Websites to watch Anime ONLINE for FREE
Anime has been steadily rising in popularity in the past few years. With the onset of the pandemic people sought entertainment, which is where Anime swooped in, providing everything from action, drama, adventure, thrills to comedy and romance. Popular Netflix Originals to classics like Naruto and Dragonball which many of us grew on, brought huge new audiences to the animated screen. Of course, for the best experience, Anime websites without ads are the way to go.
If you’re eager to watch your favourite shows but are stuck looking where to watch anime for free without ads, you’ve come to the right place as we present to you a meticulously crafted list of the free anime sites to watch the anime of your choice!
Table of Contents
Watching without Ads
Websites to Download and Stream Anime
Best Ad Free Anime Websites for Streaming
Illegal websites to watch Anime.
Summary
Watching without Ads
While there are many websites to watch anime, they often require a paid subscription to access their content and if free, are filled with ads. Finding free, good anime sites without ads can be a difficult task as anime websites without subscriptions often rely on these advertisements to gather the revenue required to keep the website running. However, there are several ways to work around this.
So, follow these steps to be able to watch good anime websites without ads:
–Download browser with default ad-blocker.
There are several browsers you can install which have a default adblocker installed, which means you will be able to watch anime website without pop-ups or ads. Some are:
Brave Browser
OperaGX Browser
–Download ad-blocker extension on current browser.
If you don’t want to install a new browser, there are extensions that you can install right from the extension store and watch anime for free, no ads:
uBlock Origin (Recommended)
Adblock Plus
Total AdBlock
Websites to Download and Stream Anime
While all websites on this list can stream anime, only some can offer users to download the episodes as they have their own file hosting service, hence if you are looking for the best anime website without ads to download and stream anime, the list is as follows:
Crunchyroll
One of the best free anime streaming websites to stream anime providing you with the latest anime and access to thousands of manga volumes as well. The platform is a collaboration between Aniplex and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
It has a free plan which has a limited catalogue. It has a subscription-based model for those who wish to access all its features.
The three tiers are: (Note that these prices vary for different countries)
Fan ($7.99/month): The fan tier provides an ad-free, full access to Crunchyroll’s entire library premiering on the same time and date as Japan.
Mega Fan ($9.99/ month): The Mega fan tier offers all the Fan Tier features and allows offline viewing as well as account sharing up to 4 concurrent streams.
Ultimate Fan ($14.99/ month): This tier upgrades the Mega fan tier by allowing access to up to 6 concurrent screens and other exclusive perks.
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Supports many languages.
Provides access to digital manga library.
Allows you to share videos on other social media platforms.
Users can provide reviews.
Allows payment via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover), as well as iTunes, Google Play, and PayPal)
Pros:
Same time release as Japan’s official version.
Easy to use interface.
Video playback resumes right from where you leave.
Membership allows an ad-free experience.
Cons:
Available only in a select list of countries.
Accessing the full library requires a paid subscription.
Zoro.to
One of the biggest free anime streaming sites. With the recent shutdown of Animixplay.to and MasterAni.me, Zoro.tv came to everyone’s rescue by providing a premium experience to watch anime for free no ads, with no payment or registration.
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Provides a watch2gether feature where viewers can watch episodes together on live streams.
Users can provide reviews on its active community.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Provides suggestions using a category system.
Device compatibility with both mobile and desktop.
Pros:
Same time release as Japan’s official version.
Provides 24/7 customer care.
Video playback resumes right from where you leave.
Cons:
Some ISPs might block the Zoro.to domain.
9Anime
Started in 2016 when they officially launched the system of file sharing, 9Anime boasts HD quality streaming as well as fast download speed. To provide users with multiple choices, it uses links from third party sources like mp4upload, Vidstream, Streamtape, Mycloud and is one of the best free anime sites, other than Zoro.tv
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Users can download/share episodes as per their choosing.
Simplistic UI, easy to interact with
Pros:
Same time release as Japan’s official version.
Video playback resumes right from where you leave.
Cons:
Some ISPs might block the 9Anime domain.
No customer Care.
Does not provide support for Android/iOS apps.
Funimation
Funimation, owned by Sony, is a collection of popular, subbed, and dubbed anime. It is like Crunchyroll in its features with the only difference being that Funimation provides only anime without ads while the former provides digital Mangas and shows as well. It too offers a premium subscription priced at $7.99/month which gives the user access to the entire library with an ad-free experience.
Features:
Simulcast: users can watch new episodes the same time they are released in Japan
Offers both subbed and dubbed options.
Has multiple-device compatibility.
Provides exclusive content like movies, shows and specials for its premium users.
Offers a Community section that allows users to interact with their fellow anime users to discuss their opinions and participate in forums.
Available only in select countries.
Pros:
Less expensive than Crunchyroll
Simple UI interface.
Active anime community.
Mobile optimized experience.
Cons:
Only provides anime.
Smaller library than Crunchyroll.
Only available in select countries.
Gogoanime
One of the oldest free anime websites to watch, Gogoanime boasts a huge catalogue of anime for views to watch in ultra-HD quality. It allows options for both subbed and dubbed anime. With a simple UI interface, it is straight to the point, allowing you to look at recent release or search for the anime of your choice.
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Users can download/share episodes as per their choosing.
Pros:
Same time release as Japan’s official version.
Simple UI interface.
Requires no subscription.
Cons:
The URLs keep changing as they host some anime they are not legally allowed to.
The search function is not very user-friendly.
Does not provide support for Android/iOS apps.
Ads can sometimes interfere with the viewing experience.
Kissanime
KissAnime is an anime streaming site almost as old as Gogoanime. It offers an advanced filter to search your favourite anime to choose the one perfect for you. It provides anime schedules, trending anime and allows you to view/make your own anime lists. On this site, you can also request anime if you don’t find it uploaded.
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Request any anime content not on the website.
An advanced search system.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Users can download/share episodes as per their choosing.
Pros:
Same time release as Japan’s official version.
Search system has advanced features providing a more user-friendly experience.
Cons:
It is not compatible with certain devices.
Ads can sometimes interfere with the viewing experience.
Netflix
Given its surge in popularity, Netflix has added several anime titles to its platforms. From already existing popular anime to adding its own very successful Netflix originals like Arcane and Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Netflix is an excellent platform to watch anime without ads. Note that it doesn’t have a huge catalogue like the ones we’ve mentioned above, but it is stocked up on all the popular anime, and new anime keep being added every day.
However, it is subscription based, (note prices vary from region to region)
Basic with ads*: $6.99/month
Basic: $9.99/month
Standard: $15.49/month
Premium: $19.99/month
Features:
Stream/Download anime anytime you want.
Advanced recommendation system to provide you anime that fits your taste.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Anime Originals exclusively for Netflix.
Pros:
Being a mainstream platform, also has many other TV shows, Documentaries, and other Media for entertainment.
Allows downloading episodes offline.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Cons:
Lower tier plans come with ads.
The subbed versions do not have up to par scripts.
Has a very limited catalogue of only popular anime.
Best Ad Free Anime Websites for Streaming
The following list provides best websites to watch free anime, but do not have the download feature:
AnimeDao
AnimeDao is a part of a fairly popular collection of anime websites to watch free anime movies. It provides both Japanese Subs and English dubs. It has good streaming quality, a simple UI and provides a huge content library for free.
Features:
Video bookmarking
Dark and Light theme for users
Provides notifications for upcoming anime.
Provides an option for low-bandwidth consumption to save data.
Pros:
Allows data saving mode.
Ultra HD anime streaming.
Bookmarking allows users to browse comfortably.
Cons:
Ads interfere with user experience.
Does not provide downloading feature.
AnimeHeaven
AnimeHeaven.to is one of the best places to watch anime for free, where you can access a huge anime library. No surveys, no registration, only instant premium streaming of all anime for no cost.
Features:
Ultra HD anime streaming
Saves video playback to resume right from where users left off.
Dark and Light theme for users.
Has a mobile-friendly interface
Pros:
Allows data saving mode.
Allows downloading of anime episodes to google drive.
No pop-ads.
Cons:
Uploading is often delayed.
Search function isn’t helpful sometimes.
10. AnimePlanet
Anime-Planet is a one of the free anime websites without ads that provides original content with over 45,000 legal, industry-supported anime episodes. The active community provides a platform for fans to interact with each other and discuss various topics.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Provides access to digital Manga library.
Community Tab allows fans a platform to discuss.
Provides community forum for anime fans.
Pros:
Digital manga library offers great deal of entertainment to manga readers.
Provides a community tab to discuss with others.
Compatible on most devices.
Cons:
Ad interruptions can break immersion.
Has a very limited collection of anime.
Does not provide categories to sort through.
Available in select countries.
Now that we have discussed the top 10 free anime sites, we shall look at other alternatives if none of the above options work for you. The list is as follows:
11. AnimeFreak
AnimeFreak is one of the most simple-to-use anime websites to watch free anime, it provides a Genre system to sort through anime, provides both subbed and dubbed versions. It is a good option to catch up on your favourite anime.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Simulcasting, anime becomes available at the same time as Japan.
Provides a wide array of sorting options.
Pros:
Sorting feature helps you pick the correct anime for you.
No registration is required.
Easy to navigate, clean UI.
Cons:
Ad interruptions can break immersion.
Available in select countries.
Not compatible on all devices.
12. Contv
Contv is a streaming site hosted by Cinedgm that allows streaming of anime, classic cartoons and more. It provides a wide array of genres to sort through.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Provides a wide array of sorting options.
Provides access to other non-Japanese anime.
Pros:
Provides a wide array of movies and shows.
Cons:
Many popular anime is not available on the platform.
Most of the content is locked behind VIP registration.
Not compatible on all devices.
13. Chia-Anime
Chia-Anime is a website with HD anime clips for free. It has a large library of anime collections from movies to TV shows. Its interface is intuitive and easy to use and is one of the anime websites without pop-ups.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Sorts anime by genre
Provides soundtracks.
Can bookmark your favourite anime to watch later.
Pros:
Both subbed and dubbed version available.
Easy to navigate UI.
Cons:
Ads interrupt the viewing experience.
No simulcast feature.
14. Hulu
Hulu provides full seasons of exclusively streaming series, current-season episodes, hit movies, Hulu Originals, kids shows and anime as well. It can be bought along with Disney+ for $9.99/month.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Requires a paid subscription to have ad free experience.
Provides a large variety of non-anime content as well.
Compatible on all devices.
Holds license to anime in Japan.
Pros:
Supports download to stream offline.
Has a recording feature.
Easy to navigate, clean UI.
Cons:
Locked behind paywall.
Even some subscription plans show ads.
Very limited anime collection.
15. Tubitv
Tubi.tv hosts amazing movies and TV shows for free. No subscription fees, and no credit cards. Just thousands of hours of streaming video content from studios like Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM and more. This includes many anime as well.
Features:
Ultra-HD anime streaming
Has old and exclusive anime in collection
Pros:
No registration is required.
Easy to navigate, clean UI.
Cons:
Ad interruptions can break immersion.
Limited library of anime.
Not compatible on all devices.
Illegal Websites to watch anime.
Anime is not illegal to watch if it is hosted on an official site which has the required permissions from the creator of that anime. One can also watch legally via the online channels of the parent distribution companies.
Sites which stream anime without permission can be banned, however it is not illegal to use these sites to access content. However, it is illegal to download the material and share it without permission as you are not licensed to purchase and distribute it.
As a result, there are as such, no illegal websites to watch anime for streaming and viewing content on this list.
Summary
There are dozens of anime websites with both paid and free options that provide streaming of anime along with an ad-free experience. Some also support downloading the episodes.
The URL of these websites might become invalid after some time as several ISPs are often mandated to ban them. However, it is very easy to find alternative mirror links to the same website with the same feature. The list also provides plenty of alternatives to stream anime for free with an ad-free experience. Generally:
Ultra HD streaming
Availability of all the major titles
Ad-free experience
is what the average viewer is looking for, which all these websites accomplish.
However, we have provided and ranked the list for the most hardcore anime fans as well, who are interested in merchandise and discussion forums to interact with other anime fans.