FanDuel vs DraftKings Sportsbook - Which One is Better?

DraftKings and FanDuel started as competitors in the fantasy sports world but have expanded into two of the biggest betting sites in the world.

The question lingers. Which one is better? DraftKings or FanDuel. We are going to put the two world-famous sportsbooks to the test. DraftKings vs. FanDuel. Which one is superior and deserves your business?

Now, let's see which of these major sportsbooks is better.

Like two heavyweight fighters, we have created a tale of the tape of different categories where we line up FanDuel vs. DraftKings. Among the pieces we will examine here are:

We will declare a winner in each category and then we promise, we will recommend whether DraftKings or FanDuel suits you best.

When Ohio made sports betting legal on Jan. 1, 2023, it became the 21st state where DraftKings was licensed to operate. When the calendar shifted to 2023, FanDuel was open in 18 different states. Both states have been approved to operate in Massachusetts when the activity is launched sometime in 2023.

Here is a list of every state where sports betting is legal and where DraftKings and FanDuel operate:

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Winner: DraftKings earns the edge just because it is available in more states, but it’s not that big of a margin. Both sportsbooks continue to expand their brand across the U.S.

We gathered detailed articles regarding DraftKings legal states and FanDuel legal states.

🏅 Winner: DraftKings

With so many offers and promotions available for new players, it can be intimidating to figure out which sportsbook is best for you.

First you must understand the difference between a promotion and a bonus. Usually the sportsbooks use the term “welcome bonus” as an enticement to sign up. Then after you have made a few bets, you’ll see other bonus offers connected to different bets, like an odds boost on a game, or an offer to make a parlay bet easier.

A promotion is similar. DraftKings and FanDuel each have promotions throughout the year, sometimes linked to big events like the Super Bowl, or it could be as simple as picking five winners on an NFL Sunday, or betting on two different teams from one city playing the same day (like combining a bet on the Phialdelphia Eagles and Philadephia Flyers).

Both DraftKings and FanDuel have incentives for new users (yes, you can use more than one email address to sign up).

At DraftKings, they give new customers 20 percent of whatever their initial deposit is, up to $1,000. If you deposit $100, they give you $20, if you deposit $5,000, you get $1,000, but if you deposit $10,000, you get $1,000. $1,000 is the limit.

When you make your first bet of at least $5, you earn $200 in bonus bets as site credit. It’s not $200 bucks cash, but if you take that $200 and win bets with it, that becomes real money.

FanDuel doesn’t do as many promotions for new players, but the one it has is nice. It asks you to make your first deposit of $10 or more, bet at least $5 and they will give you $150 in free bets to use on the site.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Winner: The clear winner is DraftKings with the 20 percent welcome bonus, but if you’re not going to be a high roller and make that big of a deposit, it may not be worth it. The free bets from FanDuel is better than it looks, because it gives you flexibility of what and how much you wager.

🏅 Winner: DraftKings

You won’t find bigger lists of leagues and games to play than at either DraftKings or FanDuel. DraftKings lists 22 different sports (and sometimes big celebrity events like the Academy Awards) while FanDuel has events in 19 different sports from around the globe.

If there’s a sport you’ve heard of, you can probably bet on it at DraftKings or FanDuel.

Here's the breakdown of different sports available at each sportsbook.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Winner: It’s a draw. While it might seem that DraftKings has a few more sports to offer, how many times are you really going to bet on cornhole?

We should give DraftKings a nod though for being the only sportsbook with markets on E-Sports. Electronic sports continues to grow at an astounding rate.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

In simplest terms, a market refers to the type of bet that FanDuel and DraftKings offer users for an event. You should know the three main bets: the point spread, the moneyline and the total (over/under), but for each event, both sportsbooks offer a mountain of alternatives that you can either combine into a parlay or just bet separately.

For just one NFL playoff game, DraftKings has markets on the alternative spread (you set the spread yourself), who’s winning at halftime, markets on the touchdown scorers (first, last or anytime). It lists weekly specials, player props, team props, and the old-fashioned ‘squares’ game where you bet on the team’s scores after each quarter.

FanDuel’s market’s menu isn’t as deep. For most games, it has parlays, scoring props, player props and the ability to buy and sell points (therefore creating your own line).

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Winner: If you’re looking for different markets then DraftKings is your winner. FanDuel has some unique markets, but in sheer scope and number DraftKings prevails.

🏅 Winner: DraftKings

Signing up is easy at both FanDuel and DraftKings, do you know why? Because they want it to be.

For many, it’s their first experience in the world of sports betting, but it’s important that all the right questions get asked.

The biggest thing in signing up at FanDuel or DraftKings will be the fact that you may need to turn on a geolocation app on your phone or mobile device. This means you ensure that you reside in an area where sports betting is licensed and approved.

Other than that, the process is simple. You just must enter some personal information, like your name, maybe part of your social security number to set up your account. Both FanDuel and DraftKings make it easy to put down your first deposit.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Winner: They both win. Both companies pride themselves on first-class customer service and it starts the minute you click on that first button to join. The sign-up process is quick and easy to understand.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

Features is where we start to see some real differences between DraftKings and FanDuel and this could be the primary factor on why you choose one or the other.

Both sportsbooks when you first log in bring you to a “lobby” page where you can jump in on some fantasy sports games right away. These come with minimal risk and big reward. They can be as simple as weekly fantasy football drafts, or daily drafts of baseball teams to see which will hit the most home runs. Again, the lure here is minimal risk for high reward. Some of the contests are even free to play.

Once you get out of the lobby, you click on the sportsbook rail at the top of the screen. DraftKings has a green and black color scheme, FanDuel is blue and white (this will be important later). Their desktop screens and app homepages are roughly the same.

Here’s where things get different.

Underneath each game FanDuel has two other arrows, one reads “stats” and the other reads “more wagers.” The “stats” link immediately shows you the percentage of people who have bet on one team or the other on the moneyline and point spread. This is a great indicator of what people are thinking. The “more wagers” link is the door to all the various parlays and prop bets associated with each game, like first scorer, or the option to buy/sell points and swing the line a certain way.

DraftKings doesn’t have the same approach. It does not have the instant stats on what has been bet, if you click on a game, it brings you immediately to the props and same-game-parlay betting options.

After you decide on your bet, the functionality is the same as it shows up as a betslip on your screen, confirm your bet and sit back and hope you win.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: This may be a personal preference, but the fact that FanDuel shows you the percentage of bets on either side is a sweet perk. Every sportsbook has a wealth of prop bets and parlay options. The features on FanDuel are slightly better, but I do like the DraftKings dark/green color scheme better than FanDuel. Still, I call this a win for FanDuel.

🏅 Winner: FanDuel

The truth is odds at just about every sportsbook available in the U.S. will be the same. You may find a half-point here or there that is different, but most conform to the same standard.

The way you find better odds is by being vigilant and checking each site early in the morning – if that’s how committed you are to your gambling hobby.

Odds do fluctuate throughout the week and throughout the day, but this is not a case where it’s clear that DraftKings or FanDuel will suddenly give you an extra three points on point spread for an NBA or NFL game that you don’t expect.

Granted, there may be some different odds on parlays or prop bets, but even those would be minimal.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: My experience tells me that FanDuel does have slightly better odds on a few events, but it’s not worth the trouble to study event game unless you’re a professional player.

🏅 Winner: FanDuel

Live betting has brought sports betting into the 21st Century. Live betting allows you to bet in real time while the action is unfolding. Just because a game has already started doesn’t mean you can’t bet on it. This ability is amazing for today’s bettors.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel offer live betting. Maybe there’s a sudden injury to a player, or maybe you feel like a big comeback is coming. Both sportsbooks post live odds on the game allowing you to jump right in even if the score is 7-0.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: It’s part of the whole package of possibilities available at both sportsbooks, so there is no way to pick a winner. It may sound a little intimidating at first, but as you get more savvy in your sports betting, you’ll want to check out the option for live betting.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

Both FanDuel and DraftKings have streaming channels separate from their apps and it can be hard to find the connection through the feature.

DraftKings allows customers with a balance in their account to live stream a number of sports, like the Korea Baseball Organization and some European league soccer. FanDuel doesn’t have its live streaming option directly connected to the app, you will need a streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV to access the service.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: This one is hard to say, because when it comes to the streaming services, FanDuel’s is better as a separate entity, but as far as having a direct connection to the app, DraftKings is better. The opportunity to watch live games that you bet on is the final frontier of sports betting and both FanDuel and DraftKings are trying to position themselves to take advantage.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

FanDuel and DraftKings each have two apps, one for their fantasy sports offerings and one for their sportsbook/casino.

Both apps run smooth with the same concept and layout. Your account name and balance are at the top of the screen. Scroll horizontally to go through the different leagues and sports, tap the button to get there and then that day’s games come up. Scroll up and down to find the game you want to bet on, tap the button and confirm your bet.

It can take a little time to get used to, because its such a smaller screen, but it functions just like a sportsbook should.

FanDuel:

DraftKings:

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: FanDuel is my winner here, its layout, maybe because its white and not black, makes it easier to navigate on the app. DraftKings’ screen is crowded with so many different links and it also has the option to read a tutorial on how to bet if you’re just starting out.

🏅 Winner: FanDuel

When you’re just starting out, you’ll have to put some money in your DraftKings and FanDuel account. Both sportsbooks give you plenty of options on how to do that. Be aware though, your bank may not allow you to make direct deposits into a sportsbook account. Those are the banks rules, not the sportsbooks. Check with your local bank to find out.

Here’s how DraftKings and FanDuel stack up when it comes to making a deposit.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: This falls under the line of customer service and both DraftKings and FanDuel go out of their way to be accommodating for players. There is no clear winner. We do have to stress again how what’s important here is finding out if your bank allows deposits into directly into a sportsbook account.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

Multiple times I have had to seek out customer support online in my betting journey and each time I have been pleasantly surprised at how helpful the staff was.

FanDuel offers the ability to chat with an agent (they call them a FanDuel Coach) 24-7, and they’re also easy to find on social media. You can also send an e-mail or leave a voice message, but it may take a few hours for someone to get back to you.

DraftKings also has a chat function available 24-7, and social media accounts that will respond to you. You can also call and leave a message, and you can even send them an old-fashioned letter to an address in Boston, although why you’d send a letter I have no idea.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings winner: Another draw. These are two big companies who have made customer support a priority and it shows.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Winner: Draw

Whether you’re just getting started on your sports betting journey, or been a player for months, DraftKings and FanDuel have something to offer.

If you’re just looking to have some fun with disposable income, they both provide you with plenty of ways to earn some quick cash on bets on events from around the world. If your attitude on sports betting is that it’s fun, and it’s money you can afford to lose, then it can be a joy to win $20 on a Hungarian league basketball game and then brag about it to your friends. So why not?

It can take some time to understand all the different boxes and tools, and it’s worth it to explore the fantasy games lobby when you have the time, but it is all intuitive. You’ll have no problem finding what you need at FanDuel or DraftKings.

Now that we have done a deep dive on the FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbooks, lets point out their strengths and weaknesses.

The truth is it comes down to your personal preference.

Honestly, it’s probably smart to have accounts at both DraftKings and FanDuel and bounce back and forth. DraftKings makes it easier to start with its incentive program and assistance on your first deposit, and its deep menu of events and promotions is exciting.

FanDuel may be better for the sports bettor long-term because of its slightly easier to use mobile app and the special features it provides.

Each is a credible sportsbook with lots of activities, games and prizes to keep you invested and hopefully make your sports betting experience a fun and profitable one.