Comparison · updated July 2026

Kalshi vs Metaculus

Kalshi and Metaculus are two of the most discussed prediction market platforms in the US. Here's a side-by-side look at how they compare on the factors that actually matter for traders.

Editorial disclosure. HunchMarkets may earn a commission when readers sign up via our links. Our rankings, ratings and methodology are decided independently of commercial relationships.

Kalshi

4.7/5

The first CFTC-regulated event contract exchange in the United States.

Regulated US event contracts CFTC-regulated

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Metaculus

4.4/5

Community forecasting platform focused on calibration and long-horizon questions.

Serious forecasters Non-profit / educational

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Rating

Kalshi

4.7

Metaculus

4.4

Best for

Kalshi

Regulated US event contracts

Metaculus

Serious forecasters

Regulation

Kalshi

CFTC-regulated

Metaculus

Non-profit / educational

US availability

Kalshi

Available

Metaculus

Available

Fees

Kalshi

Up to 2% per trade

Metaculus

Free

Mobile

Kalshi

Excellent

Metaculus

Good

Markets

Kalshi

Politics, Economy, Sports, Weather, Culture, AI, Financial events

Metaculus

AI, Politics, Economy, Culture

Payment

Kalshi

ACH, Debit card, Wire transfer

Metaculus

Founded

Kalshi

2018

Metaculus

Category	Kalshi	Metaculus
Rating	4.7	4.4
Best for	Regulated US event contracts	Serious forecasters
Regulation	CFTC-regulated	Non-profit / educational
US availability	Available	Available
Fees	Up to 2% per trade	Free
Mobile	Excellent	Good
Markets	Politics, Economy, Sports, Weather, Culture, AI, Financial events	AI, Politics, Economy, Culture
Payment	ACH, Debit card, Wire transfer
Founded	2018

Verdicts

Who wins, category by category

Best overall

Kalshi

Higher composite rating across our methodology.

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Best for beginners

Kalshi

Cleaner onboarding and a more polished consumer experience.

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Best for regulation

Kalshi

Operates as a CFTC-designated contract market.

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Best for liquidity

Kalshi

Deepest order books on headline markets.

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Best for market variety

Kalshi

Wider catalogue of available event contracts.

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Final take

Should you choose Kalshi or Metaculus?

Kalshi comes out narrowly ahead in our methodology, but both platforms have a clear lane. Choose Kalshi for regulated us event contracts, and Metaculus for serious forecasters.

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Risk warning. Event contracts are financial instruments. You can lose your full premium. Trade only where legally permitted in your jurisdiction. This is not investment, legal or tax advice.