Why Track Your Anime Watching?
With hundreds of new anime released each year, keeping track of what you’ve watched becomes increasingly challenging. Anime tracking platforms offer significant benefits beyond simple list-making:
- Progress tracking across episodes and seasons
- Discovering new anime through personalized recommendations
- Analyzing viewing habits with detailed statistics
- Connecting with community through reviews and discussions
- Tracking release schedules for upcoming episodes
This guide examines the eight best anime tracking platforms of 2025, evaluating their unique features and helping you find the perfect tool to organize your anime journey.
1. AniList
AniList has evolved from a MyAnimeList alternative to become many fans’ preferred tracking platform, combining a modern interface with powerful customization options.
What Makes It Great:
- Highly customizable lists with multiple viewing options and custom CSS support
- Detailed statistics with visual charts of your viewing habits
- GraphQL API for third-party integrations and apps
- Seasonal tracking with visual interface for following current anime
- Social timeline showing friends’ updates and reviews
- Dark/light modes and progressive web app functionality
Best For: Anime fans seeking a modern, customizable tracking experience with excellent mobile support and detailed statistics.
2. MyAnimeList
MyAnimeList (MAL) remains the largest dedicated anime database and community platform, with a comprehensive catalog and established reputation.
What Makes It Great:
- Extensive database with the most comprehensive anime catalog available
- Massive community with millions of reviews and active forums
- Industry connections through official partnerships with studios
- Detailed entries including staff, characters, and related media
- Custom themes for personalizing list appearance
- Club system for interest-based discussion groups
Best For: Users who value comprehensive databases, extensive community archives, and the platform with the largest established user base.
3. Kitsu
Kitsu differentiates itself with a social-first approach to anime tracking, creating a vibrant community experience alongside powerful cataloging features.
What Makes It Great:
- Social feed focus with a Facebook-like timeline of friend activity
- Category organization beyond standard watching states
- Open-source platform with community-driven development
- Media reactions for quick impression sharing
- Rich media support for GIFs and images in posts
- Multiple rating systems to choose your preferred scoring method
Best For: Anime fans who prioritize social interaction and a modern, visual-centric interface alongside tracking capabilities.
4. Anime-Planet
Anime-Planet stands as one of the oldest anime databases online, with a focus on thorough tagging, recommendations, and integrated legal streaming.
What Makes It Great:
- Comprehensive tagging system with detailed content categorization
- Legal streaming links integrated with official platforms
- Character database with extensive searchable information
- Custom lists beyond standard categories
- Visual novel tracking alongside anime and manga
- Content warnings for potentially sensitive material
Best For: Detail-oriented viewers who value precise content categorization and integrated legal streaming options.
5. Simkl
Simkl offers a unique approach by tracking anime alongside other television content, with exceptional automation features for syncing with streaming services.
What Makes It Great:
- Cross-media tracking for anime, TV shows, and movies in one platform
- Automatic scrobbling with browser extensions for 50+ streaming services
- Calendar integration with personalized episode schedules
- Watch time statistics showing time spent viewing
- Universal search across multiple streaming platforms
- Trakt synchronization for maintaining multiple tracking systems
Best For: Viewers who watch anime alongside other television and films, and those who prioritize automated tracking across streaming services.
6. AniChart
AniChart specializes in seasonal anime tracking with a visually-oriented approach, perfect for keeping up with currently airing series.
What Makes It Great:
- Seasonal focus with visual calendar of current and upcoming anime
- AniList integration for seamless connection with your account
- Countdown timers for next episode air times
- Studio filtering to organize seasonal anime by production studios
- Source material indicators showing manga or light novel origins
- Time zone adjustment for localized airing schedules
Best For: Seasonal anime watchers who want a visual, calendar-based approach to tracking currently airing series.
7. Trakt.tv
Trakt.tv serves as a universal media tracking platform with robust anime support, offering exceptional integration with media servers and apps.
What Makes It Great:
- Universal tracking for anime alongside other TV and movies
- Wide integration with Plex, Kodi, Emby and other media servers
- Automatic scrobbling through connected apps and services
- Advanced calendar with comprehensive release schedules
- Collection management for physical and digital media
- Year in review statistics summarizing annual viewing habits
Best For: Media enthusiasts who watch anime as part of a broader television and film diet, particularly those using media servers.
8. AniDB
AniDB (Anime Database) is one of the most established anime cataloging resources, known for its exceptionally detailed technical information and comprehensive episode tracking.
What Makes It Great:
- File-based tracking with unique identification system for local collections
- Technical details including audio/video encoding, resolution, and file information
- Episode-level granularity with individual episode ratings and tracking
- Extensive cross-referencing with related media and adaptations
- Release group tracking with information about translation teams
- Advanced tagging system for highly specific content categorization
Best For: Technical-minded anime collectors who maintain local media libraries and appreciate detailed metadata for their collections.
Comparing Anime Tracking Platforms
| Platform | Database | Mobile | Automation | Social | UI Design | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AniList | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| MyAnimeList | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Kitsu | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anime-Planet | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Simkl | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| AniChart | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Trakt.tv | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| AniDB | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
How to Choose Your Anime Tracking Platform
Finding the perfect tracking solution depends on your specific needs:
For Statistics and Customization:
AniList offers the best combination of detailed stats and customization options, while AniDB excels at technical metadata for collectors.
For Community Features:
Kitsu’s social-first approach and MyAnimeList’s extensive forums provide the best community experiences.
For Cross-Media Tracking:
Trakt.tv and Simkl excel at unified tracking across anime, TV shows, and movies with excellent automation.
For Mobile Users:
AniList and Kitsu offer the most refined mobile experiences with offline capabilities.
For Seasonal Anime:
AniChart is unmatched for its visual seasonal layouts and countdown timers.
For Comprehensive Database:
MyAnimeList provides the most extensive general catalog, while AniDB offers unparalleled technical information and Anime-Planet excels at content tagging.
FAQ
Is it worth tracking anime I’ve already watched years ago?
Yes! Adding your history improves recommendations, reveals viewing patterns, prevents accidental rewatches, and creates a complete personal archive of your anime journey.
How do I transfer my anime list between services?
Most platforms offer export/import functions. Export your data (usually as XML/CSV/JSON), then use the import tool on your new platform. Services like MAL-Sync can also help transfer between major platforms.
Can tracking apps update automatically when I watch anime?
Yes, through browser extensions (MAL-Sync, Simkl, Trakt), media server integration (Trakt with Plex/Kodi), or third-party apps like Taiga that monitor media players and update your lists automatically.
What’s the difference between AniList and MyAnimeList?
MyAnimeList offers a larger database, more established community, and extensive information but has a more traditional interface. AniList provides a modern, customizable experience with better statistics, flexible scoring, and superior mobile support.