"Polymarket vs PredictIt: which is better for trading politics?"

Side by side (checked 27 September 2026)

	Polymarket (US)	PredictIt
Regulation	CFTC-regulated exchange	Runs under CFTC staff no-action relief
Markets	Politics, news, sports, culture, economics	Politics only
Position limit	No small fixed cap	$3,500 per contract
Trading fee	Low; shown on the order screen	10% of profit on winning trades
Withdrawal fee	None charged by the market	None since 23 September 2026
Devices	iPhone app (Android still rolling out)	Web browser, works on phones
Welcome offer	Deposit $10, get a $50 trading bonus	Not part of our offers

How are they regulated?

This is the biggest difference, and it affects everything else.

Polymarket's US app runs on a CFTC-regulated exchange, the same federal category as Kalshi. That lets it list many kinds of markets, with large limits, as long as it follows exchange rules. See our Polymarket review and is Polymarket legit?.

PredictIt works differently. It is run by Aristotle International and operates under a no-action letter from CFTC staff, first issued in 2014 as an academic research project. The CFTC tried to withdraw that relief in 2022, PredictIt went to court, and in July 2025 CFTC staff issued an amended letter. PredictIt relaunched under the new terms on 15 July 2025.

In plain English: PredictIt is legal, but it isn't a full exchange. Its relief comes with conditions, which is why it only offers politics markets and has a cap on how much each trader can put in.

What does the $3,500 limit mean?

Under the amended relief, each trader can put up to $3,500 into a single contract. That figure is tied to the federal limit on individual campaign contributions, so it can change in future election cycles. Before July 2025 the limit was $850, and each contract was also capped at 5,000 traders. That trader cap was removed.

The limit counts what you paid, not what your shares are worth now. For casual traders, $3,500 is plenty. For anyone moving larger sums, or looking for deep liquidity on a big race, Polymarket has far more room.

Which costs less?

Fees are where PredictIt changed most recently.

PredictIt (from 23 September 2026):

• 10% of the profit on each winning trade. Losing trades pay nothing.
• No withdrawal fee. The old 5% charge on withdrawals is gone (GlobeNewswire).
• Free bank (ACH) deposits and one free card deposit up to $1,000.

Polymarket US: trading fees are low and shown on the order screen before you confirm. Prices on popular markets are usually tight because so many people trade them.

A quick example. You buy 100 Yes shares at 40¢ ($40) on PredictIt and the event happens. You receive $100, a profit of $60. PredictIt takes 10% of that profit, $6, so you keep $94. On a busy market elsewhere, the fee on the same trade is usually a small fraction of that. For the maths across platforms, see prediction market fees explained.

Removing the withdrawal fee makes PredictIt much fairer than before, but the 10% profit fee still makes it the more expensive place to trade for most people.

What can you trade?

Polymarket covers politics, elections, world news, culture, sports and economics. Its election markets are among the most heavily traded anywhere.

PredictIt is politics only: Senate, House and governor races, party control, nominations and some policy questions. No sports or economic data markets. If politics is all you care about, that isn't a problem. If you also want to trade the Fed or football, you'll need another app.

Both list markets on the 2026 midterms. See how to trade the 2026 midterm elections.

Devices and access

Polymarket US is built around its iPhone app, and Android access was still rolling out as of 27 September 2026. The international Polymarket site is separate and not for US residents. Our guide: how to use Polymarket in the US.

PredictIt runs in a web browser, which works on any phone or computer. That is a real plus for Android and desktop users.

Which should you use?

• Bigger markets, low fees, more than politics: Polymarket.
• Larger trade sizes: Polymarket. PredictIt's $3,500 cap is fixed per contract.
• Politics only, small amounts, any device: PredictIt still works well.
• Comparing prices: many political traders watch both. The same race can trade a few cents apart, but PredictIt's profit fee eats into small gaps.

If you want a regulated alternative on Android or desktop, also look at Kalshi vs PredictIt and Kalshi vs Polymarket.

Trade only what you can afford to lose. See responsible trading.

Frequently asked questions

Is PredictIt still legal in 2026?

Yes. PredictIt operates under an amended CFTC staff no-action letter issued in July 2025. It is limited to political markets with a $3,500 cap per contract.

Does PredictIt still charge a withdrawal fee?

No. PredictIt removed its 5% withdrawal fee on 23 September 2026. It still charges 10% of the profit on winning trades.

Is Polymarket cheaper than PredictIt?

For most trades, yes. Polymarket's fees are low and shown before you confirm, while PredictIt takes 10% of every winning trade's profit.

Can I use Polymarket and PredictIt at the same time?

Yes. They are separate accounts. Some traders compare prices on both, but remember fees when a price gap looks tempting.

Why is there a $3,500 limit on PredictIt?

The limit is tied to the federal cap on individual campaign contributions and is a condition of PredictIt's CFTC relief. It was $850 until July 2025.