Daily fantasy sports
Compare the major DFS sites on contest types, formats, promos, and where they are legal — then learn how to play with our beginner and strategy guides.
What is DFS?
Daily fantasy sports is a game of skill: you build a lineup of real athletes and score points from their real-world stats over a single day or slate. You compete against other players for prizes, not against a sportsbook. Entries range from free rolls to high-stakes tournaments.
How it differs from sports betting
Betting is a wager against the house at fixed odds. DFS is a contest against other players where aggregate player performance decides the result. The two are legally distinct in most states — DFS often falls under fantasy-specific law rather than sports-betting regulation.
Top DFS sites compared
| Site | Format | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings DFS | Salary cap | Players who want the biggest contest selection and the largest guaranteed prize pools. | 4.6/5 |
| FanDuel DFS | Salary cap | Newcomers and casual players who value a clean interface and friendlier contests. | 4.5/5 |
| Underdog Fantasy | Pick’em | Players who prefer quick pick’em entries or season-long Best Ball drafts over salary-cap optimisation. | 4.4/5 |
| PrizePicks | Pick’em | Casual players who want the fastest, simplest DFS entry with no roster building. | 4.3/5 |
DraftKings DFS
4.6Salary cap
DraftKings popularised modern daily fantasy and still runs the widest slate of salary-cap contests, from million-dollar guaranteed tournaments to single-game Showdowns. A $50,000 cap and a polished app make it the default home for grinders and casual players alike.
Read review →FanDuel DFS
4.5Salary cap
FanDuel built daily fantasy into a mainstream product and still offers one of the most approachable salary-cap experiences. A $60,000 cap, single-game contests, and a simple interface make it an easy on-ramp for newer players who want guaranteed prize pools without the steepest learning curve.
Read review →Underdog Fantasy
4.4Pick’em
Underdog Fantasy skips the salary cap entirely. Its headline products are Pick’em — choosing whether players go higher or lower than a projected stat line — and Best Ball, a season-long draft format where your optimal lineup is set automatically each week. The app is fast and the drafts are genuinely fun.
Read review →PrizePicks
4.3Pick’em
PrizePicks reduced DFS to its simplest form: pick two to six players to go more or less than a projected stat, and win a fixed multiplier if you are right. There are no drafts and no salary caps. The Flex Play option insures entries against a single miss, which is a big part of its mainstream appeal.
Read review →Is DFS legal where you live?
Paid DFS is available in most states under fantasy-specific law, separate from sports betting. A handful of states restrict or prohibit paid contests, and pick’em formats face extra scrutiny in several more. Check your state’s rules before you deposit.
See state-by-state legality →DFS guides
How to play DFS for the first time
Bankroll, contest selection, and lineup building basics for new players.
Read guide →Advanced DFS strategy
Ownership leverage, stacking, game theory, and bankroll management.
Read guide →DFS vs sports betting
Which is the better fit for different types of player.
Read guide →DFS FAQ
- What is daily fantasy sports (DFS)?
- DFS is a contest of skill where you assemble a lineup of real players and score points based on their real-world statistics over a single day or slate of games. You compete against other players for prizes rather than wagering against a sportsbook.
- How is DFS different from sports betting?
- In sports betting you wager against the house on an outcome at fixed odds. In DFS you build a roster and compete against other players, and the result depends on aggregate player performance. The two are also regulated differently in most states.
- Is daily fantasy sports legal?
- Paid DFS is legal and available in most US states, often under fantasy-specific laws separate from sports-betting regulation. A handful of states restrict or prohibit paid contests, and pick’em formats face extra scrutiny in several more. Always confirm availability in your state.
- What is the difference between salary-cap and pick’em DFS?
- Salary-cap sites (DraftKings, FanDuel) give you a budget to build a full roster. Pick’em sites (PrizePicks, Underdog) have you choose whether individual players go over or under a projected stat line. Salary-cap rewards roster construction; pick’em is faster and simpler.
Ratings are illustrative editorial assessments. DFS is a contest of skill, legally distinct from sports betting in most states. Availability, contest types, and promos vary by state and change often — always verify on the operator’s site. 18+/19+/21+ where applicable. Please play responsibly.