Best Anime Streaming Platforms in 2025: A Super Fun Guide for Everyone!
Anime is like a giant playground of cool stories, awesome fights, and beautiful drawings that people all over the world love! Whether you’re watching epic battles in Demon Slayer or laughing with friends in Spy x Family, anime is super fun. In 2025, there are tons of places where you can watch anime on your phone, computer, or TV. Some are free, some cost a little money, and some have both options. I’m going to tell you about the best anime streaming platforms in a way that’s easy to understand, like I’m chatting with my best friend! We’ll look at what makes each one special, how much they cost, what shows they have, and why you might like them. I even added a big table at the end to compare them all super easy, like a cheat sheet for picking your favorite. Onstream is the best platform to provide this.

Why Watching Anime on These Platforms is Awesome
Back in the day, people had to wait for anime on TV or find it on weird websites that weren’t safe. Now, in 2025, you can watch anime anytime, anywhere, with super clear pictures and fun extras like chatting with other fans. These platforms have tons of shows, from new ones that just came out in Japan to old favorites like Naruto. Some even let you watch in your own language or with words on the screen (called subtitles). When picking a platform, think about how many shows they have, if they show new episodes fast, how easy they are to use, and if they fit your budget. I’ve split them into free ones, ones with free and paid options, and ones you pay for, so you can find the best one for you!
Free Anime Platforms (Yay, No Cost!)
1. Crunchyroll (Free Version)
Crunchyroll is like the king of anime! The free version lets you watch tons of shows like Spy x Family, Horimiya, and My Teen Romantic Comedy Yahari without paying. They have over 1,300 shows and movies, so you’ll never run out of stuff to watch. New episodes come out a week after they’re on the paid version, and you’ll see some ads, like when you watch regular TV. The website and app are super easy to use, and you can talk to other fans about your favorite shows. The only bummer is the ads can pop up a lot, and you don’t get as many shows in your language (dubs). Plus, in 2025, they added more free older episodes to keep you hooked!
- Who It’s For: People who love anime but don’t want to spend money.
- How Many Shows: Over 1,300.
- Ads: Yes, a bunch.
- Can You Download: Nope, not on the free version.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, tablets.
2. Tubi
Tubi is a free platform with a big collection of anime, like Naruto, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and the movie Akira. It’s got about 200 shows, which is great if you love old-school anime or want to try something new without paying. The picture isn’t super clear (it’s 720p, not super fancy), but it’s good enough for most TVs or phones. You’ll see ads, but they don’t bug you too much. Tubi is awesome because anyone can use it without signing up for anything fancy. They also update their list with fun surprises every month!
- Who It’s For: People who like old anime or don’t want to pay.
- How Many Shows: About 200.
- Ads: Yes, but not too bad.
- Can You Download: Nope.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, smart TVs.
3. YouTube (Official Anime Channels)
YouTube is a place where you can find free anime on channels like Muse Asia and Ani-One. They show stuff like Re:Zero or The Rising of the Shield Hero for free with ads. It’s not as big as other platforms, maybe 50–100 shows per channel, but it’s awesome because everyone can use YouTube! Sometimes, you might need a VPN (a tool to change your internet location) to watch certain shows, depending on where you live. It’s great for watching a few episodes here and there without paying. In 2025, more channels are adding full seasons for free!
- Who It’s For: People who already use YouTube or live in different countries.
- How Many Shows: About 50–100 per channel.
- Ads: Yes, depends on the video.
- Can You Download: Nope.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps.
Platforms with Free and Paid Options
4. RetroCrush
RetroCrush is like a time machine for anime! It’s all about old classics like Lupin III, Fist of the North Star, and Bubblegum Crisis. The free version has ads and about 100 shows, which is perfect if you love older anime. The website is easy to use, and it feels like flipping through a comic book from the ’80s. If you pay $4.99 a month, you get no ads and more shows, plus you can download them to watch later. It’s a great pick if you want to feel like a kid watching old cartoons! They even have fun facts about each show.
- Who It’s For: Fans of old-school anime.
- How Many Shows: About 100 (free version).
- Ads: Yes, a lot in the free version.
- Can You Download: Only if you pay.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps.
5. Ani.me
Ani.me is a cool platform that mixes free and paid anime. The free version has about 150 shows, like Gintama and Hunter x Hunter, and you’ll see some ads. It’s awesome because it helps smaller anime companies, so you’re supporting the people who make your favorite shows. If you pay $7.99 a month, you get no ads and can download shows to watch offline. They also have a fun community where you can talk to other anime fans, like a big online club! In 2025, they added more chat rooms for different shows.
- Who It’s For: People who want to support anime makers and chat with fans.
- How Many Shows: About 150 (free version).
- Ads: Yes, not too many.
- Can You Download: Only if you pay.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps.
Paid Anime Platforms (Totally Worth It!)
6. Crunchyroll (Paid Version)
Crunchyroll’s paid version is like the VIP pass to anime! For $7.99 to $14.99 a month, you get over 1,300 shows, including new ones like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Solo Leveling that come out the same day as Japan. No ads, super clear pictures (even 4K on the fancy plan), and you can download shows to watch offline. In 2025, they added cool stuff like better subtitles for old shows and more dubs in different languages. It’s perfect for people who want every anime ever and hate waiting! They also have events where you can win prizes.
- Who It’s For: Super big anime fans who want new episodes fast.
- How Many Shows: Over 1,300.
- Cost: $7.99–$14.99 a month.
- Can You Download: Yes (on higher plans).
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, game consoles.
7. Netflix
Netflix is awesome for anime and other stuff like movies and TV shows. They have about 200 anime, including their own shows like One Piece Live-Action, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Blue Eye Samurai. It’s great for watching a whole series at once, but they don’t always have new episodes right away. Plans cost $6.99 to $22.99 a month, with no ads and super clear pictures (4K on the top plan). You can download shows to watch later, but some anime come and go, so you have to check what’s there. Netflix added more anime movies in 2025!
- Who It’s For: People who like anime and other shows, or love watching a lot at once.
- How Many Shows: About 200.
- Cost: $6.99–$22.99 a month.
- Can You Download: Yes.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, smart TVs.
8. HIDIVE
HIDIVE is like a secret clubhouse for anime fans who love shows like Oshi no Ko, Call of the Night, and The Eminence in Shadow. It’s only $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year, which is super cheap! They have about 500 shows, and they’re great at showing new episodes fast and making dubs in your language. The website got a big upgrade in 2025, so it’s easier to use. You can download shows, but there’s no free version, and they don’t have as many big-name shows as Crunchyroll. They focus on fun, weird stories that make you think.
- Who It’s For: Fans who love unique anime.
- How Many Shows: About 500.
- Cost: $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year.
- Can You Download: Yes.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps.
9. Hulu
Hulu is great if you want anime plus other stuff like TV shows and movies. They have about 300 anime, like Bleach and Attack on Titan. You can pay $7.99 a month for a version with ads or $17.99 a month for no ads and downloads. It’s easy to use, and you can even watch live TV on some plans. It’s not the biggest anime collection, but it’s awesome if you want a mix of everything. In 2025, they added more family-friendly anime for kids.
- Who It’s For: People who like anime and other shows.
- How Many Shows: About 300.
- Cost: $7.99–$17.99 a month.
- Can You Download: Only on the no-ads plan.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, smart TVs.
10. Disney+
Disney+ has some super cool anime like Star Wars: Visions, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, and Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc. They only have about 100 anime, but they’re really good ones, and the pictures are super clear (4K!). It costs $9.99 to $13.99 a month, with no ads and downloads. It’s great for fans of big action shows, but they don’t have new episodes right away or as many weird, unique anime. They added more crossovers with Disney characters in 2025!
- Who It’s For: Fans of big, action-packed anime.
- How Many Shows: About 100.
- Cost: $9.99–$13.99 a month.
- Can You Download: Yes.
- Where to Watch: Website, phone apps, smart TVs.
What’s New in Anime Streaming in 2025
Anime platforms are getting even cooler in 2025! Netflix and Disney+ are making their own anime that you can’t find anywhere else. Crunchyroll and HIDIVE show new episodes super fast, sometimes the same day as Japan. Some platforms use smart tricks to make subtitles better for old shows. They’re also adding fun stuff like fan chats, watch parties (where you watch with friends online), and even shops to buy anime stuff. The only tricky part is some shows aren’t available everywhere, so you might need a VPN in some countries. Plus, more platforms are adding games and quizzes about your favorite shows!
How to Pick the Best Platform for You
Choosing the right platform is like picking your favorite ice cream flavor—it depends on what you like! Here’s a quick guide:
- No Money to Spend: Try Crunchyroll’s free version, Tubi, or YouTube.
- Love New Episodes: Get Crunchyroll or HIDIVE for the newest shows.
- Want Unique Anime: HIDIVE has cool, less famous stuff.
- Watch a Lot at Once: Netflix or Hulu is great for binge-watching.
- Love Old Anime: RetroCrush or Tubi for classics.
- Big Action Shows: Disney+ has awesome ones like Bleach.
If you have some extra money, you could get two platforms, like Crunchyroll for new shows and Netflix for their special anime. Always use safe, legal platforms to help the people who make anime and keep your computer or phone safe from bad websites.
Quick Comparison Table: Which Platform is Best for You?
Here’s a simple table to compare all the platforms at a glance. It’s like a scorecard! I picked the main things: cost, number of shows, if there are ads, and what’s special about it. This way, you can see everything side by side and decide fast.
Platform | Cost (per month) | Number of Shows | Ads? | Can Download? | What’s Special? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crunchyroll Free | Free | Over 1,300 | Yes | No | Tons of shows, new episodes soon |
Tubi | Free | About 200 | Yes | No | Old favorites, easy to use |
YouTube Channels | Free | 50–100 | Yes | No | Everywhere, quick watches |
RetroCrush Free | Free | About 100 | Yes | No | Classic old anime |
Ani.me Free | Free | About 150 | Yes | No | Helps small makers, fan chats |
Crunchyroll Paid | $7.99–$14.99 | Over 1,300 | No | Yes | New episodes same day, 4K |
Netflix | $6.99–$22.99 | About 200 | No | Yes | Own cool shows, movies too |
HIDIVE | $4.99 or $47.99/year | About 500 | No | Yes | Unique stories, cheap |
Hulu | $7.99–$17.99 | About 300 | Some | Yes (no ads plan) | Mix with TV, live stuff |
Disney+ | $9.99–$13.99 | About 100 | No | Yes | Big action, Disney crossovers |
This table makes it super easy to spot what you need. For example, if you want free and lots of shows, go Crunchyroll free. If you pay a bit for the best new stuff, Crunchyroll paid is king!
Wrapping It Up
In 2025, there’s an anime platform for everyone, whether you’re a huge fan or just starting out. Crunchyroll is the best for tons of shows and new episodes. Netflix and Disney+ have awesome exclusive anime. HIDIVE is great for finding hidden treasures, and free ones like Tubi and YouTube let everyone enjoy anime without spending a dime. Think about what you love—new shows, old classics, or a mix of everything—and pick the platform that feels right. With these services and the handy table, you can watch Jujutsu Kaisen, Naruto, or anything else you love, right at your fingertips. So grab some snacks, hit play, and have fun exploring the amazing world of anime!