# The best Smarkets alternatives in the UK

> Smarkets publishes the clearest charges of any UK exchange, but it has far fewer users than Betfair and its live chat closes overnight. These licensed exchanges offer a bigger crowd to bet against or a different way to bet.

- URL: https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/smarkets-alternatives/
- Markdown version: https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/smarkets-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.
- Editorial policy and advertiser disclosure: https://safebet.ai/editorial-policy/

## Why look for a Smarkets alternative?

- More users: Betfair Exchange's iOS app has 30,330 ratings, more than six times Smarkets' 4,634.
- Yes/no markets: Matchbook Predictions prices every outcome as a percentage, on sports and politics.
- Live racing streams: Matchbook's exchange app streams every horse race and greyhound race, according to its listing.

## The best Smarkets alternatives

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

Betfair Exchange is the biggest exchange in the UK by app ratings, with markets from Premier League football and the Grand National to election results. Its Basic package charges 2% in Betfair's own example, but 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/)

### 2. Matchbook — Prediction-style markets (7.6/10)

Matchbook adds Matchbook Predictions, yes/no markets priced as percentages on sports and politics, to an exchange with bet builders, multiples and racing streams. It has no regulatory action on the register, but we couldn't read its commission rates from outside the UK.

[Matchbook review](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/matchbook-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 Smarkets

Stick with Smarkets if you want the clearest published charges: 2% commission on net winnings, no payment fees, and withdrawals processed within 6 hours, straight to your bank by open banking.

## Comparison

| # | Betting exchange | Score | Gambling Commission licence | Commission | Markets | Politics markets | Deposits | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best alternative to Smarkets?

[Betfair Exchange](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/betfair-exchange-review/) for the most users and markets, or [Matchbook](https://safebet.ai/uk/prediction-markets/matchbook-review/) for yes/no prediction markets on sports and politics.

### Is there a cheaper exchange than Smarkets?

Not on published standard rates. Betfair's charges page gives its Basic package the same 2% in a worked example, and we couldn't read Matchbook's rates from outside the UK. Smarkets also charges no deposit or withdrawal fees.

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