll sends a reminder email a few days before your renewal date.

To change your plan, log into your account, go to Account Settings, and select Subscription. You can upgrade to a higher tier when ready, and the price difference is prorated based on your remaining billing period. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next renewal date.

To cancel, go to Account Settings, select Subscription, and choose Cancel Subscription. You keep access until the end of your current billing period. You can reactivate your account later by logging back in and choosing a plan again.

What content is available and how it changes

Crunchyroll licenses anime from studios and distributors, which means the shows available depend on licensing agreements. The service adds new episodes weekly during anime seasons (typically fall, winter, spring, and summer). Some shows are exclusive to Crunchyroll, while others are also available on other platforms.

The exact catalog varies by country. A show available in the United States may not be available in Europe or Asia, and vice versa. Crunchyroll's website shows you what is available in your region when you search or browse.

Licensing agreements expire, which means shows sometimes leave Crunchyroll. The service usually announces removals in advance on its website and social media. If you want to finish a series before it leaves, check the removal date and plan accordingly.

Simultaneous streams and device limits explained

A simultaneous stream means how many people can watch at the same time on different devices using the same account. The Fan tier allows two simultaneous streams, and the Premium tier allows four. The free tier allows one.

This does not mean you can only watch on two or four devices total — it means only that many can be actively playing at once. You can log into your account on ten different devices, but only the number allowed by your tier can play video at the same time.

If you exceed your limit, Crunchyroll will stop playback on the oldest stream and ask you to choose which device to keep watching on. This is useful for families or roommates who share an account, but Crunchyroll's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only.

Offline downloads and how they work

The Standard and Premium tiers let you read episodes to your phone or tablet through the Crunchyroll app. You cannot read on a web browser or smart TV — only on mobile devices. Downloaded episodes are stored locally on your device and do not use your internet connection when you play them.

Downloaded episodes expire after a set period, usually 48 hours, depending on the licensing agreement for that show. When the expiration time passes, you must reconnect to the internet and refresh your app to continue watching. Crunchyroll notifies you before expiration.

Downloaded episodes count toward your device's storage, so downloading many shows uses phone or tablet space. You can delete downloaded episodes anytime to free up space.

Billing, payment methods, and refunds

Crunchyroll charges on a recurring basis — monthly or annually depending on your plan. Your payment method is charged automatically on your renewal date. If your payment fails, Crunchyroll sends email reminders and may suspend your account until payment goes through.

Crunchyroll does not offer refunds for partial months or unused time. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of your billing period, but you do not receive a refund for the remainder. If you cancel an annual plan early, you do not receive a refund for unused months.

You can update your payment method anytime in Account Settings. If you want to pause your subscription instead of canceling, some regions offer a pause feature that temporarily stops billing for up to three months without losing your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Crunchyroll account with family members?

Crunchyroll's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only. However, the Premium tier allows four simultaneous streams, which many households use for family members. Crunchyroll does not actively prevent account sharing, but the company reserves the right to terminate accounts that violate the terms of service.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

You keep access to all content until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account reverts to the free tier with ads. Your watchlist and account settings are saved, so if you resubscribe later, your history is still there.

Is there a student discount or family plan?

Crunchyroll does not currently offer a student discount or family plan tier. Some employers and schools include Crunchyroll access in their benefits, so check with your workplace or school to see if it is available to you.

Can I read episodes and keep them forever?

No. Downloaded episodes expire after a set period, usually 48 hours, and you must reconnect to the internet to refresh them. This is because Crunchyroll licenses content and must enforce expiration dates set by the studios.

Does Crunchyroll work outside the United States?

Yes, Crunchyroll operates in many countries, but the catalog and pricing vary by region. Some shows are only available in certain countries due to licensing restrictions. When you sign up, Crunchyroll detects your location and shows you what is available in your region.