For many of us, MyAnimeList (MAL) has been the go-to hub for tracking what we watch, rating our favorites, and chatting with fellow anime fans.
It’s the old reliable of anime databases.
But what if you’re craving something new? Maybe you’re tired of the MAL’s user interface, want a fresh community vibe, or just crave a different set of features.
That’s where these MyAnimeList alternatives come in.
As someone who loves keeping tabs on my watchlist (and needs that anime info for my site), I get the struggle. Sometimes you just want a change of scenery.
Whether you’re after deeper databases, smarter tracking tools, or a different community vibe, there are plenty of legit MyAnimeList alternatives out there.
MyAnimeList Alternatives
- AniList
- AniDB
- Anime-Planet
- Kitsu
- LiveChart.me
- JustWatch
- IMDb
- Trakt
- Baka-Updates Manga
1AniList
- Pros: Modern, fast, and sleek UI. Supports anime, manga, and light novels. Can import MAL account’s data.
- Cons: Requires more filtering for seasonal lists, and search results can be cluttered.
- App Availability: No official app
- Visit AniList
AniList is probably the most popular MyAnimeList alternative right now, and for good reason.
It offers a sleek, modern interface, a powerful tracking system, and full coverage of anime, manga, and even light novels.
You can also import your MAL data in just a few clicks and customize your profile to match your style.
Developers love it too. AniList’s API support is excellent, making it a go-to choice for app creators and power users alike.
The only real downside? Finding seasonal anime or browsing the database often requires a bit more filtering than it should.
There’s also AniChart.net, a companion site that lists current and upcoming seasonal anime with detailed schedules.
It’s super useful, but honestly, it would be much more convenient if it were integrated directly into AniList. Having both in one place would make the experience feel seamless.
2AniDB
- Pros: Massive, detailed database with unmatched metadata, even for older or obscure titles.
- Cons: Outdated interface, and confusing navigation. No manga or light novel support.
- App Availability: No official app
- Visit AniDB
If you love raw data and don’t mind a retro look, AniDB (Anime Database) is your paradise. It’s one of the oldest and most comprehensive anime databases around.
AniDB covers everything from alternate versions, song lists, full staff, discography, and other details you won’t find anywhere else.
It’s basically a one-stop source for anything related to anime.
The community here leans old-school, and ratings often feel more authentic because of it.
That said, the interface looks like it hasn’t changed since the early 2000s, so expect a clunky experience and a bit of a learning curve.
Still, when it comes to accuracy and depth, AniDB is unmatched. I often use it to double-check release histories or production credits that MAL occasionally overlooks.
It’s not the most social platform, but it’s a treasure trove for completionists and researchers.
3Anime-Planet
- Pros: Easy to use, and solid recommendations feature. Covers anime, manga, and light novels.
- Cons: Tracking features are basic. Smaller and quieter community compared to other platforms.
- App Availability: No official app
- Visit Anime-Planet
Anime-Planet strikes a great balance between solid features and a friendly community vibe.
It’s been around for years but continues to evolve with a modern interface, personalized recommendations, and a detailed, well-maintained database.
You can track anime, manga, and even light novels (though the latter are grouped under manga).
The site’s tagging system is excellent, and its recommendation engine is actually useful.
For example, the “If you like this anime, you might like…” suggestions feels spot-on. This is because the suggestions come from real users, not random algorithms.
The community is active and welcoming without the toxicity you sometimes find elsewhere.
The downside? Tracking features are a bit basic. No custom statuses, no progress notes. And, the database isn’t quite as detailed as MyAnimeList or AniDB.
You’ll need to visit other sites to find out where to watch an anime, check the latest news, or even see basic details like its demographic, age rating, when it aired.
Still, if you just want an easy, pleasant way to log your shows and discover new ones, Anime-Planet makes it smooth sailing all the way.
4Kitsu
- Pros: Modern interface, strong social feed, and active community.
- Cons: Inconvenience search/browse feature, no seasonal anime lists, and poor mobile experience. No light novel support.
- App Availability: No official app
- Visit Kitsu
Kitsu (formerly known as Hummingbird) puts community front and center. Just think of it as an anime tracker with social feed.
You can log anime, rate episodes, write mini-reviews, and interact through posts that feel almost like a hybrid of Twitter and MAL.
The social feed is one of Kitsu’s strongest features. You can see what your friends are watching in real time, and the tagging system makes discovering niche genres easy.
You can also import your lists from MAL or AniList, which makes switching super easy. The interface is clean, intuitive, and supported by a lively community.
On the downside, the browse/search feature isn’t great, you’ll often need to use filters to find exactly what you’re after.
There’s also no dedicated seasonal anime section, which can be frustrating if you like keeping up with ongoing series.
While the layout looks great on desktop, it feels a bit clunky on mobile.
And instead of a traditional 1–10 rating scale like MAL’s, Kitsu uses a different system that may feel less precise for those who prefer numerical ratings.
Best for: Fans who want a community-driven platform with a simple interface and flexible list import.
5LiveChart.me
- Pros: Best-in-class for tracking currently airing anime. It has air schedules, news, and links to streaming platforms.
- Cons: No manga/light novel support. No community features.
- App Availability: Android
- Visit LiveChart.me
If you mostly care about seasonal anime, LiveChart.me is your best friend.
It shows airing schedules, has release reminders, and links out to other databases like MAL or AniDB.
It’s perfect for figuring out what’s airing this week, or which new shows are about to drop.
It also includes anime news and headlines, so you can stay current without hopping between sites.
LiveChart isn’t a community platform, so there are no forums. It’s built purely for tracking and scheduling, and it does that extremely well.
The bonus? There’s a clean, reliable mobile app, perfect for checking schedules or upcoming releases on the go.
It might not replace your main tracking site, but when it comes to staying in sync with ongoing and upcoming shows, LiveChart.me is hard to beat.
6JustWatch
- Pros: Shows where to legally stream any anime using region-specific. Clean, and modern UI.
- Cons: Basic, non-numerical rating system; not a dedicated anime community.
- App Availability: Android & iOS
- Visit JustWatch
JustWatch isn’t a full anime tracker or community site, it’s your streaming concierge.
Type in any anime title, and it instantly shows you which platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, etc.) carry it in your region, along with rental or purchase options.
You can even mark shows as watched (per episode or full series), and the interface makes it a pleasure to use. It’s sleek, minimal, and honestly one of the nicest on this list.
Ratings are simple (thumbs up/down), but for pure streaming convenience, that’s all you need.
Once again, JustWatch isn’t a dedicated anime site, so don’t expect seasonal listings, community discussions, or the kind of metadata you’d find on MAL.
Pair it with AniList or MyAnimeList, and you’ve got the ultimate watch-and-track combo. Just remember, this one’s purely a utility tool, not a social hub.
7IMDb
- Pros: Global recognition, massive user base, and consistent ratings.
- Cons: Lacks anime-specific data, and no proper list-tracking functionality for anime fans.
- App Availability: Android & iOS
- Visit IMDb
Yes, IMDb actually lists anime.
While it’s primarily built for movies and TV shows, you can still track and rate anime series here. You won’t find dedicated anime page though.
There’s a solid fan base leaving reviews for popular titles, and major studios and voice actors have full profiles.
The rating system also gives a broader, more global perspective compared to dedicated anime sites.
That said, IMDb isn’t made for anime tracking. You can mark a show as watched, but there’s no way to track episode progress or organize by status.
Still, if you enjoy blending anime with other media like K-dramas, films, or Western TV shows, IMDb is a convenient, all-in-one option that keeps everything in one place.
8Trakt
- Pros: Great for tracking all visual media in one place, useful for airing show notifications. Can sync with major streaming platforms.
- Cons: Tracking is limited (episode or series only, no partial progress). Limited anime-focused features and social elements.
- App Availability: Android & iOS
- Visit Trakt
Trakt is a hybrid tracker that covers anime, movies, and TV series.
It can sync with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video, so you can automatically log everything you watch in one place.
It’s especially handy for staying updated. You’ll get notifications whenever a new episode of your currently airing anime is released.
That said, tracking options are pretty limited. You can mark individual episodes or entire series as watched, but there’s no way to record partial progress.
And while it supports anime, the database isn’t as deep or detailed as anime-specific platforms like MAL or AniList.
The anime community here is small, but if you consume anime alongside Western shows, Trakt offers a unified dashboard most anime-only platforms can’t match.
9Baka-Updates Manga
- Pros: Best source for manga, and scanlation updates.
- Cons: Manga-only, interface is functional but not modern.
- App Availability: No official app
- Visit Baka-Updates
If your love of anime naturally extends to manga or light novels, Baka-Updates (often called MangaUpdates) is the most detailed source out there.
It’s far more detailed than MAL’s manga section and includes info that MAL simply doesn’t track, especially when it comes to scanlations, release groups, or unofficial translations.
The tagging system is robust, and you’ll find niche manga here that even the biggest platforms tend to miss.
Even after all these years, I haven’t found another site that keeps track of serialized manga updates as consistently.
It’s not built for visual tracking or progress logging, but as a pure information hub, Baka-Updates is an essential tool for serious manga readers.
10Reddit
- Pros: Massive and active communities. Excellent for personalized recommendations and niche discussions.
- Cons: Quality varies by subreddit.
- App Availability: Android & iOS
- Visit Reddit
Reddit isn’t a database or tracker, but it is one of the best places to talk about anime.
Subreddits like r/anime, r/anime_talk, r/manga, and even r/Animesuggest are filled with fans sharing recommendations, memes, reviews, and in-depth discussions.
There are also dedicated subreddits like r/ShingekiNoKyojin, where live reactions and deep-dive analyses happen in real time.
Of course, quality depends on the subreddit. Some are super insightful, others… not so much. But when you want raw opinions or deep fan theories, Reddit always delivers.
This one’s purely for the community aspect, no tracking, no database. Just fans talking anime.
So, Which MyAnimeList Alternative Should You Use?
Still unsure where to start? Here’s the final verdict:
- Want the full MAL replacement? Go AniList.
- Want the more-detailed database? Give AniDB a try.
- Crave smart recommendations? Anime Planet delivers.
- Tracking seasonal anime? LiveChart.me is your co-pilot.
- Need to know where to stream? JustWatch saves hours.
- Deep into manga? Baka-Updates is non-negotiable.
- Just want to talk anime? Dive into Reddit (but bring salt).
You don’t have to pick just one. You can use AniList for tracking, LiveChart for seasonal hype, and Reddit for late-night debates.
In 2025, the best anime tracking site is the one that fits your habits, not someone else’s.
So go explore. Try a few. You might find your new favorite anime tracking site, and maybe even a new corner of the best anime community online.








