Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

ESPN vs Sling

ESPN 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner ESPN
Sling 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65

Choose ESPN for a more comprehensive sports experience, but consider Sling for a broader range of entertainment.

Full reviews: ESPN · Sling

ESPN offers a more robust sports-focused app with extensive coverage and features, while Sling provides a wider variety of entertainment options. However, both apps face significant user complaints regarding reliability and user experience.

Head to head

features edge: ESPNR5R20R62R67
ESPN ESPN users appreciate the extensive sports coverage and real-time updates, although some feel it lacks niche sports options R5R20.
Sling Sling users enjoy the variety of channels and shows but report issues with content availability and deceptive marketing R62R67.
ease of use tieR9R18R63R75
ESPN ESPN users find the app intuitive but report frequent crashes and slow loading times R9R18.
Sling Sling users also mention difficulties with navigation and frequent app crashes R63R75.
reliability tieR1R10R43R70
ESPN Many ESPN users report significant issues with streaming and app crashes, affecting their overall experience R1R10R43.
Sling Sling users similarly complain about glitches and unreliable streaming, with some unable to access purchased content R70R106.
price/value edge: SlingR33R52R87R119
ESPN ESPN has a free tier with in-app purchases, but users often feel the subscription costs are not justified due to ad interruptions R33R52.
Sling Sling offers a competitive price point, but users frequently express concerns about rising costs and limited content for the price R87R119.
support tieR19R43R106R107
ESPN ESPN users report a lack of effective support for their issues, particularly regarding subscriptions and app functionality R19R43.
Sling Sling users also express frustration with customer support and the lack of resolution for technical issues R106R107.
Pick ESPN if

you want a dedicated sports app with extensive coverage and features.

Pick Sling if

you prefer a broader entertainment selection and are willing to navigate potential content limitations.

Evidence note: Both apps have significant user complaints, particularly regarding reliability and support, but ESPN's focus on sports gives it an edge in features despite the recent negative reviews.

Frequently asked

Is ESPN free to use?
Yes, ESPN offers a free tier with in-app purchases, but many users report frustration with ads and subscription costs R33R52.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] ESPN 5/5 · US The greatness of ESPN: Dear ESPN, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The ESPN app delivers an outstanding sports experience with a clean, intuitive interface and exceptionally reliable coverage. Live scores update seamlessly, breaking news is timely and comprehensive, and the personalized features make it effortless to follow my favorite teams and leagues. The streaming quality is consistently excellent, and the app strikes
  2. [R20] ESPN 5/5 · US ESPN: Been using this app for years. Very useful and reliable information
  3. [R62] Sling 5/5 · US The Best Option !: Sling offers Such A Wide Range of Entertainment and Live World News and Events! Cannot beat the Price and Best of All I stay in Touch With Indian Entertainment World and News!
  4. [R67] Sling 1/5 · US Deceptive marketing: Purchase this to watch the World Cup under the assumption from marketing that I was able to. After purchase it then told me I could not actually watch the World Cup. This is not the first time sling TV has used deceptive marketing to get me to sign up.
  5. [R9] ESPN 3/5 · US App Crashing: I like the app, and it’s easy to use. The issue with it though is that it will randomly crash while I’m reading an article. Happens too often and I don’t experience this with my other apps. If it weren’t for this I’d give it 5 stars.
  6. [R18] ESPN 3/5 · US App Issues: App keeps crashing
  7. [R63] Sling 3/5 · US Problems with app: The app is terrible. I am constantly removing it and then downloading it to get it to work.
  8. [R75] Sling 3/5 · US It’s ok: I will watch something and it will crash or just stop working
  9. [R1] ESPN 1/5 · US Worst App: I bought the subscription for a month to see Wimbledon. The streaming stopped working so many times. I reset everything and I still have the same problem. I wish I could rated 0 star. Let me mention that the other apps on my Samsung TV work fine.
  10. [R10] ESPN 1/5 · US Broken app: Every time I try and read article, or anything else, I get about five sentences in and the app tries to break itself. It will either send me to the home page, switch to some random article, or gray screen. The app has been completely unusable for the last month. I’ve had the app for multiple years and just uninstalled it.
  11. [R43] ESPN 1/5 · US Unreliable: Everytime I try using this app to get information on any sporting event, I get an "unable to load, please check back soon" message. Given the amount of resources ESPN has, this kind of error shouldn't exist. Yet, it's been a headache since I've had it in my phone.
  12. [R70] Sling 1/5 · US Least reliable. Most glitchy. Inconsistent. Just randomly stops broadcasting.: I think the title says it all, except for adding the lousy customer service when a technical problem is reported.
  13. [R33] ESPN 3/5 · US 29.99 for adds: Purchased the app to watch Wimbledon matches. I think for 29.99$ I don’t have to watch 2 min ads every time I want to fast forward the video. Those ads are so annoying!
  14. [R52] ESPN 1/5 · US Commercials: I pay for espn unlimited I should get no commercials. They throw in commercials in the middle of matches when the announcers are explaining something important. Just let me watch without a damn commercial, I’m not gonna buy whatever is on there because I saw a commercial on here.
  15. [R87] Sling 3/5 · US Overpriced: Honestly I liked the streaming service when I first had it. But then the on demand section just never had anything and the price tripled over time. Ended up canceling and getting a new streaming service elsewhere with the same few channels for a third of the price. Would consider going back if the price was right.
  16. [R119] Sling 4/5 · US Great value!: Sling cut our “cable” bill in half from our previous provider. More channels, cloud DVR…just great! Wish they had numbers assigned to each “station” for easier searching. Other than that, love it!
  17. [R19] ESPN 1/5 · US Do not waste your money on subscriptions: I subscribed to ESPN specifically to watch the Wimbledon 2026 men’s and women’s singles matches in the US. Because of the time difference, the matches are played while I’m at work, so I expected to watch the replays in the evening. Instead, I paid for a subscription that still includes a lot of advertising, and by the time I get home, many of the matches
  18. [R106] Sling 1/5 · US It’s a recurring ripoff: Can’t login, can’t change password, can’t cancel subscription, can’t contact anybody. This provider literally charges me every month for a service I can’t use. I have tried for months to get anywhere with it to no avail.
  19. [R107] Sling 4/5 · US App is better than the upgrade for tv: I used to like sling. Sling has gotten rid of NHRA channel and speed sport 1. I don’t understand why. You can still find them on Tubi but occasionally I like to record the vintage shows. Customer service appears to be completely non existent. But the last update for television really messed up the guide and made it cumbersome to navigate. Example Fox s

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store