Smarkets Review 2026

Overview

Smarkets was founded in 2008 and is a technology-first betting exchange built by software engineers with a focus on product quality and low costs. Its 2% commission rate is the lowest standard rate of any major UK exchange, and the platform is notably modern and well-engineered compared to the older exchange players. Smarkets is the preferred secondary exchange for many UK professional bettors.

2% Commission

Smarkets charges 2% commission on net winnings per market — less than half of Betfair's standard 5% rate. For a bettor generating £500/month in exchange profits, the saving versus Betfair is £15/month — £180/year. The commission advantage compounds significantly at higher volumes.

Platform Quality

Smarkets' platform is among the most technically well-built in UK betting. The web app and mobile app are clean, fast, and reliable. Order book depth, bet matching speed, and interface design are all above the industry average for exchanges. The company's engineering background shows throughout the product.

Liquidity

Smarkets has grown its liquidity significantly since launch and now has meaningful matched money on major football and horse racing markets. It remains well below Betfair's liquidity — particularly in-play — but for pre-event betting at modest stakes (under £500 per bet), Smarkets frequently has sufficient depth to trade effectively.

Political & Novelty Markets

Smarkets has built a strong reputation for political and novelty betting markets. General elections, referendums, leadership contests, and major political events are covered with strong liquidity. For political bettors, Smarkets is often the deepest market available.

Mobile App

The Smarkets app holds a 4.2★ App Store rating and is among the better exchange mobile experiences available. The interface is clean and the order book is well-presented. In-play betting on mobile works smoothly, though Betfair's liquidity advantage remains relevant for larger in-play stakes.