Are you interested in taking your love of sports to the next level? Are you intrigued by the idea of getting a daily fantasy team and making money off of it? If so, then you’ve probably wondered whether it’s better to choose FanDuel or DraftKings.
Truth be told, they’re both exceptional services. They do right by their customers and offer an experience that’s just as fun to play as it is to win. That said, there are certainly pros and cons to each.
See below for an in-depth guide of the two daily fantasy sports services and which one might be better suited for you.
What is a DFS Site?
If you’ve been doing your research on FanDuel or DraftKings, or know someone that’s really into it, then you may have heard the term “DFS” thrown around.
DFS stands for “Daily Fantasy Sports”. Therefore, a DFS site (such as FanDuel or DraftKings) is a template that allows you to enjoy the setup of a typical fantasy sports league, but in much smaller time windows than the entirety of the season.
Instead, you can enter a league that concludes at the end of the month, end of the week, or even that same day. However, it should be noted that FanDuel and DraftKings are both weekly fantasy football templates.
These sites have more of a “contest-style” feel than traditional fantasy sports leagues. For example, say you register for an NFL fantasy league on FanDuel.
After buying an entry into the draft, you’re given $60,000 to draft a QB, RB, TE, WRs, K, and a defense. As you can already see, it allows you to play the role of General Manager and involves a fair bit of strategy and sports knowledge to win.
Winning on these DFS sites is especially rewarding because it involves more research on your part. You have to know the players, see who they’re playing that week, work with a salary cap, and still build a winning team.
Welcome Bonuses
There’s nothing like being greeted at the party with some freebies! Before you commit to one or the other, be sure to consider the welcome bonuses when choosing FanDuel or DraftKings.
When you compare the two side by side, DraftKings offers a far better welcome bonus over its opposition. While that shouldn’t be the main reason you pick your DFS site, it’s something to consider.
With FanDuel, first-time users are awarded a free $5 bonus for signing up for a new account. It can be redeemed immediately with no strings attached whatsoever.
DraftKings, on the other hand, gives you more chances to win free money than FanDuel, but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor. They’ll match 20-percent of your first deposit and give you the chance to get an instant bonus up to $500, but don’t bet on that when you join.
Remember, welcome bonuses are meant to just get you in the door. Don’t view them as anything more than the equivalent of being greeted with “free wi-fi” at a hotel.
Variety of DFS Sports Contests
You might be shocked at how many different sports leagues that DFS sites have fantasy leagues for. No matter which sports you’re passionate about, they most likely have a contest template to fill your request. This includes:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- NASCAR
- CFB
- NCAAB
- Professional Tennis
- PGA Golf
- Soccer
The only difference between these two DFS giants is that DraftKings offers contests for Esports when FanDuel currently does not.
Details of Sportsbooks
Of course, to capitalize on daily fantasy sports and maximize the money that you invest in it, you need to find one with a great sportsbook.
Many experts will tell you that DraftKings is the clear favorite in this department. Not only do they have more leagues to place bets on, but DraftKings is also allowed in more states.
DraftKings also has more information presently available to you while you’re placing bets. For example, while drafting players in an NFL draft, you can look at the player’s statistics to make a more educated guess. While FanDuel has some statistics available, you’ll often find yourself Googling information.
However, it’s also important to think about your winnings. FanDuel typically is less expensive than DraftKings. You can place the same bet for less on FanDuel and get a better return.
The Benefits of Each
The argument could be made for either DFS interface. They’re both household names for a reason. Here are a few benefits of each as a last-ditch effort to help you decide which one you want to use.
Benefits of DraftKings
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Allows swapping of players much later than FanDuel
- Payouts are secure and have a quick turnaround
- Betting for international sports leagues
- Features a better rewards program for consistent users
Benefits of FanDuel
- Tremendous for first-timers or beginners
- Same salary cap across the board
- Huge variety of contests, constantly throwing out new ones for its players
- Less expensive sportsbook
- Secure payouts with a quick turnaround
FanDuel or DraftKings: The Choice Is Yours
Now that you have seen an elaborate guide to helping you choose between FanDuel or DraftKings, be sure to use this as you reach your decision.
Ultimately, there’s no harm in trying them both out for yourself. Everyone is different. If you’re a beginner, then you might try FanDuel out to spend less on your first bets.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on daily fantasy sports, as well as many other helpful topics that you will enjoy reading about.
