Plenty has changed in the world of anime during the last couple of years. More importantly, we now have a wide selection of anime streaming services, with Funimation leading the pack. However, it's not all good news, as this platform isn't available across the entire world.
So, what can you do if you'd like to access and stream Funimation outside of its supported countries? Or, more precisely, how to watch Funimation outside of the USA? Well, first of all, know that bypassing those geo-restrictions is possible. And yes, we're here to help.
If you keep on reading, you'll learn how to access a treasure trove of anime content. So, let's talk about using a VPN to access Funimation, including which one gets the job done, how to use a VPN to access this platform, and pretty much everything else you'll want to know.
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Where Is Funimation Available?
As of right now, Funimation is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and New Zealand.
However, what's interesting to know is that the above-found countries don't have access to the same Funimation library. They don't even have access to the same subscription plans. That's because of regional and country-based copyrights, forcing the platform to serve specific titles in select countries only.
So, what does that mean for you? Well, if you want everything that Funimation brings, you'll want to access its US version. This one brings the largest number of titles in comparison to other libraries. The US version also offers a range of subscription plans, including a free tier (more on that later on).
Can You Download Funimation From Google's PlayStore or Apple's App Store Outside the US?
Yes, there's a way to download the Funimation app on your Android or iOS device - even if you're in an unsupported country. So, here's what you need to know.
Based on which country you've picked when setting up your Apple or Google ID, your smartphone will show you a version of the App/Play Store made for that specific country. In other words, if you want to access the US version of Funimation, it's best to pick this country to be the primary country of your Apple or Google ID.
In general, you have several options in front of you. The most effortless method is to create a new Apple/Google ID and pick a country where Funimation is available. However, it would mean that you need to re-download all your existing apps.
Other methods might include using a VPN to change your App/Play Store country temporarily, which is a bit trickier to achieve. However, this method helps you save all your apps.
What Are the Devices Supported by Funimation?
Funimation is available on the Web, smartphones, tablets, media streaming players, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more. The following table gives you a complete overview.
The above-mentioned platforms and devices offer Funimation's native apps. This means that once you install any of those apps, you'll get to stream the platform's content natively. Besides those, you could also access the official Funimation website and stream its content on any device.
How to Watch Funimation Outside the US?
The most effective way to unblock Funimation and watch it outside the USA is by using a VPN service. With that said, here's our step-by-step instruction on watching Funimation from anywhere.
- First, you need to subscribe to a VPN. We highly recommend ExpressVPN for this purpose.
- Then, download the VPN on the device you plan on using to stream Funimation.
- Launch the VPN and then log-in to ExpressVPN (using your activation code).
- Connect to one of the VPN's US-based servers.
- Finally, buy a subscription to Funimation, or access the platform to watch for free.
Can You Watch Funimation For Free, Without Signing Up?
Yes, Funimation can be streamed free-of-charge. And yes, you don't have to sign-up.
However, keep in mind that there are certain limitations on how and what you can watch/stream on Funimation for free. For example, you'll only get to access a limited number of episodes. And on top of that, the platform serves ads to its non-paying users.
Read More: Funimation Partners with Hulu to Offer More Anime Content
As you can imagine, pretty much all of the hugely popular titles are behind a paywall. In the best case possible, you'll get to watch a few episodes for free. Luckily, these typically come in 1080p HD.
Which Funimation Subscription Plan Should You Pick?
Currently, users in the USA can choose from three Funimation subscription plans - Premium, Premium Plus, and Premium Plus Ultra.
First, let's quickly compare these three subscription plans. This will help you get a clearer picture of how much you'll need to pay and how much you can expect out of Funimation.
As you can see above, Funimation really brings custom-tailored plans. For the majority of users, the Premium plan should do the job. For only $5.99/month, you get to access Funimation's entire library without ads, and you can access up to two simultaneous streams. Therefore, if you don't require offline access, the Premium plan should be your pick.
If you want to download anime for offline viewing, this is where Premium Plus and Premium Plus Ultra come into play. Using these plans, you can also get special discounts on Funimation's store, in addition to free shipping on orders over $20. The Premium Plus Ultra also gives you two rentals per year and a special anniversary gift.
What's the Best VPN to Unblock Funimation Outside the US?
Based on our hands-on experience, we believe the best VPN for Funimation to be ExpressVPN.
Trust us; we've made our recommendation after testing more than sixty VPNs hands-on. And yes, we're also passionate users of Funimation. With that said, ExpressVPN is the only VPN that'll never disappoint you. So, here's why we think you should pick this VPN.
- It Unblocks Funimation With Ease:Â We have been using ExpressVPN to unblock Funimation on smartphones, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. And yes, this VPN never had a problem to unblock this streaming service.
- It Works on Just About Any Platform:Â ExpressVPN is compatible with pretty much all of the platforms covered by Funimation. Therefore, you'll get to use one of Funimation's apps or access this platform via its website. ExpressVPN will work, no matter which way you go.
- It Comes Incredibly Polished:Â Even complete beginners won't have a hard time installing and using ExpressVPN. It takes just a second to connect to a server.
- It Protects Your Privacy in the Best Way Possible:Â Lastly, let's not forget that ExpressVPN comes with ultra-powerful VPN protocols coupled with AES-256 encryption. Your privacy will be protected in the best way possible, around the clock.
In case you'd like to take a deeper dive into learning about this VPN, we offer you our ExpressVPN review. That where you'll learn all there's to know about this VPN, from the inside out.
Will the Funimation App Work Without a VPN After Installing It?
No, Funimation won't work unless you have an active VPN session in the background.
For example, you'll get to download one of Funimation's apps on your device. And then, you'll get to open the app and even see its content. However, before playing any video, the platform will check your location - and prevent access if you're in an unsupported country.
Therefore, make sure to launch ExpressVPN before accessing Funimation. Connect to a US-based server, and you'll unblock the platform that way. Once you no longer wish to stream anime, feel free to disconnect from ExpressVPN.
Finally, you've reached the end of our guide on how to watch Funimation outside the USA. If you have any questions for us, make sure to post a comment below. And of course, don't forget to share this article online. Thank you for reading, and enjoy streaming anime!