PrizePicks vs Underdog Pick Em
PrizePicks and Underdog Pick Em are the two leading pick-em fantasy apps in the United States; both legal in North Dakota. They share the same core mechanic (2-6 player projections, multiplier payouts) but differ in sport coverage, app polish, bonus structure and adjacent products. This head-to-head compares them for ND players.
PrizePicks; But Underdog if You Also Want Best Ball
For pure pick-em players, PrizePicks edges out Underdog on overall product. Larger user base, wider sport variety including esports, and Protected Play first-entry insurance for new users. Underdog wins on app polish and is the natural choice if you also want NFL Best Ball (Best Ball Mania) in the same app. Most serious players use both apps and pick whichever has the better projection at the moment.
The Comparison Matrix
| Factor | PrizePicks | Underdog | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| User base size | Larger; the dominant pick-em app in the US | Smaller but rapidly growing | PrizePicks |
| Sport coverage | Wider; includes esports, cricket, niche sports | Narrower; NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL focus, less esports | PrizePicks |
| Mobile app polish | Clean and mobile-first | Slicker overall design, smoother lineup construction | Underdog |
| Analyst content integration | Standalone; limited in-app analyst content | Underdog Network integrated; projections, podcasts, articles | Underdog |
| Welcome bonus structure | Protected Play (first entry refunded if lost) | Deposit match | Different |
| Best Ball integration | No Best Ball product | Best Ball Mania; premier NFL Best Ball tournament | Underdog |
| Payout multipliers | 2x ~3x | 3x ~6x | 4x ~10x | 5x ~20x | 6x ~37.5x | Similar; competitive parity on payout multipliers | Tie |
| Minimum age (ND) | 19+ | 18+ | Underdog |
| ND legality | Live in ND | Live in ND | Tie |
When to Choose PrizePicks
PrizePicks wins if you:
- Want the largest pick-em user base and most active community.
- Bet on esports (CS:GO, League of Legends, Valorant) or cricket, soccer, tennis; sports beyond the core US four.
- Are new to pick-em and value Protected Play on your first entry as a safety net.
- Prefer a mobile-first UX optimized purely for pick-em entry construction.
- Are 19+ in ND (PrizePicks has the 19+ minimum vs Underdog 18+).
Read the full PrizePicks review →
When to Choose Underdog
Underdog wins if you:
- Also want NFL Best Ball; Best Ball Mania is the marquee Best Ball tournament in the industry and only Underdog has it.
- Value the cleanest mobile app in the segment.
- Want integrated analyst content; Underdog Network projections, podcasts, articles tightly integrated.
- Are 18+ but not yet 19+ in ND (Underdogs minimum is lower).
- Prefer a deposit-match welcome bonus over Protected Play first-entry insurance.
Read the full Underdog review →
The Smart Pick: Use Both
Most serious pick-em players in North Dakota maintain accounts at both PrizePicks and Underdog. Reasons:
- Two welcome bonuses instead of one.
- Same mechanic, different projections; sometimes one app has a more favorable projection on a player than the other on the same night. Cherry-pick the better one.
- Esports on PrizePicks, Best Ball on Underdog; products that don't directly overlap.
- Promo arbitrage; both run frequent event-specific promotions and reload bonuses.
Related Guides
PrizePicks vs Underdog; FAQ
Whats better; PrizePicks or Underdog Pick Em?
PrizePicks has the larger user base and wider sport variety (especially esports). Underdog has the slicker app and integrated analyst content via the Underdog Network. For pick-em-only users, PrizePicks is the default; for users who also want NFL Best Ball, Underdog is the natural choice. Many serious pick-em players use both.
Are both PrizePicks and Underdog legal in ND?
Yes. Both operate legally in North Dakota under the federal DFS skill-game framework. Note PrizePicks has a 19+ minimum in ND; Underdog is 18+.
Which has the better welcome bonus?
They have different structures. PrizePicks Protected Play refunds your first entry if it loses (insurance). Underdog typically offers a deposit-match welcome bonus. Protected Play has more upside if you lose your first pick; deposit match is better if you plan high volume.
Why does PrizePicks have wider sport variety?
PrizePicks has invested heavily in expanding to non-traditional US sports (esports, cricket, soccer, niche markets). Underdog has stayed focused on the traditional US sport core (NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL + college).
Should I use both?
Many serious pick-em players do. Reasons: two welcome bonuses; different sport variety (PrizePicks for esports, Underdog for NFL Best Ball alongside pick-em); same multiplier math so the choice often comes down to which app has the projection you want at the moment.
Can I make money long-term on pick-em apps?
Both operate bet-against-the-house with multipliers slightly below true odds. Long-term profitability requires identifying mispriced projections and disciplined bankroll management; similar challenge to sports betting. Most casual players are net negative; serious players who study projection edges can be profitable.