Crunchyroll vs Funimation 2026: Which Anime Service is Better?

Understanding the Crunchyroll-Funimation Merger

In March 2022, Sony's Funimation Global Group completed the acquisition of Crunchyroll, marking the beginning of a historic merger that would reshape the anime streaming landscape. By 2024, Funimation as a standalone service had officially sunset, with all content and subscribers migrated to Crunchyroll. This created the largest anime streaming platform in the world, combining libraries that exceeded 1,300 anime titles.

For anime fans who used Funimation exclusively, the transition brought significant changes. The beloved Funimation app was discontinued, and users had to create Crunchyroll accounts or link their existing Funimation accounts to transfer their watch history and queue. If you haven't yet migrated, our account migration guide walks you through the entire process step by step.

Library Comparison: What Changed?

One of the biggest questions following the merger was what would happen to the anime libraries. Here's the reality in 2026:

• Crunchyroll Library - Over 1,300 titles, including simulcasts, classics, and Crunchyroll Originals
• Former Funimation Exclusives - Most Funimation-dubbed titles now available on Crunchyroll
• Dub Availability - Crunchyroll now offers English dubs for many series that were previously Funimation exclusives
• Simulcast Dubs - Some series receive same-day English dubs, a feature Funimation pioneered

The merger consolidated most anime streaming rights under one roof. However, a handful of titles from other publishers remained on competing platforms like Netflix and Hulu. For the vast majority of anime fans, Crunchyroll now serves as a one-stop destination for anime content.

Pricing and Subscription Plans

Funimation's pricing structure was absorbed into Crunchyroll's tier system. Here's how it compares to what Funimation offered:

While monthly prices increased slightly compared to Funimation's legacy plans, Crunchyroll offers additional value including simultaneous streams, offline viewing on mobile, and access to the manga library. For a detailed breakdown of all current plans, see our Premium vs Free comparison.

Video Quality and Streaming Features

Both services were known for excellent video quality, but there are some differences in how they delivered content:

Following the merger, Crunchyroll adopted many of Funimation's best features, including improved simulcast dub schedules and enhanced subtitle customization options. Video quality tops out at 1080p for most content, with some series available in 4K on Premium Ultimate plans.

Device Support and Apps

Both services had wide device compatibility, but Crunchyroll's app ecosystem is more extensive:

• Funimation Devices - Smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile, web (limited devices after 2023)
• Crunchyroll Devices - 200+ countries, virtually all modern platforms including smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile, web, and media players

The Funimation app was officially discontinued in April 2024. Former Funimation users now use the Crunchyroll app, which is available on a broader range of supported devices. The transition also brought features like offline viewing to mobile devices, which wasn't available on Funimation.

User Experience: Funimation vs. Crunchyroll Interface

Long-time anime fans often had strong preferences for one interface over the other. Here's what each service excelled at:

Funimation's Interface was praised for its organization of anime by season and story arc, making it easy to watch series in chronological order. The service also had a strong focus on English dubs, with dubbed content prominently featured. Fans of broadcast dubs appreciated Funimation's commitment to releasing English versions simultaneously with Japanese broadcasts.

Crunchyroll's Interface emphasizes simulcast content and has a more modern, streaming-first design. The platform highlights new episodes and trending series. Following the merger, Crunchyroll incorporated some organizational elements from Funimation, though some users note the interface can feel more cluttered due to the larger content library.

Subtitles vs. Dubbing: Content Availability

This was one of the biggest differentiators between the two services, and it remains an important consideration:

• Funimation Specialty - English dubs, especially simulcast dubs for popular series like My Hero Academia and Attack on Titan
• Crunchyroll Specialty - Subbed simulcasts within one hour of Japanese broadcast, vast subtitle language options
• Post-Merger - Crunchyroll now offers both, with dub availability varying by series and region

If you prefer watching anime with English dubs, Crunchyroll now carries most of the titles that were Funimation dub exclusives. However, not all series receive dub treatment. Simulcast dubs are reserved for the most popular series due to production costs. For viewers who prefer subtitles, Crunchyroll's extensive language options remain unmatched.

What Happened to Funimation Watch History and Queues?

When Funimation shut down, users had a limited window to migrate their accounts to Crunchyroll. Here's what transferred and what didn't:

• Transferred - Watch history, queue/watchlist, account settings, remaining subscription time
• Not Transferred - Digital copy purchases (now managed through Sony Pictures), some viewing statistics

If you missed the migration window or are having trouble accessing your former Funimation content on Crunchyroll, check out our troubleshooting guide for solutions to common account issues.

The Verdict: Crunchyroll Wins by Default in 2026

In 2026, there is no meaningful "versus" between Crunchyroll and Funimation because Funimation no longer exists as a standalone service. The merger created a super-platform that combines the strengths of both:

• From Funimation - Dub focus, simulcast dubs, organized by arc presentation
• From Crunchyroll - Massive library, simulcast subs, original content, manga integration
• Result - The most comprehensive anime streaming service available

For anime fans, the consolidation means fewer subscriptions to manage but also less competition in the anime streaming space. The good news is that Crunchyroll Premium delivers excellent value with ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and access to content that was previously split between two services. Whether you prefer subs or dubs, Crunchyroll in 2026 offers the best of both worlds.