This article has been just updated: January 21, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to watch cartoons online for free? Well, today is your lucky day because we have put together a definitive guide to online video streaming for people who don’t want to pay a monthly subscription for an over-the-top media service like Netflix.
- Watch cartoons online using a free streaming site
- Alternative Free Streaming Sites
- Watch cartoons using WebTorrent Desktop
- How to use a VPN service to watch cartoons
Method 1: Use Free Streaming Sites to Watch Cartoons Online
- Advantages: Streaming sites are convenient. You can watch cartoons on any device with a web browser. Relatively low risk of accidentally downloading malware.
- Disadvantages: Not all cartoons on streaming sites are available in HD quality. Streaming sites are notorious for displaying intrusive ads and pop-up windows.
Online streaming sites are websites that allow you to watch movies and TV shows hosted on various third-party, non-affiliated servers around the world. As you can probably imagine, hosting licensed movies and TV shows isn’t exactly legal. Online streaming sites get away with what they’re doing because no content is actually hosted on their servers.
We know what you’re thinking right now: “Wait, but won’t I get in trouble for watching cartoons I haven’t paid for?” Well, not necessarily. In many countries around the world, it’s perfectly legal to download and watch copyrighted content without paying—only sharing is prohibited.
What’s more, copyright watchdogs are seldom concerned with small fish, and there’s a much higher chance of an online streaming site getting shut down than any of its users receiving a letter from the law enforcement.
.To watch cartoons online using a free streaming site:
- Open the following URL in your web browser of choice: https://www.cartoonsons.com/
- Using the search bar in the top-right corner of the site, search for any cartoon you want.
- You might be asked to validate that you’re human by solving a captcha.
- Select the cartoon you want to see from the search results.
- Click the “Watch Now” button to start watching.
If the video doesn’t work enable Flash in your browser and refresh the page.
.Alternative Free Streaming Sites
Watch Cartoons Online
In case you can’t find your favorite cartoons on CartoonsOn!, it’s useful to have a backup online streaming site where you can watch cartoons for free. Watch Cartoons Online has a massive collection of Western cartoons, including such classics as 101 Dalmatians, The Simpsons, The Flintstones, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Batman: The Animated Series, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Watch Anime Online
If you’re fan of Japanese anime, Watch Anime Online is the place you want to be. This sister site of Watch Cartoons Online has countless hours of anime of all genres, including action, comedy, slice of life, drama, psychological, history, mecha, supernatural, or romance, just to name a few.
Depending on how you prefer to enjoy anime, you can watch it either in Japanese with subtitles or dubbed by English-speaking voice actors. Unfortunately, Watch Anime Online doesn’t work well with an ad-blocker turned on, so you better be prepared to endure a few ads here and there.
Kiss Cartoon
Another great alternative to CartoonsOn! is KissCartoon. The site will probably no amaze you with its design, but it should definitely amaze you with its content. New episodes of ongoing cartoons are added to Kiss Cartoon very soon after they’ve been released, and you can see them right on the homepage.
Method 2: Watch Cartoons Using a Streaming Torrent Client
- Advantages: You can choose any video quality you want. Streaming torrent clients allow you to cast cartoons to your HDTV. No need to wait for the cartoon to download before you can start watching it.
- Disadvantages: Most streaming torrent clients have sharing enabled by default, which could get you in big trouble. Some internet service provers block torrents.
Many modern torrent clients offer a streaming feature that allows you to watch cartoons or any other videos from torrent sites without having to wait for the download to finish. Our favorite streaming torrent client is WebTorrent Desktop.
It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS, is available for free, and has a beautiful user interface. With WebTorrent Desktop, you can stream cartoons to AirPlay, Chromecast, and DLNA and discover peers via tracker servers, DHT (Distributed Hash Table), and peer exchange.
.To watch cartoons using WebTorrent Desktop:
- Open the following URL in your web browser of choice: https://webtorrent.io/desktop/
- Download WebTorrent Desktop for your operating system.
- Install WebTorrent Desktop you like you would any other application.
- Launch the application.
- Drop a torrent file or paste a magnet link into the application window.
- Enjoy your cartoon.
Method 3: Use a VPN Service to Watch Cartoons That Are Not Available in Your Country
- Advantages: Completely legal. No need to worry about malware. Cartoons available in original quality.
- Disadvantages: VPN services cost money. Not all cartoons are available on on-demand legal streaming sites.
Some networks, such as Comedy Central, publish entire cartoon episodes online and for free. For example, you can watch all episodes of South Park on South Park Studios, which is a joint venture that allows fans of South Park to stream any episode of the popular television series.
The only problem is that networks often restrict access to the cartoon episodes they publish online to audiences from certain countries. One way how you can get past this restriction is if you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to get a new IP address so that it seems you’re located in a different country than you really are.
.How to use a VPN service to watch cartoons:
- Choose a VPN service. Here’s a good list to get you started.
- Sign up and pick a plan.
- Submit your credit card details. Don’t worry: you can cancel at any time within up to 30 days and most VPN services will give you your money back without asking any questions.
- Download a VPN client to your device.
- Install the client and sign in with your account.
- Establish a VPN connection using a server located in a country from which you can watch the cartoon.
- Kick back and enjoy!
Note: We are not allowed to give you links to particular files because that would be illegal, but we can give you our 100% working advice.
We shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the services or the content of any linked site.
FAQ
What are some reputable websites for watching cartoons online?
Websites like Crunchyroll and TubiTV offer a variety of cartoons that you can watch for free. While Crunchyroll focuses more on anime, TubiTV provides various animated series, including classic and contemporary cartoons.
Is it necessary to create an account to watch cartoons on these free websites?
Some websites may require you to sign up for a free account to access their content fully, while others might allow you to start watching without registration. For instance, on TubiTV you’ll need an account for full access, whereas on other platforms you might be able to watch with limited functionality or ad-supported content as a guest.
Are there any apps that I can use to watch cartoons for free on my phone or tablet?
Yes, many free streaming sites have accompanying apps available on both Android and iOS. For instance, TubiTV and Crunchyroll offer mobile apps where you can stream cartoons for free, assuming you are okay with watching advertisements.
Are these free cartoon streaming services legal?
When you use reputable streaming services like TubiTV and Crunchyroll, you are accessing content legally. These platforms have licensing agreements with the content creators to stream their shows for free with ads.
Can I find both classic and modern cartoons on free streaming sites?
Yes, many free streaming platforms offer a mix of both classic and modern cartoons. You can typically browse their libraries by genre or by using the search function to find specific titles.
How often do free streaming websites update their cartoon collections?
Free streaming services tend to update their content regularly. However, the frequency of updates can vary depending on the website and licensing agreements they have with content providers.
What can I do if a specific cartoon isn’t available in my region?
Some cartoons may be restricted by region due to licensing agreements. If a cartoon is not available in your area, you can check alternative legal streaming services, or wait to see if it becomes available later. Using VPNs to bypass regional restrictions is discouraged and can violate the terms of service of the streaming platform.
Are there any risks involved in watching cartoons on free online streaming sites?
When choosing a free streaming site, it’s important to use reputable services to minimize risks such as malware or security breaches. Stick to well-known platforms and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links.
Will I encounter a lot of advertisements while watching cartoons for free?
Free streaming services like TubiTV are ad-supported, so you will likely encounter advertisements while watching content. This is how they can offer content for free to the audience.
Do free streaming websites require a high-speed internet connection?
To stream cartoons without interruption, a reliable and high-speed internet connection is recommended. The video quality might automatically adjust depending on your internet speed to ensure continuous playback.
Can I download cartoons to watch offline on these free streaming websites?
Most free streaming websites do not offer a download feature due to licensing restrictions. They are typically available for streaming only. For offline viewing, you would need to check if the service offers this feature which might come with their premium plans, if available.
Are subtitles available for cartoons on these free streaming platforms?
Many streaming services offer subtitles for their content. For instance, on Crunchyroll, subtitles are commonly provided, particularly for non-English content like anime.
Can I watch these free cartoons on a smart TV?
Yes, if the free streaming service has a smart TV app or supports casting, you can watch cartoons on your smart TV. Services like TubiTV can be accessed on a smart TV either through their application or via casting devices.
Is it possible to find educational cartoons on free streaming websites?
Free streaming platforms often have a range of cartoons, including those with educational value. You can browse the kids or family sections to find such content.
What’s the video quality like for cartoons on these free streaming sites?
The video quality on free streaming sites can vary. Many services offer standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), or even higher quality options depending on the show and the user’s internet connection.
Are there any geographical restrictions for using these free cartoon streaming websites?
Some streaming websites have geographical restrictions due to licensing, meaning their content might only be available in certain countries. If a show is not available in your country, it won’t appear in the website’s library or you’ll receive a notification that it’s not accessible in your region.
What kind of cartoons can I expect to find on these free streaming platforms?
You’ll find a variety of cartoons, including anime, classic series, contemporary shows, and even full-length animated films. Platforms like Crunchyroll specialize in anime, whereas TubiTV offers a broader selection of animated content.
How can I find the latest episodes of my favorite cartoons?
Most streaming platforms update their libraries with new episodes shortly after they air on TV. You can check the website’s Recently Added or New Releases section, or follow your favorite cartoons to get updates.
Do I need to use a credit card to sign up for these free cartoon streaming sites?
Free streaming sites like TubiTV do not require a credit card for signing up. You simply need to provide basic information to create an account.
Will watching cartoons on free streaming sites use a lot of data?
Streaming video, including cartoons, can consume a significant amount of data. If you are on a limited data plan, make sure to monitor your usage or stream over a Wi-Fi connection to avoid any extra charges.
