Kalshi vs Polymarket US
Side-by-side comparison of fees, regulation, markets and offers (updated for 2026).
Kalshi · Trade $25 and Get $25!
RANKPREDICTSClaim (opens in a new tab)21+ · T&Cs apply
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.
Comparison data current as of: August 25, 2026
TL;DR
Kalshi vs Polymarket US: who wins for US traders in 2026?
Winner: Kalshi (92/100). Kalshi scores 92/100 to Polymarket US's 85/100 in our review, and it has been a CFTC Designated Contract Market since 2020.
Reviewed by PredictionRanks Editorial Team.
Kalshi · Trade $25 and Get $25!
RANKPREDICTS
Claim on Kalshi (opens in a new tab)
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.
Last checked October 27, 2026
Metric
KalshiScore 92/100
Polymarket USScore 85/100
Regulator
CFTC (Designated Contract Market)
CFTC DCM/DCO (via QCX)
Available Markets
Politics, Macro, Sports, Crypto, Climate
Politics, News, Crypto, Macro, Sports
Sports Contracts
✓
✓
Fees / Commission
Per-contract fee, shown before you confirm
Low — tight spreads on high-volume markets
Min Deposit
$10
$10 for the welcome bonus
Mobile App
✓
✓
Crypto Deposits
✗
✓
Promo Offer
Trade $25, get $25 — code RANKPREDICTS
See current offer →
Our Verdict
Best all-around US prediction market.
Deepest global liquidity, now CFTC-regulated.
Editorial winner
Kalshi wins this matchup
Score 92/100 · Trade $25 and Get $25!
Start Trading on Kalshi (opens in a new tab)Kalshi vs Polymarket US at a glance
| Kalshi | Polymarket US | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | CFTC-designated contract market since November 3, 2020 | Runs on QCX LLC, a CFTC-designated contract market since July 9, 2025 |
| Devices | Web, iPhone and Android | Polymarket US app |
| Welcome offer (code RANKPREDICTS) | Trade $25, get $25 | Deposit $10, get a $25 trading bonus |
| Where the offer is valid | 47 states + D.C. (not MI, NV, WA) | 49 states + D.C. (not NV) |
| Trading fee | Charged when your order fills, based on price and number of contracts; shown before you confirm | Taker fee since October 2026, highest near 50¢ (about $1.74 per 100 contracts); resting orders pay no fee (rebates only for very high-volume traders since October 19, 2026) |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $10 unlocks the welcome bonus |
| Deposits and withdrawals | Bank transfer and wire deposits free (debit card may carry a 2% fee); withdrawals free | No deposit fee listed; withdrawals free, back to the method you deposited with |
| Best for | The broadest US catalog | Traders who want deep liquidity and a low-deposit bonus |
Choose Kalshi if you mainly trade economics and sports. Choose Polymarket US if you want the $25 bonus for a $10 deposit. Many active traders keep both and compare prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalshi or Polymarket US better for US traders in 2026?
Kalshi edges out Polymarket US with an editorial score of 92/100 vs 85/100. Kalshi has been a CFTC Designated Contract Market since 2020; Polymarket US relaunched for American traders in 2025 after acquiring QCX, a CFTC-licensed Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization.
What are the fees on Kalshi vs Polymarket US?
Kalshi charges a transaction fee when a trade is executed, based on the contract price and the number of contracts; it is shown in the order ticket before you confirm. Polymarket US charges Low — tight spreads on high-volume markets.
Which is more regulated, Kalshi or Polymarket US?
Kalshi operates under CFTC (Designated Contract Market). Polymarket US operates under CFTC DCM/DCO (via QCX).
What's the minimum deposit on Kalshi compared to Polymarket US?
Kalshi: $10. Polymarket US: $10 for the welcome bonus.
21+ · T&Cs apply · Terms
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.