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Apple Music vs Crunchyroll

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

All the ways you love music. All in one place.

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Media & Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Crunchyroll has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Music individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month; Crunchyroll the App Store listing states Crunchyroll allows streaming on up to six devices simultaneously, and separately notes the annual plan is cheaper than paying monthly.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Music and Crunchyroll actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Music and Crunchyroll differ
AttributeApple MusicCrunchyroll
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
CategoryEntertainmentMedia & Entertainment
Founded20152006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Music

  • Music streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Spatial Audio
  • Lossless audio
  • Curated playlists
  • Radio stations
  • Music discovery
  • Cross-device sync

Only in Crunchyroll

  • Anime streaming
  • Simulcasts
  • Manga
  • Games
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Parental controls
  • Profile management

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Music

  • Music listeningnot Crunchyroll
  • Music discoverynot Crunchyroll
  • Playlist creationnot Crunchyroll
  • Offline listeningnot Crunchyroll
  • Family entertainmentnot Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot Apple Music
  • Manga readingnot Apple Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Music

  • Individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month

Crunchyroll

  • The App Store listing states Crunchyroll allows streaming on up to six devices simultaneously, and separately notes the annual plan is cheaper than paying monthly.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Music

$10.99/month
  • Individual$10.99/month
    • 100+ million songs
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads
  • Family$16.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Individual profiles
    • Parental controls

Crunchyroll

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited anime
    • Ads
  • Fan$7.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Simulcasts
  • Mega Fan$9.99/month
    • Offline viewing
    • 4 streams

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline downloads.
Apple Music review

Choose Crunchyroll if

  • You need anime streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want simulcasts.
Crunchyroll review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Music or Crunchyroll better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Crunchyroll at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Apple Music and Free for Crunchyroll.
Does Apple Music or Crunchyroll run on more platforms?
Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Yes. Crunchyroll has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month.
What is Apple Music best used for?
Apple Music is most often used for music listening, music discovery, playlist creation, offline listening. Of those, music listening and music discovery are not what Crunchyroll is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Music do that Crunchyroll cannot?
Apple Music covers Music streaming, Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio. Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Both handle Ios support.
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