The best prediction market app is the one that's legal where you live, lists the markets you care about and has enough liquidity to trade them cheaply. Here's how the main apps compare in 2026.
Prediction market apps at a glance
| App | Exchange / model | Where | Money | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polymarket | International exchange | Outside the US and restricted countries | pUSD, funded with crypto | Taker fee by formula, makers free |
| Polymarket US | CFTC-designated contract market | US, supported states | USD | US fee schedule |
| Kalshi | CFTC-designated contract market | US; check for other countries | USD | Fee by formula, peaks at 50¢ |
| PredictIt | Political market | US | USD | 10% of profits + 5% of withdrawals |
| Robinhood | Broker app | US | USD | Per-contract fee |
| Coinbase | Broker app on Kalshi | US | USD | App and exchange fees |
| Crypto.com | Own CFTC-registered exchange | US | USD | App and exchange fees |
| Manifold | Play money | Anywhere | Mana | None in cash |
Polymarket
Pros: very wide range of global markets, deep liquidity on popular events, public on-chain transparency, makers pay no fees. Cons: not available for new trades in the US and many other countries; funding requires crypto on the international app. Fees and payouts are explained in Polymarket fees.
Polymarket US
The regulated US version, run by QCX LLC. Pros: legal federal status, dollar accounts. Cons: state disputes can limit access; the market list follows CFTC certification.
Kalshi
A CFTC-regulated exchange with a broad range of event contracts. Pros: regulated, dollar-based, wide range of events. Cons: taker fees up to about 1.75¢ per contract at 50¢; sports contracts face state challenges.
PredictIt
Pros: deep US political coverage; limits raised to $3,500 per contract in 2025. Cons: 10% of profits and 5% of withdrawals make it expensive.
Broker apps: Robinhood, Interactive Brokers, Coinbase, Crypto.com
Convenient if you already have an account. They route to regulated exchanges — Kalshi, their own venues or ForecastEx for Interactive Brokers. Check the combined fee and the liquidity of each market. See ForecastEx.
Manifold
Play money only. The best way to practise forecasting before risking cash.
How to choose
- Legal where you live? This rules out most options immediately.
- Markets you want? Politics, sports, economics, crypto.
- Total cost: trading fee + spread + withdrawal costs.
- Liquidity: can you get in and out near the price you see?
- Resolution: how the outcome is decided and disputed.
The full checklist is in best prediction markets.
Official sources: Kalshi, Polymarket docs: Fees.
Related guides
Next step
In the United States, the regulated route is the Polymarket US app. Read our guides on signing up and depositing to get started, start small and only use money you can afford to lose.