15 Best Anime Apps for iOS and Android Devices
Crunchyroll is the best anime app for both iOS and Android in 2026. After Funimation folded into it in 2024, it carries 25,000+ episodes, same-day simulcasts from Japan, and a free ad-supported tier. For a completely free option that needs no account, Tubi has quietly built one of the better legal anime libraries around.
I’ve tested every major anime app on my iPhone and Android phone over the past two years, and the landscape looks nothing like it did in 2022. Funimation, VRV, and AnimeLab are gone. A wave of piracy sites that a lot of people relied on, AniWave, AnimixPlay, HiAnime, and AnimeKai, has been shut down one after another. So this list leads with the legal apps that actually still work, gives you the current 2026 prices, and tells you exactly where the dead apps sent their content. I added a section on discontinued apps and the piracy crackdown so you don’t waste time chasing something that no longer exists.
Best Anime Apps for iOS & Android
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Here are the best anime apps you can install on your iPhone, iPad, Android, or smart TVs (Android TV, Samsung TV, Apple TV). I have tested each one and listed what makes it worth your time, plus the current price so you know what you’re signing up for.
Quick Navigation
- Crunchyroll
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video
- Tubi
- HIDIVE
- Hulu
- Disney+
- Bilibili
- RetroCrush
- Muse Asia
- Viki
- MyAnimeList
- Anime-Planet
- Kitsu
- Cartoon Network
Crunchyroll (Best Overall)
Crunchyroll is the default choice in 2026, and it isn’t close. When Funimation merged into it in April 2024, every SimulDub, dubbed back catalog title, and Funimation exclusive moved over here. The library now sits at roughly 25,000+ episodes across more than 1,000 series, with subtitles for non-Japanese speakers and growing English dub coverage. You’ll find Jujutsu Kaisen, Solo Leveling, Dr. Stone, One Piece, and Black Clover all in one app.
The Simulcasts feature streams new episodes the same day they air in Japan, and the premium tiers include a large digital manga library, so it doubles as one of the best manga readers on Android and iPhone. Pricing changed in February 2026: Fan is now $9.99/mo, Mega Fan is $13.99/mo, and Ultimate Fan is $17.99/mo. There’s still a free ad-supported tier if you just want to sample shows, and Crunchyroll usually runs a first-three-months promo for new accounts.
Crunchyroll
- 1,000+ series including Jujutsu Kaisen, Solo Leveling, Dr. Stone, and One Piece
- Simulcast streams episodes the same day they air in Japan
- Full Funimation SimulDub catalog now included after the 2024 merger
- Plans from $9.99/mo Fan to $17.99/mo Ultimate Fan, plus a free ad tier
Get Crunchyroll for iOS / Get Crunchyroll for Android
Netflix (Best for Originals)
Netflix needs no introduction, and its anime push has become serious. It runs a dedicated anime section and keeps commissioning its own originals, so you get titles you can’t watch anywhere else alongside licensed classics. The catalog is smaller than Crunchyroll’s, but the quality is high: Death Note, Demon Slayer, Naruto, plus Netflix exclusives like Devil May Cry, Pluto, and Cyberpunk Edgerunners.
Almost everything ships with subtitles, and a good chunk includes English dubs. You can download episodes for offline viewing too. In 2026, the ad-supported plan runs $7.99/mo, Standard is $17.99/mo, and Premium is $24.99/mo. If you mainly want anime, the ad tier is plenty.
Netflix
- Dedicated anime section with classics like Death Note and Demon Slayer
- Exclusive originals such as Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Pluto, and Devil May Cry
- Download episodes for offline viewing with English dubs on many titles
- Ad plan $7.99/mo, Standard $17.99/mo, Premium $24.99/mo in 2026
Get Netflix for iOS / Get Netflix for Android
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular streaming platforms today, though its anime library is smaller than the dedicated services. If you already pay for Prime, Prime Video is worth a look, especially for a newcomer. It won’t carry every seasonal hit, but it includes solid series like Dororo, Hunter x Hunter, Vinland Saga, GTO, and Psycho-Pass, and Amazon has picked up exclusive rights to titles like Blue Box.
Because the anime catalog is limited, I wouldn’t sign up for Prime just for anime. But if you already have it for fast deliveries or Prime Gaming rewards, the anime section is a free bonus, and the download feature works well for offline viewing on mobile.
Amazon Prime Video
- Includes Dororo, Hunter x Hunter, Vinland Saga, GTO, and Psycho-Pass
- Included with an Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost
- Download feature for offline viewing on mobile
- Available on iOS, Android, Fire TV, and all major platforms
Tubi (Best Free, No Account)
Tubi is a completely free, ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation, and it has quietly built one of the better free anime libraries around. You won’t get simulcasts here, but the catalog includes solid titles like Naruto, One Punch Man, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Akira. For a free service, that’s a strong lineup.
The app works without any sign-up or subscription. Just install and start watching. The ads are shorter and less frequent than most free services, and the apps are available on every platform you’d expect. If you want legal free anime without handing over an email, Tubi is the one I point people to first.
Get Tubi for iOS / Get Tubi for Android
HIDIVE (Best for Niche Titles)
HIDIVE is the main paid alternative to Crunchyroll, and it has carved out a niche by licensing shows the bigger players skip. Its tag system makes it easy to dig into older and offbeat series, and it carries a healthy mix of subs and dubs. If you’ve already watched the obvious hits, HIDIVE is where you find the deeper cuts.
The price went up in 2026. It’s now $6.99/mo (up from the $4.99 it held for years), or $69.99 billed annually, and there’s a free trial so you can sample the catalog first. HIDIVE is also available as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video if you’d rather keep everything in one app.
HIDIVE
- Licenses niche and classic series the big platforms skip
- Tag system makes discovering offbeat anime genuinely easy
- $6.99/month or $69.99/year, with a free trial to sample first
- Works on iOS, Android, major streaming devices, and via Prime add-on
Get HIDIVE for iOS / Get HIDIVE for Android
Hulu
Hulu has long been one of the better all-in-one streaming apps in the US, and it keeps a respectable back catalog of licensed anime. You’ll find a newcomer’s starter pack here, such as Attack on Titan, Naruto, and Demon Slayer, alongside genres like seinen, shounen, shoujo, and isekai. It’s a comfortable pick if you want anime plus mainstream movies, TV, and adult animation like Family Guy and Rick and Morty.
One big change for 2026: Disney has merged Hulu into the Disney+ app. The Hulu library now lives inside Disney+, and Hulu content comes through the Disney Bundle. You can still subscribe to Hulu on its own, but if you already pay for the Disney Bundle, the anime here is essentially a free add-on rather than a reason to buy a separate service.
Hulu
- Covers all the core anime genres: seinen, shounen, shoujo, and isekai
- Starter titles including Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Attack on Titan
- Library now accessible inside the Disney+ app after the 2026 merger
- Best value through the Disney Bundle if you already subscribe
Get Hulu for iOS / Get Hulu for Android
Disney+
Disney+ doesn’t come to mind first for anime, but it has been picking up exclusive streaming rights for several titles in Asia and beyond. The platform carries series like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Tokyo Revengers, and Summer Time Rendering. As of 2026, the merged app also surfaces Hulu’s anime catalog, so the combined library is bigger than it used to be.
The anime selection still varies a lot by region. In Southeast Asia and Japan, Disney+ (via the Star hub) carries a far deeper anime catalog than in the US. If you already subscribe for Marvel and Star Wars, check the anime section before paying for yet another service. The Disney+, Hulu (With Ads) bundle starts at $12.99/mo.
Get Disney+ for iOS / Get Disney+ for Android
Bilibili
Bilibili is China’s largest anime and ACG (anime, comics, games) platform, with hundreds of millions of monthly active users. The international app offers a growing library of licensed anime with English subtitles, including a lot of Chinese-produced donghua titles you won’t find anywhere else.
The app is free with ads. Its signature feature is danmaku, a scrolling comment system where viewer comments float across the screen in real time. It takes some getting used to, but a lot of fans love the communal feel. Best for anyone who wants Chinese animation alongside Japanese anime.
Get Bilibili for iOS / Get Bilibili for Android
RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a free, ad-supported service that specializes in classic and retro anime. If you grew up on Lupin III, Astro Boy, or Galaxy Express 999, this app is built for you. It focuses entirely on older titles from the 1960s through the early 2000s.
The catalog is small next to Crunchyroll, but nearly every title is a genuine classic, and no account is required to start watching. RetroCrush fills a niche the bigger platforms ignore: legally streaming vintage anime that’s otherwise hard to find.
Get RetroCrush for iOS / Get RetroCrush for Android
Muse Asia (YouTube)
Muse Asia is a YouTube channel run by Muse Communication, one of Asia’s largest anime distributors. It streams full episodes of currently airing anime for free, with English subtitles, and new episodes often go live within hours of their Japan broadcast.
The catch is that it’s geo-restricted to select Asian countries (India, Southeast Asia, parts of the Middle East). If you’re in one of those regions, Muse Asia is one of the best free legal anime sources going. Just subscribe to the channel and watch in the YouTube app. No separate app needed.
Watch on Muse Asia YouTube Channel (Free, geo-restricted to select Asian regions)
Viki
Viki is a streaming service built around Asian dramas, and it carries a fair amount of anime alongside content from Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand. It’s a good fit if you watch anime and live-action Asian shows in the same sitting.
You can stream with ads for free or subscribe to Viki Pass for an ad-free HD experience. The app supports subtitles in up to 150 languages and has an active discussion panel for global fans.
Viki
- Asian dramas and anime from Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand
- Subtitles available in up to 150 languages
- Free tier available with ads; Viki Pass removes ads and adds HD
- Discussion panels let you connect with fans worldwide
Get Viki for iOS / Get Viki for Android
MyAnimeList (Best Tracker)
MyAnimeList (MAL) isn’t a streaming app, it’s the tracker most fans use to organize what they watch. Launched in 2004, it gives you a list-based system to rate and score anime and manga, and it remains the largest community database of its kind, with millions of titles catalogued.
MAL also surfaces seasonal charts, recommendations, and other users who share your taste. I keep it installed alongside whichever streaming app I’m using so my watch history stays in one place. When piracy sites shut down, many of them pointed users to MAL to export and rebuild their watchlists.
MyAnimeList
- Millions of anime and manga entries in the community database
- Track and rate your watched anime with personalized lists
- Seasonal charts, recommendations, and fans with similar tastes
- Available on iOS and Android as an official app
Get MyAnimeList for iOS / Get MyAnimeList for Android
Anime-Planet
Anime-Planet is a legal platform that lets you stream some anime for free. It doesn’t open its whole library at no cost, but it does host popular titles like Naruto Shippuden, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Noblesse, and Tower of God for free viewing, with the rest available through partner catalogs.
Most series on Anime-Planet stream via partnerships with Crunchyroll and HIDIVE, so the legal free episodes ultimately come from licensed sources. The interface is clean and there’s an active community section for reviews and recommendation lists. It’s a tracker and discovery tool first, with free streaming as a bonus.
Anime-Planet
- Free access to popular titles including Naruto Shippuden and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
- Powered by Crunchyroll and HIDIVE catalog partnerships
- Community section for reviews, lists, and recommendations
- Mobile-first website works on all devices without a dedicated app
Note: Anime-Planet's mobile apps aren't available on either Play or App Store. But you can watch videos using their mobile-first website online.
Kitsu
Kitsu is a clean, minimalist anime and manga tracker with a small social layer. It’s well known for its simple design, and it lets you search for new shows by genre, build watchlists, and rate what you’ve seen. Think of it as a lighter, more modern alternative to MyAnimeList.
It has a large database and shows episode-level details such as release dates, cover art, and descriptions. Like MAL, it’s a companion to your streaming apps rather than a place to watch shows directly.
Kitsu
- Search and discover anime by genre with a clean minimal interface
- Track your watch progress with detailed episode-level info
- Rate and review shows with community activity feeds
- Available on iOS and Android with full sync across devices
Get Kitsu for iOS / Get Kitsu for Android
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is one of the oldest names in kids’ entertainment and played a real part in popularizing anime in India through the 2000s. The app hosts a range of animated shows and movies, including classic anime like Dragon Ball and Digimon, available on demand.
It’s a good pick for younger fans and nostalgia, with kid-safe filters and a family-friendly interface. The catalog is light on modern seasonal anime, so treat it as a bonus for households that already watch Cartoon Network rather than a primary anime app.
Cartoon Network
- Classic anime including Dragon Ball, Digimon, and more on demand
- Kid-safe content filters and family-friendly interface
- Free app with no subscription required for basic content
- Available on iOS and Android
Get Cartoon Network for iOS / Get Cartoon Network for Android
Anime Apps That No Longer Exist
The anime streaming map has been redrawn over the past few years. Some legal apps merged or closed, and a long list of free piracy sites got shut down. If you’re searching for any of these, here’s where their content ended up.
Funimation (Merged into Crunchyroll, April 2024)
Funimation was the go-to app for English dubbed anime for over a decade, with 800+ titles including Attack on Titan, One Piece, and My Hero Academia. Its SimulDubs delivered English dubs the same day episodes aired in Japan.
Sony owned both services, and on April 2, 2024, it officially shut Funimation down. The app was pulled from every platform and the website now redirects to Crunchyroll. The full SimulDub catalog, dubbed back catalog, and exclusives all live on Crunchyroll now, so if you had a Funimation subscription, Crunchyroll is your replacement. One caveat: digital copies bought through Funimation did not carry over.
VRV (Shut Down, November 2023)
VRV was a bundle service that combined Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Rooster Teeth, and other niche channels into one app for $9.99/month. It was popular for stacking several services behind a single interface at a discount.
Crunchyroll’s parent company shut VRV down in November 2023 to consolidate everything under the Crunchyroll brand. All anime content moved to Crunchyroll, and non-anime channels like Rooster Teeth have since closed too (Rooster Teeth shut down in 2024).
AnimeLab (Merged into Funimation, 2021)
AnimeLab was a free anime service popular in Australia and New Zealand, with simulcasts and a solid ad-supported tier. It had a clean interface and was one of the few legal free anime options in the ANZ region.
Funimation acquired AnimeLab and merged it into the Funimation platform in 2021. When Funimation itself folded into Crunchyroll in 2024, all former AnimeLab content became part of Crunchyroll’s library. ANZ fans now use Crunchyroll for the same shows.
The 2024-2026 Piracy Crackdown: AniWave, AnimixPlay, HiAnime, and AnimeKai Are Gone
If you came here looking for a free piracy app, the honest answer is that most of them no longer exist. Over the past two years, the FBI’s Operation 404, INTERPOL’s Project I-SOP, and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) working with Japan’s CODA have systematically seized domains and forced the biggest unofficial anime sites offline. The US Trade Representative also added several of them to its annual list of notorious piracy markets, which only sped things up.
Here’s the short timeline of the major shutdowns:
- AnimixPlay shut down permanently in December 2022 after pulling 96+ million views a month, with its operators telling users to move to other services.
- AniWave (formerly 9anime) went dark in August 2024 during a coordinated sweep that wiped out a dozen-plus piracy sites at once, and pointed users to export their lists to MyAnimeList.
- HiAnime, the most-visited unauthorized anime site in the world, peaked at around 244 million monthly visits in August 2025 before ceasing operations after being named in the USTR notorious-markets list.
- AnimeKai shut down on May 10, 2026, after a data-center fire and ongoing Operation 404 domain seizures, which many fans called the end of an era for free anime streaming.
- Others like AnimeSuge, AnimeFlix, and Anoboy closed in the same window.
Clone sites still pop up using these names, but none are run by the original operators, and they tend to be loaded with malware, fake ad redirects, and crypto miners. If you want to read more about what’s still standing, I keep an updated list of 9anime alternatives and free anime streaming sites. My advice in 2026 is simple: the legal free tiers on Crunchyroll, Tubi, and Muse Asia now cover most of what people used piracy sites for, without the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best anime app in 2026?
Crunchyroll is the best anime app for iOS and Android in 2026. After Funimation merged into it in April 2024, it carries 25,000+ episodes, same-day simulcasts, and the full Funimation dub catalog. Plans start at $9.99/mo for Fan, and there’s a free ad-supported tier. For a free no-account option, Tubi is the best alternative.
What happened to the Funimation app?
Funimation shut down on April 2, 2024. Sony, which owned both services, merged Funimation into Crunchyroll. The Funimation app was removed from every platform and its website now redirects to Crunchyroll. All SimulDubs, the dubbed back catalog, and exclusives are now on Crunchyroll, so former subscribers should move there.
How much does Crunchyroll cost in 2026?
After a February 2026 price increase, Crunchyroll Fan is $9.99/mo, Mega Fan is $13.99/mo, and Ultimate Fan is $17.99/mo. This was the first Fan-tier increase in the US since 2019. There’s also a free ad-supported tier, and new accounts can usually get a discounted first three months.
Are AniWave, HiAnime, and AnimeKai still working?
No. AnimixPlay closed in 2022, AniWave (9anime) went dark in August 2024, HiAnime ceased operations in 2025, and AnimeKai shut down in May 2026. They were taken down through FBI Operation 404, INTERPOL, and ACE anti-piracy enforcement. Clones using those names exist but are unsafe. Use legal free tiers like Crunchyroll, Tubi, or Muse Asia instead.
What is the best free anime app?
Tubi is the best fully free anime app because it needs no account and has titles like Naruto, One Punch Man, and Akira. Crunchyroll’s free ad-supported tier is the next best, and in select Asian regions the Muse Asia YouTube channel streams new episodes for free within hours of the Japan broadcast.
Is Tubi good for anime?
Yes, Tubi is one of the best free options for anime. It has titles like Naruto, One Punch Man, and Akira, all completely free with ads. No account is required. The anime catalog is smaller than Crunchyroll’s, but for a free service with no sign-up, it’s excellent.
What happened to VRV and AnimeLab?
VRV shut down in November 2023 and AnimeLab merged into Funimation in 2021. Since Funimation itself merged into Crunchyroll in 2024, all content from VRV, AnimeLab, and Funimation is now available on Crunchyroll. If you used any of these services, Crunchyroll is the replacement.
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