A little about Kalshi
Before we get into apps like Kalshi, it is important to know a bit about the brand itself. The whole idea of the platform was born at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by two undergrads, Luana Lopes Lara and Tarek Mansour. That’s how they kicked off in 2018, and since the idea was to make simple trading available in a regulated environment, they began to push for federal recognition. In 2020, they were regulated by the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission, which made them the first CFTC-regulated events trading platform.
Such a compelling background story had to be backed by accessibility and smooth usability of the resulting product. This is why they have one of the most user-friendly prediction trading websites and applications. In fact, they are one of the only apps like Robinhood that are beginner-friendly and support impressive depth across every major vertical. We have even noticed how quickly they introduce markets for new tokens in the crypto category, while other platforms take a bit more time.
Despite how exceptional they are, there are a few reasons why you might want to search for an alternative. You might, for example, be seeking a platform that is app-only. Sometimes, you might just need to experience something different and decide to try an alternative platform. Whatever your reason, the brands you will be choosing have big shoes to fill because Kalshi is one of the platforms that has set the blueprint for what prediction markets are.
Top sites like Kalshi
| Sites like Kalshi | Why choose |
|---|---|
| Crypto.com | Best for crypto market depth |
| Polymarket | Closest substitute |
| Robinhood | Preferred app-based option |
Crypto.com – best for crypto markets
- Trade crypto price movement predictions
- Simple peer-to-peer trading system
- Fast deposits with crypto wallets
- Limited variety of crypto markets
Anyone who has had to use Kalshi knows that it is a near-perfect platform, especially because you can find almost any popular market there. Despite its depth, if you are looking to trade crypto specifically, you might want apps like Kalshi designed particularly for that niche. So far, we have found Crypto.com to be one of the best places you can opt for.
Keep in mind that to trade predictions on crypto events, you can download the app. With that, you will be able to see all the markets they have for every digital currency or token, as well as other crypto-related events. Keep in mind that unlike Kalshi’s high level of platform fluidity, with Crypto.com, you are restricted to mobile usage. If you are a prediction trader who doesn’t mind smaller interfaces, then go for it.
Sponsored by Crypto.com – Not investment advice. Trading prediction markets and crypto involves risk, including potential loss of your stake. Consider your risk tolerance before participating. Crypto.com connects U.S. users to CDNA (regulated by CFTC) for derivatives trading. CDNA membership required. Trading may not be suitable for all—you could lose your entire investment plus fees. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. This is not a solicitation or recommendation to trade.
Polymarket — the closest alternative to Kalshi
- Polymarket is live in the USA
- Easy pick-up-and-trade mechanics
- Sign-up rewards available
- Beginner-friendly platform
- Downloadable app
- High regulatory scrutiny
- Not all markets are available
If you want sites like Kalshi that are typically a mirror or even better, then you can consider Polymarket. If you’ve heard of this platform, you probably know it wasn’t available in the US for some time. Well, now it is back and its prediction markets are all regulated with support for the same kind of categories as Kalshi. It also has more markets in some categories, which is no surprise since it is the biggest brand globally. Depending on how you wish to trade, you will be able to access Polymarket from mobile through the app.
Robinhood – best option for app-based trading
- Federally regulated by the CFTC
- A wide variety of markets with binary event contracts
- Simple trading interface
- Event contracts vary by state
Consider Robinhood as one of the apps like Polymarket that offers the most compact and user-friendly interface. Once you install, you will be able to trade all the major categories, such as politics, pop culture, crypto, finance, and even climate. You can easily get their software from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It is a top choice because, unlike some other apps we have tried, this one is available in all 50 states. This means that you have no issues with prediction trading when you travel within the country.
Honourable mentions
While the above are the very best of all the apps like Kalshi that we tested, there are a few other brands that also do well in the prediction market space. Good examples are apps like PrizePicks and Underdog Predict, for instance. These platforms have existed in the Daily Fantasy Sports space before getting into prediction markets. Now, they have a range of CFTC-regulated products that you can trade on via their applications. They may not exactly measure up to Kalshi in terms of category breadth just yet, but for new entrants in the market, their prediction market products are quite impressive.
How do we choose the best apps like Kalshi?
When it comes to choosing apps like Kalshi, we are very particular about everything from features to security and accessibility. That is why we created a checklist of what matters most to ensure the same standard and quality of experience. Again, you might not need these long checks since you can choose any platform on this page. However, if you do decide to look into other existing platforms, here are a few of the aspects to consider:
Security
When it comes to using a prediction trading platform for prediction markets, security is paramount. To give you an idea, you will need to go through KYC and also make a deposit. For these, you will be providing personal information and sensitive identifiers. This is why licensing and security are important. Additionally, we often check for CFTC regulation and look into safety measures like SSL encryption. We also check the privacy policy page to get an idea of how they store and manage data in transit, as an extra step.
Location coverage
Depending on your location in the US, you may be unable to access or use certain apps like Kalshi due to restrictions. They may not even be visible on your app store in the first place. For instance, apps like Underdog Predict for Android and iOS can only be accessed from 33 states. That’s quite tough if you are not within that coverage area. Since we have noticed that some of these platforms are also not VPN-friendly, we decided to set a benchmark for at least 49 of the 50 states. That way, you can freely trade on event outcomes without any hassle.
Markets and categories
Kalshi is known for fantastic market coverage and depth, so an alternative platform has to match that. We like to see a blend of niche and popular categories such as sports, crypto, politics, weather, and pop culture. For each of these, we also expect at least 5 markets, each with multiple active live trades each time.
Mobile accessibility
Since Kalshi ensures you are not restricted to a single kind of device, we expect alternative platforms not to be restrictive either. At the same time, being able to trade on mobile or through the app should be smooth and shouldn’t lag as much as possible. Top brands should prioritize your mobile prediction trading experience by developing an intuitive and fast app. That way, the app taking up minimal space in your phone would be worth it.
Customer service
We’ve always found it easy to get assistance on Kalshi; they have email, live chat, and a knowledge base that makes getting help seamless. Choosing an alternative prediction trading platform means finding one that prioritizes customer support. We consider the three methods that Kalshi has to be the most basic that any brand can provide, so where there are telephone and social media options, it's a plus. Worth adding that the quality of support is just as important as the number of methods available. For instance, we expect live chat responses to come through within 2 minutes, while email replies are not delayed beyond 5 hours.
Pros and cons of apps like Kalshi
You already know some of the best similar prediction market apps to Kalshi, so you’ll successfully save some search time. However, choosing one of them has to be with a very clear intention because there are pros and cons to consider. These are a few of those considerations:
- Similar interface on some platforms like Polymarket
- Familiar yes/no binary contract format
- Access across most states of the US
- Similar apps may have fewer features
Final thoughts on apps like Kalshi
Kalshi honestly leaves nothing to be desired, which is why it can be almost counterproductive to search for a similar platform. However, if you need a change or are just curious about what similar apps offer, then consider any of the top alternatives we have shared here. Keep in mind that each platform has its strengths, so take your time to review what each one does best against your prediction trading needs. Once you make a choice, tap on the relevant banner to create an account and start trading now.
The prediction market sites we trust
FAQs on apps like Kalshi
Are all apps like Kalshi CFTC-regulated?
The apps like Kalshi that we recommend, specifically, Polymarket, Robinhood, and Crypto.com, are CFTC-regulated. However, other similar apps that you may come across might not be regulated by the CFTC. You can always check the details at the footer of a website or the information section of an app to check.
Can I trade political events on all apps like Kalshi?
You can trade political event markets on apps like Polymarket, Crypto.com, and Robinhood. However, some other alternatives might not have this specific category. You will be able to explore the supported categories and markets before you trade, which helps you decide on what platform is worth joining.
Do similar apps to Kalshi have desktop website versions?
Some similar apps to Kalshi, like Robinhood, have desktop versions that you can trade with if you are a website-first trader. You will have the same features as on the application, which makes prediction trading easier and familiar. These websites also run smoothly on your mobile browser.
