PredictIt vs Polymarket: Is Polymarket or PredictIt Better in 2026?

September 17, 2026

by Emma Harrison

We’ve created this handy guide to pinpoint the key differences between Polymarket vs PredictIt. Well worth a look for seeing which prediction markets brand is right for you.

We found that, while both Polymarket and PredictIt work in similar ways, there are big differences in terms of the event contracts they feature as well as other things like fees, apps and payment methods. So let’s take a detailed look at all of these factors and help you find your new favorite prediction markets brand.

Comparing Polymarket and Predict It

Why bother comparing Polymarket and PredictIt?

There is little doubt that prediction markets have grown to be one of the defining features of US culture over the past decade, and there are now plenty of big name brands aiming to claim a share of an increasingly congested market.

All prediction markets brands will aim to put on different features to make themselves more attractive to new customers, and there is plenty of value in shopping around. This is why we are going to be comparing PredictIt and Polymarket. Here’s a quick introduction to each brand:

• PredictIt: This brand has actually been operating in the US since 2014 and it’s a project of the Prediction Market Research Consortium. This is a not-for-profit organization that aims to let people use its services for educational purposes.
• Polymarket: Never far from the headlines, Polymarket is one of the brands that has brought the concept of prediction markets into the mainstream. While it’s only been available in the US since late 2025, it’s already become the second most-popular prediction markets brand in the nation.

Judging the range of prediction markets at Polymarket and PredictIt

It’s fair to say that much of Polymarket’s popularity is based on the sheer irreverence of its prediction markets. After all, this is the brand that will regularly let you make your predictions on things like when Jesus Christ will return and when the US will confirm the existence of aliens.

In contrast, PredictIt takes a more sober approach and primarily lets you make your predictions on the pressing political issues of the day, such as who will be the next White House press secretary or whether Greenland will hold an independence vote. Check out this table to see the main kinds of prediction markets featured at either site:

What about commission fees at Polymarket and PredictIt?

You will know that all prediction markets will have to enclose some kind of commission fee into each trade, as it is their way of staying in business. So here’s a quick comparison of these trading fees at the two brands:

• Polymarket: Varies between $0.07 for crypto predictions down to just $0.04 for politics and tech trades. There aren’t any commission fees for geopolitics predictions.
• PredictIt: 10% fee on the profits made from your trades, and there is also a 5% processing fee for withdrawals

Comparing Polymarket and PredictIt for US availability

It’s essential that you know whether you can use a specific prediction markets site in your state. So the good news here is that when we asked, ‘Is Polymarket legal in Pennsylvania?’, we found that the brand was available in the Keystone State and all other states across the nation.

Plus it looks like the same is true of PredictIt, with the brand enjoying full availability across the US. Just note that there have been plenty of regulatory challenges to prediction markets sites recently. So best check each brand’s terms and conditions to ensure that you can still use their services from where you are.

How do Polymarket and PredictIt compare for user-friendliness?

While it’s essential to ask important questions like, ‘Is Polymarket legal in North Carolina?’ you will also want to have a simple and enjoyable trading experience. So the good news is that both Polymarket and PredictIt have wonderfully user-friendly sites that make it simple to sign up, make your trades and carry out all other associated tasks.

However, we should note that PredictIt has nothing in the way of a mobile app, whereas Polymarket has excellent iOS and Android apps. Thankfully, PredictIt’s website is fully mobile-optimized and nicely usable from the browser of all modern smartphones and tablets.

Ranking Polymarket and PredictIt for promo offers

It’s actually pretty rare to find prediction markets with promo offers, and neither Polymarket nor PredictIt really buck the trend here. So while there’s always the chance that you might find a Polymarket invite code sooner or later, you’re going to have to spend your own cash to trade at these sites.

Moving your money around at Polymarket and Predit

It’s important to understand that Polymarket will only really let you make your deposits and withdrawals with one of their accepted cryptocurrencies. This has the advantage of having no minimum threshold for your payments, and that most transactions should be quickly and discretely handled.

In contrast, PredictIt will only let you make your deposits via Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer, and this has to be done from a minimum of $10. Withdrawals are subject to a 5% processing fee and can only be done by ACH bank transfer or a mailed check. So expect to wait a few working days for your returns to come through.

Pros and cons of using Polymarket

It’s fair to say that Polymarket is perhaps the most exciting prediction markets brand in the US, and here are the main pros and cons of signing up to the site:

Pros and cons of using PredictIt

PredictIt is arguably one of the more old-school prediction markets brands currently available. So should you give it a try? Well, here are the main pros and cons of doing so:

Walkthrough guide for using these prediction markets sites

While there are plenty of differences in how these two brands operate on a surface level, they both thankfully work in a pretty similar way. This means that you will typically just have to take the following steps to sign up and make your trades, regardless of which site you choose:

1. Click on the link for the prediction markets brand you want to use in the banners of this page to launch their site from the browser of your computer or mobile

2. Register your account by filling in the registration form with some basic personal information

3. Verify your identity by submitting a selfie and some government-issue photo ID such as a passport or driving license

4. Make an opening deposit with one of the accepted payment methods

5. Go to the lobby and browse the available event contracts

6. Click on the event contract you wish to purchase

7. Select how many of those event contracts you want to buy and execute your trade

Conclusion – A fascinating comparison of Polymarket vs PredictIt

It’s pretty clear that Polymarket and PredictIt give you some very different takes on the prediction markets phenomenon. Polymarket is the disrupter that is shaking up the industry with a huge amount of markets covering everything from culture to tech, while PredictIt is a much more sober not-for-profit organization that restricts your trades to politics and maybe just a little economics.

Plus there are important differences in regards to everything from trading fees to how you can actually make your trades via a mobile. So be sure to weigh up the pros and cons of each brand, and then click on the link for the prediction markets site you want to use in the banners of this page, to sign up and start trading.

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Polymarket vs PredictIt FAQ

1. 🗓️ What is the minimum age limit for using Polymarket and PredictIt?

   You will have to be at least 18 years old to sign up to both Polymarket and PredictIt. This is a standard minimum age requirement for prediction markets sites and you’ll need to verify this fact before you can make your trades.

2. 🔍 How can I trust Polymarket or PredictIt?

   Well, when we asked, ‘Is Polymarket legal in Georgia?’ we found that the brand was regulated on a federal level by the CFTC. This is equally true of PredictIt, and means you can use both brands in all most states and get plenty of customer protection too.

3. 👶 Is Polymarket or PredictIt best for trading newbies?

   The answer is that both prediction markets sites are pretty easy to use. We liked how PredictIt has some helpful video tutorials that get you to grips with the fundamentals of prediction markets, while Polymarket has a range of FAQs and a Help Center to get you started.

4. 💸 Can I use Polymarket or PredictIt for free?

   It doesn’t look like it, as both brands fail to have much in the way of promo offers. As such, you’ll be expected to make a deposit of your own cash and use those funds for your trades.

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