FanDuel and DraftKings are the two biggest names in the American online gambling industry. Wherever sports betting is legal, these brands tend to dominate in terms of handle and revenue.
So which of these titanic brands is better? To compare DraftKings vs FanDuel, we’ve analyzed their promos, sports coverage, mobile user experience, and more to help you decide which of these online sportsbooks suits your needs best.
A comparison of FanDuel vs DraftKings is the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA Finals of online wagering. This is the rumble in the sports betting jungle.
FanDuel, founded in 2009, and DraftKings, launched in 2012, vied for supremacy in the Daily Fantasy Sports market for many years. Once states were permitted to license sports betting, they moved swiftly and surely to continue their battle for gambling dollars in this new and exciting marketplace.
When analyzing FanDuel vs DraftKings, it quickly becomes clear that these are both exceptionally good online sportsbooks. Nevertheless, there are small differences between them, which can help you decide between the two.
One vital criterion for judging FanDuel vs DraftKings is the quality, frequency, and style of promotions available to customers.
Promos should offer the chance to get extra value for your regular wagering. The type of bonus you favor will depend on the way you like to place bets.
We looked at the offers currently available at DraftKings and FanDuel to see how they compare.
Sign-up Bonus: Place your first cash bet of at least $5 on any sport and get $150 in bonus bets if you win using the latest FanDuel Sportsbook promo code. You'll also receive a free three-month trial to NBA League Pass for a limited time.
Daily Promotions: Current examples of FanDuel promos include profit boosts on selected games, no-sweat same-game parlay tokens, and NFL contests for this season.
Loyalty Rewards: FanDuel operates a loyalty program for Daily Fantasy Sports players, and sportsbook clients may be invited to join a VIP program. But there is no automatic ongoing rewards program for most sports bettors.
Sign-up Bonus: Place a bet of at least $5 and get bonus bets with the current DraftKings Sportsbook promo code.
Daily Promotions: Among the examples of daily DraftKings promo offers now available are odds boosts, profit boosts, no-sweat tokens, and betting pools and jackpots. DraftKings also offers a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
Loyalty Program: When you sign up as a customer, you automatically join the Dynasty Rewards program. You earn Crowns when you place bets, and the more you collect, the more exclusive benefits and promos you qualify for.
Sign-up Bonus Winner: FanDuel has the edge here. The current welcome bonuses are virtually identical in their structure and benefits, but you get the addition of an NBA League Pass free trial with FanDuel.
Daily Promotions Winner: FanDuel is our winner here, thanks to the variety of offers available. While DraftKings focuses heavily on profit boosts, FanDuel offers various reasons to check in daily.
Loyalty Program Winner: No contest here; it's DraftKings, as Dynasty Rewards is the only runner in the race. The DraftKings loyalty program is simple and effective, while FanDuel’s lack of a rewards program is one of the few negatives against its name.
Why?
Overall, it’s not easy to pick a winner in FanDuel vs DraftKings when it comes to promotions. While the two are neck and neck on the welcome offer, and DraftKings is a clear leader in terms of loyalty programs, the most important category here is daily offers. FanDuel has a distinct edge, which makes it a narrow winner on sportsbook promos.
Whether you patronize DraftKings, FanDuel, or both, you can expect to find various features that add quality sheen to the wagering experience here. We've examined a broad range of features and how they impact the user experience to determine which sportsbook is better.
FanDuel has a strong focus on live betting in its functionality. You can also easily check out what other popular bets other users are wagering on.
FanDuel allows users to easily switch between DFS and casino in approved markets.
DraftKings welcomes novice bettors with a quick-start guide with important information. There are ample opportunities to wager on in-game events, too.
DraftKings is personalized to you and your betting habits with a carousel of suggested bets based on your history.
Features Winner: DraftKings takes it by a short head. Some of its features, such as My Stat Sheet and the stats hub available on most top games, are genuinely best in class.
UX Winner: FanDuel has a narrow edge here. The highly intuitive user interface makes finding the features you want much easier.
Why?
Both deliver a wealth of excellent features through superlative desktop and mobile platforms. FanDuel, with its simpler UX, is slightly more welcoming for beginners and novices, while DraftKings is a narrow leader for the more experienced bettor.
Deciding which brand is better probably depends on which category you fall into!
Delivering a top-notch mobile app is crucial for any brand that aspires to be a leader in the online sports betting market. Both FanDuel and DraftKings feature high on the list of the best betting apps available today.
The availability of all the sports betting options and features and a first-class user experience are key considerations for many of today’s sports bettors.
Platform | FanDuel | DraftKings |
---|---|---|
iOS | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 |
Android | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
Web? | Yes | Yes |
Extensive thought and research went into creating the FanDuel app, which scores extremely high in major app stores and is beautifully designed.
It is easy to navigate the screens to find the markets and bets you want. Users appreciate the smooth journeys around the app, which is particularly robust and reliable for live betting.
There are occasional issues with location tracking on the Android version of the app, but overall, this is a sleek, classy mobile betting option.
DraftKings has a long history of mobile excellence, so it is no surprise to find an excellent user experience when visiting the sportsbook app.
The homepage is a little too busy, making it difficult to find your way around. But all the features you need to place your bets are abundant here, and the interface is quick and intuitive as you navigate between screens.
In-play bettors can find all the information they need, and placing a bet could not be more straightforward.
Some users have encountered issues when trying to place a bet quickly, but for the most part, this is a mobile app with very few drawbacks.
We combed through app user reviews in the App Store and Google Play Store to see what current bettors think about FanDuel compared to DraftKings.
Here's what they said:
App Winner: FanDuel. The sleek simplicity of the FanDuel app makes it a more welcoming option for novice players.
Why?
It is not easy to pick a winner between FanDuel and DraftKings when it comes to their apps, given the presence of both brands at the cutting edge of mobile betting innovation.
The attributes that make DraftKings such a favorite with online bettors are on the mobile app, and experienced bettors will find this an extensively user-friendly destination.
However, we give FanDuel the win in this particularly close race because of how it caters to new bettors.
The range of sports betting markets is important when comparing FanDuel vs DraftKings.
Similarly, the competitiveness of the available odds is key, particularly in the eyes of experienced bettors, who usually compare the prices at competing sportsbooks and wager accordingly.
Sports Offered: As you would expect, extensive markets are available here on major pro sports that command huge attention across the U.S. The Parlay Hub and Popular Bets sections are valuable here, as they highlight the options available and the selections that are being backed by others.
Odds: FanDuel’s odds are provided by the experienced team at the heart of the Flutter operation, and as a result, they are highly competitive. Look for lines with extra juice on the most popular markets and props on the NFL and NBA action.
Sports Offered: DraftKings offers a broad and deep choice of wagers on the top sports—and you can search the major leagues by team to find your favorites to bet on, which is a user-friendly touch. There are also certain sports here you will not find on FanDuel; when we visited, you could wager on badminton, volleyball, and rodeo.
Odds: The odds at the DraftKings website will usually be as competitive as those at FanDuel, but you will occasionally find a higher vig imposed here. Granted, we are talking just a few points on either side of popular lines on NFL, MLB, and more.
Sports Offered Winner: DraftKings. DraftKings usually has a slightly wider selection of sports to bet on. If you are a fan of a niche sport, you’ll likely find odds here than at FanDuel. As a result, we give DK the edge in this category.
Odds Winner: FanDuel. FanDuel’s odds compilers are some of the best in the industry, making the brand’s odds highly competitive. This gives them the edge over DraftKings in this respect.
Why?
As you might expect from these two long-standing rivals, it's difficult to choose between DraftKings and FanDuel. DraftKings can't be beat on the number of sports offered, while FanDuel has some of the most competitive odds.
However, both are extremely highly regarded on both counts and across the industry as a whole.
Availability Winner: DraftKings
Why?
FanDuel and DraftKings are both currently available in 22 legal sports betting states, plus Washington D.C.
However, DraftKings also operates in Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon, states where FanDuel does not have a license.
State | FanDuel | DraftKings |
---|---|---|
AZ | Yes | Yes |
CO | Yes | Yes |
CT | Yes | Yes |
IL | Yes | Yes |
IN | Yes | Yes |
IA | Yes | Yes |
KS | Yes | Yes |
KY | Yes | Yes |
LA | Yes | Yes |
ME | No | Yes |
MD | Yes | Yes |
MA | Yes | Yes |
MI | Yes | Yes |
NH | No | Yes |
NJ | Yes | Yes |
NY | Yes | Yes |
NC | Yes | Yes |
OH | Yes | Yes |
OR | No | Yes |
PA | Yes | Yes |
TN | Yes | Yes |
VT | Yes | Yes |
VA | Yes | Yes |
WV | Yes | Yes |
WY | Yes | Yes |
DC | Yes | Yes |
Method | FanDuel | DraftKings |
---|---|---|
Online Banking | Yes | Yes |
Bank Transfer | No | Yes |
Debit | Yes | Yes |
Credit | Yes (Deposit Only) | Yes (Deposit Only) |
PayPal | Yes | Yes |
Play+ | Yes | Yes |
ACH/eCheck | Yes | Yes |
Check | Yes (Withdrawals Only) | Yes (Withdrawals Only) |
Cash at Retail | Yes | Yes |
PayNearMe | Yes (Deposit Only) | Yes (Deposit Only) |
Wire Transfer | No | Yes |
Venmo | Yes | Yes |
Apple Pay | Yes (Deposits Only) | Yes |
Gift Cards | Yes (Deposits Only) | Yes (Deposits Only) |
Banking Winner: A tie
Why?
As you can see below, DraftKings offers more deposit and withdrawal options. However, some users report that withdrawals from DraftKings are more sluggish. So, we've graded this one as a toss-up.
Totals | FanDuel | DraftKings |
---|---|---|
Deposit Methods | 11 | 13 |
Withdrawal Methods | 8 | 11 |
FanDuel customers have several options for contacting the company with questions about their account and betting activities. Users report that all these channels, particularly the live chat service, deliver quick and efficient service.
DraftKings offers an equally wide range of ways to contact the brand. Players who have contacted the brand have found the live chat function particularly responsive and effective in resolving issues.
Customer Support Winner: A tie
Why?
Both brands score highly for the quality and user-friendliness of their customer support options. On this particular metric, we will have to call a dead heat.
Regarding FanDuel vs DraftKings, this is an elite face-off between two excellent brands. Both score highly on categories and criteria across the board, and we couldn’t put you off opening an account with either—or, indeed, both.
Where it Won: Sign-up Bonus, Daily Promos, UX, App, Odds
Why Choose FanDuel
Who is it Best for?
Bettors of all levels of experience will enjoy wagering at FanDuel. This is an immensely user-friendly brand where live betting fans and novice bettors will feel particularly at home. Experienced bettors who like seeking out the most competitive odds will enjoy this brand, too.
Where it Won: Loyalty Program, Features, Markets, Availability
Why Choose DraftKings
Who is it Best for?
Fans of all sports should see plenty of benefits from patronizing DraftKings. However, those who like wagering on niche sports will likely find markets here. Bettors who want to play on a steady, regular basis may also gravitate towards this brand because of the generous rewards offered through its loyalty program.