AniList vs MyAnimeList vs Kitsu: Which Tracker to Use in 2026
MyAnimeList was acquired by a Web3 company and blocked in Russia, while AniList stays independent. Here's which anime tracker actually fits how you watch in 2026.
AniList vs MyAnimeList vs Kitsu: The 2026 Verdict
"Which tracker is better?" is a permanent r/anime argument, but 2025 changed the stakes. MyAnimeList was acquired by Gaudiy Inc., a Web3 and AI company, in May 2025. Russia blocked the site entirely in October 2025 over content rules. Suddenly "which one" isn't just about UI — it's about who holds your watch history.
What changed with MAL
Gaudiy paid roughly ¥531 million (~$3.5M) for MAL. The community reaction was immediate: "NFTs are scams, AI is killing artists, blockchain hurts the planet." As of mid-2026, no blockchain or NFT features have shipped, and the site works as before. The worry is direction, not function. MAL also still has the deepest forum threads and the most representative scores for mainstream titles.
AniList's case
AniList rebuilt its platform in 2016 and ships features constantly. It's independent, free for everything core, and has the developer-preferred GraphQL API. The interface is faster, dark mode is native, and you get six scoring scales plus sub-scores for story, art, sound, and characters.
- Downside: no official mobile app. You depend on community clients like AniHyou (Android).
- Scores run higher than MAL because the user base is more enthusiast-heavy.
Kitsu's angle
Kitsu is smaller and leans cross-media — anime plus manga in one clean feed. It's a solid pick if you want simplicity and don't need MAL's archive depth. The library is thinner, but the experience is pleasant.
| Tracker | Best for | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|
| MAL | Consensus scores, forums, legacy data | Ownership anxiety, dated UI |
| AniList | Customization, stats, dev ecosystem | No official app |
| Kitsu | Simple cross-media tracking | Small database |
Which should you use?
- You want the "real" community score and forum history → MAL
- You want stats, custom lists, and an open API → AniList
- You want minimal friction across anime + manga → Kitsu
Many fans run MAL for scores and AniList for daily tracking, since both export/import cleanly.
The bottom line
MAL's acquisition didn't break the site, but it shifted trust. AniList is the safe independent bet with the best tooling. Kitsu is the quiet third option. You can use two at once — your history isn't prisoner to one.
Want more than these three? Our MyAnimeList alternatives comparison covers SIMKL, Anime-Planet and AniDB too, with a feature table and how to move your MAL list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did MyAnimeList get sold to a crypto company?
MyAnimeList was acquired by Gaudiy Inc., a Web3 and AI firm, in May 2025 for about ¥531 million (~$3.5M). As of mid-2026 no blockchain or NFT features have shipped, and the site works as before — but the ownership shift worried users about future direction.
Is MyAnimeList blocked in Russia?
Yes. Russia permanently blocked MyAnimeList in October 2025 over content rules. MAL has not removed content to lift the ban, so Russian users need a VPN or a different tracker like AniList.
Which tracker has the better app?
Kitsu has the smoothest official app on both stores. AniList has no first-party app — Android users rely on AniHyou, iOS on Hachimi. MAL has an official app but fans call it dated; Atarashii is the open-source alternative.
Can I use AniList and MAL at the same time?
Yes, and many fans do — MAL for consensus scores and forums, AniList for daily tracking and stats. Both import/export lists, and browser extensions like MAL-Sync can auto-sync progress between them.
Which tracker is best for a beginner?
AniList, for the modern UI, dark mode, and flexible scoring. Kitsu if you want minimal friction across anime and manga. MAL if you care about the largest community and the "official" score everyone quotes.