DraftKings vs FanDuel: Our Expert Sportsbook Comparison
As more online sports betting operators launch across the United States, sports bettors have more choice than ever when it comes to betting on sporting events. However, two giants of the sports betting industry are always at the top of the list of online sportsbooks. The constant battle for supremacy between DraftKings and FanDuel has pushed daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests to new heights.
Although both platforms started out primarily as a DFS site, both FanDuel and DraftKings sportsbook are now two of the best sports betting sites available. By both brands pushing each other, customers can benefit from the evolution of newly incorporated sports, new contest types, and more high-stakes contests than ever.
Both the DraftKings app and the FanDuel app offer excellent promotions, a great user experience, and competitive odds. But which sportsbook is better? This article attempts to find out. Read on for our analysis of the DraftKings vs. FanDuel debate, and find out which one is the best for you.
DraftKings & FanDuel Overview
DraftKings and FanDuel are the two most prominent sports betting brands in the United States right now. Both enjoy large market shares in many states, and their battle to be the best looks set to define the US sports betting industry for years to come.
DraftKings
DraftKings was established in 2012. Initially, it was a Daily Fantasy Sports provider but quickly focused on sports betting after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA. Two years later, DraftKings merged with white-label sportsbook provider SBTech and went public on the NASDAQ.
DraftKings is currently live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, Indiana, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
FanDuel
FanDuel also began life as a DFS site. In May 2018, shortly after PASPA was struck down, Paddy Power Betfair acquired a controlling stake in the company and launched the FanDuel sportsbook. Paddy Power Betfair has since rebranded as Flutter Entertainment and confirmed its status as the world’s largest sports betting company by acquiring The Stars Group for $6 billion.
FanDuel is currently operating in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
DraftKings vs FanDuel showdown: category by category
Welcome Bonus – FanDuel Wins
FanDuel offers new customers a risk-free wager up to $1,000, while DraftKings provides a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000.
Both bookmakers provide offers for new users specifically for the Super Bowl, which certainly will attract bettors who enjoy NFL betting. FanDuel provides a huge odds boost on both teams competing in the big game, while DraftKings offers to double your winnings if a touchdown is scored in the game. College football and Canadian football league offers also appear at different times throughout their respective seasons.
All offers are fantastic, but if we had to choose the better one, we would have to go with FanDuel. They provide less complicated terms and conditions and wagering requirements. Let’s face it, the amount you would have to deposit if you wanted to receive the full DK welcome bonus is enormous. We will rate FanDuel with 5/5 stars and DraftKings with 4/5 stars.
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$1,000 No Sweat First BetSportsbook Options and Odds – DraftKings Wins
FanDuel and DraftKings have to abide by each US state’s laws and regulations on sports betting when it comes to available sports and markets. They both offer every sport and market within their power, including international sports leagues. Both bookies are available across multiple states, so you should see which bookies your state support if you are particular about betting options. When it comes to soccer betting in the US, FanDuel just about pips DK to the finish line.
DraftKings and FanDuel offer competitive odds for popular leagues and competitions when it comes to betting odds. DraftKings does offer better odds on Football competitions, so we will give them this round. We will rate FanDuel with 4/5 and DraftKings with 5/5 stars in this category.
Bonuses for Existing Customers – FanDuel Wins
We all like free games or free money when we sign up for a sports betting account. Both of these operators ensure they offer plenty of incentives to keep users engaged.
DraftKings provides exciting bonuses for existing customers, including the popular Refer a Friend promotion, but they don’t offer many bonuses for existing events like they did in the past. They have a rewards program that all customers have access to, and it’s one of the best. We would rate this section with 4/5 stars.
FanDuel offers plenty of insurance bonuses and daily boosted odds. Although their bonuses are all focused on risk-free wagers and insurance, it’s still the better choice because many bonuses are available. They provide both quantity and quality, which we can’t say about DraftKings. This section deserves 5/5 stars.
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Additional Features Comparison
Experience on the Website Platform – It’s a Tie!
FanDuel’s online and mobile platforms are user-friendly, and navigating between the pages is straightforward. DraftKings offers a similar experience regarding their mobile app and website.
The design of both platforms is 100% unique, but the layout is similar. The bet slip is on the right side of the screen with the sports selection on the left, leaving the middle for the market selection and pop-up offers. We will rate both bookies with 5/5 stars because of their unique design and because they provide a player-friendly environment.
DraftKings vs FanDuel Live Betting – FanDuel Wins
Both FanDuel and DraftKings provide live betting to their customers, and the available events are the same, so it is not an easy choice. When it comes to betting odds, we can say that they are competitive, but what caught our eye was that on the DraftKings platform, you have to refresh the page to see the current in-play odds while on the FanDuel platform they updated without having to reload the page.
Both bookmakers provide a moderate selection of live events and markets, but that is what got us to lean toward FanDuel in this category and give them 5/5 stars. Although DraftKings lost, they get 4.5/5 stars from us.
Live Streaming Feature – Tie
FanDuel and DraftKings offer live streaming on their online and mobile platforms, and you can watch some of the events you like in real-time, even without having to place a wager on them. The only requirement would be to have a validated Sportsbook account and a positive balance in it.
The quality of the streams available on both platforms is perfect, and we can’t find anything to not like about this feature on both websites. We will give them both 5/5 stars in this category, as well.
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Mobile App Duel – DraftKings Wins
$1,000 Deposit Bonus$1,000 No Sweat First BetDraftKings vs FanDuel Cash-Out – FanDuel Wins
DraftKings has four mobile apps available – one for each section (Sportsbook, Casino, and Fantasy) plus DK Live – another DFS-related mobile app. All of their applications share similar designs and a friendly interface. They are both widely regarded as the two best US sports betting apps on the market. When you look at all the available features, it is easy to see why.
We will rate the DraftKings mobile apps with 5/5 stars. FanDuel has more apps because it offers a broader array of services, but quantity isn’t everything. Their mobile app is one of the best for iOS and Android devices, and it is easy to navigate, but compared to DraftKings, we will have to go with a rating of 4.5/5 stars.
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Pros and Cons of Both Bookmakers
| Pros | Cons |
| Exciting new customer offers + Big Game-related bonuses for new customers. | It takes a long to process withdrawals. |
| A wide variety of sports and betting markets available on both Sportsbooks. | Some bonuses have tough wagering requirements, like the DK new customer bonus. |
| High-quality mobile applications for each section available for iOS and Android | DraftKings offers a small number of bonuses for existing customers. |
| Popular betting features are available on both platforms. | FanDuel doesn’t offer a loyalty program on their Sportsbook page. |
DraftKings vs FanDuel – The choice is yours
People have been debating the DraftKings vs. FanDuel topic ever since they both released Sportsbooks, and now that they have grown into the two best US sports betting platforms globally. This has led to many discussions around which site is better. Our reviews and experience show that FanDuel is slightly superior, but users are guaranteed to have an enjoyable experience with both.
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