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

Fanatics vs theScore

Fanatics 4.9★ · Free to download 65
Winner Tie
theScore 4.8★ · Free to download 70

Fanatics is best for sports merchandise and betting, despite significant issues with shipping and customer service, while theScore excels as a live score and news app, though it struggles with ads and feature bloat.

Full reviews: Fanatics · theScore

Fanatics is primarily a sports merchandise and betting app, praised for its selection and betting incentives but heavily criticized for shipping delays, poor quality, and customer service. TheScore is a long-standing sports score and news app, valued for real-time updates and comprehensive coverage, but marred by excessive ads, slow performance, and a cluttered interface.

Head to head

Features & Content tieR6R7R9R11
Fanatics Fanatics offers a wide selection of sports merchandise, including jerseys and trading cards, and integrates sports betting with daily games and free bets R11R14. However, users report issues with inventory being out of stock R6R9 and some features like Apple Pay or wish lists not working R7.
theScore theScore provides comprehensive live scores, stats, news, and highlights across many sports, with users appreciating its real-time updates and ability to track favorite teams . However, some users find it has too many features, including excessive gambling content, which can make it clunky R82. There are also complaints about missing coverage for certain leagues like NCAA Softball, Rugby, NWSL, or UFL .
Ease of Use & Performance tieR5R8R13R20
Fanatics Fanatics is described as an easy app to use by some R8, with a good experience within the Sportsbook R5. However, many users report significant issues, including inability to log in R20, pictures not loading , search not working , and generic error messages preventing orders R13. Password rules are also criticized for being unclear .
theScore theScore is generally considered easy to use for following teams and getting scores quickly . However, recent updates have made it feel clunky and slow . Users report issues with battery drain , comment notifications missing , live activities not working , and the app crashing or showing blank screens . Some find the new UI for football matches less efficient .
Reliability & Quality edge: theScoreR4R10R16R18
Fanatics Fanatics receives strong criticism for product quality, with users reporting poor material, fading, cracking, and receiving incorrect items R10R44. The daily spin/Fancash Shuffle is frequently called a scam and rigged, with users never winning R16R18. Shipping is a major point of failure, with month-long waits, delayed orders, and items being sold when out of stock R4.
theScore theScore generally provides correct scores in real-time . However, there are reports of live scorecasts being out of sync with actual games , stats not updating or showing zeros , and team logos being incorrect . Some users also note that game log history is no longer accessible past a certain date .
Price & Value tieR14R23R36R38
Fanatics Fanatics is free to download, and some users praise its good prices and promotions R14R23. However, many complain about overpriced items, especially given the poor quality . There are also issues with promised Fancash not being awarded R36R38 and new shipping charges, which deter users from making smaller purchases .
theScore theScore is free to download and provides valuable real-time sports information . However, the app is heavily criticized for intrusive and inappropriate ads, including auto-playing videos that interrupt music R70R76R82R88. Some users feel the app has become cluttered with ads and gambling content, diminishing its value R82.
Customer Support tieR4R10R12R20
Fanatics Fanatics receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding customer service. Users report terrible support, long wait times (7 hours), unhelpful virtual support, and unanswered inquiries R4R10R12R20. Issues include being unable to get information about app problems or order delays R12R4.
theScore theScore has limited reviews on customer support, but one user reported a negative experience with an AI bot, 'Betty,' and difficulty resolving a promotion issue . The app's developer responses are also criticized as generic .
Pick Fanatics if

You are primarily looking to purchase sports merchandise or engage in sports betting, and are willing to tolerate potential shipping delays and customer service issues R14.

Pick theScore if

You need a reliable, real-time source for sports scores, news, and stats, and are comfortable navigating around frequent ads and some feature bloat .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so the negative reviews for both often stem from friction experienced by non-paying users, such as ads in theScore R70R76 or issues with free games/promotions in Fanatics R16R18. Fanatics' reviews are heavily skewed towards merchandise and betting complaints, while theScore's focus on live scores and news is clear.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for sports betting?
Fanatics is generally considered the better app for sports betting, with users praising its Sportsbook experience, daily/weekly games, and incentives for free bets or Fancash R5R11R19. However, some users report significant losses and believe the casino games are rigged R1.
Does Fanatics offer good quality merchandise?
Fanatics receives mixed reviews on merchandise quality; some users praise high-quality items and good products R14R43, while many others report poor material, flawed sizing, fading, cracking, and receiving incorrect items R10R44.
Does theScore have too many ads?
Yes, many users complain that theScore has too many intrusive and inappropriate ads, including auto-playing videos that interrupt music, making the app cluttered and difficult to use R70R76R82R88.

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. [R6] Fanatics 3/5 · US Inventory: Out of the good stuff
  2. [R7] Fanatics 1/5 · US Unable to use Apple Pay: Was quick and easy, but now I’m unable to use Apple Pay with the most recent update. I also haven’t been able to save items in my favorite list.
  3. [R9] Fanatics 3/5 · US Ok: Stock doesn’t seem to keep updated on site
  4. [R11] Fanatics 5/5 · US fanatics games and cards: Of all the apps and websites that offer sports gambling - Fanatics stands out. Their daily and weekly games make for a fun chance at free bets or fancash to spend!
  5. [R5] Fanatics 5/5 · US Great!: Much better experience inside the Sportsbook than most!!!! Thanks pls send gift if you’re feeling generous today!!!
  6. [R8] Fanatics 5/5 · US Spliff: Easy app to use, great app
  7. [R13] Fanatics 1/5 · US Worst experience ever: I expected much better from a company with such reputation. I have been trying to place a simple order for over two weeks only to be blocked by generic, unhelpful error message every time I reach checkout . It’s extremely frustrating that such a well known brand has released an app that essentially is non functional.
  8. [R20] Fanatics 1/5 · US Cant login: I keep getting an error that i cant log into my account. Says to call, did last week and it was 7 hour wait.
  9. [R4] Fanatics 1/5 · US Fanatics is Trash: Everything you buy has month long waits. All star jersey will not arrive until after the game has been played. Purchased a helmet it says delayed and to contact support. Virtual support only now says since it’s within the original window I have to wait until August to hope to get my item. I just want my money back. I really wish fanatics didn’t hold a monopoly on sports memorabi
  10. [R10] Fanatics 1/5 · US Terrible customer service: All Knicks merchandise has been flawed sizing and designs. $200 bucks There’s a reason they don’t allow reviews. Too boot my Knicks hat just got delayed another month no notifications. Do better
  11. [R16] Fanatics 1/5 · US The fancash shuffle is a waste of time: I’ve probably spent over 100k on fanatics/Sportsbook you would think I’d maybe win maybe a dollar or something at least I’ve used it as long as it’s been available and I never win anything on spins I must be the worlds most unluckiest guy or fanatics is just wasting our time.
  12. [R18] Fanatics 1/5 · US Fancash Shuffle Is Not Fun: If youre going to have that promo you need to have people win more. And change the spinner so that the amount of “try again tomorrows” is proportional to your actual chance. The wheel will speed up or slow down depending where it started - always so you dont win. Additionally, if it ends on “try again tomorrow” it should start there the next day. The fact that only 1 sp
  13. [R14] Fanatics 5/5 · US I’m a fan: Fanatics always had the ultimate fan experience. Very good products and always very good prices. I recommend for any team any fan. Fanatics the fan shop
  14. [R23] Fanatics 5/5 · US Best baseball hats !!: Good deals !
  15. [R36] Fanatics 1/5 · US Scam App Does Not Pay 5$ FanCash: Really regret DL app as no easy way to remove item from cart. They refuse to apply the Memorial code to Dueling Utah Knight Puck as well. Got card telling me DL app forced me to bypass my Fanatics Account sending numbers to email. Spent hundreds to thousands on Fanatics. Gear is all ironed on garbage logos no quality all same. They ruined hockey jerseys will root
  16. [R38] Fanatics 1/5 · US Scam: Says you will get $5 fan cash after downloading app but doesn’t work
  17. [R12] Fanatics 3/5 · US Support: The support crew needs improvement. The app isn’t working and no one can apparently give information why after several attempts.
  18. [R1] Fanatics 1/5 · US Casino: I just joined yesterday. I’m already in for $500. Haven’t won a single thing.
  19. [R19] Fanatics 5/5 · US Bets: Awesome
  20. [R43] Fanatics 5/5 · US High Quality: Everything I’ve ordered is always high-quality that’s what I love about it
  21. [R44] Fanatics 1/5 · US Poor Merchandise: Fanatics has consistently made poor material with all their merchandise. I’ve bought shirts from them that already start to ware,fade, and crack only after about a year which I don’t believe should be normal and I’ve bought one thing and received another thing from them before. I do not recommend buying your sports merchandise from Fanatics
  22. [R70] theScore 1/5 · US terrible ads: Every time I open the app there's inappropriate ads and if I accidentally click on it, it takes me to the app store to download the app connected to the ad. I would leave zero stars if I could.
  23. [R76] theScore 1/5 · US Was great until videos and ads: Great app, until recently they decided to auto play videos with ads so it shuts off my music when I’m checking scores. Apple sports is better
  24. [R82] theScore 1/5 · US Lame app. Junk bet site!!: Started out great, then the greed took over, now Full of ads and spamming! Dismal user interface! App is so cluttered with ads that app is useless!! Should change name to thebet.
  25. [R88] theScore 2/5 · US Ads: I understand Ads keep the app free, but can you limit them so they’re not so many? Too distracting!

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