Kalshi vs Polymarket: Which Prediction Market to Use in the US (2026)
kalshi vs polymarket_same outcome, two prices.
Kalshi and Polymarket US are both CFTC-regulated and both list sports and esports. Here is how they differ, and why the right answer is usually to check both.
The short answer
Open both. Buy the lower price.
On the same match the two venues often sit 1 or 2¢ apart. Over a season that gap is worth more than any difference in features. Our market pages put both prices side by side and mark the lower one, so you only need to check once.
The two exchanges
Kalshi
CFTC-regulated since 2021The first US exchange built for event contracts. Broad sports coverage, plus economics, weather and culture markets.
- Longest US track record of the two
- Match markets for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer and CS2
- Soccer matches listed as home, away and tie
Polymarket US
CFTC-regulated · polymarket.usThe US exchange from the largest prediction market brand. Same contracts and prices in cents, with its own order book for US traders.
- Title, relegation, champion and award boards across leagues
- Match markets for major US sports, soccer and esports
- polymarket.com is a separate site, not open to US residents
Head to head
| Kalshi | Polymarket US | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | CFTC-regulated exchange | CFTC-regulated exchange |
| US access | Most states | Most states |
| Account | US dollars | US dollars |
| What you pay | Trading fee per contract | Trading fee per contract |
| Sports | NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer incl. EPL | NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer incl. EPL |
| Esports | CS2 and more | CS2 and more |
| Beyond sports | Economics, weather, politics, culture | Politics, crypto, culture, economics |
| International site | None | polymarket.com, not open to US residents |
| New user offer | $25 when you trade $25 | $50 on a $10 deposit |
Compare live prices
cs2_
Our number vs bothOur fair value next to the Kalshi and Polymarket price on every CS2 game we rate.
nba_
Both prices, every gameEvery NBA game with the price to buy each team on both venues, lower one marked.
epl_
Home, draw and awayEvery Premier League match, all three outcomes on both venues, lower one marked.
Which to use when
Buying a match outcome
Check both and take the lower price. The MARKET pages do this for every CS2, NBA and EPL game.
Big orders on small markets
Look at the order book on both before you buy. The venue with more size near the price fills you with less slippage.
Season futures
Title, relegation and award boards can list different clubs and players on each venue. Find the one with the outcome you want, then compare prices.
Markets beyond sports
Kalshi leans into economics and weather. Polymarket leans into politics and crypto. Pick by the market, not the brand.
Kalshi$25when you trade $25Sports, esports and more, CFTC regulated
Polymarket$50on a $10 depositSports and more on Polymarket US
Underdog$1,000max bonus cashDFS pick’em and Underdog Predicts, 40+ states
Novig$25on a $10 depositCFTC exchange, 47 states
ProphetX$75when you trade $50CFTC exchange, 48 states
Betr$200no-sweat entriesPick’em plus Polymarket predictions, in beta
Rebet100%match up to $100Peer to peer, entries matched between usersQuestions
Is Kalshi or Polymarket better?
Neither wins everywhere. Both are CFTC-regulated in the US, both list sports and esports, and the same outcome often trades a cent or two apart. The better venue is whichever has the lower price for the outcome you want, after fees. Our EPL, NBA and CS2 market pages mark the lower price for every game.
Is Polymarket legal in the United States?
Yes, through Polymarket US at polymarket.us, a CFTC-regulated exchange. Polymarket’s international site at polymarket.com is a separate platform and is not open to US residents.
Is Kalshi legit and safe?
Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated designated contract market and has operated in the US since 2021. Customer funds are held under that regulatory framework. Like any exchange, trading carries risk and you can lose what you put in.
Why do prices differ between the two?
They are separate exchanges with separate traders and order books. News reaches one before the other, and one side can have more buyers at a given moment. Gaps of 1 or 2¢ are common. Bigger gaps usually close within minutes.
What about fees?
Both charge a trading fee on each contract, and the amount depends on the market and the price. Check the fee shown before you confirm an order. A 1¢ price gap can disappear once fees are counted.
Is Polymarket US as liquid as polymarket.com?
Not always. Polymarket’s headline volume includes the international site, and Polymarket US runs its own order book for US traders. On big matches both venues are usually deep enough. On smaller markets, check how much size sits near the price before you trade.
Are prediction markets available in every state?
Kalshi and Polymarket US are open in most states. Some states have challenged sports contracts, so availability can change. Each app checks your location when you sign up and trade.
Can I use both?
Yes, and it is the simplest edge there is: open both, compare, buy the lower price. Code SKILL works at sign-up on both.
More on each platform: the Kalshi review, the Polymarket review and what prediction markets are. By sport: CS2, NBA and EPL prediction markets. Updated September 2026 by Scott Krones.
18+ only. Trading is risky and 100% loss can occur. Offers have limits and are not available in all jurisdictions.Full terms
Polymarket: 18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information.
Kalshi: Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
Both prices side by side for every sport we cover.