· Firestick.io Team · Apps · 18 min read
24 Best Anime Apps On Google TV (Free, Subbed & Dubbed) 2026
The 24 best anime apps for Google TV in 2026 — free, subbed, and dubbed options tested and ranked. From Crunchyroll's daily simulcasts to Tubi's zero-cost back catalog, here's what's actually worth installing.
I’ve been watching anime on streaming devices for years — and the Google TV app ecosystem has quietly become one of the best places to do it. I spent the last two weeks going through every major anime app on my Chromecast with Google TV 4K (500 Mbps fiber connection, for the record), and the gap between the good apps and the filler is wide. Some apps have simulcasts up within hours of Japanese broadcast. Others are still serving buffering SD streams behind unskippable ad walls. Fire TV and Firestick users: most of these apps land on your device too — this guide applies to both platforms.
Here are 24 anime apps that are actually worth your time in 2026.
The best anime app on Google TV is Crunchyroll — biggest library, daily simulcasts, and a free ad-supported tier to try before you pay $7.99/month. For completely free anime with no account required, Tubi and Pluto TV both deliver solid catalogs. Most apps on this list work on Fire TV/Firestick too.
What I Tested For
Not every anime app earns its home screen real estate. I looked at:
- Library size — total series and films, subbed vs. dubbed availability
- Simulcast speed — how fast new episodes land after Japanese broadcast
- Free tier quality — ad frequency, resolution caps, what’s actually locked behind a paywall
- Google TV experience — remote navigation, load times, watchlist sync across devices
- Geo-restrictions — which apps require a VPN to function outside the US
Quick comparison before we dive in:
| App | Free Tier | Dubbed? | Simulcasts? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🏆  Crunchyroll | Yes (ads, SD) | Premium only | Yes — daily | $7.99/mo |
 Tubi Best Free | Yes (ads) | Some titles | No | Free |
 Pluto TV | Yes (ads) | Limited | No | Free |
| HIDIVE | No | Yes | Yes (select) | ~$4.99/mo |
| RetroCrush | Yes (ads) | Classic dubs | No | ~$4.99/mo |
 Netflix | No | Yes | Some exclusives | Subscription |
 Amazon Prime Video | With Prime | Yes | Some | Included w/Prime |
 Bilibili | Yes (ads, HD) | Some | Limited | ~$5–10/mo premium |
The Top 5 Anime Apps for Google TV
1. Crunchyroll — Best Overall
Crunchyroll
- Largest licensed anime library on any streaming platform
- Daily simulcasts — new episodes often land same-day as Japan broadcast
- Full sub and dub libraries unlocked on Premium tier
- Native Google TV and Fire TV apps — no sideloading required
Crunchyroll is where I spent the most time during testing, and the catalog is genuinely staggering. I checked in on new episodes of Classroom of the Elite Season 4 (April 1 premiere) and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 (April 3) — both were live quickly after Japanese broadcast, no VPN required. The Spring 2026 simulcast lineup also includes Witch Hat Atelier and Re:ZERO Season 4 (April 8), which covers most of the season’s biggest titles in one app.
The free tier works fine for sampling the library — but it’s SD only, subs only, and the ad breaks hit regularly. Dubs are locked behind the $7.99/month Premium subscription, along with HD streams and same-day simulcast access. If you’re watching more than two or three shows a week, that price pays for itself compared to piecing together multiple apps.
The Google TV app is clean — big thumbnail grid, easy series pages, watchlist that syncs across devices. I navigated the whole thing comfortably from the couch with a D-pad without once wishing I had a keyboard.
✓ Pros
- Largest legal anime library — thousands of series and films
- Simulcasts land same-day or within hours of Japanese broadcast
- Full dub library on Premium — not just a handful of popular titles
- Native Google TV and Fire TV app with smooth remote navigation
✕ Cons
- Free tier is SD-only — no HD without a paid subscription
- Dubs entirely locked behind the $7.99/month Premium paywall
- Ads on the free tier are unskippable and appear frequently throughout episodes
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→2. Tubi — Best Completely Free Option
Tubi
- Completely free — no account, no credit card, no subscription
- Solid back-catalog including Naruto, classic films, and older series
- Native apps on Google TV and Fire TV — no sideloading needed
- Growing anime section with regular content additions
Tubi is the “put it on and stop thinking about it” option. No signup prompt. No payment screen. Just open the app, find the anime section, and start watching. I ran through several episodes of Naruto and a handful of classic anime films during testing — picture quality held up well where HD was available, and the ad breaks landed predictably enough that I stopped noticing them after the first episode.
The catch is the catalog depth. Tubi skews heavily toward older and classic titles — don’t come here expecting Spring 2026 simulcasts. Dubbed options are inconsistent depending on the title. But for early 2000s shonen, classic anime films, and series you haven’t revisited in years, Tubi has surprising depth for a completely free service.
✓ Pros
- Completely free — no account or subscription required to start watching
- Naruto, classic films, and a solid older catalog available
- Native app on both Google TV and Fire TV — no sideloading
✕ Cons
- No simulcasts — catalog skews heavily toward older titles
- Dubbed coverage is hit or miss across the library
- Some titles are geo-restricted outside the US — VPN recommended
3. Pluto TV — Best Free Live Anime
Pluto TV
- Free live anime channels — including a dedicated One Piece channel
- No account required to start watching immediately
- On-demand library alongside the live channel lineup
- Native apps on Google TV and Fire TV
Pluto TV does something the rest of this list doesn’t — it’s built around live channels, not on-demand browsing. There’s a dedicated One Piece channel running episodes continuously, plus several other anime channels you can drop into without selecting a specific episode. I had it running in the background on a weekend afternoon and it worked exactly as intended — like a cable channel that only airs anime.
The downside: Pluto TV is geo-restricted in several countries. If you’re outside the US, you’ll need a VPN to access it. The on-demand library is thinner than Tubi’s, but the live channel format makes it uniquely useful for when you want something playing without having to make any decisions.
✓ Pros
- Live anime channels — genuinely feels like a cable TV experience
- One Piece channel runs episodes around the clock for background viewing
- Completely free, no account needed to start watching
✕ Cons
- Geo-restricted — requires a VPN to access outside the US
- On-demand library is smaller than Tubi or Crunchyroll
- Ads interrupt the live channel experience mid-episode
4. HIDIVE — Best Premium Alternative
HIDIVE is the other major dedicated anime subscription service worth knowing about. It carries titles Crunchyroll doesn’t — including exclusive simulcasts for select series each season. Dubbed content is solid, and the subscription comes in around $4.99/month, making it noticeably cheaper than Crunchyroll.
Where HIDIVE falls short: the Google TV app experience isn’t as polished, and the total library is smaller. But if you’ve exhausted Crunchyroll’s catalog or want exclusive simulcasts that slip Crunchyroll’s lineup, HIDIVE is the logical second install — a companion to Crunchyroll, not a replacement. Check current pricing on the HIDIVE website before subscribing.
✓ Pros
- Exclusive simulcasts not available anywhere else — genuinely fills gaps Crunchyroll leaves
- Good dub selection relative to the library size
- Cheaper monthly cost than Crunchyroll at around $4.99/month
✕ Cons
- Smaller total library than Crunchyroll — works best as a supplement
- Google TV app navigation is less polished than the competition
- No free tier — subscription required from day one
5. RetroCrush — Best for Classic Anime
RetroCrush does exactly what the name implies. It’s a streaming service dedicated to retro and classic anime from the 70s, 80s, and 90s — a library you genuinely won’t find replicated anywhere else. The free tier is ad-supported; premium runs around $4.99/month for ad-free streaming. The catalog leans subbed, but it carries original English dub versions of several classics that are hard to find on modern platforms.
If you grew up watching older classics or want to explore foundational anime history, RetroCrush is worth at least a free-tier install. Available on Android TV (which covers Google TV) via the Play Store. Nothing from the last decade — niche by design — but for what it covers, it’s the only dedicated option.
✓ Pros
- Unique retro focus — classic anime from the 70s, 80s, and 90s you won't find elsewhere
- Free ad-supported tier available; premium is cheaper than most services at ~$4.99/mo
- Original English dubs included for many classic titles
✕ Cons
- Very small library compared to Crunchyroll or Tubi
- Nothing from the last 10–15 years — highly niche by design
- Free tier has frequent ad interruptions
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→19 More Anime Apps Worth Installing
These apps aren’t dedicated anime platforms, but they carry substantial libraries — and a few are genuinely great for specific use cases.
6. Netflix
Netflix has quietly built one of the stronger anime libraries in streaming, with high-profile exclusives like Dorohedoro Season 2 (released April 1, 2026) and a growing slate of original anime productions. Most titles come subbed and dubbed, and the anime section is genuinely easy to browse. The downside: you’re paying for a full Netflix subscription to access what might be 20–30% anime viewing. Worth it if you’re already subscribed for other content.
7. Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video’s anime catalog is solid if you’re already a Prime subscriber — no extra cost, decent selection of dubbed titles, and a handful of exclusives. Individual series are also available to rent or buy if you don’t have Prime. Navigation on non-Amazon TV devices feels a little clunky, but the content library holds up.
8. Max
Max carries select anime titles including Adult Swim simulcasts and licensed content from several studios. It’s not a primary anime destination, but if you’re already subscribed for HBO originals, the anime section is a real bonus. Dubbed titles are available for most of the catalog. Check current pricing at max.com.
9. Hulu
Hulu has one of the bigger anime catalogs among general streaming services — thousands of episodes, some simulcasts for select titles, and decent dubbed coverage on popular series. Worth considering if you’re already using Hulu for live TV or other content, since the anime library becomes a freebie. Check current plan pricing at hulu.com.
10. Disney+
Disney+ carries Star Wars: Visions, some Studio Ghibli titles depending on your region, and a handful of other anime productions. It’s not a deep anime library, but what’s there is high quality. Primarily subbed with some dub options available.
11. Peacock
Peacock carries a small but growing anime presence. The free tier includes limited anime content with ads. More of a bonus if you’re already subscribed for live sports or NBC content than a reason to subscribe on its own.
12. YouTube
YouTube has more official anime than most people realize — full series uploaded by studios and distributors through verified channels, free with ads. Coverage is uneven (some series are complete, others have only a few episodes), but it’s worth checking before you subscribe anywhere else. Great for sampling a show before committing to a paid platform.
13. Plex
Plex’s free streaming section includes anime titles through its distributor partnerships — ad-supported, rotating selection. What makes Plex stand out is the option to store and stream your own anime collection alongside the free content, making it the best choice if you have a local media library you want on the big screen. Check the best Firestick apps guide for setup tips that apply to Google TV too.
14. Bilibili
Bilibili is a Chinese streaming platform that has licensed content directly from Japanese anime studios, making it a legitimate source for titles not available elsewhere. The free tier streams in HD with ads. Regional availability varies significantly — you’ll likely need a VPN depending on your location. Available on Android TV/Google TV via the Play Store; for Fire TV, use the Downloader app to sideload the official APK from Bilibili’s website. Premium runs approximately $5–10/month depending on region.
15. iQIYI
iQIYI is a major Asian streaming platform with a growing anime library, including Chinese animation (donghua) alongside licensed Japanese anime. Available on Google TV via the Play Store. Free ad-supported tier with premium options available. Regional content varies significantly — a VPN is sometimes helpful for accessing the full catalog.
16. Viki
Viki (Rakuten) focuses primarily on Korean dramas and East Asian content, but carries anime titles and is worth mentioning for viewers who watch both. The free tier is ad-supported; Viki Pass unlocks full HD and removes ads. Available natively on Google TV.
17. Crackle
Crackle is a free, ad-supported service that carries select anime titles. The catalog is thin compared to Tubi or Pluto TV, but Crackle requires no account, costs nothing, and is available natively on Google TV and Fire TV. Fine as a supplement — not a primary destination.
18. Freevee
Amazon’s free, ad-supported tier carries some anime content. On Google TV, Freevee content is accessible through the Prime Video app under the Freevee section. Thin on anime specifically, but free is free — worth a browse if you’re already inside the Prime Video app.
19. Vudu
Vudu has a mix of free (with ads) and rental/purchase anime. The free section is limited, but if you want to buy a specific series digitally and watch it on your TV without a subscription commitment, Vudu is a reliable option. Available on Google TV via the Play Store.
20. Stremio
Stremio is a media center app that aggregates content from multiple sources through addons. With the right setup — including a Real-Debrid subscription — it becomes a powerful anime streaming tool through catalog-based addons. Not beginner-friendly compared to the other apps here, but for power users it’s genuinely unmatched. Available on Google TV via sideload; check our sideloading guide for the full process.
21. Xumo
Xumo is Comcast’s free, ad-supported platform with live channels and on-demand content. It carries a small anime selection primarily through its live channel lineup. Not a primary anime destination, but if you already have it installed for other free content, the anime section is worth a look.
22. Sling TV
Sling TV is primarily a live TV service, but its channel lineup includes Adult Swim — which airs some of the most popular dubbed anime on US television. More relevant if you’re already using Sling for live sports or news and want anime as part of your channel package. Check current package pricing at sling.com.
23. YouTube TV
YouTube TV’s base package includes Adult Swim, which airs dubbed simulcasts of titles like Dragon Ball Super and My Hero Academia. Not a dedicated anime platform, but worth flagging if you’re already subscribed for live sports — the anime channel access comes built in.
24. Funimation → Now Crunchyroll
Funimation was one of the biggest dedicated anime platforms in the US before Sony merged it into Crunchyroll. If you had a Funimation subscription, your library migrated to Crunchyroll Premium. The Funimation app now redirects to Crunchyroll — so if you see older guides recommending it, just install Crunchyroll instead. No separate app needed.
How to Install Crunchyroll on Google TV
Install Crunchyroll on Google TV
4 stepsOpen the Play Store
From your Google TV home screen, navigate to the Search icon or scroll to the Apps section. Open the Google Play Store.
Search for Crunchyroll
Type “Crunchyroll” in the search bar using your remote or voice search. Select the official app — developer listed as Crunchyroll, LLC.
Install the App
Hit Install. The app downloads and installs automatically — about 30 seconds on a decent connection.
Sign In or Create a Free Account
Open Crunchyroll and sign in or create a free account. The free tier activates immediately — no payment info required to start watching.
The Verdict
For most people: Crunchyroll free tier to start, upgrade to Premium if you’re watching more than a couple of shows a week. Add Tubi as a zero-cost supplement for classic titles and older series. If you’re outside the US, a VPN handles the geo-blocks across Pluto TV, Bilibili, and several other platforms on this list.
For the dedicated anime fan with a budget, the Crunchyroll + HIDIVE combination covers virtually everything currently airing in Japan — between the two, very few simulcasts slip through.
For everything else you can install on your device, the 22 Best Firestick Apps in 2026 and the Best Free Streaming Channels on Firestick guides cover the full picture — most of which applies equally to Google TV.
Level Up With Real-Debrid on Stremio
If you’re using Stremio for anime, pairing it with Real-Debrid unlocks premium-quality streams through Stremio’s catalog addons — fewer dead links, higher resolution sources, and faster loads. It’s the setup power users actually run.
Try Real-Debrid — Premium Streaming Quality
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Last updated: April 2026
