Watching cartoons is a great way to relax and have some fun. In the past, catching your favorite animated shows meant sitting in front of the TV at a certain time every week. But now with the internet, you can watch cartoons online whenever you want!
In this guide, I‘ll share the best free websites for streaming cartoons. These sites offer thousands of shows and full episodes without any subscription needed. I update this list regularly to make sure all the links are working.
So whether you want to re-watch childhood classics or discover new animated series, you‘ll find plenty of options here!
How to Watch Cartoons Online
The sites below allow you to watch cartoons online directly in your browser. Most work great on computers, smartphones and tablets.
Some even have dedicated mobile apps you can install for free. I‘ll make a note of those to help you stream seamlessly on the go.
A few things to keep in mind:
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Many sites have ads, so an ad blocker can improve your viewing experience.
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Stream quality varies. HD options are limited unless you upgrade to a paid account.
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Availability differs by region. You may need a VPN if certain shows are geo-restricted.
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Sites and links change frequently. I verify all of these regularly but bookmarks can stop working.
Okay, let‘s get to the list! Here are the best free websites for streaming cartoons online:
1. Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is every animation fan‘s go-to site. It offers new episodes shortly after they air, along with a huge archive of classic cartoons. An account gets you access to exclusive content and the ability to stream on mobile and TV apps.
Key features:
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Original shows like Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show and more
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Hundreds of episodes on demand, updated frequently
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Free option has ads but decent quality up to 720p
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Mobile app for iOS and Android
Mobile app: Cartoon Network App
2. YouTube
YouTube may not come to mind immediately for cartoons but it has a massive amount of animated content. From old public domain shorts to full episodes uploaded legally, you can find all types of classics and new releases.
Key features:
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Large catalog of free cartoons with new additions daily
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YouTube Kids section great for children‘s animation
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Create playlists and get recommendations based on your watch history
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Available as a mobile and TV app on all platforms
Mobile app: YouTube App
3. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is dedicated to anime but has a growing selection of non-Japanese cartoons too. It gets new episodes shortly after release. Fan favorites like Adventure Time, Steven Universe and Star vs. the Forces of Evil are all available.
Key features:
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Quick access to new cartoon episodes after airing
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HD streams up to 1080p quality
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Community discussions about shows
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Apps for mobile and TV devices
Mobile app: Crunchyroll App
4. Vudu
Vudu has a large catalog of cartoons that you can watch for free with ads. They include both older series and recent seasons. Popular options range from Transformers to My Little Pony.
Key features:
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Hundreds of free cartoons with new content added regularly
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HD streaming with minimal ads compared to other free sites
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Access across devices like mobile, Roku, game consoles and more
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Easily browse shows by genre or search for your favorites
Mobile app: Vudu App
5. Tubi TV
Tubi TV is an ad-supported streaming site with thousands of cartoons, anime, and other shows. It‘s completely free and works on a wide range of devices.
Key features:
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Massive content library with cartoons, anime, and kids shows
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New titles added every week
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No account needed
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Streaming apps for mobile, Roku, Fire TV and more
Mobile app: Tubi TV App
6. Crackle
Crackle has hundreds of cartoons and animated movies you can watch free online. The selection covers classics, recent shows, and exclusive originals.
Key features:
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Good variety of classic and newer cartoons
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No subscription or account required
-New free content added monthly
- Supported on various smart TVs and streaming devices
Mobile app: Crackle App
7. The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free streaming option on Roku devices. It has live news, movies, sports and cartoons you can watch without creating an account.
Key features:
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Curated selection of free cartoons and animated movies
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Easy to access if you own a Roku device
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Basic navigation with curated categories
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Available on the web but streams best on a Roku player
Mobile app: The Roku Channel App
8. RetroCrush
RetroCrush is a niche free site focusing on classic cartoons and anime. It has shows from the 1940s up through the 1990s to enjoy.
Key features:
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Older cartoons and anime from past decades
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100% free with minimal ads
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Create watchlists and get new release notifications
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Apps for various devices including mobile and Roku
Mobile app: RetroCrush App
9. Peacock
Peacock offers some great animated TV series for free if you don‘t mind ads. Top options include Curious George, Where‘s Waldo? and Cleopatra in Space.
Key features:
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Quality selection of kids cartoons and family comedies
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Free plan has limited ads
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Premium paid tier unlocks more content ad-free
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Apps for mobile, web and TV platforms
Mobile app: Peacock App
10. Sony Crackle
Sony Crackle has hundreds of Hollywood movies, TV shows, cartoons, and originals available to stream for free. You can watch on web, mobile and TV devices.
Key features:
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Good variety of classic and newer animated content
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100% free streaming supported by ads
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Create a watchlist to save shows
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Accessible on various smart devices and platforms
Mobile app: Sony Crackle App
11. Pluto TV
Pluto TV operates like a streaming cable service with live channels. They have entire channels dedicated to cartoons and animation.
Key features:
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Live channels for kids animation, classic cartoons, anime and more
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Mix of curated content and on-demand selection
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Free streaming supported by ads
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Available as mobile and TV apps
Mobile app: Pluto TV App
12. PBS Kids
The PBS Kids site and app offers full episodes and live streams from their award-winning animated series. It‘s completely free with no subscription needed.
Key features:
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Popular shows like Arthur, Wild Kratts, and The Cat in the Hat
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Educational games and activities for kids
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100% free with minimal ads
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Dedicated mobile apps for streaming
Mobile app: PBS Kids App
13. Toon Goggles
Toon Goggles provides free kids cartoons, comedies and educational shows. They license content from producers around the world for viewing on their site.
Key features:
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Unique collection of cartoons you won‘t find elsewhere
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Categories for ages 0-4, 5-7, 8-12, teens and family
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Watch on web or use mobile apps
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100% free with minimal ads
Mobile app: Toon Goggles App
More Tips for Streaming Cartoons Online
Along with the websites above, also check out these options to expand your cartoon watching:
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Use streaming sites like 123Movies, YesMovies and FMovies – These free movie sites have big animation sections. Just be wary of fake copycat domain names.
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Search on video sites like Dailymotion and Vimeo – Tons of classic cartoons get uploaded if you search by show name. Quality and availability varies.
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Check network websites – Lots of networks like Nickelodeon, Disney, and Adult Swim have free games, activities and some full episodes on their sites.
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Install streaming apps on devices – Apps like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, and Roku Channel provide free content across platforms.
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Consider a VPN – To access more shows globally and stay private, use a VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN when streaming.
I hope this list helps you find new ways to watch cartoons online for free! Let me know if you have any favorite sites that should be added. Happy streaming!
