Updated October 1, 2026 · LootCue Editorial Team
Character Online vs FUN
Character Online vs FUN: the differences
| Compare |  Character Online |  FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Brand or store | Brand | Store |
| Price from | €6.95 | $4.99 |
| Return window | 28 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Markets | GB | US, GB, AUCovers more |
| Pre-orders | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Officially licensed only | Yes | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- FUN scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Return window is higher at FUN: 30 days vs 28 days.
- Support channels: only FUN offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Character Online: 1991 vs 1992.
- FUN is available in 2 more countries.
- Products: only Character Online offers Action figures, Prize figures, Plush.
- Products: only FUN offers Cosplay costumes, Anime costumes, Game costumes.
- Franchises: only FUN offers Anime, Video games, Marvel.
- Markets: only FUN offers US, AU.
Our verdict on each
Character Online
Character Online suits fans who want officially licensed figures, plush and collectible surprise figures rather than copies, and collectables from €6.95 keep a first order easy to run. The catalogue, the delivery terms and the returns window all come from one long-established company, so the same rules apply to every order you place.
FUN
FUN suits fans who want licensed cosplay, Halloween and anime goods in a single store, with costumes from $4.99 and returns allowed when postmarked within 30 days. A pre-order cart and store credit in place of a refund are the draws, while the 30 day rule gives no processing time.
Score breakdown
| Area | Character Online | FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Delivery in mainland UK adds nothing above £20, so a bigger basket costs no more to send. | 9.8HigherEntry costume pricing starts at $4.99, with credit available instead of a cash refund. |
| Offer | 9.2The catalogue spans action figures, prize figures, plush and more, under licences drawn from disney and sci fi. | 9.7HigherCategories reach anime merch, figures, game merch and more, with a pre-order cart for pieces due later. |
| Trust | 9.8HigherA store run by Character Options Ltd, part of The Character Group plc, a business founded in 1991, rather than an unknown seller. | 9.3FUN.com, Inc. operates in the United States, and returns stay open for 30 days from the order date. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Character Online | FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Statues, action figures and collectibles | 21 of 64 | 19 of 64 |
| Blind boxes and designer toys | 11 of 48 | 9 of 48 |
| Game, band and pop-culture merch | 40 of 74 | 37 of 74 |
What we checked
Character Online
- character-online.com: 11 facts, checked October 1, 2026
FUN
- fun.com: 11 facts, checked October 1, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Character Online | FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Action figures, Prize figures, Plush, Blind boxes | Cosplay costumes, Anime costumes, Game costumes, Wigs, Props, Cosplay shoes, Halloween costumes, Kids costumes, Plus size costumes, Accessories |
| Franchises | Disney, Sci fi | Anime, Video games, Marvel, Dc, Star wars, Harry potter, Disney, Horror, Sci fiCovers more |
| Legal entity | Character Options Ltd, part of The Character Group plc | FUN.com, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 1991Lower | 1992 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Fandom merchandise stores
| Fact | Character Online | FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Departments | Figures, Game merch, Plush | Anime merch, Figures, Game merch, Apparel, PlushCovers more |
| Free delivery threshold | £20 | Not confirmed |
| Loyalty scheme | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Character Online | FUN | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return window | 28 daysbelow the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 39 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Character Online
Pros
- Figures, plush and collectible surprise figures are officially licensed, made under agreement with the brand owners rather than copied.
- Collectables start at €6.95, so a first figure or a blind box is an easy first order.
- Unopened, non-defective items can go back within 28 days of delivery for a refund.
Cons
- The 28-day return route is written for unopened, non-defective items, so a figure you have already opened sits outside it.
- Published delivery terms are written for the United Kingdom, so orders to other destinations get a set charge decided at checkout.
- Below £20 of goods, a mainland UK order still carries a delivery charge, so one small piece costs more than its listed price.
FUN
Pros
- Costumes open at $4.99, and full outfits sit beside sale pieces on the costume listings.
- Returns are allowed when postmarked within 30 days of the original order date.
- The shop trades as FUN.com, Inc., with a company story that starts at 1992.
Cons
- The 30 day postmark rule comes with no stated processing time for a refund.
- Support runs on email, chat, phone and more, with no published response time for a question.
Who each suits
Character Online
Who it suits
- Fans of characters from film, television, comics and games who want licensed merchandise.
- Collectors starting a shelf without a large first outlay, with collectables from €6.95.
- Gift buyers who want room to change their minds, since unopened items can go back within 28 days of delivery.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone hoping to send back a figure they have already opened, because the return route is for unopened, non-defective items.
- Collectors after limited or artist-edition pieces, as the offer centres on licensed mainstream lines.
- Shoppers planning a themed set who need every piece in a single order, as this is a single brand store.
FUN
Who it suits
- Fans dressing as characters from the store's licensed properties, who finish a look with matching wigs and props in the same order.
- Families shopping kids' and plus-size Halloween clothing, with prices opening at $4.99.
- Collectors of figures, plush and apparel, with a loyalty balance available instead of a cash refund.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a stated refund turnaround, since the 30 day postmark rule gives no processing time.
- Shoppers on a tight budget, since the $4.99 entry figure covers a costume rather than a finished outfit with accessories.
Country by country
| Country | Character Online | FUN |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Character Online
How much do the collectables cost?+
A collectible figure on the collectables pages is listed from €6.95, so a single piece is a modest commitment. Prices are shown per item, and larger boxed sets and playsets sit higher up the range, which makes the entry point the useful number when you are budgeting a first order.
How much is delivery, and is it included?+
Delivery inside mainland UK is charged at a set rate, and it costs nothing extra once an order passes £20. Orders heading elsewhere are given a set delivery charge at checkout, so the total only firms up in the basket. Buying a couple of small pieces together is enough to cross the threshold.
FUN
Does FUN deliver outside the US?+
The listed destinations are the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and the store says it ships to countries well beyond that list. A UK buyer is covered by the destinations given, and the wider reach matters for anyone ordering several costumes for a group without wanting to split the delivery.
How long do I have to send a costume back?+
Returns must be postmarked within 30 days of the original order date. The postmark is what counts, so the clock runs from the order date rather than from the day a parcel arrives. Anything beyond that needs a fresh arrangement with support.