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Entertainment · head to head

Crunchyroll vs Pluto TV

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pluto TV logo

Pluto TV

Entertainment

Stream movies, TV shows and clips for free

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.; Pluto TV pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
  • They diverge on capability: Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Pluto TV covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crunchyroll and Pluto TV actually diverge.

Attributes where Crunchyroll and Pluto TV differ
AttributeCrunchyrollPluto TV
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20062013

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
  • Gaming consoles
  • Profile management
  • Gaming-consoles support

Only in Pluto TV

  • Streaming
  • Live TV channels
  • Movies
  • TV shows
  • Recommendations
  • Streaming devices
  • Account management
  • 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 Pluto TV
  • Manga readingnot Pluto TV

Pluto TV

  • Free streamingnot Crunchyroll
  • Live TVnot Crunchyroll
  • On-demand contentnot 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.

Pluto TV

  • Pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

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

Pluto TV

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full content
    • Live channels
    • 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 Pluto TV if

  • You need streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want live tv channels.
Pluto TV review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or Pluto TV better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and Pluto TV at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or Pluto TV?
Crunchyroll starts at Free and Pluto TV at Free.
Does Crunchyroll or Pluto TV run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. Pluto TV runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
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 Pluto TV is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that Pluto TV cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Pluto TV covers Streaming, Live TV channels, Movies, TV shows. Both handle Smart TVs, Parental controls, Web support, Ios support.
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