Premium anime streaming service with licensed Japanese series, films, and exclusive simulcasts.
Anime enthusiasts who want curated Japanese content, exclusive simulcasts, and organized viewing schedules.
Free digital library app offering ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library card.
Readers and audiobook listeners seeking free access to a diverse library collection without subscription fees.
Funimation is a specialized anime streaming service with licensed Japanese content and exclusive simulcasts, while Libby is a free digital library app providing ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library card. They serve completely different purposes: entertainment streaming versus library access.
These services are not direct competitors as they serve different purposes. Choose Funimation if you want a dedicated anime streaming platform with exclusive simulcasts, new releases, and premium features. Choose Libby if you want free access to a massive library of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library system—ideal for readers and audiobook listeners seeking budget-friendly options.
Choose Funimation if
Anime enthusiasts who want curated Japanese content, exclusive simulcasts, and organized viewing schedules.
| Metric | Funimation | Libby | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $11.99 | Free | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ anime titles | Millions (library-dependent) | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2 streams (Premium) | Unlimited devices | — |
| Maximum Hold/Queue Limit(items) |
Audible vs Libby
entertainment
Crunchyroll vs Funimation
entertainment
WordPress vs Wix
software
Canva vs Photoshop
software
Slack vs Microsoft Teams
software
Midjourney vs DALL-E
software
Figma vs Sketch
software
iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
technology
PS5 vs Xbox Series X
technology
Mac vs Windows
technology
Android vs iOS
technology
Netflix vs Disney+
companies
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Choose Libby if
Readers and audiobook listeners seeking free access to a diverse library collection without subscription fees.
| Unlimited queue |
| 10 holds maximum |
| — |
| Monthly Cost(USD) | $0 (free with library card) | $0 (free with library card) | — |
| Total Audiobook Titles(count) | 500,000+ (varies by library) | 500,000+ (varies by library) | — |
| User Privacy Rating(scale 1-10) | 9/10 (library institutional protection) | 9/10 (library institutional protection) | — |
| Global Accessibility(countries) | Primarily US, Canada, Australia (library dependent) | Primarily US, Canada, Australia (library dependent) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Funimation
Anime series and films
Libby
Ebooks, audiobooks, magazines
Funimation
$11.99/month subscription (Premium)
Libby
Free (requires library card)🏆
Funimation
10,000+ anime titles
Libby
Millions of titles (varies by library system)🏆
Funimation
Unlimited personalized queue🏆
Libby
10 items maximum (as of January 2026)
Funimation
Personalized anime queue with schedule features
Libby
Clean, intuitive interface optimized for book discovery
Funimation
Available with Premium subscription
Libby
Available for ebooks and audiobooks
Funimation
2 devices (Premium tier)
Libby
Unlimited devices with library card🏆
Funimation offers both free and paid tiers. The free tier provides limited access with ads, while Premium ($11.99/month) unlocks the full 10,000+ anime library, offline downloads, new simulcasts, and fast browsing features with a personalized queue.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
| Attribute | Funimation | Libby |
|---|---|---|
| Offline Download Support(null) | Merged into Crunchyroll | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 2 streams (Premium) | Unlimited devices |
| Maximum Hold/Queue Limit(items) | Unlimited queue | 10 holds maximum |
| Offline Access | Available (Premium subscribers) | Available (all users) |
| Audiobook Length Filtering | Not applicable | 1-10 hours (1hr modules), 10-24 hours (2hr modules), 24+ hours |
Show 1 more attributeOffline Download Support Yes, library lending — | ||
| Community Features(null) | Integrated into unified platform | — |
| Dubbed Anime Count(titles) | Integrated into Crunchyroll | — |
| Total Anime Titles(titles) | Merged (deprecated) | — |
| Subtitle Languages(languages) | Transitioned to Crunchyroll | — |
| Service Status (2026)(null) | Discontinued April 2, 2026 | — |
| Simulcast Speed(hours) | Integrated into Crunchyroll | — |
| Seasonal New Releases(titles per season) | Integrated | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | Service discontinued | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $11.99 | Free |
| Monthly Cost(USD) | $0 (free with library card) | — |
| App Store Rating(stars) | Merged | — |
| 4K Content Availability(percent) | Available on Crunchyroll | — |
| Manga Integration(titles) | Legacy content merged | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 10,000+ anime titles | Millions (library-dependent) |
| Content Type Diversity | Anime-focused (series, films, OVAs) | Diverse (ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, all genres) |
| Total Audiobook Titles(count) | 500,000+ (varies by library) | — |
| Exclusive Original Content | No, standard library lending only | — |
| New Release Availability(days) | Waitlist dependent (7-90+ days) | — |
| Editor Curation Program | Libby Book Awards and curated lists | — |
| Device Compatibility | iOS, Android, web, Alexa, smart devices | — |
| User Privacy Rating(scale 1-10) | 9/10 (library institutional protection) | — |
| Best For Heavy Listeners (1+ book/month)(value for money) | Optimal (free, but with waitlists) | — |
| Premium Narrator Selection | Limited to library-owned editions | — |
| Global Accessibility(countries) | Primarily US, Canada, Australia (library dependent) | — |
| Social Features | None (private listening only) | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes