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Entertainment · head to head

Crunchyroll vs Infuse

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Infuse logo

Infuse

Entertainment

Paid media player for Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and Mac with strong network share and cloud library streaming

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.; Infuse it costs money in every form, subscription or lifetime, where IINA performs equivalent local Mac playback for free.
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Infuse covers Apple TV app.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and Infuse actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and Infuse differ
AttributeCrunchyrollInfuse
Pricing modelfreemiumPer user per month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesMac, iOS, tvOS
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Infuse

  • Apple TV app
  • Network share streaming
  • Cloud storage support
  • Automatic metadata and artwork
  • Subtitle and audio track handling
  • Cross-platform library

What people use each for

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

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot Infuse
  • Manga readingnot Infuse

Infuse

  • Someone with a NAS full of ripped or downloaded video who wants it browsable on Apple TV like a streaming servicenot Crunchyroll
  • A household that wants one media library accessible from the living room television, phones and a Macnot Crunchyroll
  • A user who wants automatic artwork and metadata for a personal library rather than plain file namesnot Crunchyroll
  • Someone already invested in the Apple TV ecosystem who wants better playback than the built in Apple TV app supportsnot 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.

Infuse

  • It costs money in every form, subscription or lifetime, where IINA performs equivalent local Mac playback for free.
  • Full functionality depends on the Pro tier, so the free version alone is limited enough that most serious users end up paying.
  • It has no Android or Windows app, so it does not help a household with non-Apple television or phone hardware.
  • Streaming quality from a network share depends heavily on local network speed and NAS performance, which is outside the app control and can cause buffering.
  • Regional pricing and promotional lifetime pricing has varied over time, so the exact lifetime cost is worth checking on the App Store before buying.

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

Infuse

Free
  • Infuse (free)Free
    • Basic local file playback
    • Limited compared to Pro
    • No network share or cloud streaming
  • Infuse Pro Monthly$1.99/month
    • Full network share and cloud streaming
    • Metadata and artwork fetching
    • All future updates included while subscribed
  • Infuse Pro Lifetime$149.99/one-time
    • One-time purchase, no recurring fee
    • All future major version updates included
    • Regional pricing varies by App Store

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 Infuse if

  • You need apple tv app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, iOS, tvOS.
  • You also want network share streaming.
Infuse review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or Infuse better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and Infuse at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or Infuse?
Crunchyroll starts at Free and Infuse at Free.
Does Crunchyroll or Infuse run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Infuse runs on Mac, iOS, tvOS.
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 Infuse is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that Infuse cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Infuse covers Apple TV app, Network share streaming, Cloud storage support, Automatic metadata and artwork.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Infuse: Is Infuse free?

A limited free version exists, but network share and cloud streaming, the main reason people choose Infuse, requires Infuse Pro, sold as a subscription or lifetime purchase.

Infuse: Does Infuse work on Apple TV?

Yes, it has a dedicated Apple TV app with a television-optimised browsing interface, which IINA does not offer at all.

Infuse: Is there a one-time payment option?

Yes, a lifetime purchase is available alongside monthly and yearly subscriptions, currently around 149.99 US dollars depending on region.

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