Apps Like Kalshi: Best Alternatives and Prediction Market Platforms in 2026

What’s the latest from apps like Kalshi?

NFL Week 7 features a Sunday slate that includes Steelers vs. Saints, Bengals vs. Ravens, Packers vs. Lions, and Chiefs vs. Seahawks before Cowboys vs. Eagles closes the week Monday, Oct. 26. With football season in full swing, apps like Kalshi are expanding their NFL offerings through dedicated trading hubs, Combos, multi-exchange access, and advanced pricing tools. The NBA is also into its opening weekend, while the World Series schedule has Rays-Brewers Games 1 and 2 in Milwaukee on Oct. 23-24 and Game 3 in Tampa Bay on Oct. 26, giving sports traders plenty of markets beyond football.

• Polymarket cuts trading fees by 40% in October: Polymarket is running a month-long promotion offering 40% off eligible taker fees, following its earlier zero-fee football campaign. I like the added value for active traders during NFL Week 7 and the NBA's opening week. Polymarket's Combos also let me combine multiple sports outcomes into one trade, another difference from Kalshi.
• NBA prediction markets move into opening weekend: The 2026–27 NBA season is underway, with opening-week games continuing across Oct. 23-26. Weekend matchups include Bucks at 76ers and Warriors at Suns on Saturday, followed by Clippers at Thunder and Raptors at Timberwolves on Sunday. I'm comparing available game contracts, championship futures, and player-award markets across alternatives like Polymarket, ProphetX, and Novig, particularly where pricing and trading fees differ from Kalshi.
• ProphetX capitalizes on the MLB and NBA overlap: ProphetX offers another way to compare exchange-style sports pricing during the Rays-Brewers World Series and the NBA's opening week. I like having baseball, basketball, and NFL contracts available through one sports-first trading platform, especially when comparing prices against Kalshi.
• Polymarket expands NFL Combos: Polymarket lets me combine game winners, spreads, totals, and other football outcomes into multi-selection trades. During Week 7, Combos remain one of its clearest differences from Kalshi, particularly for traders who prefer combining multiple predictions rather than trading individual contracts.
• Novig reaches a reported $2 billion valuation: The reported milestone highlights growing investor interest in sports prediction markets. Unlike Kalshi, which offers a broader selection of politics, economics, and financial contracts, Novig specializes in sports trading and offers its own pricing tools, limit orders, and exchange-style features.

Best apps like Kalshi by category

While Kalshi may have the most brand power, enthusiasts have plenty of options, with many complementary prediction market promos. Explore the best alternative prediction markets below: 

Top prediction market platforms

• Polymarket - Best for sports and politics markets
• FanDuel Predicts - Best for beginners
• ProphetX - Best for exchange-style trading
• Novig - Best for sports-first prediction trading
• Underdog- Best for streamlined prediction trading
• OG.com - Best for advanced trading tools
• Plus500- Best for low-cost trading
• Crypto.com - Best for crypto
• Gemini- Best for fee-conscious traders

What is Kalshi?

Kalshi is a prediction exchange where you trade simple yes/no contracts on real-world events across sports, politics, economics, pop culture, breaking news, and more. It’s one of the most widely used prediction market apps in the U.S., with markets covering a broad range of mainstream and niche events.

Kalshi is federally regulated by the CFTC, though its availability and the legal status of certain event contracts remain contested in some states. For a full breakdown, check out our Kalshi review, then head over to our Kalshi promo code page to see the current new-user offer, 'Exclusive $60 Bonus', and the latest promo code, MAX60.

Our Kalshi referral code page also explains how the separate friend-referral program works and how eligible users can access referral rewards.

Kalshi responsible gaming  

Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at http://kalshi.com/tc/55. 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.

Kalshi vs other prediction apps

Kalshi is the best prediction market app in the U.S. for good reason, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its downsides.

Where Kalshi stands out

• Regulated at a federal level: Kalshi is CFTC-approved, operating as a legal exchange rather than a gray-market platform.
• Broad U.S. availability: Kalshi is available in most U.S. jurisdictions, but not in Nevada or Washington. Availability and eligible contract categories can change, so confirm what is available in your location directly with Kalshi before registering or trading.
• Strong liquidity: Major events tend to attract steady volume, which means tighter pricing and a smoother trading process.
• New NFL trading formats: Kalshi has added ladder and escalator markets for NFL player outcomes, including escalators labeled Slingshots in the app, along with protected NFL player markets that can provide injury protection for eligible Combo picks under specified conditions.
• Simplified trading: Kalshi does a great job of streamlining the trading process for beginners, and you can place trades with just a few taps.

Where alternatives may be a better fit

• Trending or niche markets: Some competitors have better coverage of niche markets, such as crypto movements or alternative culture.
• Crypto-based trading: Crypto is available on Kalshi, but it’s converted to USD before trading. So, you’re not actually trading or holding positions with crypto, compared to actual crypto platforms.
• Ongoing promotions: Kalshi currently offers the 'Exclusive $60 Bonus' sign-up offer, but some competitors provide a broader range of recurring promotions for existing customers. Our Polymarket referral program guide explains how inviting friends and earning credits works.

Compare top Kalshi alternatives at a glance

See how the top Kalshi alternatives stack up against the popular prediction platform. To learn more about two of the industry leaders, dive into our exhaustive Polymarket vs. Kalshi guide page.

	Kalshi	Polymarket	Novig	ProphetX
Compare	Pin	Pin	Pin	Pin
Welcome bonus	Exclusive $60 Bonus	Deposit $10, Get $25 Bonus	Deposit $10, Get $50	Trade $50, Get $75
Promo code	MAX60	COVERS	COVERS	COVERS
Best for	Overall trading experience	Sports and politics markets	Sports-first prediction trading	Exchange-style trading
Key differentiator	Features for big events, including a dedicated NFL power rankings page	U.S.-specific platform separate from Polymarket.com	Option to set your own prices	Exchange-style trading
States available	All states + DC, excluding NV and WA	All states + DC, excluding Nevada	All states + DC, excluding Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada	All states + DC, excluding Nevada

What I noticed testing apps like Kalshi

I tested Kalshi and several of its alternatives to see how their interfaces compare once you move beyond the promotional pages. I focused on how each platform helps users discover markets, interpret prices, place trades, and understand funding, using Kalshi as the baseline for identifying where each alternative felt more familiar, more specialized, or fundamentally different.

The benchmark for an all-in-one market view

I started with Kalshi to establish a baseline before comparing its alternatives. On the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee market, I selected No on Gavin Newsom and entered $100, which showed a potential payout of $119.06. On the same screen, I could review Newsom's historical price movement, compare his implied chances with the other candidates, and see the market's overall trading volume. Of the interfaces I tested, Kalshi did the best job of keeping the broader market context and the individual trade controls together without making me move between different screens.

A more advanced way to combine market positions

When I tested Polymarket Combos, I saw how the platform lets users combine positions from separate markets into one higher-upside trade. The ticket paired an Alevtina Ibragimova tennis position with an Under 2.5 maps esports position, with a $1 entry showing a potential return of approximately $9.27. Compared with Kalshi's more straightforward single-contract flow, Polymarket offered more flexibility and upside, but the combined pricing and added risk also made the experience feel more advanced and less immediately intuitive. Another detail that stood out was that, as I was taking the screenshot, the combo prices were updating live right in front of me, which reinforced how active and fast-moving the market felt.

A more focused sports prediction experience

When I first tested Novig, its purchase page still showed Novig Coins and Novig Cash alongside its sports markets. That setup has since changed: Novig has retired both currencies, and trading now runs through a single real-money account, with remaining Novig Cash balances converted to USD. Compared with Kalshi, Novig remains much more narrowly centered on sports, but its current account structure is simpler because I no longer need to distinguish between separate Coins and Cash balances before trading. The screenshot below captures the earlier setup rather than Novig’s current account experience.

A sharper, sports-first trading experience

ProphetX felt more specialized than Kalshi because almost everything in the interface was built around sports pricing and exchange-style trading. I opened its Super Bowl LXI futures market and focused on the Buffalo Bills, who were priced among leading contenders such as the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens. Switching from a market order to a limit order let me enter the price I was willing to accept instead of immediately taking the available market price. Kalshi offers a much broader mix of event categories, but ProphetX felt more purpose-built for someone who primarily wants to compare sports prices and control how they enter a position.

More visual context for comparing market momentum

OG.com stood out for the amount of historical context it placed at the center of the market page. In its 2027 pro basketball championship market, I could compare the price movement of Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and New York on the same chart before reviewing their current Yes and No prices. After Philadelphia added LeBron James, I was surprised to see the team still positioned below Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Compared with Kalshi, OG.com made it easier for me to judge whether a current price reflected a steady trend, a recent surge, or a possible opportunity the market had not fully accounted for.

A cleaner, category-led discovery experience

Crypto.com presented prediction markets in a more guided and visually simplified way than Kalshi. Its landing page separated everything into five large categories: Sports, Politics, Economics, Financials, and Culture. The first step of the experience was clear and easy to navigate. Kalshi provides more information and active markets immediately, while Crypto.com first asks users to choose a broad subject, which may feel less overwhelming for someone who does not yet know what they want to trade.

Best apps like Kalshi

What's better than Kalshi? Kalshi may be the market-leading prediction market platform in the U.S., but it’s not the only show in town. Does Kalshi have competitors? Yes, each of the 9 Kalshi alternatives below brings something different to the table and is worth checking out in its own right.

Polymarket - Best Kalshi alternative

My expert analysis

Polymarket is available to eligible U.S. users through the separate Polymarket US mobile app, and you can jump in using the invite code COVERS to try one of the most buzzworthy prediction market apps of  2026. The U.S. app is distinct from Polymarket.com, with separate accounts and support, so the global platform’s crypto-based setup and liquidity should not be assumed to apply to the U.S. product. For eligible U.S. users, the experience centers on fast-moving event contracts and changing market probabilities.

With simple “Yes” or “No” contracts and a trading experience built around changing market prices, Polymarket is a strong fit for active, data-driven users who want a mobile prediction-market experience. I think the $25 bonus is a solid bankroll boost, too.

Flip through our up-to-date Polymarket promo code page to learn about its latest bonuses and promos. Refer to our Polymarket review or our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison to determine which prediction site is ideal for you in 2026. Consider apps like Polymarket for additional alternatives. You can also learn more about inviting friends and earning credits in our Polymarket referral code guide.

Polymarket responsible gaming  

18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See https://polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.

FanDuel Predicts - Best for beginners

My expert analysis

FanDuel Predicts feels very familiar if you’ve used a sportsbook before. The layout, navigation, and overall flow are all similar to what you’d expect from FanDuel, so it doesn’t feel like an entirely new site to understand.

Unlike Kalshi, it leans more into that sportsbook-style experience in how everything is presented, even though you’re still trading contracts rather than placing bets, which makes it easier to pick up if you’re coming from sports betting. It’s also exclusively available via the FanDuel Predicts app, so it’s specifically designed for mobile users.

If you want to explore prediction markets without straying too far from the sportsbook experience, this is a natural fit.

Learn more in our in-depth FanDuel Predicts promo code page or check out a comprehensive Polymarket vs. FanDuel Predicts breakdown. 

FanDuel Predicts responsible gaming  

Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions specified by FanDuel Predicts. 18+ only. 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. FanDuel Predicts products are not available in all jurisdictions.

ProphetX - Best for exchange-style trading

My expert analysis

ProphetX is a strong fit for users who like the idea of Kalshi’s event-contract model but want something more focused on sports, market pricing, and exchange-style pricing. ProphetX is built around peer-to-peer markets, allowing users to trade against one another rather than simply accepting a line from a traditional sportsbook. That lets users shop for better prices, take available offers, or post their own odds in a marketplace that feels closer to a sports betting exchange than a standard book.

Compared with Kalshi, ProphetX is more specialized and sports-first. Kalshi offers a broader regulated prediction market experience across categories like politics, economics, weather, and culture, while ProphetX is more directly aimed at users who care about sports pricing, lower fees, and getting the best of the number. Kalshi feels like a general event-contract exchange; ProphetX feels like a sharper alternative for sports bettors who want peer-to-peer pricing without the usual sportsbook middleman.

See our ProphetX promo code guide for the latest offer details, eligibility requirements, and how to use COVERS. You'll find the operator on our list of the best NBA prediction markets.

Novig - Best for sports-first prediction trading

My expert analysis

Novig is now positioned as a sports-first prediction market, with sports markets, peer-to-peer pricing, and more control over how users enter a position. Users can take an available price or submit their own price and wait for another participant to match it, giving the platform a more exchange-style feel than a standard sportsbook line.

That separates Novig from Polymarket. Polymarket covers a broader mix of sports, politics, crypto, culture, and current events, while Novig focuses more narrowly on sports, which can make it easier for users mainly interested in teams, games, futures, and player-driven markets.

For sports fans, Novig’s appeal is that it does not ask them to become general event traders. It gives them a sports-native way to try prediction-market-style trading, and the current 'Deposit $10, Get $50' offer gives new users a simple entry point to learn the platform.

Learn everything about the Novig promo code COVERS. I’ve compared the best apps like Novig if you want sports trading alongside politics, economics, crypto, and other event markets. See which platform suits you better in our full Kalshi vs Novig comparison.

Underdog - Best for streamlined prediction trading

My expert analysis

Underdog is much more sports-focused than Kalshi, which is one of the main reasons I like it for Prediction Picks. While Kalshi spreads its attention across sports, politics, economics, crypto, entertainment, and current events, Underdog feels like a prediction market built specifically for sports fans.

When I open Underdog, I can focus on familiar markets across major U.S. leagues and other popular sports, including game winners, spreads, totals, futures, and player-based outcomes. The contract-style pricing is also straightforward, so I can quickly see what the market thinks an outcome is worth before taking a position.

Markets extend beyond the biggest leagues, but sports remain the centerpiece. If I primarily want to predict what happens on the field rather than trade elections or economic data, Underdog is a more natural fit for me than a broad prediction platform like Kalshi. I can access the platform on desktop or trade through the Underdog iOS and Android apps.

Reveal all key features and promotions associated with the Underdog promo code COVERS.

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)

OG.com - Best for advanced trading tools

My expert analysis

OG.com is a strong fit for users who are comfortable with crypto and want a more global, trading-oriented experience than Kalshi. OG.com offers a crypto-native prediction market where users buy and sell binary “yes” or “no” contracts across sports, politics, and finance. Contracts trade between $0.01 and $1.00 and settle at $1.00 if the outcome is correct, giving the platform a simple format within a more sophisticated digital-asset ecosystem.

Compared with Kalshi, OG.com feels less like a regulated U.S. event exchange and more like an active crypto trading venue. Its emphasis on advanced trading tools such as leaderboards, parlays, and OG Alpha market insights gives experienced users more ways to engage, while Kalshi is generally more defined by its regulated structure and straightforward event-contract model.

Use the OG promo code COVERS to claim the current sign-up offer. The page also confirms that no existing-user promotion is available right now.

OG.com responsible gaming  

Campaign period: Extended. The promotion expires seven days after account verification, and only events settled within this seven-day window are eligible. Each qualifying trade must be worth at least $25 and have a probability below 80%. Trades at or above 80% probability will not count. Trades are counted only after they have settled, and trades placed using rewards are not eligible.

Plus500 - Best for low-cost trading

Plus500 at a glance

	Plus500
Plus500 sign-up bonus	Trade $10, Get $20 Bonus
Plus500 promo code	COVERS
Top feature	Low-cost trading
Minimum deposit	$10
Eligible states	Eligible supported locations
Legal age	18+
Plus500 mobile app	iOS & Android
Offer expiry	Ongoing
Last tested	Oct. 23, 2026

The Plus500 promo code page showcases everything we know about the relative newcomer.

Crypto.com - Best for crypto

My expert analysis

Crypto.com is a better fit if you want prediction markets within a broader crypto ecosystem. Prediction trades are funded through a USD Cash Account, but Crypto Funding lets you convert a supported crypto balance to USD when placing a trade. Crypto.com currently supports 350+ tokens for this feature, including BTC, ETH, and CRO, which makes it a convenient option if you already hold crypto in the Crypto.com app.

Size up our Crypto.com review, which covers all the pertinent details about the Crypto referral code offer.

Gemini - Best for fee-conscious traders

Gemini at a glance

	Gemini
Gemini sign-up bonus	Up to $100 Trade Match
Gemini promo code	Automatically applies
Top feature	Low fees
Minimum deposit	$10
Eligible states	All 50 states + DC
Legal age	18+
Gemini mobile app	iOS & Android
Offer expiry	Sep. 30, 2026
Last tested	Oct. 23, 2026

Peep our Gemini promo code page for a closer look at the latest offer.

Complete list of Kalshi alternatives

How to choose a Kalshi alternative

The right platform comes down to what you value or are looking for as a trader. A few key differences can meaningfully affect your experience, so it’s worth considering the following before you choose from Kalshi competitors:

• Regulatory model: Look for a CFTC license. CFTC-regulated platforms are licensed exchanges, which means better legal protections for U.S. players. Offshore sites can be more flexible with markets or bonuses, but they have less oversight.
• Market depth/Liquidity: Monitor market activity. High liquidity means tighter pricing and easier exits, whereas low liquidity leads to big price swings.
• Available markets: Consider which events you actually want to trade on. Some platforms focus more on politics and economics, while others concentrate on sports or more niche events.
• State availability: Not every platform is available everywhere. Some are restricted by state laws, while others are more widely accessible across the U.S. You may be asking yourself, "Is Kalshi legal in California?" The answer is yes.
• Fees/contract pricing: Different platforms have different policies around trading fees, spreads, and contract pricing. Small differences in user fees can have a bigger impact on your potential profits, depending on how you trade.

CFTC-regulated vs. sweepstakes prediction apps

There are two main models behind prediction apps in the U.S. On one side, CFTC-regulated platforms operate as federally regulated exchanges where users trade event contracts for real money. The model is similar to other financial trading platforms and is structured differently from traditional sportsbook wagering, where bettors typically wager against an operator.

Sweepstakes prediction apps, on the other hand, are built around virtual currencies and prize redemptions rather than direct real-money event-contract trading. Redeemable prizes are typically structured as promotional sweepstakes prizes, with applicable rules varying by state.

The key difference isn’t just how they work, but how they’re regulated. CFTC-regulated platforms operate under federal oversight, but state disputes and product-specific restrictions can still affect access, especially for sports event contracts. Sweepstakes promotions are also subject to state-specific laws, so availability and requirements can vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm the specific markets and products available in your location before registering or trading.

For a full breakdown of the top U.S. trading platforms, check out our prediction markets hub.

Covers Expert Analysis

"When I compare CFTC-regulated platforms with sweepstakes apps, I prefer the real-money event-contract model and federal oversight, but I still check whether the platform and specific markets are available in my jurisdiction. Sweepstakes apps can be useful for casual play, although I find their withdrawal rules and prize structures can limit their long-term value."

Christian Stringer, Prediction Markets Editor

How we rate Kalshi alternatives

Learn how we rate sportsbooks

Covers has been rating sports and iGaming platforms for over 30 years, and we now apply that experience to prediction markets. This experience has led us to develop the Covers BetSmart Rating to help ensure you're betting at a safe, legitimate prediction market site. The main factors that go into a prediction market's overall rating are bonuses and promotions, banking and payout speed, key features, security, customer support, user experience, pricing and fees, and much more. These are the core elements that ultimately make or break a prediction market site. We've tested each of these platforms to give you hands-on experience.

Covers BetSmart Rating categories

Now that you know the foundational categories that make up the Covers BetSmart Rating, let's break down some of the core areas we evaluate:

Banking and payout speed

All traders want their earnings quickly, so payout speed is a crucial factor in our evaluation process of the best prediction market sites for withdrawal and deposit options. You also want to have a diverse selection of payment methods to make the process more convenient. The more, the merrier, as they say.

Bonuses and promotions

While a big welcome bonus is always nice, we also verify that the terms and conditions of the most common prediction market sign-up bonuses are fair. We also evaluate promotions for existing customers, such as reload and referral bonuses.

Key features

This is a broad category, but we like to see prediction markets that push the envelope to deliver a fantastic experience. Some of the key features we look for include competitive trading fees, a wide range of market options for major sports, live sports trading, combos, and responsible gambling features.

Security and trust

With real money at stake, you need to know you’re depositing at a site you can trust. Before recommending any prediction market site, we’ll ensure it holds a valid license from the relevant regulators in its jurisdiction. We’ll also ensure the app is safe and secure, protecting your data.

Customer support

If an issue arises, you should be able to have it solved quickly and conveniently by a real person. We appreciate the wide range of options for reaching customer support and how quickly they resolve issues.

Are prediction markets legal in the US?

You may be wondering: Is Kalshi legal in New York and other regions? Federally regulated prediction markets operate under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight, but their status is still being contested in several states. The CFTC maintains that federal commodities law gives it exclusive authority over registered event-contract exchanges, while some state regulators argue that certain sports contracts are subject to state gambling laws.

However, recent court decisions have sharpened that divide. In Nevada, the Ninth Circuit ruled against Kalshi on Aug. 28, clearing the way for Nevada to enforce its gaming laws against the platform’s sports event contracts. Kalshi has since asked the court to rehear the case. In Tennessee, the Sixth Circuit on Sept. 25 vacated the preliminary injunction that had protected Kalshi from state enforcement, ruling that Kalshi had not shown its sports-event contracts qualify as swaps within the CFTC’s exclusive jurisdiction and that federal law does not preempt Tennessee’s gambling laws. The case was remanded for further proceedings. For state-specific information, see:

• California prediction markets
• Florida prediction markets
• Georgia prediction markets
• New York prediction markets
• Texas prediction markets

Responsible gambling

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