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Shudder vs Crunchyroll

Shudder logo

Shudder

Software

Horror and thriller streaming

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Software

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Crunchyroll has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Shudder subscription auto-renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing; 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.
  • They diverge on capability: Shudder covers Horror content, Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shudder and Crunchyroll actually diverge.

Attributes where Shudder and Crunchyroll differ
AttributeShudderCrunchyroll
Starting price$5.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
Founded20152006

Identical on both: 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 Shudder

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

Only in Crunchyroll

  • Anime streaming
  • Simulcasts
  • Manga
  • Games
  • Gaming consoles
  • Profile management
  • Gaming-consoles 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.

Shudder

  • Horror streamingnot Crunchyroll
  • Thriller watchingnot Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot Shudder
  • Manga readingnot Shudder

Where each one falls short

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

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

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.

Pricing, plan by plan

Shudder

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

Crunchyroll

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Shudder if

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Shudder or Crunchyroll better?
Neither clearly leads. Shudder starts at $5.99/month and Crunchyroll at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shudder or Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5.99/month for Shudder and Free for Crunchyroll.
Does Shudder or Crunchyroll run on more platforms?
Shudder runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv. Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
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 Shudder best used for?
Shudder is most often used for horror streaming, thriller watching. Of those, horror streaming and thriller watching are not what Crunchyroll is typically brought in for.
What can Shudder do that Crunchyroll cannot?
Shudder covers Horror content, Thrillers, Original series, Exclusive films. Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games. Both handle Smart TVs, Parental controls, Web support, Ios support.
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