Crunchyroll Student Discount 2025: How to Save 90%|Verified
Guys, you know the struggle—sometimes you just want to binge Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and all the latest anime in one go. Then you open up Crunchyroll and boom—the subscription price makes you pause for a second. And when you go hunting for discounts? The internet is flooded with ads claiming things like “student discounts” or “$9.99 for a whole year.” Sounds tempting, but let’s be real—most of that stuff is shady clickbait.
As a long-time anime fan, I get how frustrating it is to separate fake deals from the real ones. So I went down the rabbit hole, dug through Crunchyroll’s official policies, explored all the “hacks” people are talking about, and personally tested which ones actually work.
This blog post is the ultimate guide to saving money on Crunchyroll—whether it’s the truth about student discounts, free trial tricks, or the smartest legit ways to subscribe for less. And yes, some of these methods can save you up to 90% off.
If you’re tired of wasting time on fake offers, this is the only Crunchyroll money-saving guide you need.
Does Crunchyroll Have a Student Discount?
Sadly, nope—here we are in 2025 and Crunchyroll still doesn’t offer any official student discount.
I’ve scoured Crunchyroll’s help center, even emailed their customer support, and the answer was always the same: “We don’t currently have any student-specific offers.” Honestly, it makes sense. Ever since Sony bought Crunchyroll back in 2020 for $1.2 billion, the platform has been laser-focused on upgrading membership perks and improving the service, not really chasing the student market.
So why are there still so many “Crunchyroll student discount” claims floating around online? Simple—it’s a traffic-grabbing trick. These sites use popular search terms to lure clicks, even if the discount itself doesn’t exist.
But don’t lose hope! Just because there’s no student discount doesn’t mean you can’t save money. In fact, the tips I’ll share next can actually save you more than any so-called student deal ever would. Keep reading.
Crunchyroll Free Trial
Since there’s no student discount, let’s kick things off with the most official and straightforward perk—the free trial I tested it myself, and as of 2025, it’s still alive and kicking.
What You Get with the Free Trial
New users can grab a 7-day premium trial, and during that week you get access to all the core perks of a paid membership, including:
- Ad-free streaming: Watch without interruptions, no annoying commercial breaks killing the mood.
- Offline downloads: Save episodes to your phone and watch during your commute, even without Wi-Fi.
- Simulcast episodes: Catch new shows usually within an hour of their release in Japan (way ahead of free users, who have to wait about a week).
- Multi-device access: With a Mega Fan trial, you can stream on 2 devices at once; Ultimate Fan trial lets you use up to 4—perfect if you’re sharing with friends.
- Crunchyroll Game Vault: If your trial is Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan, you also unlock Crunchyroll’s game library and can download select games for free.
Who Should Use the Free Trial?
From my own experience, the free trial is especially great for:
- New-season testers: If a hot new anime just dropped, you can binge the first few episodes during your 7 days to see if it’s worth committing.
- Short-term binge-watchers: Got a single movie or one-season anime like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train? You can power through it in a week without spending a dime.
- First-time Crunchyroll users: Not sure if the platform’s subtitles, stream quality, or manga selection meet your expectations? The trial is basically a no-risk test drive.
- Commuters & travelers: Offline downloads are a lifesaver when you’re on the go. Cache a few episodes and you’ll have anime ready even when there’s no signal.
Pro tip: As soon as you activate your trial, add all the shows and manga you want to your watchlist. That way you can plan your time and squeeze the most out of those 7 days. Don’t wait until the trial is over just to realize your “must-watch list” is still untouched!
By the end of the week, you’ll have a full taste of what premium membership feels like—ad-free, unlimited, and super convenient. After that, it’s way easier to decide if it’s worth paying for long term.
How to Get the Crunchyroll Free Trial
So, how do you actually sign up for Crunchyroll’s free trial? Don’t worry, it’s super simple. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
Step-by-Step: Crunchyroll Free Trial
Step 1: Pick a Plan
Head to the Crunchyroll website and hit the “Start Free Trial” button. 
You’ll see three options—Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan. Good news: no matter which one you pick, you’ll get the 7-day free trial. 
Step 2: Create an Account
Enter a brand-new email (one that hasn’t been used on Crunchyroll before), set a password, and verify your email. 
Step 3: Add a Payment Method
You’ll need to enter valid payment info. Just make sure the details match your card. 
Step 4: Pre-authorization Charge
Crunchyroll might put through a tiny $1 pre-authorization hold on your card to check it’s valid. Don’t freak out—it’s not an actual charge. The money will automatically bounce back within 24 hours. Once that goes through, your free trial starts immediately.
Tips & Common Questions
- Will I be charged during the trial? Nope, but your card needs to pass the $1 pre-auth test. Debit cards don’t always work.
- Will Crunchyroll remind me before the trial ends? Not always. Some users say they got a reminder 3 days ahead, others only 24 hours before billing. Best move? Set a phone reminder yourself so you don’t forget to cancel.
Can You Cancel the Free Trial?
Yes—you can cancel at any time. Crunchyroll’s trial works like this: add a payment method → enjoy 7 days free → auto-renew unless you cancel. Here’s what happens in different scenarios:
- If you cancel during the trial:
- You still keep the rest of your 7 days (so if you cancel on Day 4, you can keep watching until Day 7).
- Once the trial ends, no charge will be made.
- If you forget to cancel:
- Crunchyroll will automatically bill you for the plan you chose when you signed up.
- Refunds are rare unless local laws require them (for example, in the EU there’s a cooling-off period).
- How to cancel (web version):
- Log in at Crunchyroll.com
- Go to My Account → Subscriptions
- Find your active trial/subscription
- Click Cancel Membership
- Confirm the cancellation
Crunchyroll Pricing Plans
Subscription Tiers and Perks
As of 2025, Crunchyroll offers three subscription tiers—and nope, there’s still no special student discount plan. Here’s a quick breakdown of the three options, straight from Crunchyroll’s official pricing:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price (avg/month) | Core Features | Store Discount | Cost Split | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fan | $7.99 | $6.66 | Ad-free, full library access, simulcasts, 1080p streaming.No offline downloads. | 5% | — | Pure anime fans who don’t care about manga |
| Mega Fan | $11.99 | $9.99 | Everything in Fan+ offline downloads, manga, Game Vault, up to 4 devices at once | 10% | ~$3 | Most anime lovers (the best value tier) |
| Ultimate Fan | $15.99 | $12.49 | Everything in Mega Fan+ up to 6 devices, merch perks, and a yearly “swag box” if you stay subscribed for 12 months | 15% | ~$2.69 | Hardcore fans & collectors |
My Take
If you’re just a casual watcher, the Fan plan ($7.99) will get the job done. But honestly, the Mega Fan ($11.99) is where the sweet spot is—you get offline downloads, manga, and multi-device streaming, which makes it a killer deal.
And here’s a pro tip: if you split the Mega Fan plan with friends (since it supports 4 devices at the same time), your cost drops to around $3/month—which is basically cheaper than a coffee.
If you’re the type who collects merch and lives and breathes anime, then yeah, the Ultimate Fan ($15.99) is worth it for the swag and extras. But for most people, Mega Fan = best value.
How to Save Money on Crunchyroll Subscription(Student Discount Alternatives)
Can’t find anyone to split a plan with? No worries—there are a few pro-level tricks you can use. Even without a student discount, these student-discount alternatives can slash your Crunchyroll bill—up to 90% off in some cases. In this section, I’ll break each method down clearly: how it works, why it works, and the real-world risks and limitations you should weigh before trying it.
1. Official Limited-Time Deals (Safest Option)
Crunchyroll runs two big sales every year:
- Black Friday (November)
- New Year (January)
For example, last year’s Black Friday sale dropped the annual Mega Fan plan to just $59.99—that’s only $4.99/month.
Crunchyroll also sometimes posts 24-hour flash promo codes on Twitter that can knock $10 off instantly. And there are hidden perks too—Crunchyroll once partnered with Amazon Prime Video, offering special bundles and first-month discounts for Prime members. Definitely worth keeping an eye on both companies’ official announcements.
Pros: 100% safe, no risk of bans. Cons: You have to wait for the promos, which isn’t ideal if you want to start watching now.
2. Regional Pricing (Cheapest Option)
Crunchyroll’s regional pricing is wildly different. The same Mega Fan plan that costs $11.99/month in the U.S. is just $1.16/month in India . Turkey, Argentina, and Brazil also have dirt-cheap rates—meaning you could save up to 90% .
How to Subscribe via a Low-Cost Region (Example: Turkey) :
- Get set up: Use a paid VPN with Turkish servers + a Wise or Payoneer virtual card preloaded with Turkish lira.
- Switch your IP: Connect to a Turkey server, clear cookies/cache so your old region doesn’t interfere.
- Register/Login: Go to Crunchyroll’s Turkey site and sign up with a new email (or log in with an old one).
- Pay: Pick the Mega Fan plan, enter your virtual card details, and make sure you’ve got enough balance.
- Afterward: You can either keep using the VPN or stream normally—but frequent location switching increases the risk of account flags.
Pros: Lowest possible price, unbeatable for long-term savings. Cons: Complicated setup, real risk of account bans (Crunchyroll requires your subscription region to match your actual location). Also, your content library is tied to your real IP, so unless you keep the VPN on, you won’t unlock the regional library. And streaming on a VPN 24/7 can slow things down.
3. Group-Buy Platforms (Easiest Option)
If you don’t want to mess with VPNs or hassle with friends, group-buy platforms are the most painless route.
I tested FamilyPro.io for over six months, and it worked like a charm. I joined a Mega Fan group—4 people split one subscription—so my cost was just $4.29/month. That’s 64% cheaper than going solo, saving me about $92 in a year.
How it works:
- Sign up on FamilyPro.io and search for “Crunchyroll.”
- Join a group and pay your share.
- Within 24 hours, you’ll get login info.
- The platform holds your money in escrow until you confirm it works—so you’re protected from scams.
- Customer support is quick; one time I had login issues and they fixed it in 10 minutes.
Pros: Super convenient, cheaper than solo subs, escrow protection keeps it safe. Cons: You’ll see other people’s watch history on the account (and yours might get mixed in). Not a dealbreaker if you only care about watching anime, but worth noting.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Method | Avg. Mega Fan Monthly Price | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Deals | ~$4.99 (Black Friday sale) | Safe, official, no ban risk | Must wait for sales, not instant | Security-focused users who don’t mind waiting |
| Regional Pricing | $0.10–$0.30 | Cheapest, huge long-term savings | Complex setup, ban risk, content limited by your real IP, VPN issues | Super budget-conscious fans who can handle the risk |
| Group-Buy Sites | $4.29 (with 4 people) | Easy, hassle-free, escrow protected | Shared account with other users’ watch history | Fans who want cheap & convenient access |
Bottom line:
- Want safe and official ? Wait for the promos.
- Want the absolute cheapest ? Regional pricing, if you’re okay with the risk.
- Want easy and stress-free? Group-buy sites like FamilyPro.io are the sweet spot.
Is Crunchyroll Worth Subscribing To?
Even though Crunchyroll doesn’t come with the perk of a student discount, it’s still one of the best platforms out there for anime fans when it comes to content and features.
As someone who’s spent years swimming in the global anime streaming scene—bouncing between Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix’s anime catalog, and even picking up Hulu or AnimeLab subs just to chase older shows—I think I can give a pretty fair take. So let’s look at Crunchyroll from the perspective of an international anime veteran and see how it really stacks up.
Content & Feature Highlights
- Massive anime library: Over 1,000 licensed titles, from brand-new releases to classics and full-length movies.
- Fastest simulcasts: Popular shows like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man drop worldwide within 24 hours of airing in Japan.
- Exclusive rights: Crunchyroll holds streaming rights for huge IPs like Attack on Titan , Tokyo Revengers, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia.
- Uncut versions: Episodes are shown uncensored and unedited, preserving the original content without watered-down edits.
How Crunchyroll Stacks Up Against Other Platforms
Crunchyroll is one of the biggest anime streaming platforms in the world, but every service has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick side-by-side:
| Platform | Starting Price | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | $7.99/month | Widest Japanese anime catalog, fastest simulcasts, multilingual subs, manga library included | Limited original content, some older shows have lower video quality | Core anime fans who want Japanese releases + manga |
| Funimation | $7.99/month | Huge English dub library, linked accounts with Crunchyroll (both under Sony) | Fewer subtitles in other languages, new shows slightly slower than Crunchyroll | Fans who prefer English-dubbed anime |
| Netflix | $7.99/month | Strong original anime productions (e.g.,Castlevania), streams up to 4K | Smaller anime catalog, slower update cycle | Viewers who enjoy anime films + originals |
| Hulu | $9.99/month | Some simulcasts, bundle deals with Disney+ save money | Small anime library, ads on the cheaper tier | Disney+ subscribers who want a little extra anime |
My Take
If your main goal is to keep up with the latest Japanese anime and you also like having access to manga, Crunchyroll is hands-down the best option out there.
That said:
- If you prefer English dubs, Funimation is worth adding.
- If you’re into original anime productions or 4K quality, Netflix has some gems.
- And if you’re already paying for Disney+, Hulu can be a cheap add-on to round out your anime options.
But for pure anime lovers? Crunchyroll is still the number one choice.
My Personal Experience
As someone who’s been on Crunchyroll for years, I can honestly say it’s my ride-or-die anime platform. The absolute best part? No ads. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a random commercial popping up right in the middle of a Jujutsu Kaisen fight scene. On Crunchyroll, the immersion stays unbroken, and that alone is worth it.
The Mega Fan multi-device feature has been a lifesaver too. I’ll throw episodes up on the TV at home, keep watching on my phone during my commute, and even switch to my laptop to catch up on manga. Everything syncs seamlessly, so I never have to hunt for my spot again.
That said, I’ll be real—without any student discount, the regular price is definitely steeper than some other platforms. But once I discovered FamilyPro.io, everything changed. Splitting a Mega Fan plan with three other people brought my cost down to just $4.29 a month. Suddenly, I had full access to all the perks without my wallet crying. Honestly? That move unlocked true anime freedom —premium features at a fraction of the price. Totally worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Crunchyroll have a student discount? Nope! Don’t fall for those ads claiming there’s a student discount. They’re usually just clickbait designed to cash in on your search, and they won’t actually save you anything.
Are there any third-party platforms that offer a Crunchyroll student discount? A: You might see some websites or group-buy platforms advertising “student deals,” but in reality, most of these are just marketing gimmicks. They’re not officially recognized by Crunchyroll, and in some cases, they even come with risks like account bans or stolen login info. My advice: approach with caution.
Will Crunchyroll ever introduce a student discount in the future? A: As of now, there’s no official word. That said, it’s not impossible—other streaming giants like Spotify and Apple Music already offer student discounts, so Crunchyroll could follow suit one day. If you want to stay updated, keep an eye on Crunchyroll’s official site and social channels for the latest news.
How can students save money on Crunchyroll? A: Even though there isn’t a student discount, there are still a few solid ways to cut costs:
- Start with the 7-day free trial to test the waters.
- Wait for official promos like Black Friday or New Year’s deals—discounts can go as high as 50% off.
- Split a Mega Fan plan with friends (it supports up to 4 devices) or use a reliable group-buy platform to share the cost.
Is the Crunchyroll free trial available for all plans? Usually yes—Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan all come with a free trial. But the exact availability can depend on your region and any ongoing promotions.
Conclusion
Let’s wrap everything up:
- Student Discount – As of 2025, Crunchyroll still doesn’t have an official student discount. Any ad claiming “exclusive student pricing” is basically a scam—don’t fall for it.
- Money-Saving Tips –
- For short-term use, grab the 7-day free trial.
- For long-term savings, wait for official sales like Black Friday or New Year’s (up to 50% off).
- On a budget? Try FamilyPro.io or regional pricing tricks (like Turkey subs), which can save you 50%–90%.
- Is It Worth Subscribing? – If you’re a hardcore anime fan who cares about uncensored content, near-simulcast updates, and a massive anime library, Crunchyroll is absolutely worth it.
Final tip: Always subscribe through official channels or trusted group-buy platforms. Protect your payment info and don’t get tricked by shady “student discount” ads. With these student-discount alternatives, you’ll get the most bang for your buck—so you can enjoy your favorite anime stress-free and guilt-free.