The Best DFS Sites Right Now
By
Will Brown
Contributor
Updated: April 25, 2025
Will Brown Contributor
It’s a close contest between the best daily fantasy services – but there are clear winners in our rankings. Our top picks are below, with links to full reviews of each daily fantasy service and their current bonus offer.
The Best Daily Fantasy Sports Sites and Apps for 2025
Daily fantasy sports is a massive industry with a long list of DFS and Pick’em apps available to players. We’ve ranked our favorites in the table below so you can choose from the best.
List of DFS Apps by Category
| Best Overall DFS Platform | OwnersBox |
| Best for DFS contests | ParlayPlay |
| Best for prizes & rewards | DraftKings |
We break down the best daily fantasy sites by category to ensure players can find the operator that best suits their needs. The top DFS sites provide a host of perks, but some may stand out in certain areas.
You may want to find the daily fantasy sports site with the best offers. Whatever your preference, ensure to play at a licensed daily fantasy site by choosing from the recommendations in the table.
OwnersBox: Best Overall DFS Platform
OwnersBox is a platform that lets users draft players within a salary cap and compete for cash rewards. The fantasy service offers a wealth of game contests, and you don’t need to be an expert to compete in them all. The added good news is that the prize pools on offer are almost always generous to the winners.
A criticism of the service is that it’s limited in terms of its sports selection, with only contests for baseball, basketball, football, and hockey being available at this time. But it’s all about quality over quantity at OwnersBox. Each of the contest modes – Primetime Flex, Super Flex, and Lightning Lineups – bring a unique flavor to daily fantasy sports competitions. There’s something for those who prefer traditional contests or something new.
ParlayPlay: Best for DFS Contests
ParlayPlay is great if you’re seeking a solid all-around service, especially for those that like to make predictions on the weekly performances of their favorite athletes. With fantasy sports games like Higher/Lower and Hit-It featuring various sports categories, ParlayPlay covers many bases. The platform’s design is optimized for mobile usage, with a dedicated app available for Apple users.
ParlayPlay is great if you’re seeking a solid all-around service, especially for those that like to make predictions on the weekly performances of your favorite athletes. With fantasy sports games like Higher/Lower and Hit-It featuring various sports categories, ParlayPlay covers many bases.The platform’s design is optimized for mobile usage, with a dedicated app available for Apple users.
DraftKings: Best for Prizes & Rewards
DraftKings Fantasy Sports was one of the pioneers of daily fantasy sports, and it’s still one of the best services out there. What we like about DraftKings is that it does all the important things well with no bullshit. Fans of straight-forward daily fantasy sports contests are this brand’s target audience for this very reason. But that’s not to say that the service is boring, far from it.
This is a brand that offers excellent bang for your buck, whichever the contest you choose to compete in. A tip would be to keep an eye out for the prize pools attached to special sporting events – these allow you the chance to split a big cash pot. Overall, DrafKings is the perfect service for lovers of straight forward contests who want the chance to win big.
More Popular DFS Sites
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Underdog
Excellent contests at decent buy-in prices? Underdog is almost worth signing up for that reason alone. The brand is continuing to make a name for itself thanks to its growing list of features and innovative game modes. It has become one of our favorite services since it caters to serious daily fantasy lovers who want diverse contests and game modes. You’ll be blown away by the sheer variety of sports, leagues, and sporting events which are available for daily, weekly, and season-long contests. If you’re a passionate DFS player, this is the service for you.
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Fanduel Fantasy
Fanduel is a popular pioneer in the daily fantasy space for a good reason. The brand has whipped up a recipe for success that few can replicate, boasting a multitude of one-day, weekly, and season-long game options. The sports selection is even better than ever with new leagues and sporting contests added regularly. If you’re a fan of straight forward DFS contests, then Fanduel offers a great range of modes with often very attractive buy-ins. The brand always has new bonus offers for its new players, so it is never a bad time to sign up.
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Boom Fantasy
Boom Fantasy has returned bigger and better than ever. The brand has relaunched to provide new unique contests and game modes. The two main game modes are “Over/Unders” and “Matchups”, with both requiring contestants to make a predictions on player statistics. One of the main draws to the platform has been the option to win 500x your entry fee. That type of payoff in DFS is simply unheard of. Lastly, the mobile app has been curated for a perfect on-the-go playing experience with impressive functionality. You’ll love to pick up and play this fantasy app.
How Do I Sign Up to a DFS Platform?
- Pick your chosen DFS from our recommended sites
- Click register and input the necessary details
- Provide any requested documentation to verify your identity
- Choose from the list of secure payment methods
- Make your first deposit
- Claim the welcome bonus
- Check out the fantasy sports options available
- Pick your chosen option and start playing
Signing up at a new DFS site couldn’t be simpler. Just follow the steps above at any of our recommended sites. As long as you stick with our rankings of the best DFS websites, you can rest assured you’ll be playing at a safe, secure, licensed gaming site.
Before you sign up and make your first deposit, be sure to check the terms and conditions of the DFS site you have selected. This includes any deposit methods that may be ineligible for the bonus you receive with your first deposit.
DFS Sites: Legal Status by State
Daily fantasy sports operators require a valid license in each U.S. state to be able to offer their services. We’ve listed the states where each of the top DFS platforms operate in.
| State | Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
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| DraftKings Sportsbook | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OwnersBox | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ParlayPlay | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
The Best Daily Fantasy Bonus Offers
Bonuses are one of the most effective ways for top daily fantasy sports sites to stand out among the competition. Promotions usually start with a welcome offer that is given when you make your first deposit at a DFS sportsbook. This will usually be a deposit match or a free play of some kind.
It isn’t only new customers who benefit from these offers, however. Promotions for existing customers are also available, keeping things exciting even after you get past the initial welcome bonus. Remember to pay attention to any terms and conditions before claiming a bonus.
| Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Promo Code | Wagering | Min. Visa Deposit | Eligible States | Play | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OwnersBox | Up to $500 Deposit Bonus | CHECK HERE | by rank | $10 | AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY | Claim Bonus! | Valid only for new players over 21 years of age. |
| ParlayPlay | Up to $100 Deposit Bonus | CHECK HERE | 1x | $10 | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY | Claim Bonus! | Valid only for new players over 21 years of age. |
| DraftKings | Up to $500 Deposit Bonus | CHECK HERE | 25x | $5 | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY | Claim Bonus! | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org(CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. |
The Top Daily Fantasy Sports Apps
If you’re a fan of gaming on the run, you’ll be happy to hear the top daily fantasy sites offer excellent DFS apps allowing you to pick and edit your fantasy team and make plays from anywhere. As long as you’re in a state where your chosen DFS is legal, then all you need is an active internet connection.
Sports Selection
The top daily fantasy sports sites cater to all players by offering contests for a range of sports. From household leagues to niche international sports, there really is something for everyone. Here are some of the main sports that are immensely popular among DFS players.
- Fantasy Baseball
- Fantasy Basketball
- Fantasy Call of Duty
- Fantasy College Basketball
- Fantasy College Football
- Fantasy Esports
- Fantasy Football
- Fantasy Formula 1
- Fantasy Golf
- Fantasy Hockey
- League of Legends
- Fantasy MMA
- Fantasy NASCAR
- Fantasy Soccer
- Fantasy Tennis
- Fantasy UFC
Game and Competition Modes
Daily fantasy sports have come a long way since their early form as salary cap contests. There are now countless competition modes for players to enjoy, with accessible rules and structures that appeal to everyone from beginners to pros. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common gameplay modes at major DFS sites. There are also further details in our how to play DFS article including common terms you should know.
Salary Cap
Salary Cap contests are the most popular type of DFS mode, and require contestants to create a fantasy lineup of players from a single sports league to earn points based on their real-life performances. Athletes are priced according to their projected performance, recent stats, upcoming pair-ups, and more.
Successful salary cap gameplay requires contestants to recruit a mix of high-scoring players and undervalued picks that will likely exceed projections. Depending on whether it is a cash game or a GPP tournament, players may benefit from picking players with low ownership rates to give them a competitive edge.
Snake Drafts
In Snake Drafts, contestants take turns recruiting athletes from a player pool rather than within a salary cap limit. The drafting position is randomly assigned, and once a draft round is completed, the order is reversed. These drafting modes are available for both daily and season-long competitions.
Daily Lineups
While traditional fantasy sports require contestants to construct and edit their lineups over a league’s season, daily lineups are the most common form of competition mode. These competitions can be as short as a day and as long as a week, meaning that contestants must draft new teams each round.
The benefit of this is that participants won’t need to maintain teams for months. Rather, they can respond to short-term outcomes such as favorable match-ups, injury reports, and predicted weather conditions. It also means that payouts are distributed regularly and multiple lineups can be submitted at once.
Pick’Ems
Gaining popularity in the past few years, Pick’em contests are similar to sports betting in that contestants are required to select which site-generated matchups of athletes will perform better. These are played against the operator and are extremely simple, making them great for beginners. However, some states do not permit these contests at DFS sites due to their perceived similarity to sports betting.
What Can’t DFS Platforms Do?
DFS are, in some capacity, legal in 45 states. That said, each state has varying rules as to what operators can be offered depending on how expanded legal online gaming is. This is why most DFS platforms do not offer opportunities for online sports betting, online casinos, social sports betting, or sweepstakes.
That said, some states that have legalized online casino and sports betting allow DFS operators to offer expanded gambling products. Sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel began as DFS sites but have since expanded to offer broader gambling products where legal. These can be enjoyed through the same player accounts and wallets used to access DFS products.
What is the Best Brand for Free Games and Contest?
Whether you’re completely new to DFS or simply don’t wish to risk any cash, it can be worth it to participate in free DFS contests. Fortunately, most of the major fantasy sports operators will offer free competition modes, whether salary cap contests, Pick’Ems, or daily lineups.
We recommend signing up with DraftKings to access the widest options for free gameplay. These include freeroll tournaments, which require no entry fees and real cash prizes to winners. Free-to-play pick’em games are also available, as are no-cost private competitions, practice contests, and beginner contests. DraftKings requires no cash deposit upon sign-up.
What is the Best Brand for Playing on Desktop?
While mobile gameplay is the most popular way for contestants to interact with daily fantasy sports, some players much prefer the wider view and ease of navigation provided by desktop access. Major sites such as DraftKings offer both mobile and desktop contests, though we believe that OwnersBox is the best for desktop competitions.
OwnersBox offers two primary competition options, including the Pick’Em-style Lightning Lineups and the salary cap SuperFlex mode. SuperFlex requires users to draft a team of nine players within set requirements, with one assigned as a high-scoring SuperFlex. The desktop platform ensures fast and simple lineup construction and a wealth of information to inform selections.
What is the Best DFS App?
Owing to its huge user base, diverse competition modes, myriad sports options, and regular promotions, DraftKings is the best DFS app. The mobile platform allows users to register a new account, make deposits and withdrawals, and access the loyalty features with ease, with its slick and intuitive design facilitating smooth roster construction.
The app can be downloaded for iOS smartphones and tablets as well as Android devices. Once you’re in the app, you can search for tournaments or head-to-heads, create private competitions, and enter contests. The app is so well-designed that you won’t need to use the desktop version if it doesn’t suit you.
Can I Trust a DFS Operator with My SSN and Privacy?
As long as the DFS platform is legal and licensed in the state you live in, you can trust it with your SSN. Licensed operators adhere to strict laws regarding player safety, security, and privacy, which guarantees that they pay out all owed winnings and pay taxes on revenues. All of the real-money DFS sites recommended on this site are licensed.
Problem Gambling Help
Betting is fun, as long as you’re safe. We take responsible gambling very seriously. If you’re worried you might have a gambling problem, or you may know someone who does, there is help, support and advice on offer.
If you find yourself lying about how much you gamble, neglecting responsibilities, or betting money you can’t afford to lose, these organizations are there for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out, help is available.
Recommended DFS Site for April 2025
Conclusion – Play Daily Fantasy Sports For Real Money
Daily fantasy sports services are not only becoming more numerous, but the range of contest types and game modes are becoming ever more complex. This makes it all the more essential to get genuine insights when choosing one to sign up with. Our top picks are terrific starting points if you want to start playing DFS.