✦ Edited and fact-checked by Mia Carter, our Contributing Writer with over 27 years covering tech and mobile apps.
Anime fans, here’s the deal
Crunchyroll’s free trial gets you a full week of ad-free anime before you commit to a monthly bill. But “free” comes with an asterisk: you’ll need to hand over a valid payment method up front, and the trial rolls straight into a paid plan if you forget to cancel.
That’s worth knowing, especially since Crunchyroll shut down its old ad-supported free tier at the end of 2025. These days, the 7-day trial is really the standard no-cost way to sample the platform.
This guide breaks down exactly what’s included in the trial, how sign-up works, and the steps to cancel cleanly if Crunchyroll isn’t your thing. We’ll also stack it up against other streaming trials, so you know how it compares.
What does the Crunchyroll free trial include?
Crunchyroll offers new subscribers a 7-day free trial on any of its three Premium tiers: Fan, Mega Fan, or Ultimate Fan. That’s straight from Crunchyroll’s own help center, and it’s the current standard length as of August 2026.
During those 7 days, you get the same access as a paying member: an ad-free version of the full anime library, new simulcast episodes that arrive shortly after they air in Japan, and both subtitled and English-dubbed titles.
Sony began consolidating Funimation and Wakanim content into Crunchyroll in 2022, and Funimation’s standalone streaming service shut down in April 2024; Crunchyroll continues to describe the content migration as not entirely complete.
Once the trial ends, your payment method is billed automatically at your chosen tier’s rate: $9.99/mo. for Fan, $13.99/mo. for Mega Fan, or $17.99/mo. for Ultimate Fan, per Crunchyroll’s 2026 pricing update. There’s no way around the valid payment method requirement. Crunchyroll doesn’t offer a trial that skips payment info entirely.
How do I sign up for the Crunchyroll free trial?
Getting started takes just a few minutes on desktop or mobile.
- Go to Crunchyroll’s Premium sign-up page.
- Pick a Premium tier: Fan, Mega Fan, or Ultimate Fan.
- Create a Crunchyroll account or log into an existing one.
- Enter your payment information like a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
- Confirm your selection to start streaming immediately.
How Do I Cancel My Crunchyroll Free Trial?
Don’t cancel until you’re done watching, but make sure you cancel before the 7-day trial expires if you don’t want to be charged. Crunchyroll says Premium access ends immediately when you cancel during a free trial.
If you subscribed directly through Crunchyroll.com:
- Log into Crunchyroll using a web browser.
- Click your profile picture and select “Settings.”
- Go to “Membership Info” and select “Cancel Subscription.”
- Click “No thanks, Finish Cancellation.”
If you subscribed through the Crunchyroll app using Apple or Google, you can go to Account > Membership > Manage in the app, which directs you to the App Store or Google Play to complete cancellation. If you subscribed through Amazon, PlayStation, Roku, or YouTube, cancel through that platform instead. Crunchyroll can’t cancel third-party billing on its end, according to its official cancellation guide.
What Other Live TV Streaming Services Have Free Trials?
Crunchyroll isn’t the only streaming service dangling a free trial. Here’s how its offer compares to a handful of live TV streaming options.
| Service | Trial length | Channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | 5 days | 90–185+ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Frndly TV | 7 days | 50+ | View Plans for Frndly TV |
| Fubo | Varies by plan/offer | 26–296+ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | 95+ | View Plans for Hulu |
| Philo | 7 days | 70+ | View Plans for Philo |
| YouTube TV | Up to 21 days | 100+ | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date.
Crunchyroll free trial FAQ
Does Crunchyroll still have a free trial in 2026?
Yes. Even though Crunchyroll retired its free, ad-supported tier on Dec. 31, 2025, the 7-day free trial on paid Premium plans is still active as of August 2026. New subscribers can try Fan, Mega Fan, or Ultimate Fan at no cost for a week before being billed.
Does the Crunchyroll free trial require a credit card?
Not necessarily. Crunchyroll requires a valid payment method before your trial starts, but it doesn't have to be a credit card. Supported options include cards and PayPal, depending on how and where you subscribe. If you don't cancel before the 7 days are up, the trial automatically converts to a paid membership and your payment method is charged.
Can I get more than one Crunchyroll free trial?
Generally, no. Crunchyroll says its standard free trial is available only once. If you've already used a Crunchyroll free trial, you may be charged immediately when you subscribe again. Third-party partners sometimes run their own promotional offers, but those have separate eligibility requirements.
What happens if I forget to cancel my Crunchyroll free trial?
Your payment method will be charged automatically for whichever Premium tier you signed up for once the 7-day window closes. Because Crunchyroll ends Premium access immediately when you cancel a free trial, set a reminder shortly before your trial expires if you want to use the full seven days without renewing.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
