Side-by-side comparison of Kalshi and Polymarket. Use the table below to compare risk, availability, product depth, and practical tradeoffs.
Kalshi comes out ahead on the verified comparison factors shown below. Polymarket may still be the better match if one of its specific strengths matters more to you than the full profile.
Compare Kalshi as a gambling platform option with availability, licensing, bonus, payment, and account details reviewed where public evidence is available.
Compare Polymarket as a gambling platform option with availability, licensing, bonus, payment, and account details reviewed where public evidence is available.
Prediction markets exploded in 2026. Combined monthly volume across Kalshi and Polymarket now exceeds $21 billion according to TRM Labs tracking. Kalshi operates as a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market based in the United States. Polymarket operates offshore on the Polygon blockchain and, as of early 2026, received a no-action letter from the CFTC clearing a path for a US re-entry after years of restriction. Both hit all-time monthly highs in March 2026: Kalshi at $12.35B and Polymarket at $10.15B.
Neither platform runs traditional welcome bonuses — these are exchanges, not sportsbooks. Kalshi occasionally offers deposit match promos up to $100 via CFTC-compliant promotional credits. Polymarket has offered airdrops and fee rebates tied to on-chain activity.
Kalshi offers sports event contracts (since January 2025), politics, economics, weather, culture, and macro financial markets. It has become the dominant US sports prediction venue, doing roughly 2.5x Polymarket's sports volume according to pm.wiki tracking. Polymarket dominates politics and crypto-native markets where its global user base has a structural advantage, and it runs deeper international and long-tail cultural markets.
Both platforms operate as order-book exchanges with contracts priced between $0.01 and $0.99, settling at $1 or $0 at resolution. Kalshi charges a trading fee of roughly 1-7% of potential profit per trade depending on contract. Polymarket historically charged zero trading fees and only paid Polygon network gas, though fee structures are evolving with the US re-entry.
Kalshi is the only CFTC-regulated event contract exchange legal for US residents in most states as of 2026. Federal courts have ruled that states cannot regulate Kalshi's federally-sanctioned contracts, though lawsuits continue in several jurisdictions. Polymarket remained banned for US residents from 2022 through early 2026; the January 2026 no-action letter began a phased US reopening, but current state availability still needs to be confirmed before depositing.
Kalshi has a full native iOS and Android app plus web. Polymarket is primarily web-based with wallet connection via MetaMask or embedded wallets, reflecting its crypto-native roots.
Neither runs traditional VIP programs. Kalshi offers fee rebates to market makers and high-volume traders. Polymarket has historically rewarded liquidity providers via token incentives.
US residents who want a legal, regulated, dollar-denominated prediction market with tax reporting, FDIC-insured deposits at the clearing bank, and consumer protection.
Crypto-native players outside the US, or US residents in states where its reopened status is confirmed, who want the deepest politics and international markets.
For US residents, Kalshi is the default answer. It is the only prediction market with clear CFTC regulatory standing, US banking rails, and consumer recourse. Polymarket has better international and politics depth but its US legal status remains in flux — verify before trading.
When the overall verdict is close, compare the specific factors that matter more than the aggregate score.
Kalshi
4.8/5Polymarket
4.6/5Kalshi
92/100Polymarket
85/100Kalshi
VerifiedPolymarket
Needs refreshKalshi
None foundPolymarket
None foundKalshi
2026-06-19Polymarket
2026-04-08Kalshi
None (exchange model)Polymarket
None (exchange model) · verify termsKalshi
Prediction marketsPolymarket
Prediction marketsKalshi
LICENSEDPolymarket
CRYPTOKalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
Kalshi IncPolymarket
Polymarket IncKalshi
$1Polymarket
Kalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
Polymarket
Kalshi
CFTCPolymarket
CFTCKalshi
3Polymarket
Kalshi
3 methodsPolymarket
1 methods| Feature | Kalshi | Polymarket |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Trust Score | 92/100 | 85/100 |
| Review Coverage | Verified | Needs refresh |
| Bonus Coverage | None found | None found |
| Last Fact-check | 2026-06-19 | 2026-04-08 |
| Signup Bonus | None (exchange model) | None (exchange model) · verify terms |
| Market | Prediction markets | Prediction markets |
| Regulatory Type | LICENSED | CRYPTO |
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
Kalshi has the stronger overall comparison profile in this view, but Polymarket can still be the better choice if its specific strengths fit your priorities better. Primary modeled difference: Kalshi trust score: 92/100 vs 85/100 for Polymarket
Kalshi currently lists None (exchange model), while Polymarket lists None (exchange model). The better bonus is the one with the cleaner terms and redemption path for your use case, not just the bigger headline number.
Kalshi is currently modeled as available in 3 jurisdictions, while Polymarket is modeled as available in 0 jurisdictions. Regional coverage can change quickly, so treat this as a discovery-layer snapshot and verify eligibility on the operator before signing up.
| Founded |
| Parent Company | Kalshi Inc | Polymarket Inc |
| Min Deposit | $1 |
| Min Withdrawal |
| Withdrawal Speed |
| Mobile App |
| Live Chat |
| Bonus Codes |
| License | CFTC | CFTC |
| States Available | 3 |
| Payment Methods | 3 methods | 1 methods |
