If you’re new to the sports betting landscape, it can be confusing and overwhelming.
Trying to decide which betting platforms to sign up for? Finding the right ones for you can be tough, but that’s where we come in. We’ve gone through all the sports betting apps and narrowed down our top five in the bunch.
We’re going to break down the top five sports betting apps with some pros and cons for each. And before signing up for these apps, you can also use our guide to dive into the storylines on the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend.
Jump to:
- Best Sports Betting Apps 2025
- Why I Prefer Sports Betting Apps vs. Desktop Websites
- Best Sports Betting Apps FAQs
What can I bet on using sports betting apps this week?
AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos – Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.
Bo Nix is out, and the Broncos are handing the season to Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t thrown an NFL pass in two years and has never started a game of value. Forget rust. This is archaeological.
Denver’s only real argument is rest. Saturday divisional winners historically do well, and the Broncos benefitted from the extra day after surviving Buffalo in overtime. But rest doesn’t throw against pressure, and it doesn’t process post-snap looks in an AFC title game. Stidham is stepping into a spot where mistakes don’t get corrected — they get punished.
Drake Maye has been surgical all season, efficient in the postseason and seemingly unbothered by environment. The Patriots are undefeated on the road, and their offense doesn’t need fireworks — it just needs precision. With Stefon Diggs as a reliable chain-mover and red-zone threat, Maye can control the game without forcing it.
NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks – Sunday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
If the first two chapters of this matchup are any indication, this NFC Championship Game could very well be decided by inches. The Rams and Seahawks split the regular season, separated by one point and one yard across two games.?
The Rams arrive to the rubber match with the league’s most productive offense and a growing belief they’ve cracked Seattle’s code. Matthew Stafford already delivered the Seahawks their worst defensive outing of the season, carving them up for 457 yards without Davante Adams or a healthy offensive line. Now Adams and Kevin Dotson are back, and Los Angeles looks closer to full strength than it has been all postseason. If the Rams protect Stafford, they can score on anyone — even the NFL’s top defense.
Seattle counters with smash-mouth football backed by elite defense. Its run game has taken pressure off Sam Darnold, who just needs to be functional if Kenneth Walker controls the tempo from the backfield. And that’s the fulcrum. If the Rams stop the run and unleash their pass rush, Darnold becomes the variable — and the risk.
Best sports betting apps 2026
Let’s be clear: There are numerous sportsbooks available. In such a vast market, I am going to attempt to make sense of it.
DraftKings and FanDuel have roughly 72% of the betting market share in the U.S., but there are many other options if you’re thinking about opening an account.
And, who knows, maybe the new-user sign-up bonuses are better at competing books.
Keep your options and mind open in the sports betting industry. Going after reasonable bonus offers is far from the worst thing you can do.
1. bet365 Sportsbook
bet365 has been operating in Europe for decades and has built up tons of goodwill with bettors around the world.
It is showing growth in the United States over the past year, and it’s a great book to start with, outside of the big-time books that you see advertised everywhere.
One of the biggest operators in the world, bet365, understands how bettors think, and it has designed its platform with that in mind.
Whether you’re looking to place a bet or simply check the odds for a game you’re interested in watching, bet365 is easy to navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for.
I find bet365 also provides the best betting options for niche sports like tennis, golf, cricket and soccer.
The folks at Bet365 also offer plenty of bonuses for new and existing users.
Pros
- App has good UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) — very little fluff to distract you from betting.
- Provides great betting options for niche sports, i.e. obscure props like significant strikes for UFC/MMA fights and punches thrown props for boxing.
- Established, trustworthy brand, decades of experience in business.
Cons
- Not available in as many states as other sportsbooks (not yet available in New York)
New users at bet365 can claim a welcome bonus of Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose! through the same bonus code NYPOST365.
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
Although DraftKings and FanDuel are the two biggest sportsbooks in the U.S. market, BetMGM Sportsbook is really competing with them as a contender for the best sportsbook.
It has completely redesigned its app to match the level of DraftKings and FanDuel.
The BetMGM brand has been around forever and has brought a wealth of expertise and experience in the industry since PASPA was overturned in 2018.
The live-betting platform is terrific, there are plenty of promotions on offer and the app is easy to navigate.
New users can Get a 20 percent Deposit Match up to $1,500 in Sports Bonus! via the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500.
Pros
- Widely available throughout the country.
- MGM: Big casino brand with awesome rewards program that includes comped stays at their hotels.
Cons
- Not as many offerings for niche sports.
- Same-game parlay offerings can lack in some cases.
3. Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook is the newest operator among the group, so it had to find a way to separate itself from the rest of the bunch.
Founder and CEO Michael Rubin has promised to get Fanatics Sportsbook as one of the lead brands in the United States for betting.
They’re certainly making some noise. It has labeled itself the “most rewarding” sportsbook and I think that’s a fair nickname, even if it’s self-proclaimed.
Fanatics has tried to do this by offering users the ability to earn FanCash on the platform. This cash can be turned into bonus bets or used to purchase sports apparel from the company’s merchandise retail shop.
For those who use the app, the FanCash option can be alluring, but the best part of the Fanatics Sportsbook experience is that its platform is easy to use.
Time will tell if Fanatics has the staying power to compete in a crowded industry, but making the app simple, clean and easy to navigate is a step in the right direction.
New Fanatics users can claim one of two bonus offers:
If you are in New York, you are eligible for a Get up to $250 Back in FanCash!
Pros
- App is easy to navigate and sleek.
- Good promos and bonuses: It gives away free sports gear with FanCash that you can use directly on the Fanatics site.
Cons
- Strict betting limits in some cases.
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
There’s a reason why DraftKings Sportsbook is the industry leader.
Not everyone is an in-the-weeds bettor, and DraftKings is perfect for casual punters who go weeks, months or seasons without placing a bet.
The app isn’t overwhelming; it’s easy to navigate and DraftKings has offerings on just about every sport.
The current welcome offer at DraftKings is DraftKings National Offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
Pros
- Industry leader.
- App is easy to use and navigate.
- Available to use in almost every legalized state.
Cons
- Prices aren’t as competitive as other leading sportsbooks.
- Too focused on casual bettors.
- Offers don’t need to be as strong because it already has a huge market share.
5. Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook ranks this high on the list because its app is easy to use and navigate.
Oftentimes, sportsbooks can overcomplicate things and make it hard for bettors to find the bet, prop, or odds they’re looking for. Caesars makes that process pretty simple, which is why it comes in at fourth.
You can sign up at Caesars and get a bet match up to $250 win or lose with NYPBET250BM.
Pros
- App is easy to use.
- Established brand with plenty of industry experience. It also gives away hotel comps for loyal bettors!
- Offerings on just about every sport with high limits.
Cons
- Solid promotions and boosts that they offer daily.
- Not as many prop markets as other industry leaders.
Why I prefer sports betting apps vs. desktop websites
Personally, I prefer sports betting apps over desktop websites for one basic reason: convenience.
While most of us never leave the house without our phone, the same can’t be said about our laptops or computers.
Mobile apps allow ease of use, speed and the ability to place bets on the go, so long as sports betting is legal in that specific state.
Pros of using sports betting apps vs. desktop websites
- More convenient to use your phone when you’re on the go than a computer.
- Mobile apps tend to be quicker than desktop sites as long as you’re connected to the internet.
- Can bet anywhere, anytime, so long as you are in a legal betting state.
Cons of using sports betting apps vs. desktop websites
- More challenging to compare odds between sportsbooks on mobile apps.
- Sportsbooks are easier to navigate on desktop.
- Easier to multi-task (i.e. do research for a bet) while you’re on desktop website.
Here are a few more reasons why I prefer mobile betting over placing wagers via desktop:
Ease of Use
Sportsbooks know that one of the quickest ways to lose bettors is to make their app difficult to use and/or confusing. Consequently, they design their sports betting apps to make it easy for bettors to do everything they need from their phone.
Availability
In the past, sportsbooks did not always offer sports betting apps for users in every state they operated in or have respective ones available for iOS and Android devices. Some brands even offered state-specific apps. But, it has now become common practice for sportsbooks to make widely available betting apps.
Live Betting
If you are going to give live betting a try, you will probably not watch the game with a computer on your lap. It is much easier to do from home or anywhere else with your favorite sportsbook’s mobile app.
Best sports betting apps FAQs
Below are some common questions surrounding the best sports betting apps:
Are sports betting apps safe to use?
Yes, sportsbooks utilize state-of-the-art encryption to ensure the app and all transactions are secure.
What is the best sports betting app?
bet365 Sportsbook came in at the top of my ranking and for good reason. Between its sleek mobile platform and countless bonuses for existing users, I would recommend bet365 as the best sports betting app for new bettors to check out.
Can I make a deposit using an online sports betting app?
Yes, you can make deposits using an online sports betting app as long as the app offers a banking method that you use.
What sports can I bet on a sports betting app?
Typical sports available at a sports betting app include the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NHL, NCAAW, NCAAM and WNBA, along with international sports and niche offerings.