Best Streaming Apps For NFL Games This Season

Are you looking for a streaming app to watch NFL games this season? If so, we've got you covered. This article explores the best streaming platforms for NFL games, including Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and the Playoff games. Whether you prefer to watch on your mobile device (i.e., iPhone, Android, etc.), tablet, or computer, we’ll help you find where to watch your favorite teams.

Continue reading to learn which live TV streaming service for NFL games is best for you.

Which Streaming App Plays All NFL Games?

Currently, no streaming service offers the option to watch every NFL game live. However, if you want to access live Regular Season and Postseason games available in your local market (plus live audio feeds from every game), you may want to try NFL+ or NFL+ Premium.

Further, most popular streaming apps offer an NFL RedZone add-on that allows subscribers to watch seven hours of live football games and every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons.

What's The Best Streaming App For NFL Games?

The best apps to stream NFL games this season depend on how much football you like to watch, your location, and your budget. Below are a few of the best options for watching live NFL games on the go.

YouTube TV - Best App to Stream NFL Games

Why We Picked It

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, YouTube TV delivers countless hours of live NFL games every Sunday, Monday, and throughout the playoffs. The only thing they don’t offer is Thursday Night Football. That means you can enjoy regionally available NFL games from your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV without a hassle.

Who It’s For

YouTube TV is a great fit if:

• You’re a fantasy football fan who hops between multiple games every Sunday.
• You have a family or household that wants live sports and entertainment.
• You’re always on the go and need an app that works just as well on your phone as it does on your TV.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• All major broadcast networks included
• Unlimited DVR and 4K upgrade available
• Smooth, family-friendly interface

Cons:

• Missing Thursday Night Football
• Premium price compared to some rivals

Specs

• Channels With NFL Games: CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, & NFL Network
• Add-Ons: NFL RedZone
• YouTube TV Cost: Starting at $82.99 + add-ons

FuboTV - Best Overall Sports Streaming Service

Why We Picked It

FuboTV is widely considered the best overall sports streaming service. They offer bundles for hundreds of live TV sporting events, including the NBA, MLB, international sports, and more. Further, this streaming app gives NFL aficionados just about everything they could ask for in-market NFL games (excluding Thursday Night Football).

Who It’s For

Choose FuboTV if:

• You’re the kind of fan who watches everything — NFL, MLB, NBA, soccer, you name it.
• You want premium quality and 4K clarity for your big screen.
• Your household watches sports across multiple devices (no more arguing over the remote.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 4K streams with excellent quality
• One of the best DVR systems around
• Huge lineup of sports content

Cons:

• Doesn’t carry Thursday Night Football

Specs

• Channels With NFL Games: NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX, CBS, & NFL Network
• Add-Ons: NFL RedZone
• FuboTV Cost: Starting at $73.99/month + add-ons

DirecTV Stream

Why We Picked It

DirecTV Stream offers a vast selection of channels to watch live in-market NFL action weekly. It’s important to note that DirecTV Stream doesn't offer out-of-market NFL games. However, individuals with a DirecTV satellite plan can sign up for the NFL Sunday Ticket package to satisfy their football-watching needs.

Who It’s For

Choose DirecTV Stream if:

• You’re loyal to your local hometown team and don’t need out‑of‑market games.
• You’re used to cable and just want an easier, streaming-based alternative.
• You want stability and simplicity over fancy features.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Reliable for local broadcasts
• Familiar cable-like channel lineup
• Streams smoothly across devices

Cons:

• Missing NFL Network and RedZone
• Limited features for the price

Specs

• Channels With NFL Games: NBC, FOX, ESPN, CBS
• Add-Ons: NFL Network, NFL RedZone, & NFL Sunday Ticket are not available
• DirecTV Cost: Starting at $69.99/month + add-ons

Hulu + Live

Why We Picked It

If you're a cord-cutter looking to stream NFL games, Hulu + Live is an excellent option. Hulu + Live isn’t just for on-demand movies and TV shows. This streaming app offers every channel you need to watch in-market Regular Season NFL games and in-market Postseason games.

Who It’s For

Go with Hulu + Live TV if:

• You want an all-in-one package that works for sports fans and Netflix-style bingers alike.
• You’ve got kids or roommates who watch very different things.
• You’re new to streaming and want something easy, reliable, and familiar.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Comes with Disney+ and ESPN+
• Covers every in-market NFL game
• Super easy to set up and use

Cons:

• DVR starts at 50 hours (you’ll probably want to upgrade)
• Costs add up fast with extras

Specs

• Channels With NFL Games: CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, & NFL Network
• Add-Ons: NFL RedZone
• Hulu + Live Cost: Starting at $89.99/month + add-ons

Amazon Prime Video - The Best App to Stream Thursday Night Football

Why We Picked It

Are you interested in watching Thursday Night Football? In that case, Amazon Prime is the only live TV streaming app offering it, excluding the NFL season opener and Thanksgiving game. Amazon Prime is currently the exclusive provider for Thursday Night Football. However, if you’re interested in watching games on Sundays, Saturdays, or Mondays, you’ll need to pair this subscription with another service.

Who It’s For

Prime Video is perfect if:

• You already have Amazon Prime and want to make the most of it.
• You mainly care about Thursday night matchups and don’t mind skipping Sunday or Monday games.
• You appreciate modern, interactive viewing features like stat overlays and alternate commentary feeds.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exclusive home for Thursday Night Football
• Impressive 4K quality
• Interactive and modern stream

Cons:

• Thursday games only
• No DVR or channel variety

Specs

• NFL Games Available: Most Thursday Night Football Games
• Amazon Prime Video Cost: Free for Prime members OR $8.99/month + add-ons

Compare Streaming Services

Streaming Service	NFL Channels	4K Support	Cloud DVR	Free Trial	Starting Price	Add‑Ons	UX Labels
YouTube TV	CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network	Yes	Unlimited	7 days	$82.99/mo	NFL RedZone	Great for Families, Easy Interface
FuboTV	NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX, CBS, NFL Network	Yes	1,000 hrs	7 days	$73.99/mo	NFL RedZone	Sports‑Centric, Premium Experience
DirecTV Stream	NBC, FOX, ESPN, CBS	Yes	20 hrs	5 days	$69.99/mo	None	Stable, No NFL Network
Hulu + Live	CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, NFL Network	Yes	50 hrs	7 days	$89.99/mo	NFL RedZone	Affordable, Great for Families
Amazon Prime Video	Thursday Night Football	Yes	None	N/A	Free w/Prime or $8.99/mo	—	Best for Thursday Nights, No Local Channels

 

Which Streaming Service Offers NFL Sunday Ticket?

NFL Sunday Ticket is offered exclusively through DirecTV’s satellite TV plan. It’s essential to note that you cannot get NFL Sunday Ticket with DirecTV Stream. Generally, NFL Sunday Ticket is the only way to watch out-of-market games legally.

If you’re a non-DirecTV satellite subscriber, you may still qualify for this service if you meet the following conditions, but not limited to:

• You live in a multi-unit building that doesn’t offer DirecTV.
• You live in specific areas of large cities.
• You’re a college student (discounted plan available).

Network-Specific NFL Streaming Apps

If you’re the type who just wants to watch the game that’s on your local network and don’t care about a full cable-style bundle, the network-based streaming apps might cover what you need. These are great for people who already have a cable or live TV subscription and just want a lightweight way to stream.

Let’s break it down:

CBS: Paramount+

Paramount+ gives you access to all CBS broadcasts, including most AFC games, select playoff matchups, and Super Bowl coverage (in CBS years). It’s affordable, reliable, and available on just about every device.

It’s the most budget-friendly way to stream NFL games if your team plays on CBS often — that’s you Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills fans.

Specs

• Access: CBS live games, playoff broadcasts, and Super Bowl (on CBS years)
• Price: Starting at $5.99/month
• Pros: Affordable, easy to use, supports 4K
• Cons: CBS games only

NBC: Peacock

Peacock is the exclusive home of Sunday Night Football, plus it gives you access to NBC’s NFL playoff coverage and big events like the season opener. It’s also packed with replays, highlights, and analysis shows throughout the week.

It’s great for fans who want prime-time Sunday games or who follow teams like the Cowboys, Eagles, or 49ers that often land in the SNF slot.

Specs

• Access: Sunday Night Football, select NBC regional games, and NFL content library
• Price: $5.99/month (Premium)
• Pros: Super affordable, polished interface, includes replays
• Cons: Only Sunday Night Football, not full coverage

FOX: FOX Sports App

The FOX Sports app lets you stream live games airing on FOX in your area. You’ll need to sign in with your cable, satellite, or live TV streaming account to unlock the feed.

Most NFC team games air on FOX, so it’s perfect if you root for teams like the Packers, Cowboys, Niners, or Eagles.

Specs

• Access: Sunday NFC broadcasts and select playoff matches
• Price: Free (with cable or live TV login)
• Pros: Great video quality, reliable, familiar layout
• Cons: Requires an active TV login; no stand-alone option

ESPN: ESPN App + ESPN+

If you’ve got an ESPN cable or live TV login, you can watch Monday Night Football right in the ESPN app. ESPN+ (a separate subscription) adds extra NFL programming like NFL Live, The Fantasy Show, and exclusive documentaries, but not live MNF games without a provider login.

It’s perfect for Monday Night Football fans and fantasy junkies who love highlights and analysis.

Specs

• Access: Monday Night Football (with TV login), exclusive shows (via ESPN+)
• Price: ESPN app (free with login), ESPN+ $10.99/month
• Pros: Great commentary, solid performance, loads of NFL content
• Cons: ESPN+ doesn’t include MNF live games

NFL+: The League’s Own App

The official NFL app gives you mobile access to local and primetime games. The Premium tier adds game replays and condensed recaps.

Specs

• Access: Local and primetime games (live, mobile-only), all replays (Premium)
• Price: $6.99/month (NFL+), $14.99/month (Premium)
• Pros: Great for mobile watching, replays anytime, official app
• Cons: Limited to phones/tablets live; no big-screen streaming

Which App Streams Free NFL Games?

There aren't many options if you want to legally stream NFL games for free. However, if you have a traditional cable subscription (through providers like Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, or Optimum, you can typically stream available in-market games on your phone, tablet, or computer. Otherwise, illegally streaming NFL games can lead to significant security risks and legal implications that should always be avoided.

Never Miss A Game Again With SmartMove

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With SmartMove, it’s simple to find the best local Internet providers and compare speeds and options for streaming NFL games without interruption. In just a few clicks, you can see which Internet services are available in your neighborhood and choose the plan that fits your budget and viewing needs.

Need help finding the best streaming service for NFL games? We can help. Check out the best streaming service available in your area today.