Best US Prediction Market Apps & Sites for May 2026
Prediction markets allow you to trade “Yes” or “No” shares directly with other users on the outcome of real-world events. As these apps become more and more popular, it’s important to know which ones are best for you and your trading habits.
We’ve compared the best prediction market apps and offer some alternatives.
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✓ Responsibility: This guide includes extensive resources to support responsible trading practices. Each recommendation offers resources to manage prediction markets safely and responsibly.
Our Recommended Prediction Market Promos
- 2
Launched 2026
Top Prediction Market Apps
| App | Offer | Best for |
| Polymarket | Deposit $20, Get $20 (code: GAMBLING) | Politics & Culture |
| OG Markets | Double Your Profit for 5 Straight Days | Sports & Cryptocurrencies |
Polymarket: Best for Politics & Culture
- CFTC-approved to operate in all US states as a Designated Contract Market
- Crypto-native platform with low or no fees on trades
- Official partner of the MLB, MLS, X (formerly Twitter), Yahoo Finance; also partnered with Google, Dow Jones, PrizePicks
Polymarket functions like a traditional stock brokerage and settles trades in the stablecoin USDC. You can trade on a wide range of topics, including sports, politics, world events, and pop culture.
Polymarket offers contracts on just about every event you can imagine. The platform also recently introduced perpetual futures, which are contracts without a fixed settlement date.
After returning to the US in late 2025, it’s still rolling out in phases across the country, so users need to join a waitlist to register for an account. However, when you sign up with promo code GAMBLING, you will bypass the waitlist and can start trading before the hundreds of thousands of people who want to join you.
Polymarket features a customizable dashboard for monitoring multiple markets and verified leaderboards to follow other users' moves. Since you're only trading with other users and can sell your position anytime, this helps you know when to strike.
Why Choose Polymarket
Best For: Best for globally minded, tech-savvy traders who are comfortable using cryptocurrencies, want near-zero fees, fast execution, and transparency in politics and culture markets.
At a Glance
| Platforms | iOS (4.7★), Android (2.1★) |
| App Architecture | Order-book |
| Payout Speed | Instant |
| Availability | All states (except NV) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, Help Center |
| Min. Deposit | $10 |
| Deposit Methods | USDC Stablecoin – Apple Pay, online banking, debit card, wire transfer |
What Users are Saying
App Store
- "Their app is great, interface very user friendly. Downside is they are still slow to respond to support inquiries can take a few days. Despoit/Withdrawals also need improvement on speed. Most other prediction markets, DFS sites, and sportsbooks payout near instantly. Taking 4 business days for a withdrawal is tough. Those aside, love the app and can't wait to see the improvement!"
- "This app is super simplistic and straight to the point. I really enjoy the 'Trend' page that showcases events happening LIVE that affect the election. ... widgets would be amazing. Most the 'Panels' in the app look like widgets anyaways by having a nice widget on my background would be amazing to quickly glance at how things are going."
Google Play Store
- "best app for prediction"
- "Well-designed app. Great for seeing the odds of the presidential election on the most liquid election betting market. Helps me keep track of what's happening."
- "Very good app!!! I like the breakdown of the individual categories and the graphs are a very nice touch !!!"
- "This is amazing to watch. I find myself checking it throughout the day or anytime a news story or event breaks"
OG Markets: Best for Sports & Crypto
- Federally regulated as Designated Contract Market
- Convert cryptocurrencies into USD to fund account; no deposit fees
- Available in nearly all 50 states
Crypto.com launched OG Markets as a designated peer-to-peer exchange for prediction markets, with emphasis on peer. OG includes a real-time community chat, verified Profit & Loss leaderboards, and other social features.
OG Markets generally has strong liquidity, and its live features can help you make quick, yet informed decisions on your positions.
You can generally trade on sports, politics, economics, pop culture, weather, and cryptocurrency, though some states (including New Jersey, Nevada, and Ohio) restrict users from trading sports-related contracts. Users cannot access OG Markets at all in Arizona and New York.
Why Choose OG
Best For: Crypto-savvy sports traders who want tight spreads, tiered fees, and seamless integration with the Crypto.com ecosystem.
At a Glance
| Platforms | iOS (4.1★), Android (4.1★), desktop |
| App Architecture | Order book |
| Payout Speed | Within 24 hours |
| Availability | All states (except AZ); market restrictions in IL, MA, MI, NV, NJ, OH |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, Help Center |
| Min. Deposit | $10 |
| Deposit Methods | Bank transfer/wire, PayPal, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, crypto |
What Users are Saying
App Store
- "Exactly what I was looking for. Could make the crypto or add stocks better, but thumbs up."
- "Great app for stock prediction. Really easy to use."
- "Good support"
Google Play Store
- "Been extremely fun"
- "Awesome"
- "I can't even stay long on it [says] I have to re-sign up"
Apps Like Kalshi & Polymarket: Social & Real-Money Prediction Markets
If you're looking for something different, here are a few alternatives to major players like Kalshi and Polymarket that are worth checking out:
Novig for peer-to-peer sports picks with a true zero house edge, Onyx Odds for free-to-play sports picks with no financial risk, ReBet for a broader mix of sports and culture picks with casino-style games, ProphetX for sweepstakes-style peer-to-peer sports predictions, and Sporttrade for a real-money sports betting exchange where you can trade in and out of positions live.
| App | Model | Best for |
| Novig | Sweepstakes | Sports with zero house edge |
| Onyx Odds | Sweepstakes | Beginners; free-to-play |
| ReBet | Sweepstakes | Sports, culture, and casino games |
| ProphetX | Sweepstakes | Peer-to-peer sports picks |
| Sporttrade | Real Money | Live sports trading |
What are Prediction Markets?
Prediction markets are exchange-traded platforms where users buy and sell shares based on the outcomes of real-world future events. Apps provide contract trading, allowing users to buy and sell “Yes” or “No” shares on the outcome of those events.
Functioning like a stock exchange, they enable users to trade directly with one another in a peer-to-peer environment rather than wagering against a "house" that sets the odds.
Every contract is priced between $0.01 and $0.99. Most prediction markets employ a capped-risk structure. Because contracts are priced under $1 and a "winning" payout is $1 per share, you're prevented from losing more than you've deposited.
The price represents the market’s collective belief—or implied probability—that an event will occur. Unlike traditional bets that are fixed until the event concludes, users can buy and sell their positions at any time as prices fluctuate in response to breaking news or shifting public sentiment.
Are they Legal?
Yes. These platforms are regulated as financial exchanges rather than sportsbooks. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversees these sites to ensure integrity and prevent fraud. Many apps allow users 18+ to participate.
While these platforms generally operate legally under federal regulations, they face intensifying scrutiny from state regulators who view them as a "loophole" for unlicensed sports betting.
Several states have taken legal action, and Arizona filed criminal charges alleging that Kalshi was operating an illegal gambling business. At least a dozen states, including California, New Jersey, and New York, are considering bills that could restrict or prohibit prediction markets.
Some individual markets and potential users are facing the prospect of new restrictions.
Remember that laws change frequently; verify your state's status before signing up.
Types of Prediction Market Apps
Most prediction market apps are categorized into two primary types based on their architecture: order book apps and buy-and-sell interface apps.
Order-book apps allow users to set their own prices and trade positions on their contracts, much like stock market and financial market apps. Buy-and-sell apps look and feel much more like traditional sports betting apps; you pick a yes-or-no outcome.
| App Feature | Order Book | Buy-and-Sell Interface |
| How They Work | Place limit orders, set prices, seek bids | Pick yes or no outcome; confirm listed price |
| Pros | More control over contracts | Usually quicker to lead; easier to learn |
| Cons | Can be harder to learn to use | Less transparency & flexibility |
| Comparable Platform | Trading exchanges | Traditional betting app |
Types of Prediction Market Contracts
Within various app structures, prediction market sites offer a wide variety of contracts. While the most common format is a simple "Yes" or "No" question, platforms have evolved to include more complex types.
Binary (Yes/No)
How It Works: Predict whether or not a specific event will occur ("conditional" versions only become active if a prior condition is met). If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out $1
Multiple-Choice
How it Works: Pick from a set of possible outcomes within one event
0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration)
How It Works: For markets that settle the same day
Scalar (Index)
How It Works: Resolves based on a numerical range rather than a single outcome
Futures
How It Works: Tied to events that are weeks, months, or even years away, allowing you to take positions on long-term macro trends.
Spread Betting
How It Works: Invest in the direction of an outcome, with returns tied to how much a specific metric moves
Combos or Parlays
How It Works: Bundle multiple individual contracts into a single position. All legs of the combo must resolve correctly for the trade to pay out
Prediction Market Types
While sports remain a major draw, over 60% of total volume on leading platforms now comes from economic and policy contracts. Let's look at the other types of things you can trade on:
Sports
Markets cover pro and college sports, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA football and basketball. You can trade on outright winners, spreads, point totals, props, and futures, though some states have restricted these markets.
Politics & Elections
You can trade on federal and state elections, Supreme Court rulings, Congressional decisions, and geopolitical events, though these are the subject of some proposed federal bans.
Economics & Finance
These contracts can include predictions on inflation reports, GDP growth, unemployment rates, interest rate changes, stock markets, and currency and oil prices. Some of these may be presented as 0DTE contracts, which settle the same day.
Pop Culture
Trade on popular cultural events, including award shows (such as Oscar winners), reality TV outcomes and eliminations, box-office successes, and other celebrity news or trends.
Climate & Weather
Traders can take positions on measurable meteorological outcomes. Contracts in these markets can include monthly rainfall totals, temperatures, and hurricanes or other natural disaster activity.
Technology
Technology markets can include product launches, industry benchmarks, and the emerging AI landscape. Predict when new products will be released or which models will perform best.
How to Choose the Right Prediction Market App for You
Prediction apps blend the functionality of a stock exchange with the layout of traditional online sportsbooks. Some features may look similar to betting apps you’ve used before, but others will still be new.
Here’s a look at the criteria you should evaluate before signing up for a prediction market in the US:
Variety of Contract Types
Though they all may appear to function as “futures,” there are several different types of contracts that you can order and trade in prediction markets.
You should expect variety and flexibility in contract types when selecting a prediction market.Transparent Limit Orders
Exchange-style apps can feature a Central Limit Order Book, which allows users to place limit orders and make their own markets. For example, if you believe an event has a 60% chance of happening, you can bid $0.60 even if the current market price is lower.
The best CLOBs will clearly show market visibility, allow for fast-paced trading, provide historical data and insights, and charge a competitive house edge.Low Fees
Traditionally, sportsbooks build in a small trading fee into their odds (called the “vig”) to make profits. Prediction markets tend to charge a fee on net profits, keeping the overall house edge low.
You’ll want to find the platforms that charge lower fees and are transparent about their pricing.Live Trading Tools
Prediction markets allow you to buy, sell, and trade event contracts in real time as events unfold. Rather than being locked into a fixed wager, traders can respond to market shifts until the very last second.
Look for features and tools that help you make better trades in the moment, like real-time data that scans public sentiment and historical trends, live price charts, and customizable dashboards. Many top apps also have verified leaderboards that show how other traders are positioned.Personalization Opportunities
Much like other financial apps, prediction markets work best when they’re set up to match your trading style and budget. The best apps let you toggle between odds, cents, and percentages as your preferred price display.
You should also expect social integrations , such as the ability to copy trades from other users, forums, and referral programs.Banking Options
Many apps support funding and trading in cryptocurrencies (including stablecoins like USDC), while others focus on traditional methods such as ACH, PayPal, and Venmo.
Integrations with FedNow and Mastercard Fast Funds allow for near-instant settlement, with funds often hitting withdrawable balances within 90 seconds of an official result.Rigorous Security & Safety Measures
These apps treat onboarding as opening a regulated financial account, so you should expect a thorough identification check before you can start trading.
Prediction market apps (even crypto-native platforms) will verify your identity, including your address, birthdate, government ID, and Social Security Number. Secure apps should also use industry-standard 256-bit SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. These tools help protect your finances and personal data and prevent fraud.App Architecture
Prediction market apps tend to be formatted in one of two ways: order-book or buy-and-sell interfaces.
The right choice for you will depend on your experience level, how much control you want over pricing, and the degree of difficulty you're comfortable with.
Latest News Affecting Prediction Markets in the US
April 2026
- April 30, 2026: Democratic lawmakers send a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission urging the agency to nab insider trading and rein in event contracts on war, elections, government and military action, and sports.
- April 23, 2026: The Wisconsin Department of Justice files three lawsuits against online prediction market companies for “working together to facilitate illegal sports betting throughout the state.”
- April 22, 2026: Kalshi announces it has suspended and fined three candidates—Mark Moran (VA independent), Matt Klein (MN Democrat), and Ezekiel Enriquez (TX Republican)—for trading on their own races.
- April 15, 2026: Kalshi is suing Montana to prevent it from enforcing gambling laws.
- April 14, 2026: Kentucky lawmakers override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of House Bill 904, which prohibits sportsbook operators and racetracks from partnering with platforms offering sports event contracts.
- April 10, 2026: The CFTC wins a restraining order blocking Arizona's criminal prosecution of Kalshi. An upcoming hearing will determine if CFTC registration provides immunity from state criminal prosecution.
- April 9, 2026: FIFA has agreed to a multi-year partnership with ADI Predictstreet as the organization's first official prediction market partner ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
- April 7, 2026: Minnesota lawmakers advance HF 4437, a bill that would ban prediction markets offering sports, political, and non-investment event contracts.
- April 6, 2026: The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that New Jersey cannot prevent Kalshi from offering sports-based trading contracts.
- April 2, 2026: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission sues Arizona, Connecticut, and Illinois, accusing the states of overstepping by attempting to "outlaw, regulate and otherwise restrain" prediction markets. This marks the first time a federal agency has challenged states in court over prediction markets, and a Supreme Court ruling is likely the only viable outcome.
March 2026
- March 30, 2026: The NFL asks prediction market operators to keep specific event contracts that the league deems “objectionable bets” off of their platforms. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown files a lawsuit against Kalshi for allegedly violating state gambling laws.
- March 26, 2026: Members of Congress introduce the STOP Corrupt Bets Act, which would wholesale ban prediction market contracts on elections, sports, government decisions, and military action. Senators introduce the PREDICT Act, which would prohibit government officials from trading on the outcomes of political events, policy decisions, and other government actions on prediction markets.
- March 25, 2026: SBC Summit Americas announces it will host a dedicated Prediction Markets Forum for 2026.
- March 23, 2026: The Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, which would strip the CFTC of its authority to oversee sports contracts on prediction markets, is introduced in the Senate.
- March 18, 2026: The BETS OFF Act seeks to ban prediction markets from listing sensitive topics such as military operations or government actions.
- March 17, 2026: Arizona files criminal charges against Kalshi for "operating an illegal gambling business in Arizona without a license" and election wagering.
- March 12, 2026: The CFTC issues a formal rulemaking process for prediction markets.
- March 10, 2026: Members of Congress introduce the DEATH BETS Act, which would prohibit prediction markets from listing contracts related to war, terrorism, assassination, or death.
- March 9, 2026: A federal judge denied Kalshi's request to block enforcement by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, ruling that its sports prediction markets should fall under state gambling regulations.
- March 5, 2026: House members introduce the Event Contract Enforcement Act, which would require the CFTC to ban contracts on terrorism, assassination, war, sports, elections, and government activity.
February 2026
- Feb. 19, 2026: The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee finds that Kalshi's sports event contracts are likely "swaps" under the Commodity Exchange Act.
- Feb. 6, 2026: A Massachusetts judge entered a preliminary injunction against Kalshi that prohibits the prediction market from offering sports-related trades. Kalshi has 30 days to stop offering these markets in MA.
- Feb. 3, 2026: Crypto.com launches OG Markets.
January 2026
- Jan. 29, 2026: The CFTC withdraws previous guidance cautioning against prediction markets and proposing restrictions on sports and politics contracts.
- Jan. 14, 2026: The American Gaming Association and the Indian Gaming Association submit a joint letter to Congress requesting federal action against prediction market operators.
- Jan. 9, 2026: The Public Integrity Act, which would prohibit federal officials and their staff from trading on these platforms using nonpublic information, is introduced in the House.
Read more from our Gambling.com insiders on the latest news and trends:
2025
- Dec. 11, 2025: Industry leaders, including Kalshi, Crypto.com, Underdog, Coinbase, and Robinhood, form the Coalition for Prediction Markets.
- Nov. 25, 2025: Polymarket announces the CFTC has issued an Amended Order of Designation, allowing the company to operate a trading platform.
- October 2025: The NHL names Polymarket and Kalshi as official prediction market partners, granting them access to proprietary league data and logos.
- July 21, 2025: Polymarket acquires QCEX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, paving the way for its legal return to the US.
- July 15, 2025: The Department of Justice closes its investigation into Polymarket.
- April 8, 2025: The US District Court for the District of Nevada allows Kalshi to continue offering sports event contracts in the state despite the Gaming Control Board's cease-and-desist.
- March 28, 2025: Kalshi sues Nevada and New Jersey in federal court, arguing that only the CFTC has jurisdiction over its contracts.
- March 4, 2025: The Nevada Gaming Control Board becomes the first state gambling regulator to order Kalshi to shut down its sports and election prediction markets, arguing they constitute illegal gaming.
2022-2024
- Dec. 23, 2024: Crypto.com becomes the first prediction market platform to offer CFTC-regulated sports event contracts.
- Nov. 14, 2024: The US Department of Justice launches an investigation into Polymarket and raids the New York home of founder Shayne Coplan.
- Sept. 6, 2024: US District Judge Jia Cobb rules that Kalshi has a right to offer political event contracts. A month later, the DC Court of Appeals denies the CFTC's emergency motion to stay this lower court decision.
- Nov. 1, 2023: Kalshi sues the CFTC in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing the commission overreached its authority in trying to limit political event contracts.
- May 1, 2023: The US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit orders the CFTC not to close PredictIt or prohibit trading of its contracts pending final judgment. This is later cited as one of the reasons the CFTC cannot prohibit Kalshi from offering political contracts.
- Aug. 4, 2022: The CFTC withdraws prior guidance that had allowed New Zealand-based PredictIt to operate in the US.
2021-2022
- March 2022: Crypto.com acquires the North American Derivatives Exchange, inheriting its CFTC-registered DCM status.
- Jan. 3, 2022: The CFTC orders Polymarket to pay a $1.4 million penalty and exit the US market after determining the platform was offering unregistered event contracts.
- July 2021: Kalshi launches federally regulated event contract trading in the US.
Responsible Trading
Even though it functions differently from traditional betting, trading still involves some risk. Prediction market sites have established independent surveillance committees and AI-powered monitoring tools to track trades and maintain integrity.
Some platforms offer tools such as voluntary deposit caps and self-exclusion.
Prediction Market FAQs
How old do you have to be to use prediction market apps?
Because prediction markets are regulated as financial exchanges rather than gambling platforms, the minimum legal age to participate is 18, lower than the 21+ age requirement enforced by most state-regulated sportsbooks. However, age requirements vary by platform and state, so verify your location's rules before signing up.
Are prediction markets legal in the US?
Yes, prediction markets are currently legal in the US. They are regulated as financial exchanges by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. However, specific platforms and market types have been restricted in various states, where these apps are considered in violation of state laws governing betting. Check the states available by platform before signing up.
How do prediction markets work?
Prediction markets let you buy and sell "Yes" or "No" shares on real-world events, functioning like a stock exchange where users trade directly with each other. Every contract is priced between $0.01 and $0.99, representing the likelihood that an event will occur. Unlike traditional bets, you can buy and sell positions anytime as prices shift.
How are prediction markets different than sportsbooks?
Prediction markets operate as peer-to-peer exchanges where users trade directly with each other rather than against a "house." Positions can be bought and sold anytime, fees are charged only on net profits, and coverage extends beyond sports to politics, economics, and more.
Sportsbooks set fixed odds on sporting events and act as the house.
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