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Entertainment · head to head

Crunchyroll vs YouTube TV

Crunchyroll logo

Crunchyroll

Entertainment

The world's largest anime streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube TV logo

YouTube TV

Entertainment

Cable reimagined: live TV streaming with unlimited cloud DVR storage

From
$59.99/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.; YouTube TV base Plan streams to only 3 devices simultaneously; the 4K Plus add-on is required for unlimited concurrent streams, per tv.youtube.com pricing page (Aug 2026)
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Crunchyroll and YouTube TV differ
AttributeCrunchyrollYouTube TV
Starting priceFree$59.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: 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 YouTube TV

Nothing recorded that Crunchyroll does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Crunchyroll

  • Anime watchingnot YouTube TV
  • Manga readingnot YouTube TV

YouTube TV

  • Watching live sports with multiview capability to watch up to 4 games simultaneouslynot Crunchyroll
  • Accessing 100+ broadcast and cable channels for entertainment and showsnot Crunchyroll
  • Streaming news coverage from CNN, FOX News, and local stationsnot Crunchyroll
  • Sharing household accounts with up to 6 individual family membersnot Crunchyroll
  • Recording unlimited content with DVR storage across devicesnot 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.

YouTube TV

  • Base Plan streams to only 3 devices simultaneously; the 4K Plus add-on is required for unlimited concurrent streams, per tv.youtube.com pricing page (Aug 2026)
  • Base Plan is priced at $82.99 per month as of August 2026 per YouTube TV's own pricing page, with a discounted $67.99 rate only for the first 3 months

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

YouTube TV

$59.99/month
  • YouTube TV Standard$82.99/month
    • 100+ channels
    • Unlimited DVR storage
    • 6 individual accounts
  • YouTube TV Sports$64.99/month
    • 30+ sports channels
  • YouTube TV Promotional (New Users)$59.99/month
    • Standard plan
    • First 3 months promotional rate
  • Add-Ons$1.99/month
    • 4K Plus ($9.99/month)
    • Entertainment Plus ($29.99/month)
    • Sports Plus ($10.99/month)

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 YouTube TV if

Nothing in the data separates YouTube TV from Crunchyroll on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

YouTube TV review

Questions people ask

Is Crunchyroll or YouTube TV better?
Neither clearly leads. Crunchyroll starts at Free and YouTube TV at $59.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crunchyroll or YouTube TV?
Crunchyroll has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Crunchyroll and $59.99/month for YouTube TV.
Does Crunchyroll or YouTube TV run on more platforms?
Crunchyroll runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. YouTube TV runs on Web.
Can I use Crunchyroll for free?
Yes. Crunchyroll has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. YouTube TV starts at $59.99/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 YouTube TV is typically brought in for.
What can Crunchyroll do that YouTube TV cannot?
Crunchyroll covers Anime streaming, Simulcasts, Manga, Games.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

YouTube TV: Do I need a contract or annual commitment for YouTube TV?

No, YouTube TV has no contracts or hidden fees. You can cancel anytime.

Source
YouTube TV: Can multiple household members watch YouTube TV at the same time?

Yes, YouTube TV allows up to 4 simultaneous streams and supports 6 individual household accounts with personalized recommendations for each member.

Source
YouTube TV: How much DVR storage does YouTube TV include?

YouTube TV includes unlimited DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing you to record as much content as you want.

Source
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