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Crunchyroll vs Roku

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Software

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roku logo

Roku

Software

Streaming made simple

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Roku roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Roku covers Streaming aggregation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and Roku actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and Roku differ
AttributeCrunchyrollRoku
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesRoku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android
Founded20062002

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Profile management
  • Web support

Only in Roku

  • Streaming aggregation
  • Free content
  • Voice search
  • Private listening
  • All major streaming apps
  • Smart home
  • PIN protection
  • Roku-devices support

Both cover

  • Parental controls
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

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

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot Roku
  • Manga readingnot Roku

Roku

  • TV streamingnot Crunchyroll
  • Content discoverynot Crunchyroll
  • Free entertainmentnot 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.

Roku

  • Roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)

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

Roku

Free
  • FreeFree
    • The Roku Channel
    • Free content
    • Ad-supported

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 Roku if

  • You need streaming aggregation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
  • You also want free content.
Roku review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or Roku better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and Roku at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or Roku?
Crunchyroll starts at Free and Roku at Free.
Does Crunchyroll or Roku run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Roku runs on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Roku is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that Roku cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Free content, Voice search, Private listening. Both handle Parental controls, Ios support, Android support, Smart-tv support.
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