Crunchyroll removed its free tier on January 1, 2026 — leaving millions of anime fans searching for legal alternatives.
The good news: free anime streaming in 2026 is better than ever, with dedicated apps and sites that work on Android, iOS, Fire TV, Smart TV, and browser.
Here are the 12 best free anime sites and apps — all legal, all working, and none requiring a subscription or credit card.
| What You Want | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Biggest free library | Tubi |
| Best Android app (free) | Tubi or Pluto TV |
| Free dubbed anime | Tubi or VIZ Media YouTube |
| Free on Samsung / Smart TV | Samsung TV Plus (pre-installed) |
| Best for classic/retro anime | RetroCrush |
| Major shonen (Naruto, JJK, HxH) | Peacock (free tier) |
| Completely ad-free + free | Kanopy (library card) |
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison Table
- All 12 Free Anime Sites & Apps Reviewed
- Best Free Anime App by Device
- Best Free Sites for Dubbed Anime
- Sites That No Longer Work in 2026
- FAQ
Quick Comparison — All 12 Free Anime Options
| # | Name | Type | Sign-Up? | Dubbed? | Android App? | iOS App? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tubi | Site + App | ❌ No | ✅ Strong | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Best overall free library |
| 2 | Pluto TV | Site + App | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Live anime channels 24/7 |
| 3 | Peacock (free) | App + Site | ✅ Free acc. | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Naruto, JJK, Hunter x Hunter |
| 4 | Crunchyroll YouTube | YouTube Channel | ❌ No | ✅ Some | ✅ (YouTube) | ✅ (YouTube) | Official free episodes |
| 5 | VIZ Media YouTube | YouTube Channel | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ (YouTube) | ✅ (YouTube) | Naruto, Bleach, Death Note |
| 6 | RetroCrush | Site + App | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Classic anime 70s–2000s |
| 7 | Anime-Planet | Site | Optional | ✅ Some | ❌ Browser only | ❌ Browser only | Best anime discovery + watch |
| 8 | Plex | App + Site | ✅ Free acc. | ✅ Some | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Global users — best international app |
| 9 | Bilibili Global | App + Site | ✅ Free acc. | ❌ Limited | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Donghua (Chinese anime) |
| 10 | Samsung TV Plus | Smart TV App | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ (Samsung) | ❌ | Samsung TV owners |
| 11 | Toei Animation YouTube | YouTube Channel | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ (YouTube) | ✅ (YouTube) | Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon |
| 12 | Kanopy | App + Site | ✅ Library card | ✅ Some | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Zero ads — needs library card |
All 12 Free Anime Sites & Apps Reviewed
1. Tubi — Best Overall Free Anime App
Available on: Android, iOS, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung TV, LG TV, Apple TV, Browser | Sign-up: Not required
Tubi is the #1 free anime option in 2026. Over 100 million monthly active users, a catalog of 50,000+ titles including hundreds of anime series, and zero account or subscription required. Strong dubbed catalog — Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, Sword Art Online, Yu-Gi-Oh, and much more. Works on every major device including Android phones and Android TV boxes.
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Download: Google Play | App Store | tubi.tv
2. Pluto TV — Best Free Live Anime Channels
Available on: Android, iOS, Fire TV, Roku, Smart TVs, Browser | Owner: Paramount
Pluto TV runs 24/7 live anime channels — Naruto, Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh, and a dedicated Anime All Day channel. No account needed, no subscription. Think of it like old-school cable TV for anime — just flip to a channel and watch whatever is playing. Also has on-demand anime titles.
Notable channels: Naruto 24/7, Dragon Ball 24/7, Anime All Day, Yu-Gi-Oh channel.
Download: Google Play | App Store | pluto.tv
Also on Smart TVs: Pluto TV is pre-installed or available on Samsung TVs, LG TVs, Vizio, and most other Smart TV brands.
3. Peacock (Free Tier) — Best for Major Shonen Anime
Available on: Android, iOS, Fire TV, Roku, Smart TVs | Sign-up: Free account required
Peacock’s free ad-supported tier carries major shonen titles including Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Jujutsu Kaisen, and the 2024 Ranma 1/2 remake. Requires a free account (no credit card). US only on the free tier. Best for viewers who specifically want these series without paying Crunchyroll’s monthly fee.
Download: Google Play | App Store
4. Crunchyroll on YouTube — Official Free Episodes
Available on: YouTube app (all devices) | Sign-up: Not required
After killing its free app tier, Crunchyroll expanded its YouTube presence significantly. Their official channels upload full free episodes of popular series — dubbed and subbed — including One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, Fairy Tail, and Black Clover. Also posts first episodes of seasonal anime so you can preview new shows before subscribing.
Channels: @CrunchyrollDubs | @Crunchyroll
5. VIZ Media YouTube — Naruto, Bleach, Death Note Free
Available on: YouTube app (all devices) | Sign-up: Not required
VIZ Media is one of the largest anime licensors in North America. Their official YouTube channel streams full episodes of Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Death Note, Inuyasha, and Sailor Moon — both dubbed and subbed — completely free and legally.
6. RetroCrush — Best for Classic & Retro Anime
Available on: Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, Browser | Sign-up: Not required
RetroCrush is the only dedicated free platform for retro anime from the 70s, 80s, and 90s — City Hunter, Fist of the North Star, Great Teacher Onizuka, Astro Boy, and more. Fully legal, completely free with ads. A premium ad-free tier is available for $2.99/month.
Download: Google Play | App Store | retrocrush.tv
7. Anime-Planet — Best for Discovery + Watching
Available on: Browser (anime-planet.com) | Sign-up: Optional
Anime-Planet is part streaming directory, part recommendation engine — with 40,000+ anime catalogued, ratings, reviews, and embedded free episodes from licensed partners. The best tool on the internet for finding your next anime and watching the first episode immediately. No dedicated app, but works great in a mobile browser.
Website: anime-planet.com
8. Plex — Best Free Anime App for International Users
Available on: Android, iOS, Fire TV, Roku, Smart TVs, Browser | Sign-up: Free account required
Plex is the best completely free anime streaming option for users outside the US — it’s one of the few free platforms available globally. The free tier includes thousands of anime titles alongside movies and TV. It also works as a personal media server if you want to stream your own files. Available on virtually every Android device and smart TV.
See Also: For more on Plex including setup guides and tips, check our Plex guides on AndroidNature.
Download: Google Play | App Store
9. Bilibili Global — Best for Chinese Anime (Donghua)
Available on: Android, iOS, Browser | Sign-up: Free account required
Bilibili is the dominant anime and animation platform in China. The global version streams Chinese anime (donghua) free with English subtitles — Scissor Seven, The King’s Avatar, Fog Hill of Five Elements, and more. If you’ve finished everything Japanese and want to explore a new animation universe, Bilibili Global is the place to start.
Download: Google Play | App Store
10. Samsung TV Plus — Pre-Installed on Samsung TVs
Available on: Samsung Smart TVs, Samsung Galaxy phones, Browser | Sign-up: Not required
If you own a Samsung TV, Samsung TV Plus is already installed — and it includes dedicated anime channels alongside 700+ free channels globally. No setup, no account, just press the Samsung TV Plus button on your remote. Also available via browser and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Related: Check our Samsung TV guides for how to set up and optimize Samsung TV Plus on your device.
11. Toei Animation YouTube — Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon
Available on: YouTube app (all devices) | Sign-up: Not required
Toei Animation’s official YouTube channels stream full episodes of their biggest franchises for free — Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and Digimon in both dubbed and subbed versions. Direct from the studio, completely official, no account needed.
Channels: @ToeiAnimationOfficial | @DragonBallOfficial | @OnePieceOfficial
12. Kanopy — Only Completely Ad-Free Free Anime
Available on: Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Browser | Requires: Public library card (free)
Kanopy is the only free anime streaming option with zero ads. Free with any US public library card, it includes Studio Ghibli films, classic anime series, and anime films — all completely ad-free. Up to 10 borrows per month. If you hate commercials and have a library card, this is your best free option.
Download: Google Play | App Store | kanopy.com
Best Free Anime App by Device
| Device | Best Free Anime App | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Android Phone / Tablet | Tubi | Pluto TV |
| iPhone / iPad | Tubi | Peacock or RetroCrush |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick | Tubi (Amazon Appstore) | Pluto TV |
| Samsung Smart TV | Samsung TV Plus (pre-installed) | Tubi |
| LG Smart TV | Tubi | Pluto TV |
| Android TV / Google TV Box | Tubi | Plex |
| Roku Device | Tubi | Pluto TV or RetroCrush |
| PC / Browser | Tubi (tubi.tv) | Anime-Planet for discovery |
Smart TV tip: Tubi, Pluto TV, and Peacock are all available on LG TVs, Vizio TVs, TCL TVs, and Hisense TVs via their respective app stores. Search the app name in your TV’s app store to install.
Best Free Sites for Dubbed Anime
80–90% of US anime viewers prefer dubbed. Here’s where to find the best free dubbed anime in 2026:
| Preference | Best Free Option | Notable Dubbed Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Best dubbed library overall | Tubi | Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, SAO, Pokémon |
| Live dubbed channels | Pluto TV | Naruto 24/7, Dragon Ball 24/7 |
| Official dubbed on YouTube | VIZ Media YouTube | Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, Inuyasha |
| Classic dubbed (retro) | RetroCrush | City Hunter, Fist of the North Star, GTO |
| Major shonen dubbed free | Peacock (free tier) | Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Jujutsu Kaisen |
Free Anime Sites That No Longer Work in 2026
| Site / Platform | Status in 2026 | Best Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll (free tier) | ❌ Free tier removed January 1, 2026. Now paid-only from $7.99/mo | Tubi, Pluto TV, or Crunchyroll YouTube channel |
| HiAnime / AniWatch | ❌ Shut down March 2026 (USTR Notorious Markets listing) | Tubi, Peacock, or any legal option above |
| Funimation | ❌ Fully merged into Crunchyroll — standalone app gone | Crunchyroll paid ($7.99/mo) for dubbed content |
| 9anime / KissAnime | ⚠️ Piracy sites — legally grey, unsafe ads, malware risk | Any legal option in this guide |
Want to upgrade to a paid anime platform? Our guides on Netflix, Hulu, and Max (HBO) cover setup, tips, and how to get the most from each platform — including which ones have the best anime catalogs in 2026.
Power user option: If you want an all-in-one media center that aggregates anime from multiple sources into a single app, Stremio is the best option — it works on Android, Fire TV, and Smart TVs, and with the right addons covers virtually everything in this list and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free anime app for Android in 2026?
Tubi is the best free anime app for Android — available on Google Play, requires no account, has the largest free anime library, and works on Android phones, Android TV, and Android-based Smart TVs. The Pluto TV app is the best runner-up if you prefer live channel-style watching.
Is Crunchyroll still free in 2026?
No. Crunchyroll removed its free ad-supported tier on January 1, 2026. All content now requires a paid subscription starting at $7.99/month. However, Crunchyroll’s official YouTube channels still post free episodes for select titles.
What free anime app works on Fire TV Stick?
Tubi is available directly on the Amazon Appstore for Fire TV Stick — no sideloading required. Pluto TV and Peacock are also on the Fire TV Appstore for free. All three are the best options for anime on Fire Stick without a subscription.
Are free anime sites and apps legal?
Every option in this guide is legal — operated by Fox (Tubi), Paramount (Pluto TV), NBCUniversal (Peacock), Sony (Plex partner), and official YouTube channels from Crunchyroll, VIZ Media, and Toei Animation. Unofficial sites like 9anime and KissAnime are not legal and carry malware risks.
Which free anime app has the most dubbed anime?
Tubi has the strongest free dubbed anime catalog — including Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, Sword Art Online, Yu-Gi-Oh, and hundreds more in English dub. Pluto TV’s live Naruto and Dragon Ball channels also run predominantly dubbed content.
What free anime app works outside the US?
Plex is the best free anime option for international users — available globally with no region restrictions. Bilibili Global also works in most countries. Tubi and Peacock are US-only on their free tiers.
Final Thoughts
The free anime landscape in 2026 has actually improved since Crunchyroll’s exit. Tubi alone covers more anime than most paid platforms did five years ago. Add Pluto TV for live channel vibes, Peacock for major shonen titles, and the official YouTube channels for legally free episodes — and you have a complete free anime setup with zero monthly cost.
📌 More AndroidNature streaming guides:
➡️ Netflix Guides — Tips, Tricks & Setup
➡️ Hulu Guides — Everything You Need to Know
➡️ Stremio Guides — Best Addons & Setup
➡️ Pluto TV Guides — Channels, Setup & Tips
➡️ Plex Guides — Setup & Best Features
➡️ Samsung TV Guides — Apps, Settings & Fixes
Ankit is an engineer by profession and blogger by passion. He is passionate to do all the stuff such as designing the website, doing the SEO, researching for the content, writing tech blog posts and more.
