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Crunchyroll vs DirecTV Stream

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DirecTV Stream logo

DirecTV Stream

Entertainment

Cable-replacement live TV streaming with local channels, RSNs and the widest premium channel tiers

From
$89.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Crunchyroll has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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.; DirecTV Stream it is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and DirecTV Stream actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and DirecTV Stream differ
AttributeCrunchyrollDirecTV Stream
Starting priceFree$89.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumPer household per month, tiered plans
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs
Founded2006Unknown

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

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 Crunchyroll

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

Only in DirecTV Stream

  • Tiered channel plans
  • Local broadcast affiliates
  • ESPN Unlimited
  • Regional sports networks
  • Cloud DVR
  • Multiple simultaneous streams

What people use each for

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

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot DirecTV Stream
  • Manga readingnot DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream

  • A former DirecTV satellite customer moving to streaming without wanting to change channel habitsnot Crunchyroll
  • A household wanting the widest premium and sports channel selection among mainstream streaming bundlesnot Crunchyroll
  • A sports fan who wants regional sports networks priced into the plan rather than as a separate add-onnot Crunchyroll
  • A family replacing full cable service that specifically does not want to trim down to a smaller entertainment-only bundlenot Crunchyroll

Where each one falls short

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

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.

DirecTV Stream

  • It is priced at or above fuboTV across comparable tiers, and its entry tier alone costs close to three times what Philo charges for households that do not need sports.
  • Regional sports network and local channel availability still vary by zip code, so the exact channels and price a household gets cannot be confirmed until they enter their address.
  • Reaching the widest channel and premium movie selection requires the Ultimate tier, which pushes the monthly cost well past $120.
  • Historically frequent price increases across DirecTV streaming and satellite products mean the signup price is not a reliable guide to cost a year later.
  • The interface and channel guide have drawn more mixed reviews than some competitors, with slower app updates on certain streaming device platforms.

Pricing, plan by plan

Crunchyroll

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

DirecTV Stream

$89.99/month
  • Entertainment$89.99/month
    • 90+ channels
    • Local affiliates in most markets
    • ESPN Unlimited included
  • Choice$94.99/month
    • 125+ channels
    • Adds regional sports networks and specialty sports channels
  • Ultimate$124.99/month
    • 160+ channels
    • Additional sports and movie channels

Which should you pick?

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

Choose DirecTV Stream if

  • You need tiered channel plans.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
  • You also want local broadcast affiliates.
DirecTV Stream review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or DirecTV Stream better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and DirecTV Stream at $89.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or DirecTV Stream?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Crunchyroll and $89.99/month for DirecTV Stream.
Does Crunchyroll or DirecTV Stream run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. DirecTV Stream runs on Web, iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Yes. Crunchyroll has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DirecTV Stream starts at $89.99/month.
What is Crunchyroll best used for?
Crunchyroll is most often used for anime watching, manga reading. Of those, anime watching and manga reading are not what DirecTV Stream is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that DirecTV Stream cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. DirecTV Stream covers Tiered channel plans, Local broadcast affiliates, ESPN Unlimited, Regional sports networks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DirecTV Stream: Is DirecTV Stream the same as satellite DirecTV?

No, it delivers the same brand and much of the same channel lineup over the internet instead of a satellite dish.

DirecTV Stream: Does the entry tier include local channels and sports?

Yes, the Entertainment tier includes local affiliates in most markets and ESPN Unlimited, unlike Philo which excludes both entirely.

DirecTV Stream: Are regional sports networks included or an add-on?

They are included starting at the Choice tier and priced into that plan, rather than sold separately the way fuboTV prices its RSNs.

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