Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Comparing DFS Platforms and Picks Games

Avi Creditor -

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Picks, Bonuses, Legal States & More

Whether you’re a newbie to the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) space or an experienced gamer, you’re faced with no shortage of options for where to test yourself in sports games of skill. Depending on what kind of game it is you’re seeking, your preference of platform may vary. 

Two of the most popular DFS providers in the industry today are Sleeper and PrizePicks, so let’s take a deeper dive into the similarities and differences between the two — and how that might help determine where you should spend your time and capital in the fantasy sports arena.

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Contest Offerings

In terms of available contests, Sleeper offers much more than just DFS. As one of the largest and fastest growing fantasy platforms, Sleeper offers season-long fantasy leagues, NFL Survivor and Pick'Em pools, daily drafts, mock drafts, NCAA tournament brackets and E-Sports season leagues. PrizePicks’ offering is focused on DFS picks-style games across a range of professional and college sports. 

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Picks

Both platforms offer DFS pick ‘em games, in which you’re choosing based on player props. With Sleeper Picks, for instance, you can select between 2-8 players and then pick whether you think they will go over or under a certain expected statistic. PrizePicks’ pick ‘em game is similar but limits you to choosing between 2-6 players with the same end goal. 

Where the platforms differ significantly is in the number of statistical categories available to pick. Sleeper has an extensive list of stat lines you can pick on, including in-game lines, combination lines (i.e. points + rebounds + assists in basketball), fantasy points totals and alternative "alt lines" that change your payout possibilities.

Both platforms offer the chance to put your picks up against those of other users in an effort to win cash. Sleeper’s game is called PicksVS, while PrizePicks has its Pick ‘Em Arena. Both are only available to play in limited states, however.

Learn more: What Is DFS?

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Available Sports

Sleeper currently offers robust and enjoyable games across all the major sports: MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, college basketball, college football and WNBA. The app also offers English Premier League fantasy leagues and pick'em pools in La Liga and international soccer tournaments.

PrizePicks, meanwhile, offers pick ‘em games in all of those, plus: PGA golf, LIV golf, frisbee golf, tennis, NASCAR, Formula 1, lacrosse, UFC, Olympics, cricket, jai alai, competitive eating, NCAA baseball, Korean baseball, the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, UEFA soccer competitions and international soccer competitions. 

Both providers are constantly updating and expanding their offerings, so available sports are likely to change. 

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: App Interface

Sleeper’s app interface is a standout element in an ever-crowded DFS space. 

Sleeper’s features in general are unique and highly customizable. For example, there’s the eye-catching draft board, which creates an easier draft experience as you create your teams and leagues.

Sleeper also offers modern league chat, which connects people over sports and transforms your league into a more social, interactive and fun venture. Memes and trash talk are highly encouraged.

Another noteworthy feature in the Sleeper app is live tracking. For both Sleeper Picks and season-long leagues, stats and scores are updated in real time, letting you follow along the real game action with near-instant updates.

In terms of navigation, Sleeper offers a rather seamless and a joyful user experience — and being ad-free certainly helps — for both mobile and desktop.

PrizePicks’ interface is adequate and easy to use as well, despite all of the different sporting options the game offers. Everything is organized well enough to scroll through, while rules and directions are clear and options plainly laid out. 

Both platforms have darker backgrounds and color schemes and both offer live support and chat.

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Payouts

This is an area where the two platforms differ, and based on what you’re hoping to extract from your DFS adventure, it could be what makes or breaks your decision.

Sleeper’s payout structure is more dynamic and specific to which players you choose, with multipliers changing based on your selections and offering higher maximum payouts.

The Sleeper system is not fixed, meaning that not every two-pick entry or three-pick entry (and so on) will pay out the same way. The maximum payout multiplier is 100x (should you nail all of your picks on an eight-leg play), which provides a higher potential payout and wider variety of payouts that accompany your choices across the board. Overall, the Sleeper dynamic payout model provides more variation in terms of risk-to-benefit.

Sleeper offers a safety net for you to be able to get a pick or two incorrect, depending on which mode you play. Before entering a submission, you'll have a choice between a Max payout or a Combo payout. Max mode requires you to be perfect on your picks, while Combo will still pay out a smaller piece of the pie at a lower-rate multiplier if you miss the mark once or twice. Combo payouts are only available for contests with three or more picks and a payout multiplier of at least 2x.

PrizePicks, on the other hand, offers a fixed payout system with a lower ceiling. As is the case with Sleeper, there are two routes you can take: the Power Play one, in which you’ll need to get all of your picks right to be paid, or the Flex Play one, in which you can get one or two wrong (depending on how many legs you’re playing) and still get a small return. 

In Power Play mode, on a two-pick entry, you’ll get a 3x payout, regardless of the players selected. It’ll be 5x on a three-pick play, 10x on a four-pick selection, 22x for going 5-for-5 and 25x for hitting the maximum of six.

In Flex Play mode the multipliers drop significantly once you get a pick or two wrong, but it’s still a safer alternative to an all-or-nothing proposition.

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Bonuses

Bonuses and promos are a great way to test the waters on a new DFS app. They incentivize the user to get started, and if applied properly, they can help you begin your venture with a nice little nest egg. 

It’s no surprise, then, that Sleeper and PrizePicks both offer bonuses and promos for their users.

Sleeper offers a first-deposit match of up to $100 — meaning that if you deposit $100 into your Sleeper Wallet upon signing up and apply the proper promo code, you’ll have an additional $100 to play with on top of that. Sleeper regularly offers other promos, as well, so keep an eye on the promotions page.

Sleeper also offers Wildcard Wednesday and Sleeper Sundae promos, which typically offer heavily discounted player prices or points totals on Sleeper Picks. These promos don't guarantee a windfall, but they offer an attractive incentive. 

PrizePicks, meanwhile, also offers a first-deposit match of $100. It regularly offers Flex Friday (a promotion centered around its Flex Play pick ‘em mode) and Taco Tuesday (a promotion that offers discounted projections).

Both Sleeper and PrizePicks require a minimum deposit of $10 to get started, and while bonus money cannot be cashed out, there is no restriction on which kind of DFS game it can be applied to. Sleeper does not have a deadline on when the bonus funds must be used, while PrizePicks requires users to utilize them within 90 days.

Speaking of state limitations: While there is some overlap, the two platforms are not both available in all locations, so be sure to verify that you can sign up and play on whichever is your platform of choice where you reside. Also check age restrictions as they, too, vary depending on game and/or location.

PrizePicks’ Pick ‘Em is available for users aged 19 and up in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.

PrizePicks’ Pick ‘Em Arena is open to users 19 and older in Alaska, Alabama, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming and users 21 and older in Arizona and Massachusetts.

PrizePicks’ Free to Play, a non-cash game with modest cash prizes (a share of $1000 weekly is spread across the winners), is available to those 19 and over in Colorado, Michigan and New York.

As for Sleeper, in one form or another, games are available for in many states; but as is the case with PrizePicks, their availability depends on which paid-entry contest you’re attempting to play.

Sleeper Picks is available to users 18 and up in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin; and 19 and older in Nebraska.

PicksVS is available to gamers 18 and older in Florida, Kansas, West Virginia and Wyoming; 19 and older in Alabama and 21 and up in Massachusetts. Daily Draft, where for each week of the NFL season you can draft a team, is available for those 18 and older in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming; 19 and older in Alabama and Nebraska, and 21 and up in Massachusetts.For the moment, you cannot play paid-entry games of skill via Sleeper in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington.

Sleeper’s free, season-long fantasy games, however, can be played anywhere.

For further reading, check out our guide on where DFS is legal. 

Sleeper vs. PrizePicks: Which One to Choose?

Ultimately, the decision between the two depends on what kind of games you’re looking for. Sleeper has a decided edge in terms of the overall breadth and sophistication of gameplay, with more statistical categories, season-long leagues, survivor and pick'em pools and other game formats, in addition to DFS. A customizable, social-friendly app with a larger max payout also sets Sleeper apart.

If your biggest need is to be exposed to events and sports beyond the traditional popular ones, then PrizePicks is worth a look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sleeper app legit?

Yes, absolutely. It is backed by real investment, draws largely rave reviews in app stores and is continuously updated as new games, new features and bug fixes are rolled out. These are just a few of the reasons Sleeper is one of the fastest growing fantasy sports platforms with millions of users.

It also offers a news feed and live scores and stats to round out its capabilities. It goes beyond the confines of a traditional DFS app, and its many features make it a standout in the space.

How long does Sleeper take to pay out?

It may take up to a few days to process withdrawals on Sleeper, as long as necessary requirements are met.

How many people use the Sleeper app? 

The Sleeper app is frequented by more than five million monthly users — and growing.

So … Sleeper or PrizePicks?

Back to the key question. As you can see, the two platforms have similarities but also offer distinct experiences, payout structures, promos, bonuses and game options, and they aren’t both available entirely in the same locales. That last factor may ultimately be the determining one if you are trying to decide between the two. 

It also doesn’t have to be an either-or proposition. While the two may overlap some in the pick ‘em department, they can also be complementary platforms in many ways. There’s no rule saying you have to only choose one.

If you’re eligible to play, we recommend rolling with Sleeper to get started on your DFS journey. You can sign up on the website or by downloading the app and following all of the prompts to start playing DFS games across the NFL, NBA and MLB — all while enjoying the benefits and special features that only Sleeper offers.