Anime fans no longer need to wait for TV broadcasts or spend on expensive subscriptions. With the rise of free anime watching apps, you can stream your favorite series and movies anytime, all from your phone or tablet. These apps offer a wide range of anime, from popular hits to hidden gems, making it easy for every fan to find something they love.
The best apps to watch anime for free provide smooth streaming, subtitles, and simple navigation, so you can focus on enjoying your shows. Whether you’re just starting your anime journey or catching up on the latest episodes, these anime watch apps make it convenient and fun.
How to Choose the Right Anime Watch App for You
Choosing the right anime watch app can make all the difference in your viewing experience. Start by checking the app’s anime library—does it have the shows you love? Next, look at streaming quality and subtitle options to ensure smooth and enjoyable watching.
User-friendly interfaces and minimal ads also matter, so you can focus on the story without interruptions. Finally, consider device compatibility and any additional features like offline downloads. Picking the best app to watch anime for free ensures you get the most convenient and entertaining experience possible.
List Of Best App to Watch Anime for Free in 2026
Finding the right platform to watch anime for free can be overwhelming with so many options available. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best apps to watch anime for free in 2026. These apps offer a wide range of anime series and movies, from timeless classics to the latest releases.
Whether you prefer streaming on your phone, tablet, or desktop, these anime watch apps provide smooth performance, subtitles, and an enjoyable viewing experience without any subscription fees.
#1. Funimation
Funimation is one of the most popular anime apps in the world. It has a huge library of anime series and movies, including both English dubbed and original Japanese versions. You can watch some shows for free with ads, making it a great choice for fans who don’t want to pay.
While newer episodes and premium content require a subscription, the free version still gives access to many classic anime. Funimation has now merged with Crunchyroll, so most of its content is also available on Crunchyroll’s free tier.
#2. Tubi TV
Tubi TV is a free streaming app that lets you watch movies, shows, and a good selection of anime without paying anything. All content on Tubi is supported by ads, so you don’t need a subscription to start watching.
What makes Tubi great for anime fans is that it has deals with big anime partners, bringing popular and classic series to the platform for free. For example, it offers episodes from well‑known shows like One Piece and other titles from studios like Toei Animation and Sentai Filmworks, often with English subtitles.
#3. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a free streaming app that gives you access to many TV shows, movies, and a growing selection of anime without needing to pay or sign up. It works like traditional TV with live channels, but you can watch it on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
The anime section includes dedicated channels that play popular series and movies, such as Inuyasha, Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Bleach, and many more, all available at no cost. Pluto TV often refreshes its anime lineup with new choices, giving fans over 800 hours of free content and special themed channels for different genres.
#4. RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a unique streaming app made for anime fans who love classic and older shows. This app focuses on anime from earlier years—especially from the 70s, 80s, and 90s—and lets you watch many of these episodes for free with ads. You don’t need a paid subscription to start watching, and it works on phones, tablets, and web browsers.
RetroCrush includes beloved older anime series and movies that helped shape the world of anime today. It’s perfect if you enjoy retro titles or want to discover popular classics that newer apps might not have.
Read More: Top Apps Like iTunes
#5. YouTube (Official Anime Channels)
YouTube is one of the easiest ways to watch anime for free. Many official anime channels upload full episodes or clips legally, so you can enjoy your favorite shows without any subscription.
Popular studios and distributors like Toei Animation, Funimation, and Ani-One Asia regularly share episodes, movies, and special content on their official channels. You can watch both subbed and dubbed versions, depending on the channel, and stream on your phone, tablet, or computer.
#6. AnimeLab
AnimeLab is a free online platform where anime fans can watch a wide range of shows and movies without paying money or signing up for a subscription. It works directly in your web browser, so you don’t need to download anything or create an account to start watching. AnimeLab offers both subtitled (sub) and dubbed anime, giving you the choice of how you prefer to enjoy your shows. Many popular titles like One Piece, Attack on Titan, Naruto, and more are available to stream in good quality.
One of the best parts about AnimeLab is that it updates its library regularly, adding new episodes soon after they release in Japan. The platform also supports high‑quality video, including HD and sometimes 4K streams, so your anime looks great on phones, tablets, or computers. Because it doesn’t require signup or payment, AnimeLab is one of the easiest free anime watching apps for fans who want simple and direct access to their favorite shows.
#7. HiDive
HiDive is a popular streaming service for anime fans, offering a wide selection of shows and movies. While it mainly requires a subscription, it provides a free trial so you can watch many series without paying.
HiDive features both subtitled and dubbed anime, and includes some exclusive shows not found on other apps. It works on phones, tablets, and web browsers, making it easy to enjoy anime anywhere.
#8. CONtv
CONtv is a free streaming platform where you can watch a mix of movies, shows, and anime content without paying money. It was created for fans of comics, sci‑fi, fantasy, and animation, and includes a dedicated CONtv Anime channel that runs anime titles 24/7 with ads.
This means you can enjoy different genres of anime—from action and supernatural to classic favorites—on your phone, tablet, TV, or web browser without a subscription. The service is safe and legal to use, and it updates its content regularly to keep fans entertained.
#9. Anime Planet
Anime Planet is a free and legal platform that helps anime fans discover and watch anime safely online. It has thousands of anime series and episodes that you can access with ads, and everything is officially licensed through partnerships with trusted services like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. This means you can stream many shows without worrying about illegal content.
Besides watching episodes, Anime Planet also lets you track what you’re watching, create watchlists, read reviews, and get personalized anime recommendations based on your interests. It’s a great choice for both new and long‑time fans who want an easy and legal way to find and enjoy anime for free.
#10. AniYomi
AniYomi is a free app for Android that lets anime fans stream shows from multiple sources in one place. You can track your favorite series, make watchlists, and even download episodes for offline viewing.
Because it connects to many online sources, you get access to a wide variety of anime without paying. It’s perfect for fans who like flexibility and control over what they watch.
Final Words
With so many trusted free anime watching apps available in 2026, enjoying anime has never been easier. These platforms let you explore different genres, watch episodes in good quality, and enjoy both subbed and dubbed content without paying.
By picking the right anime watch app, you can enjoy unlimited entertainment and stay updated with your favorite anime. Simply choose the best app to watch anime for free and start watching today.
FAQs – Free Anime Watching Apps
Q1. What is the best free anime watching app in 2026?
The best free anime watching app depends on your preference. Apps like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, RetroCrush, and YouTube official anime channels are popular because they offer legal anime content without any subscription.
Q2. Can I watch anime for free legally?
Yes, you can watch anime for free legally using trusted platforms that show ads. Many anime watch apps have official licenses and allow free streaming with limited ads.
Q3. Do free anime apps require sign-up?
Most free anime watching apps do not require sign-up. However, some apps may ask you to create an account for extra features like watchlists or episode tracking.
Q4. Are free anime watching apps safe to use?
Yes, well-known apps like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, and Anime Planet are safe to use. Always download apps from official app stores to avoid security risks.
Q5. Can I watch dubbed anime on free apps?
Yes, many free anime apps offer English-dubbed anime along with subtitles. Availability may vary depending on the app and the show.
Q6. Which is the best app to watch anime for free on mobile?
Apps like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, AniYomi (Android), and YouTube official anime channels work well on mobile devices and provide smooth streaming.
