Crunchyroll
Fan $9.99 / Mega Fan $13.99 per mo
Netflix
Ads $8.99 / Standard $19.99 / Premium $26.99 per mo
Crunchyroll is the dedicated anime service with the largest catalog and same-day simulcasts from Japan, and it is cheaper. Netflix is a broad general streamer with a smaller but high-profile anime selection and originals. Crunchyroll wins for anime depth; Netflix wins for everything else.
Pick Crunchyroll if anime is your priority: it has the largest catalog, same-day simulcasts, and even manga on Mega Fan, for less.
Pick Netflix if you want a broad all-genre library and are happy with a smaller, curated anime selection plus a few standout originals.
Crunchyroll and Netflix both carry anime, but they are not really equals on it. Crunchyroll is the dedicated anime platform, with by far the largest catalog, deep back catalogs of long-running series, and same-day simulcasts of new episodes from Japan. Netflix carries a smaller, more curated anime selection alongside its huge general library, and invests in a handful of high-profile anime originals and films.
On price, Crunchyroll is cheaper for anime: Fan is $9.99 and Mega Fan is $13.99 a month. Netflix ranges from $8.99 with ads to $26.99 for 4K, but that buys an all-genre library, not an anime-first one. Many anime fans keep Crunchyroll for depth and Netflix for everything else.
We compare anime catalog, simulcasts, price, general content, and who each suits.
| Quick facts | Crunchyroll | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Anime catalog | Largest | Smaller, curated |
| Same-day simulcasts | Yes | Limited |
| Anime price | Fan $9.99 / Mega $13.99 | From $8.99 (general) |
| General content | Anime-focused | All genres |
| Best for | Anime fans | Broad viewing + some anime |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | C Crunchyroll | N Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Large anime catalog | Best-in-class | Limited |
| Same-day simulcasts | Yes | Limited |
| Anime originals | Some | High-profile few |
| General (non-anime) library | Minimal | Largest |
| Manga access | Yes (Mega Fan) | No |
| Ad-supported tier | Free (limited) | Yes |
| 4K available | Limited | Premium |
| Lower price for anime | Yes | No |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-22.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
Crunchyroll dominates on anime depth and simulcasts but has little else to watch.
Netflix has far more overall content but only a fraction of Crunchyroll's anime catalog.
For dedicated anime fans, the two are complementary rather than either-or: Crunchyroll for anime, Netflix for the rest.
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