My Hero Academia anime season 7
Image courtesy of Toho Animation and Shueisha

HIDIVE vs. Crunchyroll: Who’s the Better Anime Streaming Service in 2024?

Although anime fans have many options for watching their favorite shows, two of the biggest names in streaming are HIDIVE and Crunchyroll. This guide will break down the debate of HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll and explain which is the better option for your wallet.

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Anime Content

The first comparison we need to make is the actual anime content both of these streaming services have available on them. If they don’t have the best anime to watch, that is a huge problem, considering that is what they both specialize in.

On the HIDIVE side, this platform has a fair mix of older and newer anime shows. However, the several hundred shows offered on the service pale in comparison to Crunchyroll’s massive library of over 1,000 different series and movies.

Image via Doga Kobo

New Weekly Series

Another major aspect to consider in the HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll debate is each service’s commitment to simulcasting new anime series each season. Once again, Crunchyroll wins in this regard, with dozens upon dozens of new shows released globally every season. However, it is a bit of a close race here because HIDIVE may get fewer shows, but they often have some of the highest-quality content.

For instance, HIDIVE gets the newest seasons of beloved series like Oshi no Ko (a modern anime masterpiece), The Eminence in Shadow, and Made in Abyss. So it is almost a tie here, as it becomes a quantity versus quality issue. If you value a more diverse and larger pool of new releases to choose from, then Crunchyroll gets the slight nod here. However, some may prefer HIDIVE because of the excellent series featured on the platform.

Image via Crunchyroll

Platforms

HIDIVE and Crunchyroll have a wide selection of places to watch them across web browsers, mobile apps, and even video game consoles. However, there are notable missing locations for HIDIVE, such as PS5 and Nintendo Switch that Crunchyroll covers.

This ultimately comes down to what platforms you want to watch your favorite anime on, but Crunchyroll gets the edge here. The fact that Crunchyroll is available on most major video game consoles is a pretty big advantage.

Image via HIDIVE

Subscription Costs

HIDIVE’s subscription is $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year. Meanwhile, Crunchyroll’s service includes three subscription plans starting at $7.99 for fans. This basic plan lets you watch in HD ad-free on one device. The $9.99 option lets you watch on four devices simultaneously and download episodes for offline viewing.

The final plan of $14.99 is mainly there for those who want coupons for the Crunchyroll merch store and an annual swag bag. So in regard to HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll, I would give HIDIVE the edge for this one as their subscription plan is simple and affordable.

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Image via Toei Animation

Who’s the best Anime Streaming service in 2024?

In the end, the race between HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll is closer than it’s ever been. As such, it comes down to what you value more. If you want some of the highest quality new series for a low price, go with HIDIVE. But if you want to check out tons of shows or the latest action series like My Hero Academia’s seventh season or One Piece, you should probably go with Crunchyroll.

That said, if you are undecided and unsure, I recommend going with Crunchyroll, as the sheer number of shows and movies available on it is compelling enough that it’s worth a subscription.


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Author
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Cody Perez
Cody is a writer who has been sharing his love for video games and anime since his high school days in 2012. When he isn’t writing about the latest JRPGs and anime series, he can be found in Final Fantasy XIV, occasionally playing some Call of Duty, or lurking on Twitter @SoulcapCody.