Comparison · updated July 2026

Metaculus vs Kalshi

Metaculus and Kalshi 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.

Metaculus

4.4/5

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

Serious forecasters Non-profit / educational

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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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Rating

Metaculus

4.4

Kalshi

4.7

Best for

Metaculus

Serious forecasters

Kalshi

Regulated US event contracts

Regulation

Metaculus

Non-profit / educational

Kalshi

CFTC-regulated

US availability

Metaculus

Available

Kalshi

Available

Fees

Metaculus

Free

Kalshi

Up to 2% per trade

Mobile

Metaculus

Good

Kalshi

Excellent

Markets

Metaculus

AI, Politics, Economy, Culture

Kalshi

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

Payment

Metaculus

Kalshi

ACH, Debit card, Wire transfer

Founded

Metaculus

Kalshi

2018

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

Metaculus

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 Metaculus or Kalshi?

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

Visit Metaculus Visit Kalshi

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.