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

NFL vs Retro Bowl

NFL 4.5★ · Free to download 30
Winner Retro Bowl
Retro Bowl 4.8★ · Free + IAP 80

Retro Bowl is the clear winner for users seeking an engaging and reliable football game experience, while the NFL app struggles with widespread technical issues and content access limitations.

Full reviews: NFL · Retro Bowl

The NFL app, despite being the official source, is plagued by critical technical issues, login problems, and content restrictions, leading to significant user frustration. Retro Bowl, a free-to-play game with in-app purchases, offers an addictive and customizable football simulation, though some users report gameplay imbalances and occasional bugs.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: Retro BowlR2R9R14R17
NFL Users appreciate the NFL app for providing live scores, news, and some game content, especially local teams and prime-time games, but are frustrated by blackouts, limited access to out-of-market games, and a lack of throwback content R2R14R17. Many find the app's content to be clickbait and not timely R9.
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl offers a deep dynasty mode, player customization, and engaging gameplay, with users enjoying building a legacy R65. However, some desire more varied routes, the ability to return punts and onside kicks, a larger roster, and more defensive positions .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: Retro BowlR4R7R10R12
NFL The NFL app suffers from severe usability and reliability issues, including frequent freezing, lagging, buffering, and poor video quality R7R12. Users report persistent sign-in problems, difficulty with account management, and the app logging them out after updates R4R10. The news feed is often broken, and the Apple TV version has specific issues .
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl is generally considered easy to play and addictive R110. However, some users experience lagging, freezing, and crashing, particularly on Mac or older iOS devices . There are also reports of issues with purchasing in-game coins .
Price & Value edge: Retro BowlR1R2R3R6
NFL Many NFL app users feel it is overpriced and not worth the money due to blackouts, ads, and technical issues R1R2R3. The RedZone add-on is specifically called out as overpriced and unreliable R2. Users are also frustrated by being charged after cancellation R6R25R31R47.
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl is free to download, and its unlimited version (premium) is considered cheap and worth it by many R65. Some users, however, report issues with in-app purchases not being delivered or needing credit card info for updates . There are also complaints about the game becoming unbalanced at higher difficulties, potentially pushing users towards microtransactions .
Support & Customer Service edge: NFLR16R25R31R47
NFL Customer service for the NFL app is widely criticized as non-existent or unhelpful, especially regarding billing issues and cancellations R16R25R31R47. Users report being stuck in loops with AI chat and receiving no response to emails or calls R25.
Retro Bowl There are no direct mentions of Retro Bowl's customer support in the reviews. Issues like purchase problems or game crashes are reported, but without feedback on the developer's response .
Pick NFL if

you need an official source for NFL news and live scores, are willing to tolerate significant technical issues and content limitations, and primarily want to watch local or prime-time games R2R14.

Pick Retro Bowl if

you are looking for an addictive, customizable, and engaging football simulation game with a strong dynasty mode, and are comfortable with in-app purchases for an enhanced experience R65.

Evidence note: The evidence for the NFL app is heavily skewed negative, reflecting its lower lifetime rating and numerous critical user complaints across all dimensions. Retro Bowl has a much higher lifetime rating, and its negative reviews are primarily about gameplay balance or occasional technical glitches, rather than fundamental app failures.

Frequently asked

Can I watch all NFL games on the NFL app?
No, many users report that most of the games they want to watch are blacked out, and out-of-market games are not available, even with paid subscriptions R1R2.
Is Retro Bowl truly free to play?
Yes, Retro Bowl is free to download and play, but it offers in-app purchases for an 'unlimited version' which many users find cheap and worth the cost R65R110.
Are there many ads in the NFL app?
Yes, users frequently complain about a ridiculous amount of ads, even when paying for add-ons R3R8.
Does the NFL app have issues with billing and cancellations?
Yes, numerous users report being continuously billed months after canceling their subscriptions and finding it extremely difficult to cancel from within the app or get customer support assistance R6R25R31R47.

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. [R2] NFL 5/5 · US Solid app but minimal games: The app is cheap with prime time games, but no out of market games…REDZONE IS OVERPRICED. However, this is my go-to as an affordable option to watch local teams.
  2. [R9] NFL 3/5 · US Annoying: Buy NFL plus every button you click. The LAST app to update me about NFL breaking news. Click bait stories. But a decent interface to follow live scores. Other apps are better.
  3. [R14] NFL 5/5 · US Great app: It tells me everything I need to know about the NFL
  4. [R17] NFL 4/5 · US Rating: Great app my favorite football app just really wish they uploaded more NFL throwback content like maybe everyday. But overall really great app.
  5. [R4] NFL 1/5 · US 👎👎: This app will not let me sign in because I accidentally set my age to low
  6. [R7] NFL 2/5 · US When watching a game: When I watching games all everytime the game freezes up or slow about catching up because sometimes when watching the game is playing the it jumps ahead and that’s not cool when you pay for a series and can’t watch it I’ve got WiFi just fix it and I see this app also has a lot of complaints
  7. [R10] NFL 2/5 · US Can’t download the profile: The sign in function is not working at this moment
  8. [R12] NFL 3/5 · US Its okay: Pretty decent app its just super glitchy and doesn’t work a lot, plus it can be outdated at times. Super annoying to watch games on, its always lagging
  9. [R1] NFL 1/5 · US Waste: Most of what you want will be blacked out.,
  10. [R3] NFL 3/5 · US Too many ads: The amount of ads is ridiculous
  11. [R6] NFL 3/5 · US Steady billing: I liked the app. But after I cancelled it, it is still billing me for it 3 months later.
  12. [R16] NFL 1/5 · US Trash: Pay for this app so I can watch GMFB. As soon as they sold out to Disney and ESPN they bury the best show they have and make it impossible to replay. Don’t waste your time on this app. They are more concerned with taking your money than providing what you want. And the customer service section is a joke. Terrible app, save your money.
  13. [R25] NFL 1/5 · US Keep Charging Even After Cancellation: I canceled the subscription service over seven months ago, I am still receiving charges every single month. I have to dispute them with my card company every single month to get it reversed. I have reached out to the support team, I’ve tried to call, I’ve tried to email to get whatever card they have taken off the file, but get zero response. Absolutely ridi
  14. [R31] NFL 1/5 · US Impossible to cancel: I hit pause the subscription Now on April 7th they plan on reinstating it I can’t cancel Now I am not going to ever reinstate and contacting the Better business Bureau
  15. [R47] NFL 1/5 · US 0/5 ⭐️Won’t let you cancel from the app 😡: As it says. Predatory app that will allow you to sign up but won’t let you cancel without a huge hassle. 0/5
  16. [R65] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Amazing game buying the unlimited version is so worth it and cheap: Customizing is very fun and lots of options
  17. [R110] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US PEAK: This is the best mobile game ever it’s so addicting you can choose your favorite team s to play on to this game Is free which is even better
  18. [R8] NFL 5/5 · US same commercials: pay for the add on with disney+ and still get the same commercials during good morning football. play some old super commercials we have 30+ years of those to watch

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