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

NFL vs ESPN

NFL 4.5★ · Free to download 40
Winner ESPN
ESPN 4.6★ · Free + IAP 70

ESPN is the better choice for a comprehensive sports app due to its broader content, reliable real-time updates, and generally better streaming performance, despite some user complaints about ads and content filtering.

Full reviews: NFL · ESPN

ESPN offers a wider range of sports content, more reliable live scores, and generally better streaming quality compared to NFL, which struggles with technical issues, blackouts, and frustrating subscription management. While both apps have issues with ads and content personalization, ESPN's overall performance makes it the stronger option for most sports fans.

Head to head

Content & Features edge: ESPNR1R2R9R16
NFL NFL provides dedicated NFL content, including local team games and news, but users complain about blackouts for prime time and out-of-market games, limited throwback content, and difficulty accessing specific shows like GMFB R1R2R16. The app is also criticized for clickbait stories and slow breaking news updates R9.
ESPN ESPN offers a vast array of sports content, including live scores, highlights, and news across many leagues, with users praising its comprehensive coverage and timely updates . However, some users wish for more niche sports coverage and better filtering for unwanted sports .
Streaming & Reliability edge: ESPNR7R12R34R45
NFL NFL users frequently report significant streaming issues, including freezing, lagging, buffering, and poor video quality R7R12R34R45. Many also experience blackouts even when paying for subscriptions R1R34R58. The app is described as glitchy and unreliable for watching games R7R12.
ESPN ESPN generally provides excellent streaming quality and reliable coverage . However, some users report issues with streaming stopping, buffering, and slow loading times, particularly for specific events like Wimbledon R76R79. App crashing is also a recurring complaint for some .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: ESPNR4R5R9R10
NFL NFL's interface is described as decent for live scores but otherwise difficult and inefficient R9. Users struggle with login issues, frequent re-authentication, and navigation problems R4R10. Some also find the app bloated and wish for a way to minimize panels R5.
ESPN ESPN is generally praised for its clean, intuitive interface and ease of use . Users appreciate the ability to follow favorite teams and get lock screen scoreboards . However, some find it frustrating to navigate to specific matches or content, especially with the amount of 'noise' R76.
Price & Value tieR2R6R25R31
NFL NFL is free to download but charges for premium content like RedZone, which users find overpriced and prone to blackouts R2R34. Many users report being charged even after cancellation, with difficulties in stopping recurring billing and getting refunds R6R25R31R43. The inability to cast on lower tiers also reduces value R59R60.
ESPN ESPN is free with in-app purchases and subscriptions. Users complain about paying for subscriptions (e.g., $29.99 for Wimbledon) and still encountering numerous, repetitive ads, even during important moments R76R79R93. Some also find the multiple paywalls and required subscriptions confusing and frustrating .
Customer Support & Billing edge: NFLR6R16R25R31
NFL NFL users report non-existent or unhelpful customer support, especially when trying to cancel subscriptions or resolve billing issues R16R25R31R43. Many are still billed months after cancellation and struggle to get charges reversed or accounts taken off file R6R25.
ESPN ESPN reviews do not specifically mention customer support experiences, but issues with billing for subscriptions that don't work or still include ads R93R112 suggest potential support gaps. The focus is more on app performance and content delivery.
Pick NFL if

you are a dedicated NFL fan primarily interested in following local team games and news, and are willing to tolerate significant technical issues and potential billing frustrations R2.

Pick ESPN if

you want a comprehensive sports app that covers a wide range of sports beyond just NFL, offers reliable live scores, and generally good streaming quality, even if it means dealing with ads and some content filtering challenges .

Evidence note: The evidence for ESPN's customer support is thin, with no direct mentions in the provided reviews. The comparison on this dimension is primarily based on the NFL app's numerous complaints regarding its support and billing practices.

Frequently asked

Can I watch live NFL games on the NFL app?
Yes, you can watch local team games on the NFL app, but many users report that prime time and out-of-market games are blacked out, and some paid content like RedZone also experiences blackouts R1R2R34R58.
Do ESPN subscriptions remove ads?
No, users who pay for ESPN subscriptions, such as for Wimbledon at $29.99, still report seeing numerous and repetitive ads, even during critical moments of matches R76R79R93R112.
Is it difficult to cancel NFL app subscriptions?
Yes, many users find it extremely difficult to cancel NFL app subscriptions, reporting that the app makes it hard to figure out how to cancel and that they continue to be billed for months after cancellation R6R25R31R43.
Does the NFL app allow casting to a TV?
Users report that the lowest or cheapest tier of the NFL app does not allow casting live games from mobile devices to a TV, limiting viewing to phones or tablets R26R59R60.

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. [R1] NFL 1/5 · US Waste: Most of what you want will be blacked out.,
  2. [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.
  3. [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.
  4. [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.
  5. [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
  6. [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
  7. [R34] NFL 4/5 · US Redone/blackzone: Pay extra to be able to watch red zone and all season it kept blacking out, spend a lot of time watching a black screen or just buffering. Maybe developers could spend more time on making sure they can handle all the traffic that comes thru the app, last season it worked fine. Overpriced! Not worth the $$!
  8. [R45] NFL 1/5 · US Who gives this 4-5 stars!??!: This is legit thee WORST app I have ever used in my life. I use it on my TV at home, hardwired, with a 1GB speed internet. Every commercial break it freezes. I have a 65” tv, half the time the video comes in at 24” looking like tv from the early 2000’s. It’s always buffering and coming in at like 480p quality. I am so completely dissatisfied with this app I wonder why
  9. [R4] NFL 1/5 · US 👎👎: This app will not let me sign in because I accidentally set my age to low
  10. [R5] NFL 4/5 · US Headlines Panel..minimize?: Please make a way to minimize the headlines panel
  11. [R10] NFL 2/5 · US Can’t download the profile: The sign in function is not working at this moment
  12. [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.
  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. [R58] NFL 1/5 · US Trash: This app is trash. It's region locked. I couldn't watch the Lions play when I was in Hawaii. I could only watch West Coast games. Also, when I was in the Philippines for Christmas this app was completely useless. It wouldn't even let me watch the replays of completed games.
  16. [R76] ESPN 1/5 · US The worst: Downloaded this to watch Wimbledon and have found it incredibly frustrating to find the matches I want to see or navigate all the noise. Plus the amount and repetition of ads is crazy making.
  17. [R79] 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. [R93] 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!
  19. [R112] 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.
  20. [R43] 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
  21. [R26] NFL 4/5 · US Why?: I find it extremely stupid that I can’t cast a live game to my TV fix that because we pay for this service 😡
  22. [R59] NFL 1/5 · US Cannot Cast on Lowest/Cheapest Tier: To me, that was not clearly advertised, that lowest tier cannot cast from iOS (any mobile device): one can only watch on phone/tablet, cannot cast to share on large screen (TV).
  23. [R60] NFL 1/5 · US Fraud: I purchased a nfl + premium account and didn’t get access to my pc or tv only my phone terrible service don’t waste your time with them just get another streaming service -1 star.

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