Where is the Best Place to Play Daily Fantasy Sports? Have you ever been watching your favorite sport and wish there was a way to get in on the game? Or maybe you love the thrill of competition with your friends and want to use your common love of sports to bring you all together? If you haven't tried daily fantasy sports before, you'll want to give it a try. Daily fantasy sports is a great way to enjoy your favorite sporting event or support your favorite league with a bit more personal gain. Whether you're in it for the win or are hoping to score a little cash along the way, daily fantasy sports lets you flex your passion for the game (or games) from the comfort of your own home.
Best Option
OwnersBox is designed specifically for daily fantasy sports. So, unlike other platforms that focus on Casino apps or Sportsbooks first, OwnersBox highlights daily fantasy sports as the number one attraction. Its primary approach is to offer you daily contests, so you can win real cash prizes as frequently as you like. OwnersBox doesn't want to leave anyone out either, so there is a range of both free and paid contests. Free contests can be used for anyone who just wants to enjoy a little fantasy sports fun.
Only 5 sports on the platform
There aren't many leagues or sports to choose from at OwnersBox. Despite being a 100% daily fantasy sports platform, the options for sports are somewhat limited. During our research, we only found golf, basketball, hockey, baseball, and football. There weren't any international sports, women's sports, or eSports on this platform at all. Compared to other sites with 12+ sports to choose from, this was a bit disappointing.
3 main play styles
There are three main play styles for daily fantasy sports at OwnersBox. These are the Player Picks, Salary Cap, and Lightning Lineups games. The Player Picks games are for betting on specific player outcomes. Salary Cap is a faceoff game where you compete against other sports fans, and then the Lightning Lineups games are a little more chance-based. You spin to have a lineup created for you and bet based on those results. The contests include daily, weekly, and some season-long options, depending on which sport you choose.
Clean and intuitive interface
OwnersBox has a modern design for its website and app that feels up-to-date and easy to play. The entire design has a dark-themed interface which helps with possible eye strain. Both the desktop and mobile apps are noted to be particularly intuitive, according to reviewers on multiple platforms. Our research showed that switching between modes was simple and the loading times for everything we tried were particularly fast. OwnersBox is available for both iOS and Android users for its mobile app, and both are competitively rated on mobile app stores.
Minimum withdrawal is $10
When you first join OwnersBox, you can claim a generous sign-up bonus of 100% matching up to $100 on your first deposit. Most of the payment providers that work with OwnersBox are focused on debit or credit card use like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The minimum deposit for OwnersBox daily fantasy sports is $10. You can withdraw through your debit card and there is a similar minimum ($10) for withdrawals, so when you win, you'll need to get at least $10 in your account before you can take your winnings out.
High praise for winnings and usability
OwnersBox currently holds a competitive "A-" rating on the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, it has strong scores from reviewers on the app stores. OwnersBox currently holds a 4.4-star average rating out of 5 on the Apple Store and a 4.5 out of 5 on the Google Play Store. Recent reviews note that customers have been using OwnersBox for years and enjoy the platform. OwnersBox "stands out from the rest of the crowd" according to one reviewer, due to the ease of winning in the bracket-style tournaments. Another reviewer said that OwnersBox was in his "top 5" of all daily fantasy sports apps out there today.
The fan-favorite sports platform
OwnersBox has it all. You can play for free or bet and win on daily fantasy sports, making it ideal for pros and beginners alike. It also offers competitive deposit matching, so when you make your first deposit, you're able to enjoy extra gameplay. While there aren't as many sports as we've seen on some other daily fantasy sports platforms, OwnersBox is a top pick for many customers who choose its clean interface over other "big name" companies for their daily fantasy sports betting. For these reasons, OwnersBox earns a full 5 stars in our review.
Great
VividPicks is an app-only daily fantasy sports platform that's known for its user-friendly interface, simple gameplay, and a highly competitive roster of sports. This platform stands out as a great choice if you're brand new to daily fantasy sports. Players have said that you'll "struggle to be bored" when you play on VividPicks. With prize pools that are up to $100,000 every week, so there are plenty of opportunities to win. Plus with free play options, you can enjoy the game just for fun if you prefer.
Choose between 10 sports
There's a competitive number of sports offered by VividPicks. These include major sports leagues in the US as well as other national favorites including NASCAR and eSports. During our research, we found the following options for daily fantasy sports play:
Focuses on pick contests
VividPicks specializes in "picks" (known as Pick 'Em) contests where you check out stat lines and pick "over" or "under" for each player. The picks contests are broken down into different types of entries with different cash multipliers. 2-leg entries get a 3x multiplier, 3-leg entries get 5.5x multiplier, 4-leg entries get a 10x multiplier, and 5-leg entries get 20x multipliers. There aren't any other play styles offered for VividPicks' daily fantasy sports, but you can play for free if you're just learning.
Easy scrolling interface
VividPicks offers a modern user interface that is extremely visually appealing. However, there isn't currently a way to play on desktop on this daily fantasy sports platform. Instead, you'll need to download the mobile app for iOS or Android. The app is well-organized, offering details for the picks at a glance. VividPicks' app easily lets you switch sports and games by swiping right or left or scrolling through players.
Withdrawal minimum is $15
For brand-new players, you can earn a sign-up bonus of up to $100 with your first deposit. You can deposit funds into VividPicks through Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or most debit cards. You can also connect your daily fantasy sports account to your bank. If you want to collect your winnings, you can withdraw them at a minimum of $15. Usually, it takes between 3-5 business days to get your winnings. However, all withdrawals are through your debit card or credit card. There isn't currently support for PayPal or other forms of money transfer.
Competitive and engaging throughout the season
Oddly, VividPicks' page on the Better Business Bureau is under a different company name, but don't worry, it's the same site. VividPicks' BBB ratings fall under the parent company "Vivid Seats, LLC." Currently, the parent company holds an "A+" rating from the BBB. Reviews for VividPicks are more balanced on the mobile app stores. Currently, Google Play shows a 4.2-star average rating and the Apple App Store shows a 3.5-star rating out of 5 for this daily fantasy sports platform. In general, players are satisfied with the app and find it simple to use. Despite focusing on one kind of gameplay, players say that the picks are fun and offer enough competitions (daily and weekly) to keep them interested throughout the sports seasons.
Best Pick ‘Em site
VividPicks is a standout for two reasons: it offers competitive pick competitions all season long, and it's got high praise from the Better Business Bureau, which is hard to do for daily fantasy sports sites. While a little more variety in the gameplay would be nice, VividPicks stands out as a great choice for beginners. It also offers 10 different sports to enjoy, which outperforms other smaller apps out there. For this reason, it earns a very high score in our review and a highlight as one of our top choices for daily fantasy sports.
Very Good
FanDuel is a Texas-based daily fantasy sports platform that was created by 5 co-founders in 2009, and it won the Webby Awards in 2015 for one of the best mobile sites/apps in the sports division. However, it's a smaller site for daily fantasy sports than we've seen from other major platforms. The main attraction at FanDuel is the Sportsbook, for sure. But if you're not looking for betting, you can also enjoy the free-play games on FanDuel that are ideal for casual fans or beginners.
10 sports to pick from
Since FanDuel is a smaller platform where daily fantasy sports contests are concerned, you'll find a smaller list of fantasy sports when compared to other platforms. However, there are still a few international offerings for those who follow sports outside the US. Here are the sports you'll be able to find:
Play daily and weekly tournaments
There are four main play styles or game types at FanDuel. Daily fantasy sports include tournaments that have guaranteed prize pools, head-to-head play (which allows you to compete against your friends), multiplier contests (which let you increase your entry fee by a certain multiplier to get a higher payout), and finally 50/50s, which are cash games you play daily. You can expect both daily and weekly competitions from FanDuel depending on how much you want to spend.
Award-winning mobile app
FanDuel is usable on its desktop platform, but it's better known for its impressive award-winning mobile app. Currently, FanDuel's apps are rated between 4.7 and 4.8 stars out of 5 depending on if you look at Google Play or Apple. As a helpful feature, you can live stream sports through the platform, making it easy to keep track during your daily fantasy sports competitions. The main concern for customers about the app is that its location verification (to make sure you're playing in a state where FanDuel is legal) takes forever. But as for the user interface and switching between pages, FanDuel has high praise for its usability.
Deposits and withdrawals
There are lots of deposit and new-player bonuses when you join FanDuel, but those are primarily for the Casino and Sportsbook sides of the site. If you're looking for a welcome bonus on the daily fantasy sports side, you'll be disappointed. The entry fee range for daily fantasy sports starts as low as $0.05 (with a prize pool of $10-$1 million) so you can jump right in with a small deposit. You can expect to get your payouts within 1-5 business days when you make a withdrawal. There are no fees for withdrawals if you use ApplePay or Google Pay. FanDuel also offers withdrawals through PayPal, Venmo, debit cards, and more.
Popular for detailed strategy help
FanDuel is doing better than many of the daily fantasy sports that have ratings on the Better Business Bureau, where it currently holds an above-average "B+" rating. And, the fantasy sports app has an impressive 4.8-star average on the Apple App Store. Recent reviews say that they are winning money regularly on this platform. Seasoned players enjoy the analysis, predictions, and ranking details that help them have a better time playing and a better time winning.
Top pick for pro players
If you're a pro with daily fantasy sports, you may enjoy using FanDuel. With its helpful details and easy-to-use app, it stands out as a way to dig in and get your game right if you're someone who loves comparing analysis points and predictions. It's also a competitive choice for its great gameplay if you're new to daily fantasy sports. However, it does have smaller fantasy sports selections when compared to other sites that have 12 or 13+ sports on their rosters. On the other hand, as an all-around choice, FanDuel is a quality competitive option.
Very Good
Sleeper bills itself as the "most engaging fantasy app" for daily fantasy sports, designed as a "digital playground" (in other words, Sleeper wants to make daily fantasy sports fun, and not stressful) that helps you connect with friends who love sports just as much as you. The standout differences between Sleeper and other companies are the design (they have their own little digital sports mascot) and the fact that this is an app-only experience with no desktop play available.
Pick from three sports
The selection for sports is a bit smaller on Sleeper than with other daily fantasy sports sites in our review. However, there are still some important favorites included, like eSports. On the other hand, with only three sports on offer, you might need to search elsewhere if you want international or women's sports in your daily fantasy sports play. At the time of our review, Sleeper only offered football, basketball, and League of Legends (eSports).
Play with Picks and Drafts
Despite having only a few sports on offer, Sleeper has plenty of ways to enjoy daily fantasy sports. You can enjoy modes like Picks, Bracket Mania (which open during specific seasons), and Drafts (including Snake drafts, Linear drafts, and Auction drafts). You can participate in daily, weekly, and seasonal competitions with Sleeper, and most of it is you competing against the odds rather than against your friends, so you can play without the stress of feeling like you're going up against everyone else on the app to win cash. Sleeper also offers free and paid daily fantasy sports, depending on which leagues or contests you want to try.
App is regularly updated for top experience
Sleeper is a fantastically modern interface. Plus, Sleeper's development team is consistently rolling out updates to make sure that any bugs or concerns from players are addressed as quickly as possible. This is a 100% app-based program, which comes highly rated with a 4.7-star average from different mobile app stores (iOS and Android). Many players say it's a top-notch app and prefer it over other platforms for daily fantasy sports.
Some limitations on your withdrawals
Sleeper offers a 100% deposit match when you first join the daily fantasy sports scene for up to $100. The minimum deposit is similar to other platforms in our review with $10. When you want to make a withdrawal, you'll need to go through a quick bank verification. Further, you can't withdraw more than $1,000 in a single transaction, and you can't withdraw more than $5,000 within 24 hours. You can withdraw to a saved payment method, which includes a bank account, Visa, Discover, Venmo, or PayPal. Currently, Mastercard and Apple Card aren't accepted by Sleeper.
High praise for the app experience
Currently, there aren't any third-party reviews for Sleeper on our trusted sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. Instead, we had to rely on feedback from the mobile app stores. Currently, Sleeper holds a 4.7-star average rating out of 5 from the Apple App Store and a 4.5-star average on Google Play. Recent reviews are highly positive, with praise for the usability, the chat features, and winnings overall on this daily fantasy sports platform. Players also loved the regular updates from Sleeper that focused only on important gameplay notifications (no fluff).
Best for those who play for fun
While the offerings are simpler at Sleeper, and the gameplay is a little more limited, the high praise from players regarding their app experiences and the enjoyability of playing daily fantasy sports on Sleeper makes it a standout in our lineup. If you're looking for a place to win money (or play free) with your friends without the pressure of coming against millions of others in tournaments, you'll love the experience on Sleeper. While there are some limits for withdrawals, if you pay attention to the policies, you won't have any problems.
Good
Underdog Fantasy is one of the newer daily fantasy sports platforms in our review. The app was launched in 2020, and it is offered only as an app at this time. Despite being newer, it is legal in more states than many competitors, offering gameplay (paid and free) in 31 US states overall. Plus, it's a great site for beginners as there isn't a massive learning curve for those who've never played daily fantasy sports before.
4 sports to choose from
There aren't a lot of sports offered on Underdog Fantasy's daily fantasy sports roster. It focuses primarily on major US professional sports like football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Currently, there aren't any offerings for international sports, women's sports, or eSports. The narrow focus does make it simple to find what you like, but if you're looking for something specific (like League of Legends), you might need to use a second app or platform alongside Underdog Fantasy.
Enjoyable play styles based on stats
Underdog Fantasy is known for its Higher or Lower competitions where you select a player and a particular stat and choose whether you think the match result will be higher or lower. You can also find Pick ‘Em, Champions, and Drafts tournaments depending on your taste. Further gameplays include Streaks, Best Ball, and more. There are daily entries, weekly games, and a few seasonal selections too. Underdog Fantasy also offers a handful of free-to-play games on the platform, allowing you to learn more about daily fantasy sports without having to worry about costs.
Beginner-friendly user interface
Underdog Fantasy has a solid user interface that is clean and straightforward (and ideal for beginners). Everything is clearly labeled and you can easily customize your drafts with a dropdown menu. Moving between different daily fantasy sports contests and sports leagues is also a simple process using the built-in tabs. Overall, the layout is ideal if you want something clean that's easy to learn within a few minutes. While some players didn't like the large size of the player tiles, they do help with readability and may be a bonus for many players.
Clear rules for withdrawing your funds
Impressively, Underdog Fantasy offers up to $1,000 in bonus cash with your first deposit if you're new to the platform. Withdrawals are always free no matter what method you use at Underdog Fantasy. You just need to withdraw a minimum of $10 (unless your total account balance is under $10 which you can withdraw at any time). Some bonus funds won't be withdrawable from this daily fantasy sports platform, but they will be marked in the system, so there's no confusion about what you can withdraw and why some funds are blocked from doing so.
Competitive app, but slow payouts
Regrettably, Underdog Fantasy holds an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, that's the only place that it isn't well-rated. The mobile app stores show a completely different story for this daily fantasy sports platform. Currently, Underdog Fantasy holds a top-notch 4.8-star average rating out of 5 on the Apple App Store and a competitive 4.6-star average on Google Play. Recent reviews praise Underdog Fantasy as one of the "best new daily fantasy" platforms out there. Customers love the user experience. On the other hand, there are complaints about slow payouts. Players are getting their money, but it takes a while with this platform.
A great platform for beginners
Given the smaller list of sports, and the slower payouts than competitors, Underdog Fantasy could do a little more work in order to earn our top recommendation. But, it is a highly competitive choice if you're brand new to daily fantasy sports, and you're not impatient to get your payouts. If you're enjoying it more for the fun of the game, you might like this newer platform. Given those benefits, Underdog Fantasy earns a solid rating in our review.
Average
Despite its name, Parlay Play doesn't have anything to do with the Pirates of the Caribbean (any Jack Sparrow fans out there?), but it does have a cute little pirate icon (with an eyepatch). This modern and sleek site was founded in 2020, and it focuses on sports betting and daily fantasy sports. With both free-to-play and paid competitions, Parlay Play is a fun site for both beginners and daily fantasy sports fans. However, the site is a little less intuitive than some other daily fantasy sports platforms in our review.
Pick from 12 different sports
There are tons of different sports to choose from at Parlay Play. However, you'll need to spend some time sifting through the filters on the site to find them. Parlay Play has little buttons you can select to show you specific sports or all sports. But once you get started, you'll find plenty of sports to join for your daily fantasy sports tournaments. Here's what you can expect to see:
Plenty of unique play styles
There are a variety of different play styles to choose from, including Pick'em competitions, Hit It where you select two players and predict a stat or point range for them (made helpful by all the stats provided at a glance by Parlay Play's app), Peer-2-Peer (otherwise known as Rumbles) where you compete with other players, Huddles Contests, and more. You can make your daily fantasy sports experience exactly what you want. There are contents that are daily, weekly, and across the season, so you can choose how you want to play and how often.
Best optimized for mobile apps
The interface for Parlay Play is a little cluttered on the desktop version. You click on little bubbles to narrow down to your preferred sport, but it's not the most intuitive layout. There are also additional filters for states for particular players and other details that might help with your chosen sport. However, finding particular games or play styles takes a little longer than with other daily fantasy sports sites. Players seem to enjoy the interface a bit more on the mobile app, so it could be that it's just better optimized as a modern site for mobile use.
Minimum withdrawal of $10
There are plenty of deals for new players on Parlay Play. As the first offer, you can get a free entry (worth $5) the first time you sign up. You don't have to make a deposit to qualify. Parlay Play also offers a deposit matching bonus where they'll give you a 100% deposit match up to $100. If you want to withdraw your winnings, you can do so with a minimum withdrawal of $10. The daily fantasy sports withdrawals are processed through your original form of payment (usually a debit card), and any remaining balance (that is more than what you initially paid in) would be transferred via ACH.
Decent app, but concerns about withdrawals
Regrettably, Parlay Play has a concerning "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. It also doesn't have any ratings on our usual trusted review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. While it does have a competitive rating on both mobile app stores (Android and iOS), there are fewer reviews for the Parlay Play app than we've seen when researching competing daily fantasy sports platforms. Recent reviews are all fairly positive, though. Most players agree that the apps are easy to use and make it simple to jump right into tournaments and competitions (for free and paid games). One reviewer said that Parlay Play stands out because you "can pick multiple bets in the same stat" for the same player, which gives you more flexibility and more options to win. However, there are some recent complaints about the withdrawal system too. Several reviewers claimed they weren't able to get their winnings until they had played through the full original deposited balance.
Best if you're not in a rush for your payout
Given that getting your money back is a huge draw for playing daily fantasy sports (if you're not in it for the free-to-play games), the difficulties of withdrawing money from Parlay Play set it behind some of the top competitors in our review. We're also a little concerned by those negative reviews and the "F" rating from the BBB. However, there is high praise as well for Parlay Play, with a 4.5-star average for the app on both iOS and Android. For this reason, it earns a middle-tier rating in our review. It's got a modern twist on daily fantasy sports with fun game modes, but you might want to be careful how much you deposit at a time so you can access your winnings more quickly.
Fair
Drafters is a daily fantasy sports platform that's known for its real-money fantasy sports. You can play both paid fantasy sports and free options alongside enjoying promotions and frequent giveaways. Drafters is a great site to learn about pick'em contests and daily fantasy drafts if you're new to the game, since Drafters offers those 100% free of charge. It offers desktop and app-based play, so no matter how you prefer to play, you've got flexibility to enjoy daily fantasy sports at home or on the go.
Choose from 13 US and international sports
There are tons of sports included in Drafters's lineup. You'll find MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and PGA sports for the fantasy drafts, and even more in Pick'em Daily gameplay. Across the entire daily fantasy sports platform you'll find not just US-based sports, but also a range of international sports like:
Choose from daily and season-long play styles
One of the game styles that is well known on Drafters is its Best Ball category, which is offered on a $20 entry fee with $2.5 million in prizes. This is a season-long option, but there are also daily and weekly fantasy sports contests for easier earnings and Pick'em contests that promise up to 100x payouts. Drafters is also known for additional games like snake drafts and bracket-style contests. The daily fantasy pick'em is one of the best quick entries, with a minimum entry of $10 if you'd like to bet.
Mid-tier design for the app
Drafters offers both desktop and app-based gameplay, but the app is where most players spend their time. It offers a light and dark mode for those who want something easier on the eyes, though some players have said the app is a little "bland" in its design. According to the app stores, the average rating for Drafters' mobile app is 3.3 stars. Reviews mostly agree that the design is "fine", but there isn't anything that makes it stand out from the pack. Navigation is simple though, allowing you to switch from different daily fantasy sports lobbies or pick'em pages. However, the large tiles for different games have been noted as a little "cumbersome" as you scroll through your options.
Minimum deposit around $10
You can easily deposit money into your account on Drafters. For new players, you will get a 50% deposit bonus (up to $100). At the time of our review, this was included with a promo code that you enter with your first deposit. Supported withdrawals are offered through PayPal or check. Most users note that withdrawals take 1-5 business days from Drafters, so you might not get your funds right away. Some customers can send withdrawals directly to their bank as well, but there aren't as many options for getting payouts as we've seen at other daily fantasy sports sites.
Mixed reviews on mobile apps
The only place our research turned up reliable third-party reviews was on the app stores. Drafters currently doesn't have a page on the Better Business Bureau, and it also didn't have any presence on Trustpilot or Sitejabber. According to the 3.3-star average on the app stores and recent reviews there, the format for football gameplay on Drafters is a favorite. However, customers do complain regularly about the support system taking well over a day before customer service begins working on questions or problems. There are some concerns about app bugs and glitches as well for this daily fantasy sports platform. With generally mixed reviews, Drafters doesn't stand out for its usability or its gameplay.
Best for free-play users or newbies
While Drafters is a solid choice if you're interested in playing for free (or love the Best Ball play style), it doesn't stand out much in other areas like withdrawals or reviews. For this reason, it stands as a middle-tier choice all around. It may be a fun spot to play daily fantasy sports if you're interested in trying it out for free or learning the ropes, but with fewer withdrawal options than other sites, and mid-tier ratings for customer service when problems arise, you might prefer to do your daily fantasy sports betting on another platform.
Weak
Known as the app for "nonstop fantasy sports action," DraftKings is one of the largest platforms for daily fantasy sports on the market. It's been around since 2012 and has a competitive range of weekly cash prizes as well as free-to-play experiences. With a top-rated mobile app, a sportsbook, and a casino app all under one DraftKings umbrella, you can enjoy all sorts of sports betting, gaming, and fantasy sports in one place. Whether you're a beginner or a pro fantasy sports player, this platform offers a variety of daily fantasy sports. However, it may be better for those who don't want to pay to play.
Choose from 12 different fantasy sports
There are tons of different fantasy sports offered at DraftKings. Whether you're a fan of more traditional sports like football or basketball, high-speed thrills like F1 or NASCAR, or even the online world of eSports, the full list of daily fantasy sports includes:
Daily, weekly, and season-long play
On top of all of the daily fantasy sports options, you can also find a DraftKings Casino, a horse racing app, a Pick6 app for player stats, and a full sportsbook. There are different styles of play too such as Early Bird specials, Flea Flicker, and a mix of Single Stat (where you draft any three players to your roster) or Casual (but you have to have completed over 50 contests on DraftKings to enjoy that gameplay mode). There are also full-season contests and daily contests to enjoy, and some contests allow you to draft new teams every week for a greater chance to win more cash.
Great optimization for the mobile app
DraftKings has a solid platform in terms of its interface. You can play directly from the desktop or choose the daily fantasy sports app (or any of the DraftKings apps for its other offerings) to get everything you need all in one place. The mobile app has an impressive 4.8-star average from users on the Apple App Store. It's noted to have intuitive navigation, fast and updated performance, and a simplified bet-placing process, so you can join the fun without any hassle. There are some customers who say that the experience is more optimized for mobile than desktop, but you can enjoy DraftKings on both platforms.
Deposit as little as $5 to get started
If you're a new customer with DraftKings, you can play for free or join with a deposit to enjoy the prize winnings. You can deposit as little as $5 to get started. At the time of our review, signing up as a new player provided a bonus reward promotion of a $3 ticket (free of charge) for any deposit of $5 or more. This will give you a free entry into any of DraftKings' Daily Fantasy contests. You can withdraw your daily fantasy sports winnings through Apple Pay, Bank Wire, Checks, Debit Card, PayPal, Venmo, and more.
Concerns about blocked cashout process
However, according to customer reviews and DraftKings' BBB rating, you may not want to use it as your first daily fantasy sports pick. Currently, DraftKings holds an abysmal "F" rating at the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, it has a concerning 1.2-star average rating on third-party review sites like Trustpilot. Recent reviews feature complaints about payouts: there are some fine-print details that state that winnings and deposits that have "bonuses" attached to them are not eligible for withdrawal. While this does happen across different daily fantasy sports apps and sites, customers were extremely frustrated by how such bonuses worked. Some customers had bonuses applied to their accounts even when they did not opt to take a bonus. Many customers also complain about losing more frequently on DraftKings than with other competing daily fantasy sports sites.
Best for those who play for free
Considering that cashing out is one of the main reasons for betting on daily fantasy sports, the recent issues with getting money out of DraftKings is a major concern. Customers say that they aren't able to get their money out on technicalities of "applied bonuses." If you're looking for a site where you get reliable winnings and easy withdrawals, DraftKings may not be your first (or second or third) pick. For these reasons, it earns a lower rating in our review. Despite having a solid app experience, this may be a site that is best if you prefer to play without depositing money on your daily fantasy sports.
Poor
PrizePicks is a daily fantasy sports operator that falls under the parent company of SidePrize, LLC. PrizePicks stands out from the pack for having easier gameplay by creating more opportunities to win through predictions, and it has one of the largest selections of sports available for daily fantasy sports out there today. You don't have to worry about drafting lineups, salary caps, or competing against other players. You just predict stats between 2-6 players and you're ready to win.
Choose from 25 international sports
The number of sports offered at PrizePicks is extremely competitive, offering far more sports than we've seen at most competing daily fantasy sports programs. There's an impressive number of sports leagues, including women's sports and eSports to choose from. Here's what you can expect at PrizePicks:
Two main play styles
The main play style for PrizePicks is the More or Less (also known as Streak on PrizePicks), which is the easiest way to win cash at PrizePicks. This is the simplified play style of daily fantasy sports that PrizePicks is known for. However, you can also enjoy Pick ‘Em competitions if you're looking for other familiar play styles. Notably, PrizePicks offers Stream in a free-to-play format too, so those who don't want to pay to join competitions can enjoy the gameplay at this daily fantasy sports site. You can play daily and weekly at PrizePicks.
Apple users like the app better
PrizePicks has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it worth a look for most players. You can enjoy it on your desktop or through the PrizePicks app, allowing for daily fantasy sports play whether you're at home or on the go. The navigation is simple and it offers you updates for your favorite sports and ongoing competitions with real-time notifications. However, it does have a higher average rating (4.8 stars) from the Apple App Store when compared to the Google Play (4.2 stars) version. This daily fantasy sports platform may be better optimized for iOS users.
Play through your funds before you withdraw
When you first sign up for PrizePicks, the deposit minimum is $10 to join. If you decide to enter a contest, the minimum entry fee you pay out of your deposit account is $1. When you first join up, you can get a bonus of $50 extra when you play your first $5 tournament, which is a bit lower than joining bonuses at other daily fantasy sports sites. For withdrawals, you can request your money to be transferred to any approved bank account, PayPal account, Venmo, or debit card. You'll need to have used your chosen method previously to deposit money into your PrizePicks account, but otherwise, it's up to you. However, there is one limitation on when you can withdraw your funds from this daily fantasy sports platform. You'll need to play through all of your deposited money one time before you can withdraw anything (if you deposit the minimum of $10, you'll have to spend $10 on competitions before you can take out any money). Withdrawals also have a minimum of $10.
Players aren't receiving their prizes
PrizePicks' Better Business Bureau rating is available through its parent company, SidePrize, LLC. Here we found that PrizePicks held a decent "B-" rating from the BBB. However, it holds just 2.4 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot. Recent reviews show concerns about dishonest practices like accounts being closed after winning money or reports of customers who felt "scammed" by the daily fantasy sports platform. Many customers in the last year or so reported winning and then not receiving the funds from PrizePicks. Yikes!
Too many concerns to be competitive
PrizePicks sounds like a fun site with so many different sports to choose from. However, with reports of scam-like practices and withholding winnings from players, PrizePicks falls to the bottom of the pack pretty quickly. Regrettably, unless PrizePicks can increase its overall reputation and earn more positive reviews (especially regarding payouts), you may want to stick to free-to-play on PrizePicks instead. If your goal is to win big on daily fantasy sports, you're going to be disappointed by PrizePicks. For now, it's safer to stay away, earning one of the lowest ratings in our review.
Flawed
Thrive Fantasy is a daily fantasy sports site that's designed entirely for app use rather than a desktop experience. This platform offers winnings over $100 million in current payouts, which makes it highly competitive if you're looking to make some serious cash - except there are some problems with actually getting your cash, according to reviewers who've used the platform. Plus, if you're looking for a site to help you learn daily fantasy sports, Thrive Fantasy won't be your first pick. At the time of our review, Thrive Fantasy did not offer any free-play games on its roster. In all, there are some serious concerns about this platform. Let's take a deeper look.
9 sports listed
There is a competitive number of sports available at Thrive Fantasy for its daily fantasy sports lineups. You can expect to find not only the normal major sports leagues but some eSports and international sports as well. Here's what our research turned up:
Plenty of guaranteed prize pools
The play styles at Thrive Fantasy focus mostly on Over/Under player props, which allow you to select between 2 and 5 players to create an entry into a contest. There are other contest types as well, including daily games with guaranteed prize pools, and more traditional cash games like Double-ups, Head-to-head, Prop lobby, and more. You can find daily, weekly, and seasonal daily fantasy sports games at Thrive Fantasy.
Some hiccups with customer support in the app
Thrive Fantasy has a smooth interface for switching between game modes, and a platform that's optimized for mobile use. There isn't a desktop version of Thrive Fantasy, so you'll need to download this daily fantasy sports platform for your iOS or Android device. However, according to app users, their experiences with Thrive Fantasy haven't been without hiccups. Apple shows a 3.4-star average rating out of 5. It does a little better on the Google Play store with an even 4 stars, but there are regular complaints about issues making withdrawals and customer support.
May have some issues withdrawing
Thrive Fantasy offers a competitive deposit bonus that is higher than most in our review. On your first deposit when you join, Thrive Fantasy will match your deposit 100% up to $250. There are a few different banking options for Thrive Fantasy too. You can deposit or withdraw using Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, e-check, and online banking. There were no listed limits on the Thrive Fantasy website, but there were concerns across the board about actually being able to withdraw money from this daily fantasy sports platform.
Reports of withholding winnings
Concerningly, there are many reports from customers about "pending" withdrawals for long periods: some customers didn't see any resolution after months of waiting. Outside of customer reviews, Thrive Fantasy has earned a lot of concerning attention from news sites, where reports of payout problems are everywhere. Unsurprisingly, Thrive Fantasy has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, raising some serious red flags about how trustworthy this daily fantasy sports platform really is.
Don't trust it with your deposits
If you're not able to play for free, and you may not be able to get your winnings out once you've paid in, there really isn't any reason to try Thrive Fantasy. With concerning reports of withheld winnings and multi-month investigations into payment issues, Thrive Fantasy has a concerning pattern of complaints that puts it right at the bottom of our daily fantasy sports list. With an "F" rating from the BBB to back up the negative claims, Thrive Fantasy earns the lowest ranking in our review overall.
Continued from above...
Have you ever been watching your favorite sport and wish there was a way to get in on the game? Or maybe you love the thrill of competition with your friends and want to use your common love of sports to bring you all together? If you haven't tried daily fantasy sports before, you'll want to give it a try. Daily fantasy sports is a great way to enjoy your favorite sporting event or support your favorite league with a bit more personal gain. Whether you're in it for the win or are hoping to score a little cash along the way, daily fantasy sports lets you flex your passion for the game (or games) from the comfort of your own home.
While fantasy football is one of the most well-known fantasy sports out there, there are loads of sports and games you can enjoy in daily fantasy sports apps. Currently, fantasy basketball and fantasy baseball are the two most popular daily fantasy sports after fantasy football. You can also find sites that support fantasy hockey, soccer, college football, NASCAR, and golf. You can even find some great options if you're a fan of eSports like League of Legends, or Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). You'll also find multiple leagues for different sports. For example, you can find NFL football as well as college football depending on the daily fantasy sports platform you choose.
So, where do you find places to play daily fantasy sports? There are plenty of websites out there that let you play daily, weekly, or along with your favorite sports season. But whether it's time for the Super Bowl or not, you can enjoy fantasy sports year-round. It's accessible every single day, and you can compete with friends, family, or strangers if you prefer. You can jump right on many platforms as a complete beginner, or if you're a fantasy sports pro, there are plenty of ways to make a little cash too.
The goal with daily fantasy sports is to get in on the action, track your numbers and favorite players, and enjoy your sport (no matter the time of the year) with other sports lovers around the world. If you're hoping to get some tangible returns, you'll enjoy the different contest types like daily fantasy sports, pick'em contests, or draft contests where you can deposit some real cash and come out on top. While you don't have to bet if you're just starting (or want to enjoy your sport for the fun of it) you can easily earn a little extra on your favorite sports if that's your jam.
If you're not sure where to find the best daily fantasy sports sites, don't worry. With tons of options out there, it can be hard to select the best match, so we've done the hard work for you. Here are a few factors that might help you decide on the best fit for your sporting fun:
To help you jump right into the joy of daily fantasy sports, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and rated the best fantasy sports platforms available today. Whether you're a seasoned sports fan or a casual enjoyer, playing daily fantasy sports is a great way to get even more engaged in your sports. Let's play!
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Why Do People Play Fantasy Sports?
The fantasy sports industry is estimated to be worth more than $7 billion, and more than 60 million people in the United States and Canada participate in fantasy games annually. In recent years, the popularity of these games has increased exponentially after several American states passed bills legalizing sports betting. Let's take a closer look at why fantasy sports are so popular and what you need to do to get in on the action.
Fantasy Sports Are Easily Accessible
Perhaps the biggest reason why people play fantasy sports is because it's easy to do so. Although there is some correlation between the increase in popularity of fantasy games and the legalization of sports betting, it's important to note that fantasy sports have never been considered gambling. Instead, they have been considered games of skill in which anyone over the age of 18 can play for cash.
However, the passage of legislation clarifying the status of sports betting in the United States has made it easier for fantasy sports companies to operate. Today, it's fairly easy to join a daily league with a few simple taps on your smartphone or a few clicks of a mouse. It's also fairly easy to join a yearly redraft or dynasty league in a matter of minutes.
You Don't Need to Play for Money to Have Fun
Another key reason why fantasy sports are so popular is that you can have fun without playing for money. This may be ideal for those who want to participate in a group activity without feeling as if they are risking money that they need to pay rent, buy groceries or take care of other needs. The fact that you don't need to play for money may also be appealing to those who know little about sports and are playing fantasy games to learn more about them.
Fantasy Games Can Be Played Remotely
Since March 2020, there have been few things less popular than spending time in close contact with large numbers of people. Fortunately, your fantasy sports league allows you to play from the comfort and safety of your home or apartment. Furthermore, you can conduct most league business through whatever platform you choose to play through. Therefore, you can have a positive experience without the need to put your health and safety in jeopardy.
Even if you aren't worried about venturing out, life may force you to spend most of your time indoors or otherwise isolated from your friends. Playing fantasy football, baseball or hockey can provide you with a way to stay connected to important people in your life even when you can't physically be near them.
Fantasy Games Help You Stay Connected to the Sports That You Love
If you're like most people, your athletic career likely ended in high school or college. It's also possible that a physical or mental impairment made it impossible to play the games that you loved at all while growing up. For those of us who are unable to play sports on a professional level, playing fantasy games gives us a chance to feel connected to what is going on in the world of athletics.
Prove That You're Better Than Your Favorite Team's Coach or General Manager
There is a good chance that you've spent at least a few nights yelling at the television in frustration at what your favorite team is doing on the field. Playing fantasy sports allows you to demonstrate how you would build a team and whether your approach to doing so is better than what the professionals have done.
Some People Do Decide to Play for Money
Although you don't necessarily need to pay to join a fantasy league, it's not uncommon to do so. In fact, there is a segment of the fantasy sports playing population that consider themselves to be professionals. These individuals will spend a significant amount of time and money make algorithms, reading online reports and taking other steps to gain an edge on the competition.
Those who are playing for the express purpose of making a profit may enter contests numerous times with various lineup combinations. The hope is that at least one of these combinations will be in contention for a top prize at the end of a contest, and when done correctly, the success of a single lineup will be enough to offset the cost of paying for multiple entries.
Playing Fantasy Sports Doesn't Have to Take a Lot of Your Time
As an adult, you likely don't have a lot of time for yourself. Instead, most of your time is allocated to work, school or being there for your kids. Therefore, it can be difficult to find time to get to the gym, play in a recreational basketball league or engage in other enjoyable activities on a regular basis. Even if your schedule did allow you to get out on a regular basis, you may not have the mental or physical energy to do so.
Fortunately, fantasy sports contests don't necessarily require a lot of time or mental energy. Daily contests typically require little more than an ability to read an injury report or to do other types of basic research about a player before choosing him. After your lineup is set, you simply keep track of the night's results and hope for the best.
It's worth noting that many fantasy sports companies offer tools that will draft teams for you based on preselected criteria. You can also create ranked lists of players that an automated program will use to select teams on your behalf.
If you play in a redraft league, algorithms may be able to help you create starting lineups throughout the season. They can also help you evaluate trades, decide who to drop from your team and assist in making other roster decisions. This can help to ensure that you are able to field a quality lineup on a regular basis, which can improve your chances of a favorable result.
Fantasy Sports Leagues Can Help You Meet and Connect With New People
Public fantasy sports leagues and daily contests allow you an opportunity to bond with people around the world who you might never otherwise have a chance to meet. While you may not become best friends with everyone you compete against, there is a chance that you might develop professional or personal relationships with a few of them.
A public league might also be an effective tool for managers of large companies to help employees get to know each other better. As a general rule, companies tend to work better when employees see their colleagues as people instead of merely names on an email list.
How Can You Get Started Playing Fantasy Games?
To get started playing fantasy sports, you will first need to create an account with your preferred platform. To create an account, you'll need to provide a username, create a password and verify your email address. If you are playing for money, you will need to link your account to a bank or prepaid card. If you are being paid by the platform itself, you will likely need to submit tax documents and verify your identity. It's worth noting that you are supposed to report any profits generated from your fantasy sports endeavors on your tax returns regardless of how you are paid.
Fantasy sports offers you a chance to have fun with your friends, colleagues or fellow sports fans from wherever you happen to be. Whether you play for fun, pride or money, there are multiple ways to play most days throughout the year. Many platforms that offer fantasy games will have educational materials and other tools that you can use to maximize your chances of success in your daily, redraft or dynasty leagues.
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