FanDuel vs. DraftKings: Which is Better for Sports Betting & DFS?

fanduel vs draftkings comparison

FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook have emerged as the dominant players in the U.S. gaming industry for bettors and daily fantasy players alike. When it comes to user experience, mobile app offerings, and promotions, the two companies have set a new standard.

Below we will outline the current sign-up process for both online sportsbooks, promotional offers, and a head-to-head comparison of both sports betting sites.  While this article mostly compares the sports betting products between DraftKings and FanDuel, we will conclude by briefly looking at the current state of DFS for both sites.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings and Current Offers Overview

Both FanDuel and DraftKings present a welcome bonus offer to new customers that is straightforward to unlock. Both DraftKings and FanDuel offer bonus bets to users – one is contingent on their initial bet winning. No promo code is required to release these bonus bets.

One key difference between the two sportsbooks is the amount for new players. Let’s outline the welcome bonus options for each online sportsbook and how they’re different.

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code Offers

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Find out where FanDuel Sportsbook ranks among our best NFL betting apps!

We currently don’t have a FanDuel promo code for you to claim a welcome bonus at this sportsbook. The welcome offer is Bet $5, Get $150 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass.

The benefit of this promotion for new sports bettors is the ability to build your bankroll at a minimal cost without risking a large sum of money. There are no betting odds requirements for the initial bet, and you get the bonus bets regardless of the outcome.

DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code Offers

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On the other hand, the DraftKings welcome bonus allows new users the chance to Bet $5, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins! 

The following outlines the bet amount and corresponding reward in bonus bets:

For users looking to stack up bonus bets, the DraftKings Promo Code offers $200 for the initial bet. Dissimilar from FanDuel, new players need have to win their first bet to take advantage of this offer!

Find out where DraftKings ranks among our best tennis betting apps!

New users can take a chance on a heavy favorite or a big-time underdog in any available betting market. DraftKings Sportsbook will fund your account with $200 in bonus bets upon bet settlement if your first wager is a winner. Bonus bets are paid in $25 increments. DraftKings users are not offered the same flexibility as FanDuel bettors in terms of bonus bet usage.

How Do I Sign Up for FanDuel vs. DraftKings

Before earning bonuses for either betting site, one must sign up for an account. The sign-up process is simple and should only take a few minutes. Users can create an account through the app with all of the typical information for both sites.  

How to Bet with FanDuel or DraftKings Sportsbooks

Those interested in taking advantage of either online casino can use our links to unlock offers for either site. Instead, for those interested in either of the two leading major sportsbooks, follow the steps below:

Click the Offer Link/Take Advantage of a Promo

Aside from welcome offers and initial deposit bonuses, all new bettors should take advantage of any ongoing offers or promotions.

Download the Mobile App

Download the mobile app on iOS or the Google Play Store and sign up for either betting site using your personal information.

Make a Deposit

Use one of the various online banking methods to deposit money into your account. Remember to note the minimum amount you can earn for an initial deposit bonus. To claim either welcome bonus, you must make an initial deposit of at least $10. Bonus bets are a new bettor’s best friend.

Place a Bet

Place a bet to trigger the welcome bonus from either sportsbook.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings: Pros & Cons

Below, we’ve analyzed and broken down some of the pros and cons of FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook, respectively. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each premier sportsbook.

FanDuel Pros

Founded in 2009 by Nigel Eccles and company in Edinborough, Scotland, FanDuel began as a daily fantasy sports site before merging with Paddy Power Betfair, now Flutter Entertainment, in 2018 to form FanDuel Group. With the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, FanDuel opened its first branded sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.  

As mobile betting apps, FanDuel and DraftKings lead the way with customer experience, ease of use, and major sports betting market options. FanDuel Sportsbook carries a 4.9 average rating on IOS with over 1.5 million reviews. On the Google Play store for Android users, the betting app is rated 4.7 stars out of 265,000 reviews. 

Here are a few pros to using FanDuel Sportsbook.

FanDuel Cons

DraftKings Pros

Established in 2012 as a one-on-one baseball competition by Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish, and Paul Liberman, DraftKings also began as a daily fantasy sports site. Like FanDuel, DraftKings entered the sports betting space in 2018 when PASPA was deemed unconstitutional. DraftKings similarly opened its first online sportsbook in New Jersey.  

Both FanDuel and DraftKings continue to lead the way as high-quality mobile apps. DraftKings Sportsbook is rated 4.8 stars with 736K reviews for iOS and 4.7 on the Google Play store for Android users. 

Here are a few pros to using DraftKings online Sportsbook.

DraftKings Cons

Sports Betting Coverage: FanDuel or DraftKings

FanDuel and DraftKings offer the most comprehensive sports coverage when stacked up against most available online sportsbooks. The available welcome offers, deposit matches at DraftKings, and additional rewards are second to none in the online sports betting industry.  

Further, both DraftKings and Fanduel offer the most competitive odds, easily accessible odds boosts, and most betting options for player prop bets. Future betting options are copious, and both sites feature more sports and obscure markets for bettors. While competing websites offer creative promotions or more excellent welcome bonuses to fetch new users, DraftKings and FanDuel offer more options for their customers.  

What are the Top Features of the FanDuel App Compared to DraftKings?

Odds Comparison at FanDuel vs. DraftKings

Both DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook feature the most betting markets for all the sports any bettor desires for recreational sports betting. FanDuel posts slightly better odds, and there is very little difference between the two concerning welcome bonuses. If shopping betting odds, users will likely be steered towards FanDuel.  

FanDuel odds, especially for favorites, are a better bargain than DraftKings odds. However, DraftKings offers prop bets, props for same-game parlays, and futures bets in betting markets that exceed those provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Both betting sites offer markets for niche sports such as table tennis, Rugby League, and Rugby Union. If desired, users in legal states can place bets that can be sweated throughout the night.

That said, both sports betting apps offer comprehensive casino experiences with slots, table games such as blackjack and roulette, and live dealer options that simulate the experience of sitting at a casino table. 

While both betting sites’ casino offerings are comparable, the DraftKings mobile app’s Rocket game is unique to the site. Users watch as a rocket—and their winnings—climbs and then decide when to jump off before the rocket explodes. The interactive game builds excitement and remains one of the more popular games in the online casino market.

FanDuel offers daily jackpots for their slots, and DraftKings Sportsbook does the same. The two sportsbooks feature comparable online casinos with a robust menu of slot options.

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Loyalty Programs: FanDuel vs. DraftKings

FanDuel does not feature a loyalty program outside the daily fantasy sports section. Users receive points for entering any FanDuel contest to earn different status tiers. The loyalty program rewards users playing the highest volume of daily fantasy contests. The program needs to incentivize a high volume of play.  

The DraftKings comparison concerning loyalty programs is a feather in the cap of FanDuel’s prior competitor. DraftKings rewards users for playing daily fantasy contests and placing bets on any sports betting market. There are more live betting promotions and parlay insurance offers on DraftKings. Additionally, DraftKings provides an initial deposit bonus to complement their welcome bonus. Finally, if users play enough volume on the website, they can trigger a VIP program offering redeposit bonuses, large bet boosts, and lossback promotions.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings: Refer-a-Friend Bonus

FanDuel and DraftKings offer Refer-a-Friend Bonuses for new and established users. The offers are competitive, with the only difference being a slightly larger bonus for DraftKings referrals.  

Both sites offer this bonus in the form of bonus bets. For FanDuel, referrals must deposit $10+ on both the sportsbook and casino to receive a $50 sportsbook bonus and a $25 casino bonus. Both users receive the rewards after the referred party completes each deposit.

Again, we see DraftKings excel with rewards and loyalty as users receive a $50 sportsbook bonus and a $50 casino bonus when the referred party deposits $50. Like the welcome bonus, users on FanDuel have a lower cost to receive a reward, but DraftKings offers a larger reward for a greater initial cost. As mentioned in previous sections, bonus bets are a new bettor’s best friend when building a betting bankroll.

Available Banking Options for FanDuel and DraftKings

FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook offer online banking options to fund your sports betting account.  

Apple Pay

Users can deposit funds using Apple Pay methods for both FanDuel and DraftKings. Apple Pay only works with cooperating credit card companies for each site.

Bank Account Via Secure Login or E-check

Both sites used Plaid to securely log in to your bank account and fund your sports betting account. Deposits through this method are instant. Withdrawals are generally speedy, with FanDuel sending money to users’ banks faster.

Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard and Discover in Eligible States

Credit cards can fund FanDuel or DraftKings accounts in eligible states if your bank allows the purchase. Users must establish responsible limits when considering using a credit card to deposit money in an online sportsbook.

Debit: Visa, Mastercard and Discover in Eligible States

See above concerning credit cards. If users want to debit an account, a bank account with a secure login or an E-check is a much better option.

PayPal

PayPal offers an intermediary wallet for sportsbook users to fund their accounts. Users securely log in to PayPal to make instant deposits into the sportsbook. Deposits and withdrawals are nearly instant with this method, but users should be aware of PayPal’s terms and conditions for tax statements before overusing it. When a certain threshold is met, PayPal will send their users a tax statement that only reports money received.

Play+

Both sites allow users to deposit into their sports betting account using a Play + account, another online wallet option.

Venmo

Users can quickly fund their accounts with their Venmo balance on either site.

In addition, both betting sites allow users to fund their accounts with cash at a live sportsbook counter, PayNearMe, and wire transfers. PayNearMe is an excellent option for users to deposit money into their online bankroll for either site.

Why Online Sportsbooks?

Without question, FanDuel and DraftKings are second to no other betting sites on the market. The market depth is outstanding. FanDuel and DraftKings customer support is excellent. The live betting options, competitive odds, and volume of promotional opportunities to earn bonus bets separate DraftKings and FanDuel from the rest of the online betting industry.

Both sites offer users the most security with significant partnerships and mergers. The mobile betting apps for each site leave the rest of the industry in the dust with sleek, easy-to-use interfaces tailored toward an efficient betting experience for all users. You will not find better odds on competitors in the online betting that offer the same level of trust and security.

When we compare odds, FanDuel is more competitive, while DraftKings offers more options with markets and same-game parlays. Live betting is widely available on both sites, with DraftKings getting the nod in niche sports and futures betting. The FanDuel app is more user-friendly than DraftKings, with more navigable menus and quicker access to promotions and odds boosts.

Finally, good luck finding a better mobile betting site than DraftKings or FanDuel regarding the mobile betting experience, trust, rewards, options, and customer service. New bettors should consider opening accounts on either site to take advantage of offers and build a responsible bankroll.

What States Allow the FanDuel App and the DraftKings App?

The following states allow users to download and use FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. Use our links for bonus options for new users.

In some of these states, like in the Illinois sports betting industry, DraftKings and FanDuel are clashing as both sportsbooks and DFS providers.

DraftKings vs. FanDuel DFS

Over a decade ago, DraftKings and FanDuel revolutionalized the fantasy sports industry, cementing themselves as DFS giants in what, at the time, was a crowded and competitive industry.

Competitions has come and gone, but DraftKings and FanDuel remain.

However, things aren’t as competitive between the two DFS sites as they once were.

While FanDuel is winning the sports betting marketshare war in battleground states, their daily fantasy product has suffered.

DraftKings now is by far the best site for traditional DFS contests with large prize pools. FanDuel can hardly compare, especially for smaller sports like the PGA and NASCAR.

FanDuel also hasn’t shown willingness to innovate and compete with new sites in the pick’em space, like PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy. Meanwhile, DraftKings Pick6 product is quickly gaining steam.

All in all, DraftKings is by far the supererior daily fantasy product.

If you’re looking for more ways to play DFS, check out our site reviews and these offers:

FAQs: FanDuel vs. DraftKings Offers and Coverage

Want to learn more about sportsbooks such as FanDuel and DraftKings? Read these common questions and answers we’ve compiled below. The following is our FanDuel and DraftKings FAQ.

How do I get started with sports betting on FanDuel or DraftKings?

Sign up for an account on either sportsbook following the instructions above. Be sure to use links to sign up for either site for additional offers to complement the welcome offers offered by each online sportsbook. Be sure to deposit enough money to capitalize on initial deposit offers. Bonus bets are our friends.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings: which is better?

The difference between the two is minimal. The FanDuel mobile app provides a superior experience compared to its competition. FanDuel offers a litany of betting markets and competitive betting odds.

The DraftKings debate ends with the rewards and loyalty program. Aside from welcome bonuses, DraftKings Sportsbook rewards its customers for loyalty with bonuses, bet boosts, and far more ongoing promotions than FanDuel. With betting markets nearly even in volume and options, DraftKings takes the nod because of rewards. Users who are okay with a bit of navigation will prefer DraftKings.

How do I use FanDuel Casino Bonus Codes?

FanDuel Casino Bonus codes will offer rewards for deposits on FanDuel. Be sure to click through bonus code links or enter the code before depositing.

Does FanDuel or DraftKings have the best odds?

FanDuel offers better prices for most betting markets than DraftKings. While the difference is slight, bettors shopping for the best odds will place most bets on FanDuel.

Who has the better Sportsbook Bonus: FanDuel or DraftKings?

FanDuel and DraftKings offer a similar style of a sportsbook promo, so it boils down to personal preference.

Are FanDuel and DraftKings available in different states?

Yes, FanDuel and DraftKings are available in different states. Please check the list above of states where both mobile apps are available for promotional links and codes. In many states, online sportsbooks are available for sports betting, daily fantasy, and casino play.

About the Author

joeycis
Joe Cistaro (joeycis)

A high school mathematics teacher from New Jersey, Joe Cistaro (aka joeycis) is a lifelong fantasy sports fan. As a member of the RotoGrinders community, Joe cut his teeth writing for the website through the blogging program. Previously engaging the community with articles such as Home Run Derby and Finding Paydirt, Joe now focuses his time on sports betting content for both the NFL and the PGA TOUR. Follow Joe on Twitter – @ JoeCistaro