15 Best Anime Streaming Sites to Watch Anime Online [2024]

Summary: Looking for the best website to watch anime for free? You're in the right place. Below, we've rounded up the top 15 free and paid anime streaming sites that allow you to enjoy anime online with ease!

Amid the ongoing Operation Animes—an initiative led by Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) in collaboration with Brazilian authorities—16 prominent illegal anime streaming sites, including the popular Aniwave.to, Anix.to, AnimeSuge, and Zoroxtv, have been shut down. This crackdown is part of Japan's larger effort to protect its valuable anime industry from piracy. While these actions help reduce illegal streaming, the demand for legitimate, high-quality streaming platforms has only increased. Below, we explore the best legal anime streaming sites that deliver both variety and quality for anime fans.

The Best Anime Streaming Sites at a Glance

• 1. Netflix: Best for streaming anime with its high streaming quality and user-friendly interface.
• 2. Hulu: Best anime streaming site with an extensive library and timely episode releases.
• 3. Tubi: Best for anime fans looking for a free anime streaming site.
• 4. Crunchyroll: Best free anime streaming platform with an easy-to-navigate interface.
• 5. Kissanime: Best free anime streaming service to watch hard-to-find shows.
• 6. AnimeHeaven: Best free anime streaming site with an easy-to-use search function.
• 7. 9anime: Best free anime watching website with meticulously categorized series.
• 8. Amazon Prime Video: Best anime streaming site to download anime for offline viewing.
• 9. Funimation: Best anime streaming sites with a diverse range of Western and Asian TV shows.
• 10. Gogoanime: Best for watching Japanese anime online for free.
• 11. Anime Planet: Best free anime streaming website with strong community support.
• 12. AnimeTake: Best free anime streaming website with a clean and uncluttered layout design.
• 13. Chia-Anime: Best free anime streaming website with consistent updates.
• 14. MyAnimeList: Best for reading and writing reviews of an anime series.
• 15. CartoonCrazy: Best anime and cartoon website to watch anime and cartoon online.

Top 15 Anime Streaming Sites to Watch Anime Online

1. Netflix

Best for streaming anime with its growing library, high streaming quality, and user-friendly interface.

Price: three pricing plans start from $6.99/mo.

Netflix is a popular and widely used streaming platform that provides a vast selection of TV shows, movies, and anime. Available in almost every country, Netflix has made a significant effort to expand its anime library in recent years, offering a mix of classic series, popular ongoing shows, and even Netflix-exclusive anime series. The range of genres is quite broad, from action, adventure, and sci-fi to romance, slice of life, and more.

The anime streaming site also provides quality subtitles and, for most anime, professionally done English dubs. This feature is a big plus for viewers who may prefer one over the other. The quality of the anime streaming is also commendable, with options to watch in HD or even 4K for some series.

One of the downsides is that despite its wide range of anime, it doesn't have as extensive a library as some other anime-specific streaming services. Also, Netflix is notorious for its practice of "Netflix Jail", which means holding back entire seasons of certain anime series to release all at once, rather than episode by episode. This can be frustrating for those who prefer to watch episodes as they air in Japan.

Regions Available: Worldwide

Pros:

• The best anime streaming website has been steadily increasing its collection of anime series and movies, including both classic and newer titles.
• High-quality anime streaming with options for HD and 4K viewing.
• Most anime on Netflix are available with quality subtitles and professional English dubs.
• Intuitive interface, personalized recommendations, and more.

Cons:

• Limited anime library compared to other anime-specific streaming platforms.
• The anime watching site can be more expensive than other anime streaming services.

2. Hulu

Best anime streaming site with an extensive library and timely episode releases.

Price: a variety of subscription plans, starting from $7.99/mo.

Hulu is another anime streaming service with an impressive anime collection. It's available only in the U.S., making it somewhat limited in terms of global reach. The anime website covers a wide range of genres and offers a mix of classic series, popular ongoing shows, and lesser-known titles. They regularly update their content and typically release episodes shortly after they air, which is a plus for those who want to keep up with ongoing series.

Hulu offers both subtitled and dubbed options for most anime, catering to different viewer preferences. The anime streaming quality is generally good, with HD options available.

One of the notable strengths of Hulu is its partnership with Funimation, which ensures a steady influx of popular and high-quality anime content. However, unlike Netflix, Hulu does not produce its own exclusive anime series.

Regions Available: US

Pros:

• A vast selection of anime titles: classics, ongoing series, and lesser-known shows.
• Provides HD anime streaming for a high-quality viewing experience.
• Both subtitles and dubbed options are provided for most anime.
• Hulu’s partnership with Funimation adds more depth to its anime library.

Cons:

• The anime streaming site is currently only available in the U.S.
• The lower-cost subscription plan includes ads.
• The search function could be improved for easier navigation and discovery of shows.

3. Tubi

Best for anime fans looking for a free anime streaming site.

Price: free

Tubi is a free, ad-supported anime streaming service. The anime library is not as extensive as those on paid platforms, but it still offers a diverse range of genres and series. One of the highlights of Tubi is the quality of its streaming. Despite being free, the platform offers high-definition streaming, which is a big plus. Most of the anime on the service comes with English subtitles, but dubbed options might be limited compared to other platforms.

The user interface on Tubi is straightforward and easy to navigate. It's available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.

Regions Available: United States, Philippines, India, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.

Pros:

• Free anime streaming site.
• Offers high-definition anime streaming.
• The interface is easy to navigate.

Cons:

• Ad-supported.
• Tubi’s anime selection is not as extensive as those on paid platforms.
• The anime service doesn’t typically host the most recent anime series or seasons.

4. Crunchyroll

Best free anime streaming platform with an easy-to-navigate interface.

Price: Free; subscription plans start from $7.99/mo

Crunchyroll is an anime-specific streaming platform that boasts one of the largest libraries of anime available for streaming, with thousands of titles ranging from the latest hit series to beloved classics. The streaming quality is generally good with various resolutions, including 720p and 1080p HD, but some users have reported occasional buffering issues.

The anime streaming service offers a free, ad-supported tier with limited access to the catalog and delayed episode availability and a premium subscription is required for ad-free viewing and access to the latest episode of ongoing series.

Regions Available: USA, Philippines, India, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.

Pros:

• Extensive anime collection, high-quality streaming, and timely updates.
• Premium subscribers can download episodes to watch offline.
• The intuitive interface is easy to work with.

Cons:

• The free version comes with ads, and high-definition streaming is only available for premium subscribers.
• Limited dubbed anime.
• Occasional buttering.

5. Kissanime

Best free anime streaming service to watch hard-to-find shows.

Price: free

Kissanime is a dedicated streaming platform tailored for anime enthusiasts seeking a seamless anime streaming experience. As one of the world's largest anime streaming websites, KissAnime boasts a vast selection of anime titles, including many hard-to-find shows and movies, as well as the latest releases. Users could choose from different video quality settings to suit their internet speed and preferences. KissAnime was free to use, making it a popular choice among viewers who did not want to pay for anime streaming services.

Regions Available: All major regions: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and more.

Pros:

• Best free anime streaming website with a vast selection of anime titles.
• Multiple streaming resolutions.
• Provide access to both subtitled and dubbed anime.
• User-friendly interface.

Cons:

• Intrusive ads, pop-ups, and potential malware threats.
• Limited device compatibility.

6. AnimeHeaven

Best free anime streaming site with an easy-to-use search function.

Price: free

AnimeHeaven is another free anime streaming site that offers a vast collection of anime episodes and movies. Featuring high-quality video streams, a user-friendly interface, and a diverse range of genres, the anime streaming site includes both popular and less-known titles. Its easy-to-use search function allows you to find specific anime by title, genre, or even year of release. AnimeHeaven takes pride in its high-quality video streams, with options from 240p to 1080p, and the anime video player has various customization options, such as subtitle and playback, and speed controls, allowing you to tailor your viewing experience to your preferences.

Regions Available: Worldwide

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of anime series and movies.
• Watch anime online for free, with regular updates, and an intuitive user interface.
• Provides a range of video quality options.
• Availability of both subtitled and dubbed versions for many anime titles, accommodating different viewer preferences.

Cons:

• Occasional buffering issues may occur.
• Ads support.

7. 9anime

Best free anime watching website with meticulously categorized series.

Price: free

9anime is an online streaming platform that has gained popularity among anime fans for offering a wide selection of anime titles for free. Equipped with a user-friendly interface, the anime watching site enables easy navigation and content discovery. To enhance accessibility, all anime series and episodes are meticulously categorized according to their respective genres, facilitating swift and organized access for users.

The platform is free to use and does not require users to register or subscribe, providing easy access to its content. It's worth noting that while the website features some pop-ups and banner ads, they are comparatively less intrusive than those found on similar platforms.

Regions Available: All major regions, including the United States, Philippines, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.

Pros:

• Support HD anime stream.
• No registration is required.
• Free anime streaming site, a user-friendly interface, and a vast collection of anime series.

Cons:

• Lack of official mobile apps.
• Occasional buffering issues may occur.

8. Amazon Prime Video

Best anime streaming site to download anime for offline viewing.

Price: $14.99/mo or $139/yr.

Amazon Prime Video launched Anime Strike in January 2017, which featured a collection of anime across various genres. However, Anime Strike was a separate subscription channel that required an additional fee on top of the standard Amazon Prime subscription. In response to feedback and possibly due to competition with other anime-focused streaming services, Amazon discontinued Anime Strike in early 2018. The anime content that was available through Anime Strike was then integrated into the main Prime Video library, making it accessible to all Prime members without the need for an additional subscription.

The anime library includes a mix of popular series, classic titles, and Amazon Original anime series. While the selection may not be as extensive as that of dedicated anime streaming services, Prime Video does offer a variety of anime for casual viewers and fans. The anime streaming site allows subscribers to download many of its titles for offline viewing, which is advantageous for those who want to watch anime on the go or have limited internet access.

Regions Available: Worldwide.

Pros:

• A wide range of anime content to choose from.
• Provides high-definition streaming with 4K and HDR capabilities on supported devices.
• Download content for offline viewing.

Cons:

• Some users find the user interface less intuitive compared to other streaming services.
• Some content includes pre-roll ads.

9. Funimation

Best anime streaming sites with a diverse range of Western and Asian TV shows.

Price: Limited free plan; Subscriptions rang between $7.99 and $9.99 per month

Funimation is one of the leading anime streaming websites that features a wide array of anime content, including popular ongoing series like "My Hero Academia," "One Piece," "Black Clover," and "Haikyuu." The platform is well-regarded for delivering the latest anime episodes, often available soon after their original broadcast. Each anime video on the site is available in both subtitled and dubbed versions, catering to different preferences.

Regions Available: All major regions, including the USA, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Pros:

• High-quality anime streams.
• Large selection of dubbed and subbed anime.
• Offer a free trial.

Cons:

• The free trial included ads.
• Availability of content can vary by region due to licensing restrictions.

10. Gogoanime

Best for watching Japanese anime online for free.

Price: free

As another anime streaming website, Gogoaime allows users to browse, search for, and watch anime titles by date without any registration required. The anime website boasts an easy-to-navigate interface, ensuring a user-friendly experience for viewers seeking their preferred anime. Renowned for its high-quality video streaming and swift loading times, Gogoanime has become a favored platform among anime enthusiasts.

Regions Available: USA, Philippines, India, UK, Canada, Singapore, etc.

Pros:

• Free anime watching site to stream anime online.
• Option to download anime for offline viewing.
• Stream anime in different languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, and more.
• Stream anime series in HD/4K quality.

Cons:

• Constantly keeps on changing URLs.

11. Anime Planet

Best free anime streaming website with strong community support.

Price: free

Anime Planet is a legal anime streaming service that offers a vast collection of anime content. The platform has a diverse library of both subtitled and dubbed anime episodes, updated regularly with new content. The website boasts an intuitive and clean interface that allows users to easily navigate and find specific anime titles. The site also offers personalized recommendations based on users' watch lists.

In addition, the anime platform offers a strong sense of community, encouraging users to connect with other anime and manga enthusiasts, make friends, and discuss their favorite series.

Regions Available: the United States, Philippines, India, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and more.

Pros:

• Offers a wide collection of subtitled and dubbed anime content, updated regularly with new episodes and series.
• The intuitive interface allows users to search for content without any hassle.
• Users can participate in forums, character ranking, custom lists, and user profiles, enhancing their anime experience and connecting with other fans.

Cons:

• Ad-supported.

12. AnimeTake

Best free anime streaming website with a clean and uncluttered layout design.

Price: free

As another free anime streaming website, AnimeTake sets itself apart by prioritizing the creation of a vibrant online community of anime fans, providing them with regular access to a vast selection of free and up-to-date anime content. With video quality ranging from standard definition (480p) to high definition (720p) and full high definition (1080p), users can choose the resolution that best suits their device and internet bandwidth.

Featuring a relatively basic interface, the anime website's clean and uncluttered layout makes navigation intuitive, enabling users to find their desired anime series quickly.

Regions Available: Worldwide

Pros:

• Free anime streaming website.
• Discord integration allows users to chat and engage with the anime community directly.
• A wide selection of Anime series.
• Latest updates notifications.

Cons:

• Ad-supported.

13. Chia-Anime

Best free anime streaming website with consistent updates

Price: free

Chia-Anime enjoys widespread recognition as one of the top anime streaming websites on the internet. Renowned for its consistent updates, the platform ensures that the latest episodes of each anime on its list are regularly refreshed. Furthermore, Chia-Anime provides the option to watch anime movies in high-definition quality, with resolutions reaching up to 720p and 1080p. The website offers a diverse range of genres, catering to various preferences, including comedy, adventure, fantasy, horror, and more, allowing users to easily navigate and explore content tailored to their specific interests.

Regions Available: Worldwide

Pros:

• Fast loading.
• Option to download for offline viewing.
• Free anime streaming website.
• Meticulously categorized for easy search.

Cons:

• Ad-supported.

14. MyAnimeList

Best for reading and writing reviews of an anime series.

Price: free

Touted as the site with the most extensive database of anime and manga, MyAnimeList provides a vast collection of anime titles. One of the notable features of MAL is the ability to read reviews from other users, allowing you to gather insights and opinions before diving into a new anime series. Additionally, the anime streaming website facilitates connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar interests, enabling users to form fan clubs and engage in discussions. True to its name, MyAnimeList allows users to create personalized lists of anime series they plan to watch, keeping track of their viewing preferences and progress.

Regions Available: Canada, USA, UK, and several other English-speaking countries

Pros:

• Read reviews before starting a series.
• Engage in a discussion with like-minded users.
• Great community support.

Cons:

• The free version comes with annoying ads.

15. CartoonCrazy

Best anime and cartoon website to watch anime and cartoon online.

Price: free

As one of the best free anime watching websites dedicated to dubbed content, CartoonCrazy offers a diverse collection of dubbed anime videos and supports anime videos in various resolutions, ensuring flexibility for users with different preferences. In addition to anime, CartoonCrazy also features a selection of famous cartoons, including Mira Royal Detective, Hazbin Hotel, Ollie's Pack, and others. This diversity in content caters to a broad audience, offering both anime and cartoon enthusiasts a comprehensive platform for their needs.

Regions Available: Worldwide

Pros:

• A wide collection of up to 25000 anime and cartoons.
• No ads.

Cons:

• Occasional buffering issues may occur.

Compare the Top Anime Streaming Sites to Watch Anime Online