Crunchyroll Raises Prices Weeks After Eliminating Free Tier, Fans Left Frustrated.
Sony-owned streaming service Crunchyroll has increased monthly subscription prices by up to 25 percent, adding to the frustration of fans who had already seen the company's free tier disappear just weeks ago. The price hikes, which took effect on March 4, mark the third round of price increases for Crunchyroll since Sony acquired the service in 2020.
Crunchyroll's price hike comes as the streaming market continues to consolidate, with the company now holding a significant share of the anime streaming market alongside Netflix. In 2023, a report by Bernstein Research found that Crunchyroll controlled around 40 percent of the overseas anime streaming market, while Netflix commanded 42 percent.
Despite the increased prices, fans may be less concerned about the changes to Crunchyroll's free tier, which was eliminated in December 2025. The service had previously offered limited free content with commercials, but that option is now gone.
However, the price hike has sparked concerns among fans and streaming enthusiasts, who worry that further consolidation in the market could lead to higher prices and fewer options. Crunchyroll's recent acquisition of rival Egg Firm has also raised questions about the company's future strategy and whether it will continue to prioritize fan experience over profit margins.
The price increase affects three tiers of service: Fan, which costs $10 per month (up from $8); Mega, which allows for streaming on up to four devices simultaneously and now costs $14 (up from $12); and Ultra, which supports simultaneous streaming across six devices and includes access to the Crunchyroll Manga app, increasing in price to $18 (up from $16).
Crunchyroll's new prices are likely to be felt by both current and potential subscribers, who may be deterred by the increased costs. The company has promised that the higher prices will "give fans more of what they love," including recent and upcoming changes such as teen profiles, PIN protection, and expanded device compatibility.
Despite these assurances, some fans remain skeptical about Crunchyroll's strategy and whether it prioritizes fan experience or profit margins above all else. As the streaming market continues to evolve and consolidate, one thing is clear: the future of Crunchyroll will be shaped by its ability to balance price hikes with fan satisfaction and engagement.
Sony-owned streaming service Crunchyroll has increased monthly subscription prices by up to 25 percent, adding to the frustration of fans who had already seen the company's free tier disappear just weeks ago. The price hikes, which took effect on March 4, mark the third round of price increases for Crunchyroll since Sony acquired the service in 2020.
Crunchyroll's price hike comes as the streaming market continues to consolidate, with the company now holding a significant share of the anime streaming market alongside Netflix. In 2023, a report by Bernstein Research found that Crunchyroll controlled around 40 percent of the overseas anime streaming market, while Netflix commanded 42 percent.
Despite the increased prices, fans may be less concerned about the changes to Crunchyroll's free tier, which was eliminated in December 2025. The service had previously offered limited free content with commercials, but that option is now gone.
However, the price hike has sparked concerns among fans and streaming enthusiasts, who worry that further consolidation in the market could lead to higher prices and fewer options. Crunchyroll's recent acquisition of rival Egg Firm has also raised questions about the company's future strategy and whether it will continue to prioritize fan experience over profit margins.
The price increase affects three tiers of service: Fan, which costs $10 per month (up from $8); Mega, which allows for streaming on up to four devices simultaneously and now costs $14 (up from $12); and Ultra, which supports simultaneous streaming across six devices and includes access to the Crunchyroll Manga app, increasing in price to $18 (up from $16).
Crunchyroll's new prices are likely to be felt by both current and potential subscribers, who may be deterred by the increased costs. The company has promised that the higher prices will "give fans more of what they love," including recent and upcoming changes such as teen profiles, PIN protection, and expanded device compatibility.
Despite these assurances, some fans remain skeptical about Crunchyroll's strategy and whether it prioritizes fan experience or profit margins above all else. As the streaming market continues to evolve and consolidate, one thing is clear: the future of Crunchyroll will be shaped by its ability to balance price hikes with fan satisfaction and engagement.
... i mean, come on crunchyroll, can't you just keep it fair for once? first they remove the free tier, now they're jacking up prices by 25%. what's next? more ads or less content? 
fans need to stick together and demand better from these companies. we shouldn't have to choose between watching our favorite shows or paying an arm and a leg 
They just raised prices again and it's like they're not even considering their fans' feelings. I mean, I get that the market is consolidating and they need to make some money, but 25%? That's just steep. And what's up with them getting rid of the free tier? It was the best option for us newbies who wanted to try it out without breaking the bank. Now we're stuck with these exorbitant prices... 
Anyway, I'll stick to my current plan for now and hope that Crunchyroll will listen to their fans and adjust prices accordingly.
. And what's up with the Pin protection feature? Is it just a way for them to make more money off us? 
. They're not just about making money off their subscribers; they've got a whole team working on new features and stuff to keep fans hooked. Maybe the price hike is gonna be worth it if we get even more awesome content and perks? 
.
. Now it feels like they're just trying to nickel-and-dime us out of our hard-earned cash 
. The future of Crunchyroll is definitely in the balance, and I hope they listen to their fans before it's too late 
.
i'm still using the old plan and hoping they don't raise prices again soon 
but idk if it's enough to make up for the price increase 
but at the same time, i guess its all part of the streaming market bein super competitive 
. Like, can't they just chill for once? They eliminated the free tier like, what, a month ago? And now we're stuck with even more money being sucked out of our pockets 
. I mean, I love Crunchyroll as much as the next fan, but this is just getting ridiculous 
.
I'm starting to think that Sony only cares about making a profit off of us anime fans 
Fans were already feeling frustrated about losing that option, and now they're being asked to shell out more cash? It feels like Crunchyroll is trying to make up for lost time by taking money from its loyal subscribers. 
The only good thing is that Crunchyroll is investing in some new features, but at this point, it feels like a small consolation prize. 
Overall, I think fans are justified to be skeptical about the company's priorities... 