For those interested in watching anime online, two of the greatest options are Crunchyroll and Funimation. All your anime needs can be met by subscribing to Crunchyroll Premium, which also includes e-manga and popular East Asian live-action drama series in addition to the standard anime fare. Otter Media, a division of AT&T’s WarnerMedia Entertainment, acquired the American startup Crunchyroll in 2014. Over 60 million people use Crunchyroll each month, and over 2 million of them are paid, subscribers.
With a history dating back to 1994, Funimation has become a household name in the United States when it comes to anime. There was a cooperative partnership between Funimation and Crunchyroll as recently as 2018. Certain titles, translations, and dubs were shared between the two businesses. Funimation was purchased by Sony Pictures Television in 2017, and the two companies’ previous streaming arrangement ended the following year. To expand its library of translated and subbed videos, Funimation signed an exclusive VOD agreement with Hulu in 2018.
Cost Comparison Of Funimation And Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Premium | Funimation Premium | Funimation Premium Plus | |
Price | $7.99/mo. | $5.99/mo. | $7.99/mo. |
Free trial length | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
Number of TV shows + films | 1,000+ titles and 30,000+ episodes | 950 titles and 25,000 episodes | 950 titles and 25,000 episodes |
Original content available | Yes | No | No |
Offline downloads | No | No | Yes |
Streaming quality | 1080p/720p HD | 1080p/720p HD | 1080p/720p HD |
Let’s have the pricing and plans settled first. Let’s take a deeper look at the premium monthly and yearly subscriptions available on both Crunchyroll and Funimation, both of which offer free 14-day samples.
When comparing the two, Funimation is the most cost-effective option, with its cheapest subscription starting at just $5.99 per month and providing access to the complete Funimation collection without ads, as well as subtitles, English dubs, and 2 simultaneous streams.
For just $7.99 a month, users may enjoy an ad-free streaming experience of the complete Crunchyroll anime library and digital Manga in English, with the limitation that they can only stream on one device at a time.
Middle-tier policies are the next step up from basic protection. Funimation’s plan costs $7.99 a month and provides access to all features available on the previous plan as well as offline viewing on compatible devices, special member-only events and offers, early access to Funimation sales, and free shipping on orders over $20.
In comparison, Crunchyroll’s plan costs $7.99 per month and includes all of the features of the previous plan, including simultaneous streaming on four devices, offline viewing, and entry to Crunchyroll conventions.
You can also learn more about Funimation’s two annual plans here. Meanwhile, now that Crunchyroll and Funimation’s pricing and subscription details are out of the way, we can focus on something else.
Availability
More than 170 nations now have access to Crunchyroll. The website can be visited in over 170 nations, albeit the available content varies by country and is primarily restricted to the United States.
However, Funimation is only available in a select few nations.
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Ireland
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
Winner: Crunchyroll
Funimation vs. Crunchyroll: Device Compatibility
Let’s discuss the mobile platforms that can access Funimation and Crunchyroll. Both systems can be found on popular game consoles at the same time.
Platform | Crunchyroll | Funimation |
PlayStation 4 | ✓ | ✓ |
PlayStation 5 | ✓ | ✓ |
Xbox One | ✓ | ✓ |
Xbox Series S/X | ✓ | ✓ |
Android TV | ✓ | ✓ |
Amazon Fire TV | ✓ | ✓ |
Apple TV | ✓ | ✓ |
Google Chromecast | ✓ | ✓ |
Android devices | ✓ | ✓ |
iOS devices | ✓ | ✓ |
Roku | ✓ | ✓ |
Funimation and Crunchyroll are both accessible on the vast majority of mobile and desktop platforms. Now you can stop worrying about whether or not the app will run on my Xbox or Apple TV.
Funimation vs. Crunchyroll: Anime Content
The most important aspect, including anime on Funimation and Crunchyroll, is now upon us. Though Crunchyroll’s massive anime collection is undoubtedly the best, Funimation’s selection of anime is not to be discounted. Of course, both Funimation and Crunchyroll have original content, but when it comes to standing out, Funimation is known for its unique English dubs of anime.
Another key distinction is that Crunchyroll hosts a wide variety of manga and J-dramas in addition to anime in its extensive library. Crunchyroll is the go-to for most anime lovers, while Funimation does have its devoted following.
Total Shows
Crunchyroll offers more than twice as many shows as Funimation, which only offers about 900. Both also provide their respective fan bases with special, unique programming.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, there’s only one more thing you need to be aware of. As if Crunchyroll didn’t already have a pricey library, Funimation has decided to move there. Crunchyroll will host all current and future Funimation titles. Japanese dramas and digital manga are also available on Crunchyroll.
Additionally, I should note that both are locale-specific, thus not all animes are available in all countries. Countless performances take place in the United States. We’ve compiled a list of the top countries in terms of total anime production and consumption.
-
US
Crunchyroll has 1243 shows, while Funimation only has 875 available in the United States.
-
Canada
Crunchyroll has 1241 shows available in Canada, whereas Funimation only has 873.
-
UK
Crunchyroll has 1028 shows and Funimation has 659.
-
Australia
Fewer shows are available on both services in Australia. Crunchyroll offers 978 shows, while Funimation only has 780.
You may check out the regionally-specific offerings on Crunchyroll and Funimation. This revised list is current as of 11 March 2022.
Winner: Crunchyroll.
Mobile Applications
The Crunchyroll App has the following sections:
- Your Lists
- Browse
- Home
- Simulcasts
- Account
You can see the thumbnail, the genre of anime, whether it is dubbed or subbed, and the option to add it to your watchlist or share it with others by clicking on the three dots that appear next to each result. Each program’s page features a share and anime watch button so you can easily connect with other viewers who are interested in the same show.
The Funimation App, on the other hand, has an Android-style menu. In the left sidebar, you can find the following links:
- Home
- My Queue
- My Library
- All Shows
- Simul Dub
- Genres
You can add a series to your queue by clicking the plus sign that appears on each thumbnail. When you click on a show, you’ll be taken to its individual page where you can access episodes, view ratings, share the show with friends, and subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes.
Winner: Draw
Conclusion
Which service you prefer, Crunchyroll or Funimation depends on your needs. You won’t find better streaming services than these two. Crunchyroll is the best option for you if you’re looking for a comprehensive anime collection. Funimation, on the other hand, is your best bet if you’d rather watch anime without interruptions and if you prefer dubs to subtitles. There is a free plan and a trial period of 14 days with both services.