The best daily fantasy sites are DraftKings and FanDuel. This is based upon their great fantasy football features like payment method, app usability, promo and bonus offers, and customer support service, making them the best online sports betting sites for fantasy betting.
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Best daily fantasy sites compared
Ranking | Fantasy betting site | Top feature | Bonus offer | Sports available | Payout speed | Sporting Post rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DraftKings | Best overall betting site | 13 | 1-5 days | 5/5 | |
2 | FanDuel | Best for highest salary cap | 11 | 1-5 days | 3/5 |
Top daily fantasy betting sites reviewed 2025
This is what makes these daily fantasy sportsbooks stand out from the competition, according to our research...
1. DraftKings - Best daily fantasy sports site overall
DraftKings overview
App store rating | 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android) |
Payout speed | 1-5 days |
Promo bet offer | |
Live streaming | Yes |
States active | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VI, WV, WY |
Number of sports | 25+ |
Customer support | Twitter, 24/7 live chat, email: [email protected] |
Minimum deposit | $5 |
Year founded | 2012 |
Casino betting | Yes |
Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, VIP preferred check, eChecks, Venmo, Online banking, Wire transfer |
DraftKings betting site video review
What fantasy betting experience does DraftKings offer players?
DraftKings is a leader in fantasy sports, offering diverse contests such as salary cap games, pick’em challenges, and player-specific competitions across 15+ sports.
In 2024, it hosted 300,000+ contests, with NFL tournaments drawing over 1 million weekly entries, highlighting its popularity among fantasy players.
The platform’s innovative features, like Showdown Captain Mode, add strategy to traditional formats, while contests such as the Millionaire Maker offer massive prize pools, including $10 million during the 2024 Super Bowl.
DraftKings’ 4.8-rated mobile app provides real-time scoring updates and intuitive lineup tools, ensuring users can seamlessly manage entries on the go.
With its range of contests, strategic gameplay, and big rewards, DraftKings is a top choice for casual and experienced fantasy sports enthusiasts alike.
To learn more, read our expert review of DraftKings.
I turned to DraftKings for their NFL fantasy contests and was impressed by the instant payouts for winnings—much faster than any other platform I’ve used. The seamless integration with my bank account made withdrawing my fantasy earnings hassle-free.
DraftKings excels with its fast withdrawals and extensive NFL fantasy markets. Their odds boosts for NFL player props and loyalty rewards are among the best in the industry, providing real value for fantasy sports enthusiasts.
While they could improve the speed of applying promotions during NFL fantasy contests, DraftKings’ overall reliability and strong customer service make it a top choice for serious fantasy players.
Site feature | SmartStake score |
---|---|
Customer support 📞 | 4/5 |
Deposits + payouts 💵 | 4/5 |
Usability 🔧 | 4/5 |
App betting 📱 | 5/5 |
Bonuses + promos 💰 | 4/5 |
Live play 📺 | 4/5 |
Pros and cons of fantasy sports betting at DraftKings
We consistently put ourselves in the user's shoes and test every sportsbook ourselves, so here are the pros and cons we experienced when using DraftKings sports betting site...
- ✅ Diverse contest types cater to all fantasy sports experience levels.
- ✅ Real-time scoring updates ensure seamless fantasy gameplay.
- ❌ High rake fees reduce potential winnings for large tournaments.
- ❌ Mobile app notifications can overwhelm during busy fantasy events.
2. FanDuel - Best fantasy sportsbook for highest salary cap
FanDuel overview
App store rating | 4.9 (iOS), 4.5 (Android) |
Payout speed | 1-5 days |
Promo bet offer | |
Live streaming | Yes |
States active | AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY |
Number of sports | 20+ |
Customer support | Twitter, 24/7 live chat, email: [email protected] |
Minimum deposit | $10 |
Year founded | 2009 |
Casino betting | Yes |
Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, PayPal, Skrill, PayNearMe, online banking, Venmo, Wire Transfer, PayNearMe |
FanDuel betting site video review
What fantasy betting experience does FanDuel offer players?
FanDuel excels with its engaging contests, from single-game fantasy challenges to best ball tournaments and snake drafts.
In 2024, its “Sunday Million” fantasy contest attracted 450,000 weekly entries, cementing its place among the top platforms.
Standout features like Same-Game Fantasy Parlays allow players to combine multiple player and team outcomes in a single contest, with participation increasing 35% during the 2024 NBA playoffs.
FanDuel’s 4.9-rated app enhances the experience with live scoring, lineup tools, and rapid payouts—80% of winnings are processed within 2 hours.
FanDuel’s innovative gameplay, user-friendly design, and fast payouts make it a go-to platform for fantasy sports fans seeking excitement and flexibility.
To learn more, read our extensive FanDuel review.
I was immediately impressed by FanDuel’s NFL fantasy payouts, especially when I placed a 6-leg Same-Game Parlay. The difference in potential winnings compared to other platforms was staggering—FanDuel offered nearly five times the return, showcasing its value for maximizing fantasy earnings.
FanDuel’s higher payouts on NFL parlays and flexibility in adjusting lineup options make it an essential tool for fantasy sports enthusiasts. The early cash-out feature is particularly useful for managing risk and gaining strategic control over high-stakes fantasy contests.
Despite its strengths in payout potential and NFL market variety, FanDuel could improve its loyalty rewards for fantasy users and streamline certain app features. However, its fast withdrawals and fair contest structures ensure it remains a top choice for NFL fantasy betting.
Site feature | SmartStake score |
---|---|
Customer support 📞 | 4/5 |
Deposits + payouts 💵 | 4/5 |
Usability 🔧 | 4/5 |
Mobile betting 📱 | 4/5 |
Bonuses + promos 💰 | 4/5 |
Live play 📺 | 3/5 |
Pros and cons of fantasy sports betting at FanDuel
We prioritize the user by testing each leading sports betting site.
From a customer-first point of view, these are the advantages and disadvantages of FanDuel...
- ✅ Intuitive interface simplifies lineup building and contest entry.
- ✅ Rapid payouts enhance post-contest satisfaction for fantasy players.
- ❌ Limited contest types compared to competitors like DraftKings.
- ❌ Smaller prize pools for niche fantasy sports contests.
How we rate & rank daily fantasy sports sites
Our goal is to provide objective, unbiased reviews of betting sites, making it easy to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
We use a consistent set of nine criteria to evaluate each site, ensuring that you can compare them effectively and easily:
Safety: We verify if the site is licensed in the US and review its operating history, ensuring your money and data are secure.
Mobile betting DFS app: We evaluate the app's layout, functionality, and ease of placing bets, ensuring a smooth mobile betting experience.
Web betting site: We test the site’s features, including customization options and the bet placement process, looking for ease of use and accessibility.
Betting markets: We examine the variety of sports and betting options available, comparing the breadth and quality of markets across different sports betting sites.
Pre-match and in-play betting: We assess both pre-match and live betting features, focusing on user-friendliness, versatility, and market variety.
Bonuses & promotions: We review the fairness and value of sign-up bonuses, free bets, and ongoing promotions, ensuring transparent terms and competitive offers.
Deposits & withdrawals: We evaluate payment options, processing times, fees, and the overall ease of transactions for deposits and withdrawals.
Customer support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of support channels like live chat, email, and phone to resolve any issues quickly.
Security: We ensure online sportsbooks use robust security measures, such as SSL encryption, to protect your personal and financial information.
We download each sports betting site and interact with the platform ourselves, using our own money to test the quality.
If we do not recommend the site to our friends and family, we will not recommend it to you!
This streamlined approach ensures you can make informed decisions based on what matters most in your online betting experience.
You can view our dedicated page for more information on how we test and review betting sites.
Additionally, you can view all of our betting site reviews.
How do I choose a daily fantasy football site for me?
Legal compliance: Ensure the platform operates legally in your state. Trusted platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel follow local regulations to provide safe and authorized gameplay.
Reputation and trustworthiness: Choose platforms with strong reputations for reliability and secure financial practices. Established names like DraftKings and FanDuel have built trust through years of consistent performance.
User experience: Look for sites with intuitive interfaces and highly-rated mobile apps. Platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings are known for their smooth user experiences, making them accessible for both new and experienced players.
Range of games and sports: Choose platforms offering diverse contest formats, such as daily, weekly, and season-long options, with comprehensive coverage of popular sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Deposit and withdrawal options: Ensure the site supports secure and convenient payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and direct bank transfers, with quick processing times for withdrawals.
Bonuses and promotions: Look for platforms that offer valuable sign-up bonuses, loyalty programs, and ongoing promotions. DraftKings and FanDuel regularly provide rewards tailored to fantasy sports players.
Customer support: Prioritize sites with responsive customer service available through multiple channels, such as live chat, email, or help centers. Reliable support ensures timely resolution of any issues.
Payout structures: Evaluate platforms that offer clear and fair payout systems, ensuring a solid balance between entry fees and potential rewards for various contest types.
Security and data protection: Verify that the site uses encryption and other security measures to protect your personal and financial data, ensuring a safe betting environment.
Community and user engagement: Look for platforms that foster interaction through leagues, forums, and social features, enhancing the social aspect of daily fantasy sports.
How to gamble responsibly at fantasy sports betting sites
Before we end this article, we need to caution you to always bet responsibly.
To ensure you’re being cautious, betting sites implement various responsible gambling practices that will help you keep your betting habits in check.
Limits: Online sportsbooks allow you to set betting limits, i.e. limit how much you can bet in a day, a week, or a month.
Cashouts: You can withdraw your winnings quite easily from any betting site. This prevents you from spending all of your winnings. There’s also the option for early cashout, so you can still get paid if the bet is starting to go sideways.
Help & resources: Betting sites provide access to resources for problem gamblers and point them to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.
To help with gambling, we created a 'How To Bet On Sports' guide, that helps new sports bettors understand the industry better, to play safer and more securely.
Responsible gambling organizations and charities in the US
Organization | Contact details |
---|---|
Email: [email protected], Phone: 1-800-522-4700 | |
Email: [email protected], Phone: 020 7381 7722 | |
Email: [email protected], Phone: 1-888-532-3500 |
Frequently asked questions
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Editorial policy
Our editorial policy ensures thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content through strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top betting experts and seasoned editors.
This process maintains the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
References
To test betting sites accurately, we dive into analytical research of the gambling industry, to understand what features are best for you.
Below are the references we use when making these decisions: