Crunchyroll Vs Funimation: Pick the Better Anime Streaming Service for You

For anime fans, streaming services that offer anime is few and far between and among those available, not all can boast of a catalogue that will appeal to everyone. The good news however, is that Crunchyroll Vs Funimation has given audiences an option. Both platforms have managed to stand apart and set a clear benchmark by having on offer an enviable catalogue of anime series and movies that can be viewed and enjoyed by a huge radius of audience.

While several other popular streaming services have started including anime in their list of offerings, Funimation and Crunchyroll are known for their exclusivity and are anime-only platforms. They both continue to be your best bet if you are looking for a significant number of anime titles- latest and old- in a single app. However, in order to understand them deeply and picking one over the other for yourself, learn more about their individual libraries, Funimation Vs Crunchyroll price and features.

Crunchyroll Vs Funimation

An otaku finds himself asking the big buck question at the beginning of each anime season, which streaming service is better for him in the Funimation Vs Crunchyroll battle. Although you can still hope to grab some of your favorite anime on big names like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, they certainly don’t steal the show away from exclusive anime channels like Funimation and Crunchyroll as here, you get to access the maximum number of anime titles without having to prance from one app to another. So where lies the difference and what will ultimately suit you best?

If pocket pinch is a concern, Funimation will suit you best as it is more affordable than Crunchyroll. However, the latter offers a bigger library and so, if content is what you hold dear, this is what you should pick.

If you like your anime at its original best, in Japanese with just English subtitles to help you through, choose Crunchyroll. However, if you are looking for high quality dubs in English along with subtitles, subscribe to Funimation. Here’s a more detailed comparative study.

Crunchyroll Vs Funimation Price

One of the primary aspects to weigh before you declare the victor in the Crunchyroll Vs Funimation war, is the Crunchyroll Vs Funimation price comparison. The biggest question is which of the two offers better plans in accordance to your needs and the amount you are willing to spend.

Crunchyroll has recently bumped up its charges from $7.99 per month to $9.99 per month, where you can stream on only one device at a time. However, with the escalation in prices, they have also enhanced their service value with added variety that has been included for the viewers. With this plan, you now get access to other cartoon channels like Cartoon Hangover, NickSplat, and more.

If you go up a notch and spend $9.99 per month, you het 4 streams on a single account along with the option of offline downloading and at $14.99 a month you get to stream on 6 devices at once. You become eligible for additional discounts at the MunchPak and Right Stuff Anime stores.

For Funimation, the amount you need to dispense with every month is $5.99, which allows you to watch on two devices simultaneously with a single account. You also get an upgrade with just an additional $2 a month. This will open up to five simultaneous streams along with deals in the store as well as offline mobile downloads.

If you go for the annual plan of $99.9 per year, you also get 2 rentals and an anniversary gift every year.

Although, at first glance, Funimation looks like the better deal, stop awhile and ponder because while Funimation is cheaper, Crunchyroll is value for money. It offers manga, a wider library and several others for only a little more.

The Good News!

The good news for anime enthusiasts is that both Crunchyroll and Funimation offer a two-week free trial to new users. It thus becomes easy to check both options out before you make your monthly subscriptions, and decide which suits you best.

Although, this option is not ad-free and you may not be able to access all the content as soon as they are released, it is still a handy option if you are serious about anime and wish to experience both services.

The battle of Content

As most anime fans would agree, both Crunchyroll and Funimation have a plethora of content to offer which range in both variety and some exclusivity. Having said that, Funimation’s focus on dubbed shows has, to a certain extent, curtailed its catalogue as compared to Crunchyroll’s which boasts of more than 1200 shows in its repertoire. Funimation offers a number that is much smaller, close to 750 titles.

Yet another contrasting feature between the two streaming services is that while Funimation is largely limited to anime, Crunchyroll encompasses much more. It includes a host of live-action TV shows such as the Death Note live-action, and also J-dramas.

Funimation too offers some amount of live action, albeit not in the league of Crunchyroll. You can watch classic anime here such as Cowboy Bebop. Crunchyroll on the other hand, pays more attention to titles that are more in vogue and new in the market.

Some of the anime that will find on Crunchyroll but not on Funimation include, Hunter x Hunter, Jujutsu Kaisen, KonoSuba, and Haikyu!.

Funimation also flaunts titles you cannot find on Crunchyroll like Wonder Egg Priority, Horimiya, SK8 the Infinity, Cowboy Bebop, Initial D.

It has been seen in several discussion forums like Reddit that Crunchyroll’s diversity and abundance in content along with its lucrative apparel store and manga, often makes it an obvious choice among anime fans. So for fans of Japanese culture, this is the place to be, especially if you are happy with subtitles and not looking for dubbed content.

Simulcasts

Simulcasts are shows that get aired on a streaming service while the original is being broadcast on Japanese television. Crunchyroll offers a significant number of simulcasts and while they may not be particularly overlapping, they are telecast within an hour of each other if not less. This is not a long wait, considering the fact that the show is being telecast for the first time ever in Japan. However, in some cases, the wait could go up to seven hours from the actual release.

If you are interested in the dubbed version only, Funimation has the perfect answer in its SimulDub feature. This option allows you access to dubbed versions of the shows within weeks of the original date of broadcast in Japan. The feature however, is available to only Funimation premier subscribers.

Although, being able to watch your favorite content a few weeks after the original release pales in comparison with being able to watch it after merely hours of the actual broadcast, doing a voiceover at such short notice does count for something.

How do the dubs and subs compare?

If the Japanese language intrigues and interests you, watching your favorite anime ‘unspolit’ and without voiceovers is what would appeal to you. However, if you like your anime dubbed, Funimation is what you should look at.

The Funimation library clearly exhibits their expertise in dubs as it comprises of hundreds of anime titles in dubbed versions and English voiceovers. Moreover, this is your place to go if you wish to catch dubbed episodes as fast as possible after their original Japanese versions are released on local TV.

Although Crunchyroll is not completely devoid of voiceovers and dubs, the numbers are extremely low and specific. Some of the well-known shows that are available in a dubbed version include Blue Exorcist, Durarara!! and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

So far as subtitles are concerned, although both Crunchyroll and Funimation offer them, there is a subtle, yet capturing difference in the way the translated text is displayed. Crunchyroll displays subtitles without a background. It is customizable and not intrusive.

Funimation on the contrary, uses closed captions which may be distracting for viewers especially because of their dark background which cannot be eliminated. In anime, visuals are vital and if a significant section of your screen is taken up by a dark patch, it can get vexing.

Besides, if you are among those viewers who prefer to hear the original Japanese as much as possible, the subtitles only option should work best for you.

Crunchyroll Vs Funimation: the better user experience

Both the streaming services stream in 1080p and 720p HD. They are equally well responsive with high video and sound quality. Streaming speed is fast with recommended internet connection for both and they also come with certain parental controls to preclude viewing of mature content.

They are compatible with-

• iOS devices
• Android devices
• Chromecast,
• Apple TV
• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV devices
• PlayStation devices and Xbox

Funimation offers support for Samsung smart TV, LG smart TV, and VIZIO Smartcast as well. It also comes without ostentation, is simple to use with an amazing watch queue and search function.

The main screen on the Crunchyroll app displays a watchlist along with other information. However, the UI does feel a little jumbled. The app also gives the option of creating multiple profiles which often comes handy in a household of several users.

Can you download Crunchyroll and Funimation movies/shows offline on Windows/Mac?

Watching your favorite anime from Crunchyroll and Funimation offline is no longer a distant possibility with KeepStreams downloader. It offers top quality downloading of full HD Crunchyroll and Funimation anime at 1080p and 720p, so you can enjoy your shows on larger screens.

KeepStreams also supports various tracks for videos including EAC3 5.1 for Audiophiles. Download videos with EAC3 5.1, AAC3 5.1, as well as AAC 2.0 sound channels.

You also get to download videos in bulk with the batch download feature of KeepStreams Downloader. You can download multiple episodes of anime movies and series quickly and without restrictions with its state of the art technology.

With KeepStreams Downloader, you can enhance your anime viewing experience as it allows you to download and view your shows without the interruptions of pesky commercials.

Other Features:

• Meta data gets saved automatically with your videos
• High speed downloads in MP4
• Downloads can be transferred on different devices
• Built-in browser

KeepStreams downloader: Download Crunchyroll movies/shows to perfection!

Step 1:

Go to VIP Services and Select Crunchyroll

Step 2:

Search for the video that you want to download

Step 3:

Start downloading

KeepStreams downloader: Have the ultimate fun while downloading funanimation movies/shows

Step 1:

Go to VIP Services and Select Funimation

Step 2:

Now look for the video that you want to download

Step 3:

Start downloading

FAQs

Can I watch anime for free on Crunchyroll and Funimation?

Yes, you can. However, this will give you limited access and you will not be able to view the entire content in their very extensive library.

Is Manga available on Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll has a comprehensive library of the Japanese comics, manga, where you will have access to several titles for free. So, if you are unable to contain yourself until the next season of your favorite anime is released, you can always read the manga version of it.

Is Crunchyroll a part of Funimation?

Sony Entertainment Pictures, which owns Funimation had announced a merger and acquisition of the anime streaming service’s biggest rival, Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion. However, it is yet to be confirmed.

Conclusion

When it comes down to picking one over the other in the Crunchyroll Vs Funimation battle, it may not turn out to be all that simple. They are both top class streaming services offering anime and other Japanese media content. They have their own upsides and downsides and ultimately boils down to your own distinct individual preferences- whether you are looking for an extensive catalogue while maintaining the authenticity of the original Japanese language and English subtitles or you are can sacrifice variety for a decent library and English dubs. You can always try out both options for free before you announce the winner.