What Viki subscription is and who runs it

Viki is a streaming service owned by Rakuten that shows TV shows and films, mostly from Asia — Korean dramas, Japanese anime, Thai series, and content from other regions. You watch through their website or mobile app. The service is free with ads, or you can pay a monthly fee to remove ads and unlock some content that free members cannot watch.

Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and digital services company, acquired Viki in 2013. The platform operates in most countries but content availability and pricing vary by region. Viki does not produce original content the way Netflix does; instead, it licenses shows and films from studios and distributors.

Key Takeaways

  • Viki offers a free tier with ads and a paid subscription that removes ads and unlocks premium content, with pricing that differs by country and currency.
  • The paid subscription renews monthly unless you cancel, and you can cancel anytime without penalty through your account settings or the app.
  • Content available to free and paid members varies by region and by show — some titles are free for all, some are ad-supported for free members, and some are premium-only.
  • Viki does not offer a trial period, so you pay for the first month upfront if you choose the paid plan.
  • You can watch on multiple devices with one account, but simultaneous streaming on different devices may be limited depending on your subscription tier.

Free tier versus paid subscription

The free tier lets you watch most of Viki's library with advertisements. You see ads before, during, and sometimes after episodes. Some shows and films are marked as premium and are not available to free members at all. Free members can create an account, add shows to a watchlist, and use the platform on any device.

The paid subscription (called Viki Pass) removes ads from all content you watch and unlocks the premium titles that free members cannot access. You pay a monthly fee that renews automatically each month. The exact price depends on your country — Viki charges in local currency, and rates vary by region. In the United States, the monthly cost is typically in the range of $4.99 to $5.99 USD, but you should check the Viki website or app for your specific region's current price.

Viki occasionally offers discounts or promotional pricing for new members, though these are not may provide and change over time. The best way to see current pricing and any active offers is to visit Viki's subscription page or open the app and navigate to the account or subscription section.

How to start and manage your subscription

To use Viki, you create an account with an email address and password. You can do this on the website (viki.com) or through the mobile app for iOS or Android. Once your account exists, you can watch free content when ready without entering payment information.

If you decide to upgrade to Viki Pass, you go to your account settings and select the subscription option. At that point, you enter a payment method — usually a credit card, debit card, or sometimes a digital wallet depending on your region. Your first payment is charged when ready, and then the subscription renews on the same date each month.

To cancel your subscription, log into your account settings on the website or app and look for the subscription or billing section. You can cancel anytime, and you will keep access to paid content through the end of the current billing period. After cancellation, your account reverts to the free tier.

Content availability and regional differences

Not all shows and films are available in all countries. Viki licenses content from different studios, and those licenses often come with geographic restrictions. A Korean drama might be available in the United States but not in Canada, or vice versa. The app and website show you only the content licensed for your region.

Within your region, some titles are free with ads, some are premium-only (Viki Pass members only), and some are free for all members. The designation depends on the licensing agreement with the content owner. You can usually see which tier a show belongs to by looking at its page — it will say "Free" or "Premium" or show an ad icon.

Availability also changes over time. Viki's licenses expire and renew, so a show you watched last year might no longer be on the platform, or a new show might appear. There is no way to predict these changes in advance.

Simultaneous streaming and device limits

You can watch Viki on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs through the app or website. One account can be used on multiple devices, but there are limits on how many devices can stream at the same time.

With the free tier, you can typically stream on one device at a time. If you start watching on your phone and then open Viki on your computer, the phone stream will stop. With Viki Pass, the simultaneous streaming limit may be higher, though Viki does not publicly specify the exact number. If you hit the limit, you will see a message telling you to stop streaming on another device.

You can log out of devices you no longer use through your account settings, which frees up a slot if you have reached the limit.

Payment methods and billing

Viki accepts major credit cards and debit cards in most regions. Some regions also support digital payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or local payment systems. When you enter your payment information, Viki stores it securely to process monthly renewals.

Your billing statement will show a charge from Viki or Rakuten on your card statement each month on the same date your subscription renews. If your payment method fails (for example, if your card expires or is declined), Viki will usually attempt to charge you again a few days later. If payment continues to fail, your subscription may be suspended until you update your payment information.

You can update your payment method anytime in your account settings without interrupting your subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Viki account with family members?

You can share your login credentials, but Viki's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only. Simultaneous streaming is limited, so multiple people watching at once will hit that limit. Rakuten offers a family plan in some regions that allows multiple accounts under one subscription, but this is not available everywhere — check your region's subscription options to see if it is offered.

What happens if I cancel my subscription mid-month?

You keep access to premium content through the end of your current billing period. After that date, your account becomes free-tier only. You are not refunded for the unused portion of the month.

Does Viki offer a free trial?

Viki does not offer a standard free trial period. However, the free tier with ads is available to all users, so you can watch a large portion of the library before deciding whether to pay. Occasionally, Viki runs promotional offers for new members, but these are not may provide.

Can I change my subscription plan or pause it?

You can cancel and restart your subscription anytime, but Viki does not offer a pause feature that holds your account in place. If you cancel, you will need to resubscribe and enter payment information again if you want to return. There is no penalty for cancelling and restarting.

Why is a show I watched before no longer available?

Viki's licenses with content owners expire and are not always renewed. When a license ends, that show is removed from the platform in your region. This is common with streaming services and is not something you can prevent by keeping your subscription active.