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Crunchyroll vs Shudder

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Media & Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shudder logo

Shudder

Media & Entertainment

Horror and thriller streaming

From
$5.99/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.; Shudder subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Shudder covers Horror content.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and Shudder actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and Shudder differ
AttributeCrunchyrollShudder
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20062015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Media & 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
  • Gaming consoles
  • Profile management
  • Gaming-consoles support

Only in Shudder

  • Horror content
  • Thrillers
  • Original series
  • Exclusive films
  • Watchlist
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security
  • Roku support

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Parental controls
  • Web support
  • 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 Shudder
  • Manga readingnot Shudder

Shudder

  • Horror streamingnot Crunchyroll
  • Thriller watchingnot 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.

Shudder

  • Subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing
  • Default subscription length is 1 month, billed and renewed on a rolling monthly basis, per the App Store listing

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

Shudder

$5.99/month
  • Basic$5.99/month
    • HD
    • 1 device
  • Premium$8.99/month
    • 4K
    • 4 devices

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 Shudder if

  • You need horror content.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want thrillers.
Shudder review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or Shudder better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and Shudder at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or Shudder?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Crunchyroll and $5.99/month for Shudder.
Does Crunchyroll or Shudder run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Shudder runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Yes. Crunchyroll has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Shudder starts at $5.99/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 Shudder is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that Shudder cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Shudder covers Horror content, Thrillers, Original series, Exclusive films. Both handle Smart TVs, Parental controls, Web support, Ios support.
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