
In anime streaming, HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll is the top topic among anime fans. Both platforms offer huge libraries, but choosing which one to use is not that easy. Some believe HIDIVE is better with its niche and mature anime, while others feel Crunchyroll is leading with its vast collection and simulcasts. So, which is better, HIDIVE or Crunchyroll? Should you stream Crunchyroll's hit series or HIDIVE's niche content?
This HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll comparison will put everything you should know against one another. So, if you're wondering which one is better to choose, continue reading.
Outline
Part 1: HIDIVE vs. Crunchyroll: Which One is Better
To begin with, let's have a quick glimpse of HIDIVE vs. Crunchyroll.
They both provide shiploads of anime content for anime enthusiasts around the world, but are slightly different. To provide you with a snapshot of the overall picture, a quick comparison chart is listed below before we delve into the nitty-gritty specifics.
Crunchyroll | HIDIVE | |
---|---|---|
Subscription Plans | Starts at: $7.99/month | Starts at: $5.99/month |
Anime Library Size | Over 1,000 titles; 30,000+ episodes | 500+ titles; focuses on niche and classic anime |
Simulcast Speed | Very fast; episodes are available within an hour of Japanese release | Slower, unique selections |
Exclusive Titles | Extensive, including major hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer | Notable exclusives like Oshi no Ko and Call of the Night |
Dub/Sub Options | Both available; dubs may have delays | Both available, customizable subtitles |
Mature/Uncensored Content | Limited | Extensive; includes uncensored and ecchi titles |
Offline Viewing | Available for Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers | Available for premium subscribers |
Supported Devices | iOS, Android, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, web browsers | iOS, Android, Smart TVs, web browsers; lacks Apple TV support |
User Interface (UI) | Feature-rich; may be cluttered with ads on the free tier | Clean and simple; ad-free |
Community Features | Active forums, blogs, and social media channels | Niche audience; offers watch parties |
Parental Controls | Available | Not specified |
Part 2: How to Choose Between HIDIVE & Crunchyroll
The chart above gives you a quick overview. Now, let's dive deeper into the key categories to help you pick the right service.
1. Prices
Crunchyroll (price is different and depends on the specific region):
○ Fan Plan: $7.99/month
○ Mega Fan Plan: $11.99/month
○ Ultimate Fan Plan: $15.99/month
HIDIVE:
○ Single Plan: $5.99/month or $59.88/year
2. Content Focus and Popularity
Crunchyroll:
It features a wide range of mainstream anime, such as the latest and most popular shows. Whether you're into action-adventure shonen, fantasy worlds, romance, or slice-of-life, Crunchyroll has it. Here are some examples:
○ Attack on Titan (Action, Fantasy)
○ One Piece (Adventure, Shonen)
○ Demon Slayer (Action, Supernatural)
○ My Hero Academia (Shonen, Action)
○ Jujutsu Kaisen (Action, Supernatural)
○ Re: Zero (Fantasy, Isekai)
○ That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Fantasy, Isekai)
○ Naruto / Naruto Shippuden (Action, Adventure)
HIDIVE:
On the other hand, it is geared toward anime fans seeking more niche, experimental, or mature shows that might not be famous among the viewers but are highly praised by people for their originality. Some of the highlights are:
○ Made in Abyss (Adventure, Fantasy)
○ Oshi no Ko (Drama, Mystery)
○ Call of the Night (Romance, Supernatural)
○ Highschool of the Dead (Action, Horror)
○ Rent-a-Girlfriend (Romance, Comedy)
○ Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
3. Simulcast Speed and New Releases
Crunchyroll: It simulcasts about an hour after their initial Japanese broadcast, offering the new shows virtually as soon as they are released.
HIDIVE: It also releases simulcasts, although occasionally with a brief delay, to prefer shows that aren't licensed by the bigger services.
4. Dubbed and Subtitled Content
Crunchyroll:
○ Subtitles: Available for almost all content, with multiple language options.
○ Dubs: Delayed for some titles, especially popular series.
HIDIVE:
○ Subtitles: Available for most titles.
○ Dubs: Focused on niche and classic anime, with some newer dubs.
5. Streaming Quality and Viewing Devices
Crunchyroll:
○ Streaming Quality: Up to 1080p HD for most content; some titles may stream in 4K (Premium tiers).
○ Devices Supported: PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Web browsers.
HIDIVE:
○ Streaming Quality: Up to 1080p HD for most titles; some content may be lower quality.
○ Devices Supported: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Smart TVs, Web browsers (No native Apple TV support).
6. Offline Viewing
Crunchyroll:
○ Offline Downloads: Available only with the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan plans.
○ Download Limits:
- 30-day expiration for unwatched content.
- 48-hour expiration after starting playback.
- Download limit varies by plan.
HIDIVE:
○ Offline Downloads: Available only for Premium subscribers.
○ Download Limits:
- Downloads are limited to specific titles and may expire within 7-14 days after downloading.
- No limit on the number of episodes you can download, but there are storage and expiration limits.
Final Verdict
If you prefer:
○ Regular anime, rapid simulcasts (e.g., Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan), and if willing to pay a bit more, choose Crunchyroll (begins at $7.99/month).
○ Niche or adult anime (e.g., Made in Abyss, Oshi no Ko) with uncensored content, and would rather spend less, choose HIDIVE (from $5.99/month).
○ Having several devices and add-ons like 4K streaming, Crunchyroll offers broader support.
○ Often watch offline anime, both HIDIVE and Crunchyroll offer the feature to subscribers, which depends on the anime you would like to watch.
Part 3: How to Save HIDIVE & Crunchyroll Episodes for Offline Viewing
Streaming anime on the go is convenient, but there are times when you'd prefer to watch your favorite episodes offline without worrying about internet connection or data usage. Both HIDIVE and Crunchyroll offer offline viewing features, but they come with certain limitations. To break free from these restrictions, a third-party tool like CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader is the perfect solution.
As one of the best Crunchyroll downloaders, it lets you download Crunchyroll episodes in MP4/MKV formats at up to 1080P, bypassing the platform's download DRM limits and offering a seamless offline viewing experience.
Key Features:
○ Download in 1080P MP4/MKV – High-quality anime for offline viewing.
○ Batch Downloading – Download multiple episodes at once.
○ Custom Subtitles/Audio – Choose preferred subtitles and audio tracks.
○ Ad-Free Downloads – Automatically removes ads from videos.
○ GPU Acceleration – Faster download speeds with hardware support.
It is easy to download Crunchyroll episodes using CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader. Simply follow these steps to begin:
Step One: Install CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader
Visit https://www.leawo.org/ and download CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader on your Windows or macOS system. You can also click the button below to download the software directly.
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CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader
- Download individual anime episodes or entire series from Crunchyroll with ads removed.
- Offers options to download anime episodes in up to 1080p.
- Enables users to download multiple episodes or series simultaneously.
- Provides features to select audio tracks and subtitles of downloaded anime episodes.
- Supports converting videos to MP4 or MKV formats.
Step Two: Adjust output settings
Click the three dots icon to enter Settings at the upper right corner to adjust settings for download preferences, such as max downloads, language, and folder location.
Step Three: Play the target video
Log in to Crunchyroll in CleverGet, find the video you like (you can copy the video URL to the downloader's built-in browser), and play the video to allow the downloader to parse it.
Step Four: Choose and download the video
It will display different downloadable resources. Choose video quality and click the blue Download button to start downloading.
Monitor progress in the sidebar and cancel or delete tasks as required. When finished, you can watch the downloaded anime without any limits.
Part 4: FAQs
Q1: Is HIDIVE better than Crunchyroll?
No. There isn't one definitive answer as to which is "better." It just really depends on what you're looking for. Crunchyroll is the way to go for people looking for a wide variety of mainstream anime, fast simulcasts, and mainstream shows. HIDIVE, however, is superior for viewers interested in niche or avant-garde anime. So, it isn't a matter of one being better than the other. It's a matter of which service works best for your anime interests.
Q2: Is HIDIVE safe?
Yes. HIDIVE is a legitimate streaming platform with proper licensing agreements with anime creators and distributors. It is a safe platform to stream anime content, the same as other popular streaming platforms. As long as you stream from the official HIDIVE platform or app, it is completely safe to stream anime there.
Q3: Does HIDIVE have more anime titles than Crunchyroll?
No. Crunchyroll has a larger library with over 1,000 titles and 30,000+ episodes. Crunchyroll offers diverse genres with broad hits. HIDIVE only contains about 500 titles with less focus on lesser-known niches, classic shows, and small gems. To get a diversity of choices, Crunchyroll is where it's at. But to watch more focused anime, HIDIVE has hidden gems you will never see on Crunchyroll.
Final Words
In the battle of HIDIVE vs Crunchyroll, there isn't a winner. It all just depends on what you're looking for. If you want fast simulcasts, a big selection of mainstream titles use Crunchyroll at a more expensive price but affordable. If you want niche, uncensored anime at a cheaper price point, HIDIVE is the way to go. Both websites have their advantages, so choose one based on what you prefer.
For offline viewing, software like CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader lets you download entire episodes in good quality to view without any official download limits. Just try it and enjoy streaming!