There is no single best daily fantasy site. There is only the best one for you, and that depends on which sports you follow, how you like to play, and how much time you want to spend on lineups. The good news is that the field is smaller and easier to read than it used to be.
This page covers the two big salary cap operators, the newer pick'em style apps, and the handful of features that actually separate one site from another.
The two big salary cap sites
DraftKings and FanDuel are the names most people mean when they say daily fantasy. Both run classic salary cap contests. You get a budget, every player carries a price, and you build the best lineup you can without going over. Both cover the major US leagues, both run contests every day of the year, and both have spent more than a decade refining their apps.
They are close enough that most players could be happy on either one. The real differences sit in scoring and pricing, and those shift which players make good values. Our DraftKings review and FanDuel review go through each site in depth.
How they compare
| Feature | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Public company | Owned by Flutter Entertainment |
| Classic NFL salary cap | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| NFL scoring | Full point PPR | Half point PPR |
| Single game slot | Showdown Captain | Single game MVP |
| How the slot scores | 1.5 times the points at 1.5 times the salary | A point multiplier, listed in the contest rules |
| Typical rake | 10 to 15 percent, varies by contest | 10 to 15 percent, varies by contest |
Scoring is the row that matters most from week to week. Full point PPR rewards players who catch a lot of passes. Half point PPR leans a little more on yards and touchdowns. Our FanDuel vs. DraftKings comparison explains how that changes your picks.
Pick'em and draft apps
Not every fantasy app uses a salary cap. A newer group asks you to decide whether a player will finish with more or less than a set stat line, or to draft a team against a small group of other players. Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Sleeper are well known examples of pick'em or draft style apps.
These apps are quick to play and easy to learn, which explains a lot of their appeal. They also change often. Formats get added and retired, payout rules shift, and the places each app operates have moved around as regulators took a closer look. Treat anything you read about them, here included, as a starting point, and check the app itself before you play. Our guide to pick'em contests explains how the format works.
The big two have also tried pick'em style games of their own in some states, so the line between the styles keeps blurring.
What to look for
Six things matter more than the logo on the app.
Contest variety
A good lobby offers a mix of contest types at a range of entry fees. You want large tournaments for big swings, cash games such as 50/50s and double ups for steadier results, and head to head games for when you want to test yourself against one opponent. More choice lets the lobby fit your goals.
The sports you follow
Both big sites cover football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, along with golf. Beyond that, menus differ. Soccer, NASCAR, MMA, college sports, and tennis come and go depending on the site and the season. If you follow a smaller sport closely, make sure it has regular contests before you commit.
Room for beginners
Look for contests limited to newer players. Both big salary cap sites offer them, though the rules on who qualifies vary and can change. These contests keep you out of fields full of experienced players while you learn. Low entry fees and small fields help too.
App quality
You will build lineups, follow live scoring, and make late changes on your phone. A clear lobby, a quick lineup builder, good filters, and reliable live updates make a real difference over a full season. The apps are free to download, so look around the lobby before you put any money in.
Responsible play tools
Reputable operators let you set deposit limits, entry limits, and time outs, and most offer self exclusion. Set your limits on day one, before you think you need them. Our responsible play guide covers the warning signs, and 1-800-GAMBLER offers free, confidential help.
Getting your money out
Read the withdrawal options before you deposit. Most operators support some mix of bank transfers, debit cards, and online wallets, and many ask you to verify your identity before your first withdrawal. Processing times differ by method. A quick look at the cashier and help pages now saves surprises later.
Check where you live first
Laws on paid fantasy contests differ by state, and they change. Operators check your location before letting you enter, and an app that works in one state may be limited or unavailable in the next. The minimum age is 18 in most states and higher in a few. Confirm the rules where you live before you open an account anywhere. Our page on whether daily fantasy is legal explains how it all fits together.
Sites we no longer cover
Longtime readers may remember our reviews of DraftDay, DraftPot, FantasyDraft, and Boom Fantasy. Those sites are no longer part of our coverage. The market has changed a great deal since those reviews were written, and we now focus on the operators most readers are likely to use today.
Where we would start
If you are new and mostly play football, either big site is a fine first home, and the choice can come down to which scoring style you prefer. If you want the widest menu of sports and contests, DraftKings has the edge in our view. If you want a calm lobby you can learn in an evening, FanDuel is hard to beat. If you would rather skip salary math entirely, a pick'em app may suit you, provided it is available where you live.
Whichever you choose, start with one site, play small for a few weeks, and only then decide whether you need a second.