The Worldwide Leader in Sports changed the sports streaming landscape when it launched ESPN Unlimited in August 2025. That included the rebrand of its already existing streaming service, ESPN+ — now ESPN Select.
With the new services came some confusion. Are ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select basically the same? What happened to ESPN+? What are the main differences between the two?
This article will help you decide which service is right for you. We break down ESPN Unlimited’s robust offering of marquee sports matchups, ESPN Select’s strengths as a lighter service, and how much each plan costs.
ESPN Unlimited vs. ESPN Select at a glance
ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select may seem similar because they’re two tiers of the same service. But there are some pretty significant differences between them.
Check out the table below for a quick look at each service.
| Feature | ESPN Unlimited | ESPN Select |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $31.99/mo. | $13.99/mo. |
| Annual price | $319.99/yr. | $139.99/yr. |
| All ESPN networks | ✔ | — |
| NFL Network | ✔ | — |
| ESPN on ABC | ✔ | — |
| ESPN+ live events (including NHL Power Play and college sports) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Live NBA, NFL, WNBA games on ESPN/ABC | ✔ | — |
| Originals, "30 for 30" series | ✔ | ✔ |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
ESPN Unlimited vs. ESPN Select: Pricing and value
Aside from the differences between the main plans, there are several options for fans wanting to bundle ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited with other services.
The bundle with Disney+ and Hulu is one of the most popular. The plan including those two services with ESPN Select starts at $21.99 per month. The bundle that includes ESPN Unlimited starts at $35.99 per month.
Those who want Hulu + Live TV as a provider can bundle that service with Disney+ and ESPN Select starting at $99.99 per month. ESPN Unlimited is accessible through this plan if users log in to the ESPN app with their MyDisney credentials.
Customers can also bundle ESPN Unlimited with NFL+ Premium and FOX One.
Get ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost with a TV provider
While ESPN Unlimited has a monthly and yearly subscription price as a standalone streaming service, it’s also included with more than a handful of pay TV providers at no extra cost.
Xfinity, Spectrum, DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon Fios, and YouTube TV all have ways to activate ESPN Unlimited through their platforms.
Odds are, if you’re already a customer of one of these services, you already have most ESPN channels available in your channel lineup. But activating the Unlimited streaming tier gives you access to all the bells and whistles.
How do ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select compare on sports coverage?
Quite simply, ESPN Unlimited edges ESPN Select from a volume standpoint. ESPN Select’s streaming content is vast, but it pales in comparison when you consider all the networks ESPN Unlimited carries.
ESPN Unlimited: Every ESPN channel, and then some
“Unlimited” is truly the appropriate word for this tier of the service.
First, it includes all the channels ESPN has. I worry what you heard was, “It has a lot of ESPN channels.” What I said was, it has all the channels ESPN has.
That includes ESPNU and ESPNews, plus streaming extensions like ACC Network Extra and SEC Network+. It includes NFL Network. It includes on-demand replays of past events. All on the same platform.
ESPN Select: A plethora of college sports
While the lower-tier ESPN plan doesn’t include the company’s main TV channels, it does include all content streaming on ESPN+ — which is a lot.
Multiple college sports regularly stream on ESPN+, such as women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, golf, and much more. ESPN+ also carries non-conference college football and several men’s and women’s college basketball games.
Additionally, ESPN Select is arguably the best out-of-market service for NHL games. It includes NHL Power Play in the ESPN app, which offers more than 1,000 out-of-market games. And, it includes a healthy amount of exclusive national games showing on ESPN+ that NHL Center Ice doesn’t.
ESPN Unlimited vs. ESPN Select: Which plan should you choose?
ESPN Unlimited is the clear choice if you want the most comprehensive ESPN coverage. It offers everything ESPN Select has and much, much more. But ESPN Select may be the better value if you’re mainly interested in ESPN+ content.
Why you would choose ESPN Unlimited
ESPN Unlimited is available either as a standalone service or through various pay TV providers. It includes every ESPN channel, ESPN on ABC events, and on-demand viewing.
If you absolutely can’t miss the biggest NFL, NBA, or college sports matchups, you’ll definitely want to give ESPN Unlimited a try.
Why you would choose ESPN Select
ESPN Select is a great lower-cost option for fans who primarily want ESPN+ content. It offers a ton of live sports, just not the marquee games airing on ESPN’s main TV channels.
If your favorite college team has games streaming on ESPN+, ESPN Select could be right for you. If you’re an out-of-market NHL fan, the service’s NHL Power Play coverage is another big draw.
ESPN Unlimited vs. ESPN Select FAQ
Is ESPN Unlimited more expensive than ESPN Select?
Yes. ESPN Unlimited costs $31.99 per month as a standalone service, while ESPN Select costs $13.99 per month.
Do I need ESPN Select if I have ESPN Unlimited?
No, you don't. ESPN Unlimited offers all the content available on ESPN Select.
What is the cheapest way to watch ESPN Unlimited?
The least expensive way to access ESPN Unlimited depends on your current TV setup. If you a customer of an eligible live TV service, you can access ESPN Unlimited for free with your login information through the ESPN app. If you don't have a TV plan, ESPN Unlimited costs $31.99 per month as a standalone streaming service.
Is ESPN Select the same as ESPN Plus?
In a way, yes. ESPN Select is the rebanded name of the streaming service formerly known as ESPN+. Currently ESPN Select includes all content that streams within the ESPN+ channel hub.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Junior Sports Writer, Alex Vejar, spent hours researching and testing ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select. Alex also cross-referenced CableTV.com’s previous ESPN+ research, coverage, and reviews to understand how the ESPN app and its sports offerings have evolved. Those findings helped shape a comprehensive comparison and recommendations for different types of sports fans.
Check out our Editorial Policy page to learn more about our methods.
Explore more ESPN coverage
In this play-by-play guide, we outline how to add ESPN channels to your viewing roster. We also explain the difference between ESPN and ESPN+ and help you find ESPN’s channel number on the most popular TV services.
