Crunchyroll Premium vs Free: Complete Comparison
Decide which Crunchyroll plan is right for you
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | From $7.99/month |
| Advertisements | Yes, frequent | No ads |
| Video Quality | Up to 480p | Up to 1080p |
| New Episodes | 1 week later | Same day |
| Simulcasts | Limited | Full access |
| Offline Viewing | No | Yes (mobile) |
| Manga Access | No | Yes |
| Full Catalog | Limited | Yes |
Crunchyroll Premium Tiers
Fan Plan - $7.99/month
- • Ad-free streaming
- • Simulcasts from Japan
- • Offline viewing on mobile
- • Full HD quality
Mega Plan - $11.99/month
- • All Fan features
- • 4 concurrent streams
- • Annual discounts available
Ultimate Plan - $14.99/month
- • All Mega features
- • 6 concurrent streams
- • Special merchandise discounts
- • Early access to events
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Free If:
- You're new to anime and testing the waters
- You only watch occasionally
- Ads don't bother you
- You're on a tight budget
- You're okay waiting a week for new episodes
Choose Premium If:
- You watch anime regularly
- You want to avoid ads
- You want same-day simulcasts
- You want to watch on multiple devices
- You want offline viewing on mobile
- You also read manga on Crunchyroll
Value Proposition
For dedicated anime fans, Premium offers excellent value at $7.99/month - roughly the cost of two manga volumes. The ad-free experience and same-day access to new episodes significantly enhance the viewing experience.