# The best Matchbook alternatives in the UK

> Matchbook has the most prediction-market-like product of any UK exchange, but it's the smallest of the three we rank and its commission rates weren't readable from outside the UK. These licensed exchanges publish their charges and have more users.

- URL: https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/matchbook-alternatives/
- Markdown version: https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/matchbook-alternatives/index.html.md
- Last updated: 2026-10-22 (re-checked when an operator changes its terms or a regulator or court acts)
- Author: SafeBet.ai Research Team (SafeBet.ai)
- Notice: Advertising. SafeBet.ai may be paid by the operators shown when you register through our links. We only link to operators licensed by the Gambling Commission. 18+ only. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or block yourself from every licensed site with GAMSTOP.
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## Why look for a Matchbook alternative?

- Published commission: Smarkets charges 2% of net winnings per market, and Betfair's own example puts its Basic package at 2%.
- More users: Betfair Exchange's iOS app has 30,330 ratings and Smarkets' 4,634, against Matchbook's 1,616.
- Published payment terms: Smarkets lists every method's limits, charges no fees and processes withdrawals within 6 hours.

## The best Matchbook alternatives

### 1. Smarkets — Best overall (8.7/10)

Smarkets publishes every charge: 2% commission on net winnings, free deposits and withdrawals, and withdrawals processed within 6 hours. Its politics page, branded Smarkets Predictions, is the nearest thing to Matchbook Predictions at another exchange.

[Smarkets review](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/smarkets-review/)

### 2. Betfair Exchange — Biggest exchange (8.6/10)

Betfair Exchange has the most users of any UK exchange, with markets from racing's biggest festivals to election results. Its most profitable customers can pay an Expert Fee, and its licensee was part of a £2 million settlement in December 2025.

[Betfair Exchange review](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/betfair-exchange-review/)

## Other options

- **Spreadex:** Not an exchange: Spreadex offers fixed-odds betting under a Gambling Commission licence (account 8835) and sports spread betting, where you can lose more than your stake, as a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Commission fined it £2,022,000 on May 7, 2025 over anti-money laundering and customer-interaction failings between September 2022 and November 2023.

## Why Polymarket and Kalshi aren't alternatives

Neither holds a Gambling Commission licence, and both keep UK users out: Polymarket lists the United Kingdom among the places where users can close positions but not open new ones, and Kalshi lists it among its restricted jurisdictions. Offering or advertising unlicensed gambling to people in Great Britain is a criminal offence.

Our guides explain more: [is Polymarket legal in the UK?](https://safebet.ai/uk/guides/is-polymarket-legal-in-the-uk/) and [are prediction markets legal in the UK?](https://safebet.ai/uk/guides/are-prediction-markets-legal-in-the-uk/)

## When to stick with Matchbook

Stick with Matchbook if you like picking yes or no on outcomes priced as percentages, or want bet builders and live racing streams on an exchange.

## Comparison

| # | Betting exchange | Score | Gambling Commission licence | Commission | Markets | Politics markets | Deposits | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | [Matchbook](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/matchbook-review/) | 7.6/10 | Triplebet Limited, account 39504 | Not checked; "low commissions", says its app listing | Football, racing, darts, boxing & more; bet builder; racing streams; API free to start | Yes, in Matchbook Predictions (per its app listing) | Not checked (site blocked outside the UK) | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.4 |
| 1 | [Smarkets](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/smarkets-review/) | 8.7/10 | Smarkets (Malta) Limited, account 39173 | 2% of net winnings per market (Standard tier) | Sports, politics, current affairs & TV; trade out; API (£150 setup) | Yes, branded Smarkets Predictions | Open banking, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Trustly, PayPal; no fees | iOS 4.8 · Android 2.8 |
| 2 | [Betfair Exchange](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/betfair-exchange-review/) | 8.6/10 | TSE Malta LP, account 39561 | 2% on the Basic package (Betfair's example); Expert Fee for big winners | Football, racing, tennis, cricket, golf, rugby & more; MatchMe; API (£499 live key) | Yes, politics and election results | Not checked (site blocked outside the UK) | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.3 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best alternative to Matchbook?

[Smarkets](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/smarkets-review/), for its published 2% commission and fast withdrawals, or [Betfair Exchange](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/betfair-exchange-review/) for the most users.

### What happened to Betdaq?

Betdaq closed on October 21, 2026, after Matchbook's operator, Triplebet Limited, agreed to buy the brand name and domains. Customer accounts didn't transfer: Betdaq customers can withdraw their balance until November 4, 2026, and need a new account to bet elsewhere, Matchbook included.

Full ranking: [Best betting exchanges in the UK](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/)