NFL+ Review: A Football Fan's Best Friend

Streaming Smarter says: If you love the NFL, NFL+ is a fantastic streaming service. With the option for live NFL Network and NFL RedZone, along with condensed replays and all-22 coaches’ film, you can stay connected to all the action around the league.

Value 5/5

The price is very reasonable and the service is a great choice if you like to use an antenna.

Channels 2/5

You’ll get a maximum of 2 channels with NFL+, but they’re really important ones.

Experience 4/5

The broadcasts, highlights, and replays are front and center, but I wish it had 4K

$6.99/mo.

NFL+ Pros and Cons

Pros

Cheapest option for standalone NFL Network and NFL RedZone
Condensed replays
All-22 coaches’ film
Great for fans who may not be home on Sundays
Excellent archival content

Cons

No free trial
Some games can only be viewed on mobile devices

What Does NFL+ Cost?

NFL+ starts at $6.99/month. That version gives you NFL Network on any device, live game audio, ad-free highlights, and ad-free on-demand programming.

The cheaper option gives you live local and primetime regular season and playoff games.

Upgrade to NFL+ Premium for $14.99 and you can also access NFL RedZone on your TV. The Premium option also includes your choice of replays: watch the full game, a condensed version (about 45 minutes) with key plays, or see all 22 players with the coaches’ film.

You also have the option to bundle NFL+ Premium with ESPN Unlimited for $39.99/month. Just sign up for the Disney+ Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle ($29.99), then go into your account settings to add NFL+ Premium for another $10.

Bundle

$39.99/mo.

Can You Get a Discount on NFL+?

The best way to get a discount is simply to choose a bundle like the ESPN Unlimited package above.

Can You Watch NFL+ for Free?

NFL+ does not have a free trial.

It’s possible you could get a short free trial of the service as a promotion with a mobile phone plan, but those things are hit-or-miss.

Can You Watch Full Games on NFL+?

Yes. But it depends on which device you want to use.

If you’re fine using a mobile phone or tablet, NFL+ gives you every live, local, primetime, and postseason game. You can also watch any games on NFL Network.

If you want to watch on your TV, NFL+ only has full games on NFL Network.

After the game ends, you can watch a replay of any game on your TV.

What Channels Are Available on NFL+?

NFL+ offers two live, linear channels.

NFL Network

Available with any NFL+ subscription, NFL Network is home to all the international games this year. You’ll also see NFL documentaries, panel shows, expert analysis, highlights, and recaps.

NFL RedZone

If you choose NFL+ Premium, you’ll unlock my favorite way to spend Sunday: NFL RedZone. There’s 7 hours of nearly uninterrupted football as host Scott Hanson leads you from game to game. You won’t waste time on injuries or instant replays or timeouts. It’s miraculous for fantasy football players because you get a glimpse at the big plays in every game.

Note that NFL RedZone is only available on Sunday afternoons.

Can You Use NFL+ to Watch NFL Sunday Ticket?

No. Sunday Ticket is available through YouTube or YouTube TV. It is not an option within NFL+

Does NFL+ Have Out-of-Market Games?

You can watch replays of out-of-market games, but you cannot watch them live. To see full live out-of-market games, you need NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube or YouTube TV.

Does NFL+ offer 4K Broadcasts?

No, NFL+ does not have 4K video.

Does NFL+ Require a Contract?

You can subscribe to NFL+ one month at a time. Cancel anytime at no penalty.

You have the option of an annual subscription, but that wouldn’t make sense since there’s so little football 7 months out of the year.

Does NFL+ Have a DVR?

There’s no DVR on NFL+, but every game is available for replay as soon as it’s over.

What Streaming Devices are Compatible with NFL+?

Web Browsers
iPhone iOS 16+
iPad iOS 16+
Apple TV tvOS 16+
Android Phone 9+
Android Tablet 9+
Android TV/Google TV 7.1+
Roku: Firmware 11.0.0 b1+
FireTV 6+
Xbox Series S and X
Vizio Smart TV (2020 and newer models)
LG Smart TV (2020 and newer models)
Samsung TV (2018 and newer models)

NFL+ may work with other devices, but functionality may be limited.

How Many Simultaneous Devices Can Stream NFL+?

NFL+ offers 3 streams at the same time on any account.

What Is the Best NFL+ Alternative?

NFL+ is a unique product, so it’s hard to compare. Other providers offer the NFL, but not with such a narrow product.

Sling TV is a good way to save money if you need lots of channels. I used to use it for my NFL provider. It won’t have any games on CBS, but it’s an inexpensive option for all other NFL games.

Hulu + Live TV starts at $82.99, but you will get free Disney+, ESPN Unlimited, and Hulu on-demand. That’s a powerful package for the NFL, though far more expensive than NFL+. If you choose this Hulu ultra-bundle, I don’t know why you’d need NFL+.

Fubo is ridiculously expensive for what it offers. While it can help you with every nationally televised NFL game, there are smarter, cheaper choices.

YouTube TV is a nice live TV streaming service, but it lacks the flexibility of its competitors. The option to add NFL Sunday Ticket is tempting, but outrageously expensive. NFL+ is the better value.

DIRECTV is a great choice for live TV streamers. The MySports package has nearly the full slate of nationally televised games and you can add RedZone with the MySports Extra add-on. I love the user interface. It’s a good choice if you love live TV.

ESPN Unlimited is a great service for sports fans and it offers all the Monday Night Football games. While it is a good compliment to NFL+, I wouldn’t say it’s a replacement. Consider bundling the two for $39.99.

Peacock offers all the Sunday Night Football games, but that’s where the footbal ends.

Paramount+ gives you all the NFL games on CBS, even on their least expensive tier. I like the service, but you can do better for football.

FOX One has all the games on your local FOX affiliate, but you’re better off with an antenna. It’s silly to pay $19.99/month for a maximum of 2 NFL games every Sunday.

Prime Video is the exclusive home for most Thursday Night Football games. The only way you’d be able to watch those games with NFL+ is if your local team is playing – and even then, you’d be stuck watching on your phone or tablet. Prime Video is a necessary evil for NFL fans.

Who Should Subscribe to NFL+?

This is my first year using NFL+ and I really like what it has to offer. I’m a die-hard sports fan and it offers more ways to watch the games than I’ve ever seen before. I really like using it for NFL RedZone on Sundays and then choosing the condensed replays to enjoy during the week – it gives a better picture of the whole game.

If you’re a high school coach or a parent of a football-crazed kid, the All-22 coaches’ film allows you to see every receiver’s route, every blocking assignment, every blitz, and every coverage in the secondary. It’s a great teaching tool.

The main reason I’m choosing NFL+ is because I have an antenna that lets me watch anything on CBS, NBC, ABC, or FOX. So I fire up NFL+ for RedZone during Sundays, then catch any Sunday night or Monday night games with the antenna.

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This would also be a great service if you travel a lot. Because you can stream the games on your phone or tablet, it’s a great way to keep tabs on your team if you’re away from home. The speedy-but-thorough game replays offer much more context than the highlights you’d see on SportsCenter.