DraftKings vs. FanDuel is a question many new fantasy esports and sports bettors have. Both are premier sites for daily fantasy contests and competitive betting. So, which of the two fantasy esports websites is the most appealing?
To start, an overview of both websites would be ideal. Both have been significant presences in their respective industries, so much so that a potential merger between them was blocked because they would have controlled 90 percent of the market had they joined.
Draftkings rules Esports Participation
While DraftKings esports has made a strong push into the realm of esports, with active participation in the fantasy LoL, fantasy CS2 and many other fantasy esports scenes, FanDuel has mostly remained tied to regular sports.
FanDuel has made an effort to expand into the realm of esports as of late, but it’s still not a crucial element to their site. However, Draftkings promotions and Draftkings contests regarding esports have become integral parts of the DraftKings experience.
Now, to make it all about the company’s efforts in esports isn’t fair. In regards to more traditional sports, both DraftKings and FanDuel are great sites for people to compete in fantasy or make money off sports betting. The two sites both have millions of active users, and have built healthy communities.
Tied in Technology Capabilities
Technologically, both companies are excellent. Whether someone uses DraftKings or FanDuel, they’ll both have access to a solid mobile app that allows participants to take part in daily fantasy sports or sports betting from almost anywhere.
Consumers can also be comforted in the fact that both options are reliable and safe. They both are secure fantasy sports websites that participants can trust to handle their money and not be at risk. The opportunities they offer are legit, and there’s real money-making potential.
Unfortunately, both DraftKings and FanDuel are bound by certain laws that prevent them from being available in certain states. These include Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada and Washington. Neither company can do anything to change that, as it’ll be up to politicians whether those states will legalize DFS and sports betting. Still, FanDuel or DraftKings are both legal in the majority of states.
Now, the general overview should help explain the operations of FanDuel and DraftKings, their popularity and presence in the market. But to answer the question of DraftKings vs FanDuel, it’s best to look at the specifics.
Welcome Bonus Comparison
A welcome bonus is something that new players get for simply signing up for a site. Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer quality welcome bonuses to entice newer participants to join.
For fantasy sports, DraftKings provides an almost identical bonus to FanDuel. Both offer a deposit bonus of up to $500, a bonus match of 20% and every $25 wagered releases an extra $1. However, DraftKings gives people a 90 day period to use the bonus, while FanDuel only gives 30 days.
DraftKings is also offering $20 in free play credit instantly with your first deposit for fantasy esports.
For its sportsbooks, FanDuel’s welcome bonus gives consumers $1000 of risk free bets. Essentially, for the first $1000 deposited through bets, consumers get a refund for losing bets, with no other nuances or requirements.
For DraftKings, the welcome bonus for its sportsbook is much more complicated. But to break it down, to receive the $1000 welcome bonus, participants must deposit $5000 and then use another $25000 to clear the bonus and obtain the $1000. Overall, FanDuel wins the sportsbook welcome bonus while DraftKings wins the DFS welcome bonus.
Promotions Comparison
For promotions, it seems DraftKings fantasy promotions are superior to FanDuel’s by a large margin. DraftKings simply offers more promotions, with things like best ball tournaments, the CBB Tourney Mania Bracket $200k, Fantasy Golf $4 Million Championship and more.
FanDuel, on the other hand, doesn’t have much going for it. There are some single entry series and some promotions for new users. However, when it comes to Sportsbook, FanDuel has a lot more to offer. It has many promotions, including a unique one known as Spread the Love.
DraftKings is no slouch either, offering many of the same promotions as FanDuel, like odds boosts, parlay boosts and bet insurance.Once again, DraftKings vs.risk-free FanDuel sees DraftKings winning the fantasy and esports aspect while FanDuel wins the sportsbook.
Pay-to-Play Comparison
Pay-to-play contests are an enjoyable part of both DraftKings and FanDuel, as they add extra competitions to earn money from. As the name suggests, participants must “pay” to enter the contests. Between FanDuel and DraftKings, which site offers the more valuable pay-to-play opportunities?
The answer to that would probably be a tie between the two. DraftKings offerins contests like the usual tournaments, multipliers, head-to-head, 50/50s, satellites, qualifiers and a beginner mode for new users. FanDuel happens to offer the same or similar pay-to-play opportunities and more. They have things that DraftKings doesn’t, like a Beat the Score game, 3-100 player tournaments, and most notably, a friends mode. Both sides are adequate, but FanDuel gets a very slight edge here.
Scoring Comparison
DraftKings vs. FanDuel in scoring systems is important, as the way they score certain accomplishments is crucial for participants to remember. Forget how some things are valued, and participants can make mistakes that cost them dearly in tournaments and contests.
Scoring systems have a lot to do with preference, so there’s no true objective way to compare them. However, DraftKings scoring systems appear to be more advanced and varied. One of the biggest differences is the player bonuses DraftKing offers. Unlike FanDuel, DraftKings will reward participants for having strong individual performances from players they’ve selected. Things like getting a no-hitter from a pitcher in the MLB, or a quarterback throwing for over 300 yards in the NFL, are things that increase the score of a participant.
While scoring systems come down to preference, those looking for a more complex system where participants will have to account for player performance should look at DraftKings. FanDuel doesn’t have an objectively flawed system, but it can’t be denied it’s more simple.
Salary Cap Comparison
Like scoring, salary cap is something that participants will probably have varied answers on. Draftkings offers many different salary caps depending on the sport and tournament, while FanDuel offers more consistency.
FanDuel offers a standard salary cap of $60000, no matter what. Compared to DraftKing’s standard salary cap of $50000, it appears FanDuel wins here, as a higher cap allows for more options. That being said, DraftKings salary cap changes with the situation.
There’s no right answer here, as FanDuel has a higher standard cap overall, DraftKings salary caps change a lot more. The real question is what a participant wants or is looking for. Do they want consistency and something that they know is fixed and steadfast? Or are they more interested in a shifting salary cap that differs depending on the sport and contest?
Esports Titles Offered on DraftKings vs FanDuel
This was briefly touched on in the overview, but it should be stated again. Esports is one category where DraftKings is significantly superior. In the other categories, both companies are at least solid, but in esports, DraftKings is, well, King.
Whereas FanDuel is much more fresh and new in fantasy esports and esports betting, DraftKings is well established. DraftKings has always had more niche options compared to FanDuel, and that’s paid off in its esports department.
Read Also: Draftkings Merger & Acquisitions
In League of Legends, Call of Duty, Rocket League, CS:GO, Dota 2, Valorant and much more, DraftKings is the place to go for those who are interested in esports betting. DraftKings blows away not just FanDuel, but all of its competition in regards to fantasy and betting in esports.
Available Esports Titles on DraftKings: League of Legends, CS:GO, Rocket League, Call of Duty, iRacing, DOTA2, Valorant.
Final Verdict- Who’s Better DraftKings vs FanDuel
Now that all the important topics and nuances about the two companies have been covered. It’s time to answer the question. Which is better, Draftkings or FanDuel? With respect to FanDuel, the answer would probably be DraftKings.
FanDuel is certainly a quality site to use, and it’s a worthy competitor. But the reason FanDuel vs. DraftKings goes to DraftKings has a lot to do with versatility. FanDuel is probably the better option for sports gambling and has more pay-to-play contests and tournaments, but that’s it.
DraftKings has more in-depth scoring systems and variety in general, thanks to its efforts in esports. While it’s true some may prefer FanDuel’s more simple scoring system, seasoned bettors and fantasy players will probably appreciate DraftKings’ complexity.
And DraftKings has so many different types of leagues and sports to join and get started in. Not to mention it’s become a major hub for a growing sub-industry in fantasy esports. FanDuel is a more traditional option, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But DraftKings is the place to go for a more modernized setting.
Fantasy sports and esports is a growing field, and it’s unlikely to see it slowing down soon. Both FanDuel and DraftKings will see major growth as well, and it’s possible these two companies may become the titans of the industry if they aren’t already.