What Crunchyroll is and how to set it up
Crunchyroll is a streaming service that shows anime, manga, and some live-action shows. You watch through an app or website after you create an account and choose a subscription plan. The service offers a free tier with ads, or you can pay monthly for ad-free viewing and access to newer episodes.
To start, go to crunchyroll.com or read the Crunchyroll app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Click "Sign Up" and enter an email address and password. Crunchyroll will send you a confirmation email — click the link to verify your account. Once verified, you can browse the library when ready on the free plan, or move to a paid plan right away if you prefer.
The free plan lets you watch most of the catalog with ads between episodes. You'll see ads every few minutes, similar to regular television. Paid plans remove ads and give you access to simulcast episodes (new episodes that air the same day as Japan) and some exclusive content.
Key Takeaways
- Crunchyroll offers a free ad-supported plan and two paid monthly plans: Standard and Premium, each with different features and pricing.
- You create your account on crunchyroll.com or the mobile app using an email address, and you can start watching when ready on the free tier.
- Paid plans renew automatically each month on the date you signed up, and you can cancel anytime through your account settings without penalty.
- Your subscription works across multiple devices — phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV — as long as you're logged into the same account.
- Crunchyroll also offers a manga reading feature included with most paid plans, letting you read manga titles alongside anime.
Crunchyroll's subscription plans and what each includes
Crunchyroll has three tiers. The Free plan costs nothing and includes ads. You can watch most anime and some older shows, but you won't see new episodes on the day they air in Japan. New episodes typically appear a week later on the free plan.
The Standard plan is the mid-tier paid option. It removes ads, gives you access to simulcast episodes the day they release, and includes manga reading. You can stream on one device at a time. The price varies by region and changes occasionally, so check crunchyroll.com for your current cost.
The Premium plan is the highest tier. It includes everything in Standard — no ads, simulcasts, manga — plus the ability to stream on up to four devices at the same time. This is useful if multiple people in your household want to watch simultaneously. Premium also includes offline read for some titles, so you can watch without an internet connection.
Crunchyroll sometimes offers discounts for annual billing instead of monthly. If you pay for a full year upfront, you may save money compared to paying month-to-month. Check the billing page when you sign up to see if an annual option is available in your region.
How to upgrade from free to a paid plan
Log into your Crunchyroll account and go to your account settings. Look for "Membership" or "Subscription" — the exact label depends on whether you're on the website or app. Click the button to upgrade or change your plan.
Crunchyroll will show you the available plans and ask you to choose one. Select Standard or Premium, then enter your payment method. Crunchyroll accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Some regions also support other payment methods like Google Play or Apple Pay if you're upgrading through the mobile app.
After you enter your payment information and confirm, your upgrade takes effect when ready. You'll lose ads right away and gain access to simulcast episodes. If you upgrade partway through a billing cycle, Crunchyroll prorates the cost — you pay only for the remaining days of that month, and your next full charge happens on your regular billing date.
Managing your subscription and payment method
Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month. If you signed up on the 15th, you'll be charged on the 15th of every month. You can see your next billing date and current plan in your account settings under "Membership" or "Subscription."
To change your payment method, go to account settings and look for "Payment Method" or "Billing." You can update your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account without interrupting your service. If a payment fails — for example, if your card expires — Crunchyroll will try again a few times. If all attempts fail, your account reverts to the free plan until you update your payment information.
You can also pause your subscription for up to three months without canceling. This keeps your account and watchlist intact while stopping charges. After the pause ends, your subscription resumes automatically. Pause options are usually found in the same account settings area as your plan details.
Canceling your Crunchyroll subscription
You can cancel your paid subscription anytime through your account settings. Go to "Membership" or "Subscription," find the option to cancel or downgrade, and confirm. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you won't be charged again. Your account reverts to the free plan, so you can still watch with ads.
Crunchyroll does not charge a cancellation fee or require you to give notice. You can cancel on the day before your next billing date and avoid the charge. If you've already been charged for the current month, that charge is not refunded — you keep access to the paid plan through the end of that billing period.
If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so anytime. Your watchlist and account history remain saved. When you resubscribe, you'll start a new billing cycle on the date you rejoin.
Watching Crunchyroll on different devices
Your Crunchyroll account works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. read the app from the App Store (iPhone/iPad), Google Play (Android), or your TV's app store. On a computer, straightforward go to crunchyroll.com and log in.
Log into the same account on each device. Your watchlist, progress through episodes, and preferences sync across all devices. If you're watching an episode on your phone and switch to your TV, you can pick up where you left off.
On the Standard plan, you can stream on only one device at a time. If you try to watch on a second device simultaneously, the first stream will stop. The Premium plan allows four simultaneous streams, so multiple household members can watch different shows at the same time.
Troubleshooting common subscription issues
If you're not seeing simulcast episodes on the free plan, that's working as intended — simulcasts are a paid-plan feature. New episodes appear on free accounts about a week after they air. If you're on a paid plan and still not seeing new episodes, try logging out and back in, or restart the app.
If your payment failed and your account downgraded to free, update your payment method in account settings. Your paid plan will reactivate once the payment goes through. Crunchyroll will also charge you for the time you were on the free plan while waiting for payment.
If you're having trouble logging in, reset your password through the login page. Crunchyroll will send a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to sign up, contact Crunchyroll support through their help center — they can help you regain access to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Crunchyroll account with family members?
Yes, but with limits. On Standard, only one person can stream at a time. On Premium, up to four people can watch simultaneously. Crunchyroll's terms allow account sharing within a household, but not across different households or with unrelated people.
Do I need a credit card to use the free plan?
No. The free plan requires only an email address and password. You don't enter any payment information unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
What happens to my watchlist if I cancel?
Your watchlist stays saved. If you cancel and resubscribe later, your list of shows and your progress through episodes will still be there.
Can I change my subscription plan without canceling?
Yes. Go to your account settings and select a different plan. If you upgrade, the change takes effect when ready and you're prorated for the remainder of the month. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next billing date.
Is there a student discount for Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll occasionally offers discounts through student verification services, but availability varies by region and changes over time. Check crunchyroll.com or contact their support to see if a student rate is available where you live.