Prediction market apps in 2026: Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood, DraftKings, FanDuel and more
There are now a dozen ways to trade event contracts in the US. Which apps are exchanges, which are front ends for someone else’s exchange, and how to pick one.
In 2024 you could count US prediction markets on one hand. In 2026 event contracts are inside brokerage apps, crypto apps and even sportsbook brands. The most useful thing to know when comparing prediction market apps is that they come in two kinds:
- Exchanges, which run their own order book and are licensed by the CFTC: Kalshi, Polymarket US and a few others.
- Front ends, apps that let you trade contracts listed on someone else's exchange: Robinhood and Coinbase, for example.
Which kind you use affects the prices you see, the fees you pay and which markets you can trade.
Prediction market apps at a glance
| App | What it is | Where your trade happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | Exchange (CFTC) | Kalshi | The widest US menu: economics, weather, politics, sports, combos |
| Polymarket US | Exchange (CFTC) | Polymarket US | Politics, world events, culture, in dollars |
| Polymarket (global) | Crypto exchange outside the US | Polymarket | Non-US users comfortable with USDC |
| Robinhood | Brokerage app | Partner exchanges (Kalshi; also Crypto.com's spin-off OG since September 2026) | Existing Robinhood customers |
| Coinbase | Crypto app | Partner exchange | Existing Coinbase customers |
| Crypto.com / OG | Exchange and app | Its own CFTC-registered exchange | Crypto users, sports |
| DraftKings Predictions | Sportsbook brand's prediction app | Its own exchange (it bought Railbird) | Sports fans, often where sports betting is not legal |
| FanDuel Predicts | Sportsbook brand's prediction app | A venture with CME Group | Sports and finance-style contracts |
| Fanatics Markets | Sports brand's prediction app | Partner exchange | Sports fans already using Fanatics |
Availability, especially for sports contracts, varies by state and changes often. Check each app's own eligibility page. As of October 2026.
Exchanges: Kalshi and Polymarket
Kalshi is the oldest regulated US prediction market and lists the most markets: Fed decisions, inflation, weather, elections, culture and a large sports book with multi-leg combos. Many other apps on this list send their orders to Kalshi. Review: is Kalshi legit.
Polymarket runs two products: the global crypto exchange, known for the deepest markets on elections, geopolitics and crypto, and Polymarket US, a CFTC-regulated exchange launched in December 2025 that works in dollars. How it works: how does Polymarket work.
The two often list the same events at different prices. Our Kalshi vs Polymarket comparison covers the differences in detail.
Brokerage and crypto apps: Robinhood and Coinbase
Robinhood turned prediction markets into one of its fastest-growing products: event contracts sit next to stocks and crypto in the same app. Robinhood is not an exchange; it routes your orders to partner exchanges, and in September 2026 it added Crypto.com's spin-off OG as a venue alongside Kalshi. Expect a small per-contract commission on top of the exchange's fee.
Coinbase offers prediction markets to US customers inside its main app, also through a partner exchange. The appeal of both is convenience: no new account, no new deposit.
Sportsbook brands: DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics
The big sportsbook companies launched separate prediction apps in late 2025:
- DraftKings Predictions, built on the Railbird exchange DraftKings acquired.
- FanDuel Predicts, a joint effort with CME Group, the world's largest futures exchange operator.
- Fanatics Markets, from the sports merchandise and betting company.
Their strategy is mostly about sports in states where online sports betting is not legal, such as California and Texas. In states where they run licensed sportsbooks, they have generally kept sports contracts out of these apps.
How to choose a prediction market app
- Availability. Start with what is open where you live, especially for sports contracts. Is Kalshi legal in your state explains the state fights.
- Markets. Economics and weather lean Kalshi; world politics and crypto lean Polymarket; sportsbook apps focus on sports.
- Total cost. Exchange fee plus any app commission. Fees are highest around 50¢ and shrink near 1¢ and 99¢: see Polymarket fees vs Kalshi fees.
- Price. The same event can be several points cheaper on another exchange. Our spread scanner shows where a pair trades cheapest after fees.
- Money in and out. Dollars by bank or card on US apps, USDC on global Polymarket. Timing and minimums: Kalshi and Polymarket withdrawals.
Prediction market apps: frequently asked questions
What is the best prediction market app?
There is no single best one: Kalshi has the broadest US menu, Polymarket the deepest world-politics markets, and Robinhood the most convenient if you already use it. Many traders keep two accounts and buy wherever the price is better.
Are prediction market apps legal?
Apps connected to CFTC-regulated exchanges are legal at the federal level. Sports contracts face state challenges. More in is Kalshi gambling.
Is Robinhood a prediction market?
Robinhood is a broker: it gives you access to contracts listed on partner exchanges such as Kalshi.
Which prediction market app has the lowest fees?
It depends on the market and the price. Compare the exchange fee plus the app's own commission for the specific contract you want.
Can I see prices from several apps in one place?
Our live markets page shows Kalshi and Polymarket side by side, and the resolution calendar lists what closes this week.
