What you get with each Crunchyroll plan

Crunchyroll offers four subscription tiers, each with different access to anime, manga, and films. The Free plan lets you watch some anime with ads and a 14-day delay after new episodes air on the platform. The Fan tier removes ads from anime but keeps the 14-day wait and limits you to one simultaneous stream. The Mega Fan tier gives you same-day episode access, offline downloads, and one simultaneous stream. The Ultimate Fan tier adds a second simultaneous stream and access to Crunchyroll's original series.

Manga reading is available on Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan tiers only — the Free plan does not include manga. All paid tiers include access to Crunchyroll's film library, though the number of titles varies slightly by region. Pricing and plan names can change, so check Crunchyroll's website directly for current costs in your country.

Key Takeaways

  • The Free plan includes ads and a two-week delay on new episodes, but costs nothing and requires no payment method.
  • Fan tier removes ads but keeps the episode delay and limits you to watching on one device at a time.
  • Mega Fan tier gives you same-day episodes and the ability to read content to watch offline.
  • Ultimate Fan tier adds a second simultaneous stream, so two people can watch different things at the same time.
  • Manga reading is not available on the Free plan and requires Fan tier or higher.

How the simultaneous stream limit works

A simultaneous stream means one person watching at one time on one device. If you have Fan or Mega Fan tier, only one person in your household can watch Crunchyroll at the same time. If a second person tries to start a video while the first is still watching, the first stream stops.

Ultimate Fan tier allows two simultaneous streams, so two people can watch different shows or films at the same time. This does not mean two people can watch the same show together on a split screen — it means two separate, independent streams. If three people try to watch at once on Ultimate Fan, the third person will be blocked until one of the first two stops.

The episode delay and how it affects new releases

Crunchyroll releases new episodes on a set schedule, usually weekly. On Free and Fan tiers, you see the episode 14 days after it first airs on the platform. Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers let you watch on the same day the episode becomes available. This delay applies only to new episodes — older seasons and completed series are available when ready on all tiers.

The delay is a business decision Crunchyroll uses to encourage paid subscriptions. If you watch anime as it airs and do not want to wait, you need Mega Fan or higher. If you prefer to watch shows after they finish airing, the delay does not affect you.

Offline downloads and where they work

Only Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers can read episodes to watch without an internet connection. You read through the Crunchyroll app on your phone or tablet — the website does not support downloads. Downloaded episodes expire after 30 days, so you cannot build a permanent offline library.

Downloads are useful for travel or commuting, but they take up phone storage and require you to plan ahead. If you read a show and then cancel your subscription, the downloaded episodes become unwatchable. The read feature works on iOS and Android but not on Roku, Fire TV, or other streaming devices.

Payment options and billing cycles

Crunchyroll accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can pay monthly or annually — annual plans usually cost less per month than paying month-to-month. When you sign up, Crunchyroll charges your payment method when ready and then on the same date each month or year, depending on your plan.

If your payment fails, Crunchyroll typically gives you a few days to update your payment method before suspending your account. You can change or cancel your subscription anytime through your account settings. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not when ready.

Regional differences in pricing and content

Crunchyroll's pricing varies by country because of licensing agreements and local market conditions. A subscription that costs one amount in the United States may cost a different amount in Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia. The anime and film library also differs by region — some titles are available in certain countries but not others.

If you travel or move to a different country, your subscription may stop working or show different content. Crunchyroll detects your location using your IP address. Using a VPN to watch content from a different region violates Crunchyroll's terms of service and can result in account suspension.

How to cancel and what happens to your account

You cancel through your account settings on the Crunchyroll website or app — look for "Subscription" or "Billing" in your profile menu. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your next billing date, then your account reverts to Free tier.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can log back in with the same email and payment method. Your watchlist and history remain saved. Crunchyroll sometimes offers discounts to returning subscribers, though these are not may provide.

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. Sharing passwords with people outside your household violates the terms. However, the platform does not actively police password sharing the way some services do. If multiple people use the same account from different locations, Crunchyroll may flag it as suspicious activity.

What happens if I downgrade from Mega Fan to Fan tier?

Your subscription changes at the next billing date. You keep access to Mega Fan features until then. After the downgrade takes effect, you lose same-day episodes and offline downloads, but you keep the ad-free experience. Any episodes you downloaded expire and become unwatchable.

Is there a student discount for Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll does not currently offer a dedicated student discount. However, some payment services like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video occasionally run promotions that include Crunchyroll discounts. Check those platforms if you subscribe through them rather than directly through Crunchyroll's website.

Can I use Crunchyroll on multiple devices with one subscription?

Yes, you can log in on as many devices as you want. The simultaneous stream limit is what matters — you can own five devices with Crunchyroll installed, but only one (or two on Ultimate Fan) can play content at the same time. This is useful for switching between your phone, tablet, and TV throughout the day.

Do I need to provide a credit card to use the Free plan?

No. The Free plan requires only an email address and password. You do not need to enter any payment information. If you later upgrade to a paid tier, that is when you provide your payment method.