Kalshi vs Polymarket Fees: Complete Cost Comparison for 2026

Fees eat into your profits. If you're choosing between Kalshi and Polymarket, understanding the true cost of trading on each platform is essential.

Kalshi Fee Structure

• Trading fees: Kalshi charges a fee per contract on trades
• Deposits: Free via bank transfer; debit card may have fees
• Withdrawals: Free via bank transfer
• No crypto costs: Since Kalshi uses USD, there are no gas fees or bridge costs

Polymarket Fee Structure

• Trading fees: Zero. No commissions on any trade
• Gas fees: Negligible (Polygon network, under $0.01)
• Deposits: Free via USDC transfer; 2-3% via credit card through MoonPay
• Withdrawals: Minimal gas fee to withdraw USDC

Cost Comparison by Trading Volume

For active traders doing $10,000+/month in volume, Polymarket's zero-commission structure saves hundreds compared to Kalshi's per-contract fees. For occasional traders doing a few hundred dollars, the difference is less significant.

Hidden Costs on Each Platform

• Kalshi: Trading fees compound on frequent traders. The convenience of USD comes at a literal price
• Polymarket: Credit card deposits cost 2-3%. Bridging USDC from Ethereum costs gas. Illiquid markets have wider spreads

Which Is Cheaper?

For most traders, Polymarket is cheaper overall — especially at higher volumes. Kalshi's advantage is simplicity: no crypto wallet needed, no bridge fees, everything in USD. If you value convenience over cost optimization, Kalshi may be worth the premium.

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