USA – Anime streaming platform Crunchyroll will phase out its ad-supported free tier by 2026, closing one of the last legal avenues for viewers to watch anime without a subscription.
According to Cord Cutters News, the update was delivered quietly through an in-player notification that appeared in place of a scheduled advertisement. The message informed users that the free tier will be removed on December 31, 2025.
Beginning January 1, 2026, all content on Crunchyroll will require a paid subscription. The platform’s current pricing remains unchanged for now, and its annual plans — which offer slight savings — are also unaffected. However, Crunchyroll has not confirmed whether these rates will stay in place once advertising revenue from the free tier is eliminated.
The end of the free tier marks another shift in Crunchyroll’s approach to access and monetisation. The service previously removed free simulcast viewing in 2022 and last year increased prices for its Mega and Ultimate plans by US$1–US$2 per month.
