Comparison · updated July 2026

Polymarket vs Kalshi

Polymarket 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.
Polymarket logo

Polymarket

4.3/5

The largest crypto-settled prediction market for global events.

Deepest liquidity and largest market variety Offshore
Kalshi logo

Kalshi

4.7/5

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

Regulated US event contracts CFTC-regulated

Rating

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

4.3

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

4.7

Best for

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

Deepest liquidity and largest market variety

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

Regulated US event contracts

Regulation

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

Offshore

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

CFTC-regulated

US availability

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

Restricted

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

Available

Fees

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

0% trading fees

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

Up to 2% per trade

Mobile

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

Good

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

Excellent

Markets

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

Politics, Sports, Crypto, Economy, Culture, AI, Entertainment, Technology

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

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

Payment

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

USDC (Polygon)

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

ACH, Debit card, Wire transfer

Founded

Polymarket logo

Polymarket

2020

Kalshi logo

Kalshi

2018

Verdicts

Who wins, category by category

Best overall

Kalshi

Higher composite rating across our methodology.

Best for beginners

Kalshi

Cleaner onboarding and a more polished consumer experience.

Best for regulation

Kalshi

Operates as a CFTC-designated contract market.

Best for liquidity

Polymarket

Deepest order books on headline markets.

Best for market variety

Polymarket

Wider catalogue of available event contracts.

Final take

Should you choose Polymarket or Kalshi?

Kalshi comes out narrowly ahead in our methodology, but both platforms have a clear lane. Choose Polymarket for deepest liquidity and largest market variety, and Kalshi for regulated us event contracts.

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.