Best KissCartoon Alternatives to Watch Cartoons Online (2026)

It was a sad day for cartoon fans when the terrific streaming site KissCartoon was shut down earlier this summer. If you’re searching for the best kisscartoon alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. The KissCartoon add-on for Kodi was one of the most popular ways to watch cartoons on the Kodi platform, and now although you can still install the add-on, the streams no longer work.

So what can you do if you’re a cartoon fan who wants to stream your shows through Kodi? Luckily, we’re here to help with our guide to alternatives to KissCartoon that will show you some other add-ons that will have you watching cartoons in no time.

A Note About KissCartoon Impersonator Sites

If you search for KissCartoon, you might be surprised to find several sites using the KissCartoon name which are still active and are offering similar streaming services. However, these are unofficial sites which are not endorsed by the Kiss team, and have even been accused of misusing data and stealing personal information from their users. In order to keep yourself safe, we recommend against using these sites, and suggest that you use one of the reputable add-ons we have listed below instead.

What Happened to KissCartoon and Are Mirror Sites Safe?

KissCartoon was one of the most visited free cartoon streaming sites on the web before it was taken offline due to copyright enforcement pressure. The original site and its sister properties, including KissAnime, were shut down after sustained pressure from rights holders. The domains were ultimately abandoned by their operators.

Since then, dozens of mirror sites, proxy clones, and successor domains have appeared — including sites operating under names like KimCartoon and KimAnime. These are not official replacements. Many in the streaming community explicitly warn against using them. Here is why they are risky:

• Aggressive ads and pop-ups: Unofficial clone sites frequently use deceptive ad networks that fire pop-ups, redirect your browser, or open new tabs without warning.
• Fake download buttons: Buttons that appear to play or download content often install adware, browser extensions, or worse.
• Browser notification abuse: Many clone sites trick visitors into enabling push notifications, which then spam malicious links directly to your desktop.
• Account and sign-up traps: Some sites require registration and then harvest your email address or payment details with no legitimate service behind them.
• Data harvesting: Unofficial clone operators have no privacy obligations and have been documented collecting and selling user data.
• Legal risk: Accessing pirated content, even passively via a streaming site, carries legal exposure in many countries.

The safest approach is to skip mirror and proxy sites entirely. Licensed ad-supported services like Tubi and Pluto TV, official apps from networks like Cartoon Network, and major subscriptions such as Netflix, Disney+, and Max give you access to a huge library of cartoons and animation with none of the risk. We cover all of these in the next section.

Best KissCartoon Alternatives in 2025 (Legal and Safe Sites)

If you want to watch cartoons and animated content right now — without Kodi, without risk, and without questionable third-party sites — the following streaming platforms are your best options. We have included a mix of free, ad-supported, and subscription services so there is something here for every budget.

Crunchyroll

• Cost: Free with ads; premium subscription removes ads and unlocks simulcasts
• Focus: Anime and East Asian animation — the largest legal anime library available
• Strengths: Simultaneous broadcast with Japan, huge dubbed and subbed catalogue, Crunchyroll Originals, available on nearly every device
• Limitations: Primarily anime; not a strong choice for western cartoons

Netflix

• Cost: Subscription-based; ad-supported tier available
• Focus: Broad entertainment including a strong animation and kids category
• Strengths: High-quality Netflix Originals like Arcane, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, and a broad kids section; available globally
• Limitations: Library varies significantly by region; no classic cartoon deep catalogue

Disney+

• Cost: Subscription-based; ad-supported tier available
• Focus: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic animation and family content
• Strengths: The definitive home for Disney classics, Pixar films, Disney Channel originals, and Disney+ exclusives like Gravity Falls and new animated series
• Limitations: Does not cover non-Disney western cartoons or anime

Max (formerly HBO Max)

• Cost: Subscription-based; ad-supported tier available
• Focus: Premium entertainment including Warner Bros. Animation, Adult Swim, and Cartoon Network content
• Strengths: Home to DC animated films, Looney Tunes, classic Cartoon Network shows, and Adult Swim originals; strong library of both kids and adult animation
• Limitations: US-centric availability; some regions have limited content

Hulu

• Cost: Subscription-based; ad-supported tier available at lower cost
• Focus: Broad entertainment with a solid animation and anime section
• Strengths: Strong simulcast anime library, classic Fox Animation titles like The Simpsons, good kids content, and some Adult Swim programming
• Limitations: US only

Tubi

• Cost: Completely free with ads — no subscription or sign-up required
• Focus: Broad library including a sizeable animation, anime, and kids section
• Strengths: One of the best free legal streaming options available; includes classic cartoons, anime, and family-friendly content; no account needed to browse
• Limitations: Ad breaks can be frequent; catalogue is not as deep as paid services; primarily US and a handful of other markets

Cartoon Network Website and App

• Cost: Free with a cable/satellite TV provider login; some content free without login
• Focus: Cartoon Network original programming
• Strengths: Direct source for CN shows like Steven Universe, Regular Show, and current programming; official and completely safe
• Limitations: Full access typically requires a pay TV subscription; library is narrower than dedicated streaming services

Plex

• Cost: Free with ads for its streaming library; Plex Pass subscription available for extra features
• Focus: Hybrid platform: personal media server plus a free ad-supported streaming catalogue
• Strengths: Includes a free streaming library with animation and kids content; also lets you manage and stream your own local media library; works on almost every device
• Limitations: Free streaming catalogue is modest compared to dedicated services; best value when also used as a personal media server

YouTube Official Channels

• Cost: Free with ads; YouTube Premium removes ads
• Focus: Varies widely — many studios and networks have official channels with free full episodes
• Strengths: Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, and many others post full episodes and shorts legally; completely safe; global availability
• Limitations: Catalogue is fragmented across many channels and not a complete library; content comes and goes

Amazon Prime Video

• Cost: Included with Amazon Prime subscription; some titles require additional rental or purchase
• Focus: Broad entertainment with a growing animation and kids section
• Strengths: Includes Amazon Originals like Invincible and The Rings of Power animated content; solid kids library; available in most countries
• Limitations: Animation library is secondary to live-action content; some titles require add-on channel subscriptions

Why You Need a VPN to Stream with Kodi

Before we get to the recommended add-ons for streaming cartoons with Kodi, we should consider your privacy and security. As you may know, Kodi is free software which is open source and totally legal to use. However, the add-ons that we are discussing below are created by third-party developers and are not endorsed by Kodi.

These add-ons allow you to stream restricted content, so they exist in a legal grey area. It is possible that using these add-ons over an unsecured internet connection could land you in trouble with law enforcement or cause you to face a fine from copyright holders.

To avoid liability, you should protect yourself with a virtual private network.

Our Recommended VPN is IPVanish

With these factors in mind, the VPN provider that we recommend for Kodi users is IPVanish. This service has fast connection speeds ideal for streaming HD and 4K, and it offers a large network of servers across dozens of countries, so you can always find a server when you need one. This means that you can easily spoof your location, to make it appear as if you are accessing the web from somewhere else and therefore get around region locks on content.

Further, IPVanish has a strict no-logging policy so you can be confident that your security and privacy are being protected. The IPVanish software can be installed onto PCs, Macs, Android devices, and iOS devices, so you’ll easily be able to protect yourself when streaming or browsing the net through your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.

*** If all of this sounds good and you want to try out IPVanish for yourself, then we have a special deal just for Addictive Tips readers. You can check the latest discounted pricing on the yearly plan — and IPVanish offers a money-back guarantee so you can buy with confidence. Visit the link for current pricing and terms.

Best KissCartoon Alternatives for Kodi

A quick note before you dive in: Many older cartoon-focused Kodi add-ons have been discontinued, abandoned by their developers, or have become unreliable as source sites have shut down. The add-ons listed below were popular options at the time of writing, but availability can change. For most users in 2025, the legal streaming services listed above are a far more dependable and hassle-free route. That said, if you are committed to the Kodi experience, here is what has been available and what you should know about each option.

Cartoon8

Our top recommendation among kisscartoon alternatives is the Cartoon8 Kodi add-on. This add-on has a diverse library including a number of Japanese animation channels, but it’s the western animation channels which are our focus today. You can use this add-on to stream both old classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry, and new modern cartoons like Stephen Universe as well.

The Cartoon8 add-on covers both animated TV shows and animated movies, so you can find feature films like those by Pixar or Disney here too. While most of the content is aimed at a younger audience, there are some surprisingly deep adult-oriented films like A Scanner Darkly and other classic animated movies. This means it’s a great add-on for anyone who wants to watch animation along with their kids, then watch their own content later.

• Type: Third-party add-on
• Content focus: Western and Japanese animation, animated movies
• Known limitations: Availability depends on third-party repository; verify current working status before installing

We’ve already written a guide for how to install and use the Cartoon8 add-on, so check that out as an alternative to KissCartoon.

More KissCartoon Alternatives: Other Kodi Add-ons for Watching Cartoons

Toonmania

In addition to Cartoon8, there are plenty more add-ons for Kodi that you can use to stream cartoons. Another of our favourites is Toonmania, which has a massive catalogue of cartoons and anime and is easy to navigate and to use. Anime fans who don’t like subtitles or those with children who are too young to read will be happy to hear that this add-on has a dubbed-only section which shows international cartoons with English voices dubbed over them.

• Type: Third-party add-on
• Content focus: Cartoons and anime, with a dedicated dubbed-only section
• Known limitations: Third-party; check current repository availability before installing

Toddler World TV

Another option is Toddler World TV, which as you can guess from the name is aimed at young children. If you have pre-school kids and you want to find content for them which is appropriate, fun, and educational, then this add-on is worth checking out.

• Type: Third-party add-on
• Content focus: Pre-school and toddler-appropriate programming
• Known limitations: Niche audience; verify current working status as with all third-party add-ons

GoodFellas 2.0

Finally, it’s always worth looking at the animation or cartoon sections of general TV and movie streaming add-ons. One of the most popular add-ons for streaming shows and movies, Goodfellas 2.0, has a strong animation section with both western and Japanese content available. The design of this add-on is very clean and easy to use, and it has a powerful search feature to help you locate the content that you want.

• Type: Third-party general streaming add-on with animation section
• Content focus: Broad TV and movies, including western and Japanese animation
• Known limitations: General add-ons of this type are frequently targeted for takedown; confirm current availability before installing

What about KissAnime?

If you’ve been a regular KissCartoon user, you might have noticed that KissCartoon’s sister site for Japanese animation, KissAnime, was taken down at the same time. If you’re hankering for some good add-ons for watching all the anime you’ve been missing, then we’ve recently produced a guide to alternatives to KissAnime which you might want to check out too.

Conclusion

Despite the sad demise of KissCartoon, there are still lots of great kisscartoon alternatives for Kodi which you can use to stream cartoons. If we missed out your favourite add-on, or if you have any questions about how to install or use the add-ons we mentioned today, then let us know in the comments below!

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