Software · head to head
Stitcher vs ESPN+
ESPN+
Software
Stream live sports, original shows, and exclusive content
- From
- $10.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Stitcher has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023; ESPN+ the App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.
- They diverge on capability: Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, ESPN+ covers Live sports.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stitcher and ESPN+ actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Stitcher
- Podcast streaming
- Original content
- Ad-free
- Offline listening
- Recommendations
- Smart speakers
- Car systems
- Content controls
Only in ESPN+
- Live sports
- Original shows
- Exclusive content
- Replays
- Analysis
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Parental controls
Both cover
- Account security
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stitcher
- Podcast listeningnot ESPN+
- Audio entertainmentnot ESPN+
ESPN+
- Sports streamingnot Stitcher
- Live event watchingnot Stitcher
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stitcher
- Service discontinued August 29, 2023
- No longer available for download or use
ESPN+
- The App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.
Pricing, plan by plan
Stitcher
Free- FreeFree
- Free podcasts
- Ad-supported
- Stitcher Premium$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Exclusives
ESPN+
$10.99/month- ESPN+$10.99/month
- Live sports
- Exclusive content
- Original shows
- Bundle$13.99/month
- ESPN+
- Disney+
- Hulu
Which should you pick?
Choose Stitcher if
- You need podcast streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
- You also want original content.
Choose ESPN+ if
- You need live sports.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
- You also want original shows.
Questions people ask
- Is Stitcher or ESPN+ better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stitcher starts at Free and ESPN+ at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stitcher or ESPN+?
- Stitcher has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Stitcher and $10.99/month for ESPN+.
- Does Stitcher or ESPN+ run on more platforms?
- Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers. ESPN+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
- Can I use Stitcher for free?
- Yes. Stitcher has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ESPN+ starts at $10.99/month.
- What is Stitcher best used for?
- Stitcher is most often used for podcast listening, audio entertainment. Of those, podcast listening and audio entertainment are not what ESPN+ is typically brought in for.
- What can Stitcher do that ESPN+ cannot?
- Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. ESPN+ covers Live sports, Original shows, Exclusive content, Replays. Both handle Account security, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Stitcher: Is Stitcher still available?
No. Stitcher shut down on August 29, 2023. SiriusXM, which acquired Stitcher in 2020, discontinued the app to consolidate podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription. Users can listen to podcasts via the SiriusXM app instead.
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