Best Free Apps to Watch Anime Online (Android & iPhone | 2025)

Finding reliable platforms to watch anime without paying can be confusing, especially with so many apps available today. Whether you are a casual viewer or a dedicated anime fan, this guide will help you choose the best app to watch anime for free while staying safe and legal.

The Top Free and Legal Anime Streaming Apps

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is one of the most well-known streaming platforms for anime. It provides a massive library, simulcasts shortly after episodes air in Japan, and includes both dubbed and subbed titles. The free tier is supported by ads but works smoothly across devices.

Tubi

Tubi offers a large collection of anime, particularly classic and older titles. No subscription is required, and it is completely legal and free to use.

RetroCrush

RetroCrush specializes in classic anime from the golden decades of animation. It’s free with advertisements, with an optional paid upgrade to remove ads.

Pluto TV

Pluto TV features 24/7 anime channels, making it feel like watching television dedicated entirely to anime. It also provides on-demand titles to watch anytime.

YouTube

Several official channels legally upload full anime episodes, such as Ani-One Asia, Muse Asia, and GundamInfo, providing a safe and legal viewing experience.

FilmRise Anime

FilmRise Anime includes a wide range of titles that can be streamed for free without requiring registration.

Apps with Partial Free Content

Hulu

Hulu offers a mixed catalog of anime ranging from mainstream hits to niche titles. While the majority of its anime library requires a paid plan, Hulu occasionally provides selected episodes or first seasons at no charge, especially during promotional periods or new seasonal releases. Users may also come across content supported by ads depending on the region.

Netflix

Netflix works similarly. Although it is mostly known for premium streaming, Netflix has experimented in some countries with making the first episodes of certain series free to watch, particularly Netflix Original Anime such as Eden, Yasuke, or B: The Beginning. This option allows viewers to sample a show before deciding whether to subscribe.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video also includes a number of anime titles that are accessible without a paid membership, particularly through its Freevee section, where anime is available with advertisements. Viewers can browse and enjoy select titles, though content availability varies depending on location and licensing agreements.

Other App

Teanime

Tea Anime is another excellent, community-favorite application specifically designed for Android users who enjoy watching anime for free. It has been created to offer anime enthusiasts a simple and user-friendly platform to stream free anime content directly on their Android devices. The application often provides high-quality links and primarily emphasizes trending anime titles and movies.

What is the Best App to Watch Anime for Free on Android?

Aniyomi

Aniyomi is an Android‑app fork derived from the open‐source manga reader Tachiyomi (and its variant “Mihon”), extended to support anime and video playback. It is designed to let users add many content sources via extensions, track series through services like MyAnimeList or AniList, and customise how they read or watch.

How to Evaluate Your Choice

When evaluating the best app to watch anime for free, consider video quality, subtitles availability, supported devices, and whether the library fits your taste.

Keyword-Based Guidance & FAQs (Each appears once)

• Some users want the best app to watch anime for free no ads, but ad-free experiences on completely free legal apps are rare; upgrading to a paid tier usually removes ads.
• There are many free anime streaming apps, but only a few are both legal and high quality.
• For Android users, best free anime apps for Android include Crunchyroll, Pluto TV, Tubi and Teanime.
• For Apple users, best free anime apps for iPhone include RetroCrush, Crunchyroll, and FilmRise Anime.
• Some fans prefer anime watching apps without ads; this typically requires upgrading to a premium plan.
• Many modern platforms now support HD anime streaming free, so viewers can enjoy high-definition episodes without paying.

What is the best app to watch anime for free?

Crunchyroll is widely considered the top choice for its library size and fast release schedule.

Which app has the most anime for free?

Tubi and YouTube offer some of the largest completely free collections, especially for older titles.

Which free anime apps work on Android/iOS/Smart TV?

Crunchyroll, Pluto TV, and YouTube work across most platforms, including smart TVs.

What’s the best free anime app for classic anime series?

RetroCrush is the best option for fans of vintage and early-era anime.

Conclusion

Choosing the best app to watch anime for free depends on your preferred genres, device compatibility, and tolerance for ads. Prioritizing legal services ensures high video quality and supports the anime industry’s continued growth.