Anime fans, rejoice! With the explosion of global streaming platforms, you no longer need to scramble for piracy sites (which are both risky and illegal) to keep up with your favourite shows and movies. Instead, you can make use of free trial offers to legally stream anime—try before you commit. In this blog post, we’ll cover the best sites worldwide that offer free trials for anime streaming, how to grab them, how to make the most of the trial period, and what to watch out for. Then, if you prefer to buy or upgrade rather than just trial, there’s a section listing paid-subscription options you can consider.
Why Use Free Trials for Anime Streaming?
- Risk-free test drive: You can explore a platform’s catalogue, interface, device compatibility, and streaming quality without paying upfront.
- Catch up on backlog: Pop onto a new service, binge a few series you have lying around, then cancel if you don’t want to keep subscribing.
- Compare platforms: Different services specialise in sub vs dub, simulcasts, classic vs niche titles; trials let you compare.
- Save money: Only pay for what you like; if you cancel before the trial ends you pay nothing.
- Global reach: Many services now work in multiple countries (though catalogue and trial length vary).
But, caveats: Trials are often only for new subscribers, limited in time (7–30 days), sometimes region-locked, and you usually need a valid payment method on file. It’s essential to read terms, set a reminder to cancel if you’re not continuing, and plan what you’ll watch during the free window.
Top Anime Streaming Sites with Free Trials
Here are some of the best anime-focused streaming services offering free trials (or generous new-subscriber offers) as of 2025.
1. Crunchyroll
Free trial offer: According to TechRadar, new subscribers can access a 7-day free trial with any premium plan in certain regions (US) for Crunchyroll. TechRadar
Why it stands out:
- Huge anime catalogue (hundreds of series, sub + dub) including simulcasts (episodes streaming soon after Japan). TechRadar+1
- Works in many countries worldwide.
- Good device support, simultaneous streams at higher tiers.
What to watch out for: - After trial ends you’ll be charged monthly—cancel before renewal if you’re just testing.
- Some titles/licensing may vary by region.
Tip: Use your trial window to binge priority titles (e.g., popular seasonal anime, movies) and test out device download/offline features if available.
2. Funimation
Free trial offer: Funimation has been reported to offer a 14-day free trial for its Premium plans for new users. GamesRadar++1
Why it’s great:
- Strong library of dubbed anime (for fans who prefer English audio).
- Good for classic titles and newer shows alike.
What to watch out for: - Availability and plan tiers vary by country; service is more limited in certain regions.
- Premium features (offline download, multiple streams) may require higher tier.
Tip: Since you get two weeks, you have a bit more time—make a watch-list of 3-5 series or movies, then pace your watching across the trial.
3. HiDive
Free trial offer: Their website states “Start your free trial” in multiple places, with plans starting at ~$6.99/month (U.S.) for full library access. HIDIVE
Why it’s a niche win:
- Good for more obscure or niche anime—classic titles, less-mainstream shows.
- Lets you experiment with different kinds of anime than the biggest platforms.
What to watch out for: - Smaller catalogue vs Crunchyroll/Funimation; the best value depends on your taste.
- Regional licensing may limit what you see outside the U.S./Canada.
Tip: If you’re an anime aficionado seeking hidden gems, use the trial to explore something outside the mainstream (for example older OVAs, lesser-known horror or sci-fi anime).
4. Free Ad-Supported/Partial Access Platforms
While not always “free trial then paid” models, some services offer free access to parts of their anime catalogue with ads—worth knowing.
- Some mainstream platforms have free tiers or ad-supported versions where you can watch anime (less premium than full paid-subscription but no cost). For example, blocks of free anime series on YouTube via official channels. Indiatimes
- Some services may allow free access for limited time or certain titles—useful if you’re in a budget phase or just sampling.
Tip: If you’re unsure or want to browse casually, start with the free ad-supported option, then upgrade/trial the paid service if you like it.
How to Make the Most of Your Anime Free Trial
Here’s a practical step-by-step plan to maximise value from your trial period.
- Before you sign up
- Check which region you are in and whether the service supports your country.
- Look at the library list for your region (what anime series/movies you care about).
- Choose 2-3 “must watch” titles you’ve been waiting for and queue them.
- Set a calendar reminder for ~1 day before trial ends so you remember to cancel if you want to.
- At sign-up
- Use a valid payment method (credit card, PayPal) if required.
- Choose the lowest paid tier that gives you what you need (free trial is same features).
- Explore device compatibility—TV, mobile, tablet, console—and test in the first hour.
- During the trial
- Start with your must-watch list—get them done while you have the free access.
- Then explore extra titles (side shows, genres you don’t usually watch) to test breadth.
- Check download/offline functionality (if offered) and try offline playback to test quality.
- Keep an eye on streaming quality: buffering, resolution, subtitles/dubs.
- Before the trial ends
- Decide: Will this service be worth paying for? Ask: Did I use it enough? Did I like the catalogue?
- If you’re not continuing: cancel at least one day before renewal; you might still get trial period to end.
- If you are continuing: check if there is an annual plan (cheaper per month) or promo you can apply.
- After trial/after payment
- If continuing: monitor your usage during the first paid month—if you’re using it often, keep it; if not, consider cancelling next renewal.
- If you cancelled: keep the account until the end of the trial period, then don’t renew. Move on to next service in the rotation if you like.
- Rotate each few months: use one service’s trial, cancel, try another, etc.—this lets you sample multiple libraries cost-effectively.
Things to Watch Out For (Pitfalls & How to Avoid)
- Forgetting to cancel → Pay attention to renewal date; free trials auto-convert to paid.
- Region-locked content → Some anime may not be available in your country even if the platform is.
- Limited device usage → Some lower tiers limit number of simultaneous streams or disable download.
- Older licence/library → A service may have a good catalogue, but if you’re chasing brand new anime, check release schedule and simulcast availability.
- Differences between sub & dub → Some platforms prioritize subbed or dubbed; if you prefer one, check beforehand.
- Hidden cost of upgrades → After trial you may want a higher tier for offline downloads, multiple streams, etc.—factor cost.
- Free account vs free trial confusion → Some services allow a free account with limited access (ads, limited library) vs full paid features in trial—be clear about difference.
- Promotional trial length vs “standard” trial length → In the anime streaming space the trial could vary by promotion or region. Always check the terms at the time you sign up.
Global Tips for Anime Fans with Free Trials
- Use VPN cautiously: While tempting to access another region’s catalogue, doing so may violate terms of service and risk account suspension.
- Use the download feature (if available) to watch on the go—great if you travel or have limited mobile data.
- Watch simulcasts early: If you subscribe on Day 1 of a season, you might catch episodes shortly after Japanese broadcast (some platforms offer this).
- Engage community features: Many platforms include forums, watch-lists, recommendations for anime fans; use them to discover more series.
- Budget strategically: Pick one platform now, use free trial, cancel if not worth it, then next season try another.
- Focus by genre: If you love fantasy, mecha, slice-of-life vs horror, check which platform has strength in your preferred genre during the trial.
If You Prefer to Buy
If you prefer to subscribe or upgrade rather than just join a free trial, here are some paid options you can consider for anime streaming. These platforms provide full access (rather than limited trial) and are worth evaluating for long-term use:
- Crunchyroll — Premium plans (Fan, Mega Fan, Ultimate Fan) giving full catalogue, ad-free, simulcast access.
- Funimation — Premium / Premium Plus plans with dubbed & subbed content, offline downloads, multiple device streams.
- HiDive — Monthly subscription for full library, including niche anime and download features.
- Netflix — While not anime-only, it offers a solid anime section worldwide (e.g., “Demon Slayer,” “My Hero Academia,” “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”) though Netflix does not offer a free trial in many regions. Netflix Help
- Amazon Prime Video — Offers anime titles and often seasonal exclusives; you can subscribe to Prime, which includes broader video benefits.
- AnimeLab / region-specific services — In Australia/NZ AnimeLab (now merged into Crunchyroll); older services still may offer regional paid access.
- Annual subscription deals — Many anime platforms give discounts for annual billing vs monthly; good if you know you’ll use it.
- Bundle offers — Some carriers/TV providers include anime streaming service add-ons or discounts; check your local offers.
- Device-specific deals — Sometimes streaming service subscriptions are built into device purchases (smart TVs, consoles) with discount or bundled trial.
- Multi-platform sharing tiers — Higher tier subscriptions enable use across multiple devices/users (family/friends sharing) which can reduce cost per person.
When choosing a paid subscription, compare: monthly cost, catalogue strength (in your region), device support (TV, mobile, tablet), offline downloads, number of simultaneous streams, and whether the service has your preferred languages (sub/dub) and genres.
Final Thoughts
For anime fans worldwide, free trials provide a smart path to explore and binge legally without committing financially upfront. The three standout services—Crunchyroll, Funimation, HiDive—each offer free trial windows and strong anime libraries. Use the tips above to plan your trial, maximise your viewing time, and assess whether the service deserves your long-term subscription.
If you’re serious about anime or regularly binge series, the paid subscription route may well pay off—especially if you pick the right service, look for deals, and subscribe during a season you’ll watch a lot.
When you’re ready, sign up for one trial, watch your top picks, evaluate, then consider continuing or cancelling. Then move to the next if you want to explore other libraries. Over time you’ll discover which service has your ideal mix of anime, interface and value.