Side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right platform.
Neither platform opens a decisive gap on the verified discovery metrics we can compare here. Use the table below to decide which tradeoffs matter more to you.
CFTC-exempt academic prediction market since 1992. Elections & politics. Research-focused. Small stakes. University of Iowa.
Science and tech forecasting platform. Reputation-based. Used by researchers. No real money. CFTC-exempt.
Use this section when the overall verdict is close or when one specific factor matters more than the aggregate score.
Iowa Electronic Markets
4.7/5Metaculus
4.7/5Iowa Electronic Markets
91/100Metaculus
87/100Iowa Electronic Markets
VerifiedMetaculus
VerifiedIowa Electronic Markets
None foundMetaculus
None foundIowa Electronic Markets
2026-04-08Metaculus
2026-04-08Iowa Electronic Markets
NoneMetaculus
Free (reputation-based)Iowa Electronic Markets
Prediction marketsMetaculus
Prediction marketsIowa Electronic Markets
SOCIALMetaculus
SOCIALIowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
University of IowaMetaculus
Metaculus IncIowa Electronic Markets
$5Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
Iowa Electronic Markets
{"regulator":"CFTC","type":"Academic Exemption","status":"Licensed","details":"CFTC-exempt academic trading venue operating since 1992; operated by non-profit University of Iowa; no commercial regulation required"}Metaculus
{"regulator":"None (Academic Exemption)","type":"Social / Play-Money","status":"Active","details":"Non-profit academic platform; no real money; CFTC-exempt due to educational use; no securities/commodities regulation required"}Iowa Electronic Markets
Metaculus
51Iowa Electronic Markets
1 methodsMetaculus
1 methods| Feature | Iowa Electronic Markets | Metaculus |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Trust Score | 91/100 | 87/100 |
| Review Coverage | Verified | Verified |
| Bonus Coverage | None found | None found |
| Last Fact-check | 2026-04-08 | 2026-04-08 |
| Signup Bonus | None | Free (reputation-based) |
| Market | Prediction markets | Prediction markets |
| Regulatory Type | SOCIAL | SOCIAL |
| Founded | ||
| Parent Company | University of Iowa | Metaculus Inc |
| Min Deposit | $5 | |
| Min Withdrawal | ||
| Withdrawal Speed | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Live Chat | ||
| Bonus Codes | ||
| License | {"regulator":"CFTC","type":"Academic Exemption","status":"Licensed","details":"CFTC-exempt academic trading venue operating since 1992; operated by non-profit University of Iowa; no commercial regulation required"} | {"regulator":"None (Academic Exemption)","type":"Social / Play-Money","status":"Active","details":"Non-profit academic platform; no real money; CFTC-exempt due to educational use; no securities/commodities regulation required"} |
| States Available | 51 | |
| Payment Methods | 1 methods | 1 methods |
The table below compares Iowa Electronic Markets and Metaculus across the same core discovery metrics: rating, trust score, bonus posture, market type, regulatory posture, founding year, banking minimums, payout speed, app/support signals, licensing, state reach, and payment-method breadth.
Start with state availability and regulatory type, then use trust score, payout speed, and bonus posture as your next filters. Trust score is always shown on a 0–100 scale here, and it should be treated as a risk floor rather than a tiny tiebreaker between two otherwise similar platforms.
If you want a narrative head-to-head, open the canonical comparison page. You can also browse 406 tracked platforms or jump to state-specific rankings when availability matters more than national positioning.
Pros
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Pros
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