11 min readBest Polymarket Alternatives: Top Prediction Markets (2025)
Looking for alternatives to Polymarket? Whether you're a US resident blocked from trading, seeking different market types, or want to diversify across platforms, several prediction market alternatives exist. This comprehensive guide compares the top Polymarket alternatives in 2025, covering features, fees, regulations, and which platform best fits your needs.
Why Look for Polymarket Alternatives?
- US restrictions: Polymarket blocks US users due to CFTC settlement (learn more about Polymarket's legal status)
- Market coverage: Some platforms offer markets Polymarket doesn't
- Regulatory preference: You may prefer CFTC-regulated platforms
- Arbitrage: Price differences between platforms create opportunities (see our arbitrage guide)
- Diversification: Spread risk across multiple platforms
Top Polymarket Alternatives
1. Kalshi (Best for US Users)
Kalshi is the only CFTC-regulated prediction market exchange in the US. It's the closest legal equivalent to Polymarket for American traders.
Pros
- • Fully legal in the US (CFTC-regulated)
- • USD deposits via bank transfer
- • Growing market selection
- • Robinhood integration
- • No crypto knowledge needed
Cons
- • 1-7% fee on profits
- • Full KYC required
- • US-only (blocks international)
- • Fewer markets than Polymarket
- • Some position limits
See our detailed Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison. Also check out Polymarket's fee structure for comparison.
2. PredictIt (Political Markets)
PredictIt operates under a CFTC no-action letter for academic research. It focuses exclusively on US political markets. See our detailed PredictIt comparison.
Pros
- • Legal for US users
- • Established since 2014
- • Active political trading community
- • No crypto needed
Cons
- • $850 max position per market
- • 5% trading fee + 10% withdrawal fee
- • Political markets only
- • Lower liquidity
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3. Metaculus (Free Forecasting)
Metaculus is a forecasting platform without real money. Compete on accuracy and build your forecasting track record.
Pros
- • Completely free
- • No financial risk
- • Wide variety of questions
- • Great for learning
- • No regulatory restrictions
Cons
- • No real money trading
- • No profit potential
- • Reputation-based only
4. Augur / Zeitgeist (Decentralized)
Fully decentralized prediction markets built on blockchain. More censorship-resistant but lower liquidity.
Pros
- • Fully decentralized
- • Censorship-resistant
- • Create your own markets
- • No KYC
Cons
- • Very low liquidity
- • Complex to use
- • Higher fees
- • Resolution can be slow
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | US Access | Fees | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polymarket | Blocked | 0% (see details) | All types |
| Kalshi | Legal | 1-7% | Politics, economics |
| PredictIt | Legal | 15% | Politics only |
| Metaculus | Legal | Free | All (no money) |
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
- US trader wanting legal access: Kalshi (read how to use prediction markets first)
- Political markets focus: PredictIt or Kalshi (see our election trading guide)
- Learning without risk: Metaculus
- Maximum decentralization: Augur or Zeitgeist
- Best overall experience (non-US): Polymarket (understand safety considerations)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Kalshi (US-legal, regulated), PredictIt (political focus), and Metaculus (forecasting without trading) are the main alternatives.
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