The daily fantasy sports (DFS) landscape is shifting. While the legacy giants still exist, 2026 is becoming the year of the “Pick’em” and “Social” platforms.

Fans no longer want to spend bank rolls and time battling salary-cap sharks. Instead they want to compete against their peers, follow their friends’ picks, and engage with sleek, mobile-first interfaces.

In this guide, we break down the top DFS apps currently dominating the market, their 2026 promo codes and welcome offers, and which platform is right for your specific playing style.

Top Daily Fantasy Sites and Apps Compared

 

App Best For Welcome Bonus (2026) MHS Rating Promo Code
Underdog Best Ball & Drafts Play $5 in fantasy, get $75 in fantasy entries ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ MHS
Sleeper Social Play & NFL Up to $100 deposit match + $20 no-deposit bonus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ MHSXL
Betr Pick’em Offerings Up to $210 in bonuses ⭐⭐⭐⭐ x
Dabble Copying Pro Picks $10 no-deposit bonus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ x
Chalkboard Data-Driven Tracking $100 deposit match + free pick ⭐⭐⭐ x

Which DFS App Welcome Bonuses Are Best Right Now?

As of 2026, the competition for new users has reached an all-time high, leading to some of the largest deposit matches we’ve seen in DFS history.

  1. Sleeper ($100 deposit match + $20 no-deposit bonus): Not only do you get the deposit match when you sign up for Sleeper — you also receive $20 just for registering your account. That’s tough to beat.

  2. Underdog (Play $5 in fantasy, get $75 in fantasy entries): The gold standard for reliability. A “free square” (usually a 0.5 total yard line) is frequently bundled with this.

  3. Dabble ($10 no-deposit bonus): The best value for players who don’t want to risk their own cash upfront. You get $10 just for signing up. As an added bonus, you can use those funds to test the social features and copy your friends’ or anyone else’s picks.

Brand-by-Brand Reviews of Top DFS Apps in 2026

Here’s a more in-depth look at what we think of some of the best DFS apps on the market today:

Underdog

Underdog remains the powerhouse of the DFS industry in 2026, largely thanks to the revolutionary “Best Ball” tournaments and ultra-clean interface.

  • Pros: Massive prize pools ($20M+ for Best Ball Mania), intuitive UI, fast payouts.

  • Cons: Pick’em limits can be tight for winning players.

  • Top Features: “Vulture Protection” for injuries and the top Best Ball and daily draft offerings in the business.

  • Best Games: Best Ball Mania, Higher/Lower Pick’ems.

  • Promo T&C: 1x playthrough requirement; must be 18+ (19+ or 21+ in certain states).

UNDERDOG


Play $5 in Fantasy & Get $75 in Fantasy Entries When You Sign Up at Underdog!

PLAY NOW
PROMO CODE:
MHS
SIGNUP OFFERPLAY $5
GET $75
PLAY NOW

Sleeper

Originally a season-long fantasy league host, Sleeper has evolved into a DFS juggernaut by integrating “Picks” directly into your league chats.

  • Pros: Seamless integration with your season-long teams, high multiplier payouts.

  • Cons: The app can feel cluttered due to the number of features.

  • Top Features: Ability to tail your friends’ picks with one tap.

  • Best Games: Sleeper Picks, Season-long leagues.

  • Promo T&C: New users only; bonus funds expire if not used within 90 days.

SLEEPER


Get a $20 No-Deposit Bonus & 100% First-Deposit Match Up To $100!

PLAY NOW
PROMO CODE:
MHSXL
SIGNUP OFFER100% MATCH
UP TO $100
+ $20 NO DEPOSIT BONUS!PLAY NOW

Betr

Founded by Jake Paul and Joey Levy, Betr offers one of the most streamlined DFS Pick’em experiences on the market.

  • Pros: Simplest interface for beginners, “No-Sweat” entry offers for 2026.

  • Cons: Fewer sports markets compared to Underdog or Sleeper.

  • Top Features: “Betr Picks” dynamic multipliers.

  • Best Games: Higher/Lower player projections.

  • Promo T&C: Must be in a legal DFS jurisdiction; $10 minimum deposit.

 

Dabble

Dabble is the “Instagram of DFS.” It is a social-first platform where the primary draw is following your friends or DFS experts and copying their slips.

  • Pros: Strong community vibe, see what the sharps are picking in real-time.

  • Cons: Lacks the deep tournament variety (Best Ball) of other apps.

  • Top Features: The “Copy Bet” button and league-by-league social chats.

  • Best Games: Pick’em.

  • Promo T&C: $10 no-deposit bonus is for new users only and cannot be withdrawn until played through once.

 

Chalkboard

Chalkboard bridges the gap between a messaging app and a DFS platform, specializing in sync-ing your scores and providing advanced player data.

  • Pros: Excellent player stat tracking and “Board” community chats.

  • Cons: Smaller user base than Underdog; lower prize pool ceilings.

  • Top Features: Real-time stat projections and injury alerts.

  • Best Games: Chalkboard Picks (Pick’em).

  • Promo T&C: 100% match up to $100; standard DFS age and residency restrictions apply.

 

Boom Sports

Boom Sports has carved out a niche in 2026 by moving away from only pick’em and daily draft game modes and introducing truly unique formats like “Pick & Spin” and “Boom Bingo.”

  • Pros: Highly innovative game types, incredibly fast withdrawal processing, very beginner-friendly.

  • Cons: Smaller selection of niche sports; no traditional salary-cap or Best Ball tournaments.

  • Top Features: Pick & Spin (allows for randomized multipliers up to 500x) and Squad Ride, where you can tail community-vetted picks.

  • Best Games: Boom Bingo and Squad Ride.

  • Promo T&C: 1x playthrough on bonus funds; first entry must lose to trigger refund; 18+ (21+ in select states).

 

How Do Daily Fantasy Sports Game Formats Work?

Here are the 3 main ways to play DFS contests:

  • Pick’em: You choose “Higher” or “Lower” on a player’s projected stats (e.g., Patrick Mahomes 285.5 Passing Yards). The more picks you add, the higher the multiplier.

  • Best Ball: You draft a team and then… nothing. No trades, no waivers. The app automatically starts your highest-scoring players each week. This is huge for NFL fans.

  • Daily Drafts: A snake draft that lasts only for a single day’s slate of games. You compete against a group of people (as few as 1 other person to as big as thousands of other players) for a prize pool.

What Are the Best DraftKings Alternatives and Apps?

While DraftKings and FanDuel are the “OGs” of the space, many players in 2026 prefer the apps listed above. The best alternatives focus on Pick’em games rather than salary caps.

If you find DraftKings too “math-heavy” or shark-infested (meaning that “sharp” players dominate the fields), Underdog and Sleeper (and several other apps) offer a more level playing field where you play against projections rather than professional lineup builders using high-end algorithms.

What Are the Best NFL Pick’em Apps for 2026?

For the 2026 NFL season, Underdog and Sleeper remain the top choices.

  • Underdog is the best for season-long NFL Best Ball.

  • Sleeper is the best for Sunday afternoon Pick’ems because you can play alongside your fantasy league-mates in the same app.

  • Betr is the choice for those who want a lightning-fast experience with zero distractions.

  • Dabble also allows you to create NFL picks contests with a social aspect. You can consult experts and other casual players through the chat functionality of the Dabble app.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Your State in 2026?

DFS remains legal in the majority of U.S. states, though regulations vary by game type (Pick’em vs. Drafts).

Note: Some states, like Ohio and Florida, have specific rules regarding “Pick’em” vs. “Peer-to-Peer” drafts. Always check your local app for availability.

Daily Fantasy Sports Tips and Strategies That Work

  1. Correlate Your Picks: If you take the “Higher” on a quarterback’s passing yards, take the “Higher” on his favorite wide receiver’s yards as well. Some apps will limit your multiplier in those situations, but it could still be worth it to correlate.

  2. Manage Your Bankroll: Figure out a monetary strategy that works for you and don’t stray from it.

  3. Shop for Picks: Check the projections on both Underdog, Sleeper, Chalkboard, Boom, Dabble — every app you have on your phone. One might have a player at 6.5 rebounds while the other has them at 6.0. That half-point matters!

DFS Promos for Existing Users and Time-Limited Offers

The value doesn’t stop at sign-up. In 2026, these apps offer recurring rewards:

  • Underdog: Boosted payouts are available almost constantly. Check the top of the app every day for deals.

  • Sleeper “Sale on Squares”: Discounted projections (e.g., LeBron James 0.5 points) or boosted payouts every week.

  • Refer-a-Friend: Most apps (Dabble and Sleeper especially) offer $25-$50 in site credit for every friend you refer who makes a deposit.

How We Test and Review Daily Fantasy Sports Apps

Our MHS (Mile High Sports) Style review process is rigorous. We don’t just look at the bonus; we look at the functionality and style of the of the app, too. We evaluate based on:

  1. Payout Speed: We test how fast money hits our accounts (2026 standard is under 24 hours).

  2. UI/UX Stability: Does the app crash at 12:55 p.m. ET on NFL Sunday?

  3. Market Depth: Do they offer non-major sports (golf, tennis, CBB, WNBA, Esports) or just the pros?

  4. Customer Support: We reach out to “human” support to see how quickly they resolve ticket issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About DFS Apps in 2026

Is DFS legal in 2026?

Yes, in over 40 states. However, the specific games (Pick’em vs. Draft) available to you depend on your state’s specific 2026 gaming laws.

How do I get my money out?

Most 2026 DFS apps support Instant Bank Transfer (via Plaid), PayPal, and Venmo. Payouts typically take 1–24 hours.

What is the best app for beginners?

Betr or Dabble. Their interfaces are the least “busy” and offer the most straightforward way to get into the action without needing to understand complex roster construction.