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

Sling vs Apple TV

Sling 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Tie
Apple TV 4.8★ · Free + IAP 68

Sling is better for users prioritizing a wide range of live TV and international content at a lower price, despite its technical issues, while Apple TV is better for those seeking high-quality original content, 4K resolution, and a more polished user experience, provided they are willing to pay for individual titles.

Full reviews: Sling · Apple TV

Sling offers a broad selection of live TV, news, and international channels at an affordable price, but users frequently report app instability and poor customer support. Apple TV provides high-quality original content and 4K visuals, but its pricing structure for non-original content and occasional app glitches frustrate users.

Head to head

Content Variety & Value edge: SlingR1R2R7R8
Sling Sling is praised for its wide range of entertainment, live world news, and international channels, especially for specific communities like Indian entertainment R2R8. Many users find it a great value, cutting their cable bills in half and offering more channels . However, some criticize its on-demand section for missing episodes and its live channels for repeating programming R9. There are also significant complaints about deceptive marketing, particularly regarding World Cup and sports access, leading to unexpected costs or unavailable content R1R7R19R28.
Apple TV Apple TV is lauded for its 'elite' 4K resolution and high-quality original shows, with specific mentions of favorites like Ted Lasso . However, users frequently express frustration over its pricing model, where a subscription fee doesn't cover most movies and shows, requiring additional payments for individual titles or seasons R74R79R82R85. The content library is often described as limited compared to competitors , and some users feel misled by advertising for specific sports content that isn't fully available .
App Performance & Reliability edge: Apple TVR3R4R9R10
Sling Sling users frequently report significant technical issues, including constant crashing, freezing, and buffering, making the app unreliable R3R9R10. Specific bugs mentioned include AirPlay controls not disappearing R4, video automatically rotating , and the app locking up requiring device restarts . Some find it slow to load or experience errors .
Apple TV Apple TV also faces performance complaints, with users reporting the app being consistently slow to load , freezing and crashing , and not opening at all . Some users note it's glitchy compared to other streaming services . There are issues with specific functionalities like not being able to download purchases or the app being wonky if tracking is blocked .
Ease of Use & Features tieR11R13R14R17
Sling Sling receives mixed reviews on ease of use. Some find it simple to use and easy to navigate R11R17, while others struggle with finding shows R14, recording on DVR R14, or navigating new menus . DVR functionality is criticized for not playing the next show automatically and for 'control overreach' R13. Users also complain about excessive commercials, even with paid subscriptions R37.
Apple TV Apple TV users find it generally easy to use on phones and tablets , but many struggle with navigation and organization. Common complaints include the 'continue watching' feature not saving progress or leading to incorrect episodes , and difficulty finding purchased content . Users desire better organization for watched episodes and the ability to create playlists . There are also issues with subtitles not staying off , and a lack of landscape viewing options on some devices .
Customer Support & Communication tieR1R4R10R35
Sling Sling's customer service is widely criticized as lousy or non-existent R10R35R46R47. Users report being unable to resolve issues like unlocking channels R1, fixing AirPlay bugs R4, correcting zip codes , or canceling subscriptions R46.
Apple TV Apple TV users also report difficulties with support, with links sending them in loops and no direct help for issues like the app not opening . There are complaints about notification spam for 'Featured Sports' that are hard to turn off .
Pick Sling if

you prioritize live TV, news, and international content, want to save money compared to traditional cable, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and potentially poor customer support R2R8.

Pick Apple TV if

you value high-quality original programming, 4K resolution, and are primarily interested in Apple's exclusive content, even if it means paying extra for most other movies and shows .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews regarding app performance and content access. Sling's negative reviews often focus on technical bugs, deceptive marketing for specific content, and poor customer service. Apple TV's negative reviews frequently highlight the confusing pricing model and limitations of its content library beyond originals.

Frequently asked

Is Sling TV free?
Sling TV offers a Free tier with in-app purchases, but many users report paying for subscriptions or day passes and still encountering issues or additional costs R1R23R37R38.
Why do I have to pay for movies on Apple TV if I have a subscription?
Apple TV's subscription primarily covers its original content, and most other movies and shows require additional payment for purchase or rental, leading to user frustration about the 'too pricey' model R74R79R82R85.
Does Sling TV have good customer support?
No, Sling TV's customer support is widely criticized by users as 'lousy' and 'non-existent,' with many reporting an inability to get technical problems resolved or even cancel subscriptions R10R35R46R47.
Can I watch live sports like the World Cup on Sling TV?
While Sling TV advertises live sports, many users report deceptive marketing regarding events like the World Cup, finding that advertised games or channels are unavailable, require extra payment, or are difficult to find R7R19R28R31.

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] Sling 1/5 · US Would not unlock channels: A waist of money. I purchased online a 1 day pass. It would not unlock the channels. A family member also tried and the same thing happened to them. I would not recommend this service. I would have gave 0 stars but it is not possible.
  2. [R2] 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!
  3. [R7] 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.
  4. [R8] Sling 5/5 · US Greatest Choice of shows: I’ve been watching Sling for few years now. I have “Sling Blue”. I enjoy such a wide range of shows as well as great local and national news. It’s the BEST!
  5. [R3] 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.
  6. [R4] Sling 1/5 · US Playing on AirPlay Issue - Still Broken at 9.41.1 and Sling Won’t Fix: Now at v9.41.1. Ever since the v9 update months ago, Sling introduced a bug where the on-screen player controls stay displayed and will not disappear when Airplaying to speakers (HomePods). I’ve let support know several times and have left feedback here. And for whatever reason, they won’t fix it. Make the app unusable for my p
  7. [R9] Sling 3/5 · US Technical bugs, no support options: I have three main issues with Sling. 1. The app keeps crashing unexpectedly in the middle of watching things. 2. The closed captioning skips about half of what's being said. Incorrect captioning is also seen on a few shows. 3. The live channels aren't anything like actual live tv. Most channels repeat the same exact programming every day and there's only a few e
  8. [R10] 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.
  9. [R11] Sling 5/5 · US Awesome!!: It works great it shows you all the times and what plays then. It’s really easy to navigate.
  10. [R13] Sling 1/5 · US DVR CONTROL: Your DVR Control Overreach is astounding.
  11. [R14] Sling 4/5 · US Mostly good: I find it hard to find the shows I’m looking for, because when searching it goes back to beginning of the list. I wasn’t sure how to record on my DVR. I Think I’ve figured it out.
  12. [R17] Sling 5/5 · US Sling App: Great tv app. Simple to use and easy to navigate.
  13. [R35] Sling 4/5 · US Kris: No technical support and local channels are a real pain but rest is good
  14. [R23] Sling 5/5 · US Day Pass!: Whoever thinks that deserves a raise! Thank you so much!
  15. [R37] Sling 1/5 · US You pay AND you get commercials!: Annoying sign-in process, censored dialog, $4.99 a day, and tons of commercials.
  16. [R38] Sling 4/5 · US Not reviewing yet because I’m new to this TV app: Is Sling TV free? No monthly subscription fee or payment to keep it up and running?
  17. [R74] Apple TV 5/5 · US Scam: Why should I have to play 13 bucks just to go to watch a show and have to pay 24 for a season
  18. [R79] Apple TV 1/5 · US Too pricey: Seems like a scam that leads to other apps that i have to pay just to see the shows I thought I was getting with apple
  19. [R82] Apple TV 1/5 · US Payment: So first u have to pay a monthly fee to have Apple TV then on top of that u have to pay for the movies on the app like what kinda sense does that make.
  20. [R85] Apple TV 1/5 · US >:(: WHY ARE MY FAVORITE TV MOVIES AND SHOWS COSTING MONEY?!?!?! (⁠╯⁠°⁠□⁠°⁠）⁠╯⁠︵⁠ ⁠┻⁠━⁠┻
  21. [R46] 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.
  22. [R47] 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
  23. [R19] Sling 1/5 · US No good: I am requesting a full refund because this app used deceptive advertising. I subscribed to the Arabic package based on information that it includes the Arabic beIN Sports channels to watch the FIFA World Cup matches. However, after paying, I found out that these channels are completely unavailable in the US region and the World Cup is not being broadcasted on this platform at all. I was m
  24. [R28] Sling 1/5 · US Scam: Lies about what it offers, do not subscribe for World Cup. Only has half of games, unless you want to pay 60$
  25. [R31] Sling 1/5 · US Awful don’t waste your time: Been a long time subscriber but when it came to watching the World Cup, it would be impossible to actually find the games. It would only offer the Latino channels that I would have to pay extra for, and not the channels I actually already have access to. Terrible system…

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