PolymarketPolymarketComparison9 min read2025-12-04

Polymarket vs PredictIt: Which Prediction Market is Better?

AL - Founder of PolyTrack, Polymarket trader & analyst

AL

Founder of PolyTrack, Polymarket trader & analyst

Polymarket vs PredictIt: Which Prediction Market is Better? - Comparison Guide for Polymarket Traders | PolyTrack Blog

Polymarket and PredictIt are both prediction markets, but they serve different audiences and operate under vastly different regulatory frameworks. This comparison helps you understand which platform is right for your trading needs based on legal status, fees, and features.

Platform Overview

Polymarket

  • • Founded: 2020
  • • Blockchain-based (Polygon)
  • • Uses USDC stablecoin
  • • No KYC required
  • • US users blocked
  • • $3.5B+ 2024 election volume

PredictIt

  • • Founded: 2014
  • • Traditional web platform
  • • USD via bank/card
  • • Full KYC required
  • • US users allowed
  • • Academic research focus

Key Differences

Fees

Polymarket: 0% trading fees (only blockchain gas ~$0.01) - learn more in our fee guide
PredictIt: 5% on every trade + 10% on profits withdrawn

PredictIt's 15% total fee burden significantly impacts profitability. A winning trade that returns 50% on Polymarket only returns ~35% on PredictIt after fees. This is a crucial consideration when evaluating win rates across platforms.

Position Limits

Polymarket: No position limits
PredictIt: $850 maximum per market

PredictIt's strict limits prevent large-scale trading and limit profit potential. Polymarket whales regularly hold positions worth millions (see our whale trading guide). Learn how to track smart money on Polymarket.

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Market Selection

Polymarket: Politics, crypto, sports, entertainment, economics
PredictIt: US politics only

PredictIt is limited to political markets due to its academic research designation. Polymarket offers much broader coverage, giving traders more opportunities to find arbitrage opportunities.

Liquidity

Polymarket has significantly higher liquidity, especially on major events. During the 2024 election, Polymarket had 10-50x more volume than PredictIt on equivalent markets. Higher liquidity means better execution and less slippage—important factors when following top traders.

Regulatory Status

PredictIt operates under a CFTC no-action letter for academic research—legal but limited. Polymarket settled with CFTC in 2022 and now blocks US users entirely (read our US guide for details). Both platforms ensure market safety through different mechanisms.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeaturePolymarketPredictIt
US AccessBlockedAllowed
Trading Fee0%5%
Profit Fee0%10%
Max PositionUnlimited$850
MarketsAll typesPolitics only
KYC RequiredNoYes
CurrencyUSDC (crypto)USD

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Polymarket if:

  • You're outside the United States
  • You want zero trading fees
  • You want to trade large positions
  • You're interested in non-political markets (see other alternatives)
  • You prefer crypto-native platforms (learn about USDC deposits)

Choose PredictIt if:

  • You're a US resident and want legal access
  • You only care about US political markets
  • You prefer USD deposits without crypto
  • You're okay with small position sizes (avoid common beginner mistakes)

Track Both Markets

PolyTrack helps you monitor Polymarket whale activity. Use our insights to find opportunities, then trade on whichever platform you have access to. Learn how to find winning traders and use our portfolio tracker to manage positions across platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most traders, yes. Polymarket has no position limits, lower fees, and higher liquidity. PredictIt has an $850 position cap and 10% fee on profits.

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