The 4 Best Apps to Watch Anime Free (and Legally) in 2026
You can watch anime legally without going near a pirate site. Crunchyroll leads on catalogue and simulcasts new episodes almost at the same time as Japan, while free ad-supported services add films and series from the genre. Note that Crunchyroll closed its free ad-supported tier at the end of 2025, so free access there now means the trial. In this guide we compare the 4 best apps for watching anime legally in 2026.
Top apps for watching anime free, legally and with subtitles
Legal apps for watching anime series and films on your phone, with subtitles and dubs, funded by advertising or offered on a free plan. Availability varies by country.
Top pick
Crunchyroll: Disfruta de Anime
Crunchyroll, LLC · Free (with purchases) · 100M+
Best for anime
4.6
4.2M reviews
TopApps analysis
Crunchyroll is the reference point for anime: the largest catalogue in the genre and simulcast episodes almost at the same time as Japan. Its free ad-supported tier closed at the end of 2025, so free access now means the trial.
Crunchyroll is the go-to platform for watching anime legally. It has the largest catalogue of anime series and films, with simulcast releases almost at the same time as Japan, subtitles and dubbing. There is a free ad-supported plan and premium plans with no ads and full access.
Pros
- The largest legal anime catalogue
- Simulcast releases almost at the same time as Japan
- Free ad-supported plan available
Cons
- The full ad-free catalogue requires a subscription
- Focused on anime only
- Some content is not available in every country
Tubi: Películas y TV gratis
Tubi, Inc. · Free · 100M+
Good free catalogue
2.9
2.5M reviews
TopApps analysis
Tubi has an anime section inside its huge free and legal catalogue, with films and series on demand, no subscription and no sign-up. It is available in a limited set of countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Tubi is one of the largest free, legal streaming platforms around. It offers thousands of officially licensed films and series on demand, with no subscription, in exchange for watching ads. The catalogue is huge and varied, with sections for cinema, series, anime and family viewing.
Pros
- One of the biggest free catalogues out there
- 100% legal, fully licensed content
- No cost and no subscription
Cons
- Frequent ad breaks
- Title availability varies by country
- Middling rating due to occasional playback errors
Last updated: 2026-06-18
Pluto TV - Películas y Series
Pluto Inc. · Free · 100M+
Anime live
3.9
799K reviews
TopApps analysis
Pluto TV has live anime channels among its dozens of free channels, ideal for watching classics of the genre without picking anything. Channel line-ups vary by country.
Pluto TV is the most popular free television app. With no sign-up and no subscription, it offers dozens of themed live channels (film, series, sport, news, music and kids) plus an on-demand catalogue, all funded by advertising. It is 100% legal and behaves like an online TV set, ready to watch the moment you open it.
Pros
- Completely free and no sign-up needed
- Dozens of live channels by theme
- On-demand catalogue of films and series
Cons
- Includes ad breaks
- You cannot choose what the live channels air
- The catalogue changes and rotates over time
Plex: TV en vivo, pelis y más
Plex Inc. · Free (with purchases) · 100M+
All in one
3.3
480K reviews
TopApps analysis
Plex adds anime to its free on-demand catalogue and its live channels, all in one cross-platform app with no subscription. What is available depends on your country.
Plex combines a media centre with free streaming: hundreds of live TV channels plus thousands of on-demand films and series without a subscription. It also lets you organise and play your own media library from your phone. A very complete app for keeping all your entertainment in one place.
Pros
- Free live TV channels and on-demand catalogue
- Organises and plays your own media library
- Cross-platform (phone, TV, web, console)
Cons
- Advanced features require Plex Pass
- Can feel complicated at first
- The free content carries ads
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best app for watching anime free and legally?
Since Crunchyroll ended its free ad-supported tier on 31 December 2025, watching there without paying is limited to the free trial, though it still has the largest anime catalogue and the fastest simulcasts. For genuinely free and legal viewing, Tubi and Pluto TV carry anime inside their ad-funded catalogues, and their line-ups depend on the country you are in.
Can you watch anime dubbed or subtitled in your own language?
Often, yes. Crunchyroll offers subtitles in several languages and dubs for many of its series. Tubi and Pluto TV also carry localised titles. Which dubs and subtitles you get depends on the individual series and on the rights in your country.
Are pirate anime apps safe to use?
We do not recommend them. Apps and sites offering unlicensed anime are illegal and are usually full of misleading ads and security risks for your device. The options in this guide (Crunchyroll, Tubi, Pluto TV and Plex) are legal and safe.
Articles you might like
The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for Mobile (2026): Real Comparison
We compare the best apps for editing videos on mobile in 2026: InShot, CapCut, KineMaster, PowerDirector, Filmora and more with real Google Play data.
The 7 Best Apps to Edit Videos for Instagram Reels (2026)
We compare the best apps for creating Instagram Reels in 2026: automatic 9:16 formats, trending effects, subtitles and watermark-free export.
The 7 Best Apps to Edit TikTok Videos (2026): Sounds, Effects and Virals
Best apps for creating viral TikTok videos in 2026: trending effects, viral sounds, clips under 60 seconds, duets and TikTok-specific formats.
The 6 Best Apps to Edit Videos Without Watermark in 2026 (Free and Paid)
We compare which video editing apps export without watermark in 2026: which are completely free and which require subscription.
The 7 Best Free Video Editing Apps for Android (2026)
The best free video editing apps for Android in 2026. We compare what InShot, CapCut, KineMaster and PowerDirector really let you do without paying.
The 6 Best Video Editing Apps for Beginners (2026): No Learning Curve
Best video editing apps for beginners in 2026: simple interface, built-in tutorials, professional results from first use. No complicated timeline or overwhelming options.