There are many fantastic betting sites available, but a few have built successful empires and reign as the best of the best. In our comparison between Betfair and bet365, we take a closer look at each aspect of their sportsbooks and share our findings with you.
Table of Contents
Let’s not waste any more time and dive right into the details we’ve uncovered. After reading this, you’ll know the score on who’s leading the way in the battle of these legends of the UK gambling scene in 2024.
As top bookmakers, both Betfair and bet365 are thriving in their unique way. When you land on their homepages, you can find all you need with ease. They’ve both been in the industry for a very long time, and you can see that with the strength of available features each provides to players.
However, the difference between Betfair and bet365 is that the former offers a fair amount more variety to its players. Let’s find out more about that in our detailed comparison below.
Betfair is a site that leads the way – because not only is it a great betting site, but it is also a market-leading betting exchange platform, which lets punters play bookmakers. As such, it is well-known for offering some of the best betting odds out there and often out-performs the competitor here.
Bet365, on the other hand, may not offer the best betting exchange odds, but it is well known for leading the industry when it comes to top features such as edit bet and bet builder options. It is one of the most well-known and well-respected betting sites in the UK and has got a huge following.
Both have plenty to offer players, but here we look at each area of the site to see who comes out on top.
In the following comparison between Betfair and bet365, we take a look at how their UK free bets and sign-up offers measure up against each other.
bet365 offers a straightforward and generous first deposit match bonus of 100% up to £100. The minimum amount you can deposit and stake to be eligible is £5. It also doesn’t have to be your first deposit, as long as you claim it within 30 days of opening your account.
You can select ‘Services’ on the ‘Members’ menu and head over to ‘My Offers’ to opt-in. bet365 will then allow you to place the bet credits at minimum odds of 1/5, but if your bet wins, you’ll only get the returns minus the stake. Remember not to cash out and to read all the other terms to avoid losing your bonus.
bet365 does offer promo codes that award other benefits to regular players periodically. You can find them online or through the website’s promotion section.
Betfair offers you a £20 risk-free bet when you register. You can place a free bet without making a deposit and to top it off you will even get your stake back in withdrawable cash if you lose the wager. That’s terrific value for an offer in 2020.
In this case, we have to give a higher score to Betfair as no-deposit free bets are hard to come by. The lack of risk further sweetens the deal. For new users, it is the best way to sign up and discover the bookmaker
Promo Codes
Promo codes are always popular for punters as often they benefit existing customers as well as new customers. You’ll find an array of both bet365 promo codes and Betfair bonus codes available online. However, the latter seems to give them out more freely.
We found a wider variety of offers ranging from free bets to deposit matched deposit bonuses available with Betfair promo codes. For this reason, that’s the bookie who wins here.
The current offer at bet365 can be accessed with a bonus code, although interestingly you don’t have to use it to be eligible. That’s not all you get from this operator, though, and you can expect to receive various offers regularly through promo codes.
The best option is to check the website and other online sources for the latest codes. You might find free bets, plenty of risk-free bets, money back offers or even odds boosts, so keep your eyes peeled.
Betfair
Betfair is always releasing new promo codes for new and existing customers, and you can find all the crucial details and latest deals on their website. That’s not the only place you’ll find bonus codes for Betfair, though. It’s always an excellent idea to search for bonus codes and see what you can find.
You’ll be surprised at the level of extra codes you may find outside of the Betfair site. You should always make sure they’re valid and that you understand the terms. After looking at some of the more recent codes for each operator, Betfair takes the gold for the better range of incentives provided.
Both sites are generous when it comes to promotions and offers. However, after looking at some of the more recent codes for each operator, Betfair takes the gold for the better range of incentives provided.
Winner: Betfair
Which bookmaker has a better loyalty program? Find out everything you need to know below (you may be in for quite a surprise).
Bet365 VIP Club
bet365 gets stuck in the trap here as it doesn’t cater for sportsbook players when it comes to a loyalty program. We had to double-check this as it was a bitter disappointment to us, as it will be to all other sports betting fans. We can only hope that bet365 see the error of their ways when it comes to rewarding returning punters.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this operator in the hope this fact changes sooner rather than later.
The three-tiered VIP program for sports punters offers exclusive access to events such as the Royal Ascot, British Grand Prix, International Rugby, Cirque du Soleil and many more. The Loyalty program was better than we expected and was quite the opposite of Bet365. It really does reward its high rollers and loyal players as they can find themselves getting access to offers, competitions and prizes tailor made for them, as well as a VIP manager to help them whenever they need it. They can also enjoy higher withdrawals and deposits.
The site explains the benefits for each group clearly, and you know what you are playing for every step of the way. All you have to do is use the Betfair login; the rest happens automatically as you work your way up through the tiers.
The Better Offer
In the battle for the best loyalty program, the victory goes to Betfair for its specialised variety and catering to every player’s needs. Unfortunately, for sports bettors, Bet365 just doesn’t cater to them. The casino is different, as the VIP program for bet365 is fantastic for casino players. However, not for players who prefer to bet on sports.
Winner: Betfair
Available Markets and Sports
In this section, we compare the available sports and betting options between these two industry juggernauts.
Bet365
There is no denying that bet365 has an accomplished betting market. It’s clear that the UK bookmaker’s focus is more on European and UK football than other sports. That said, it still has a wide variety of markets to choose from
You can wager on boxing, American football, horse racing, cricket, baseball, Australian Rules, and basketball. There is also cycling, soccer, rugby, tennis, swimming, volleyball, snooker, motorsports and ice hockey. Moreover, niche markets include bowls, darts, water polo, speedway, winter sports, specials and virtual sports. Overall, you will find all major and smaller, but popular, sporting events at bet365.
You will also find a number of features on offer that are unavailable at other bookies, such as edit bet. The site is also well-known for having the best bet builder product as well as great value cash-out features and partial cash out.
Betfair
The available betting markets at this bookie match those of bet365, but it has a slight advantage due to the Betfair Exchange.
Whether you enjoy Betfair football or any other sports, it takes your entire wagering experience up a notch as you can also place peer to peer bets. It is much more interactive and competitive as customers can wager against each other.
The Betfair horse racing and football betting markets also enjoy widespread popularity while mixed martial arts, chess and athletics cater to a smaller demographic.
Just like Bet365, it also offers players the chance to cash out and partially cash out. It also has a bet builder feature to create your own bet.
The Better Option
The two bookies both have outstanding sports markets, and it is challenging to award a top spot to either one. However, in this case, we have to look at the overall betting experience, and Betfair’s exchange is what pulls it through as the winner in this round.
Winner: Betfair
Odds
There are minute differences between the Betfair and bet365 odds, but as leading bookmakers, they are both quite competitive.
Bet365
However, bet365 has a larger audience and as such, can give you better pricing. While the overall variation is small, this bookmaker takes a slim lead.
bet365 also has pre-match and live betting odds, with all the tools you need to stay informed. The fact that the sportsbook has a strong representation of UK and European football makes this aspect especially attractive. bet365 football odds are known to outshine many other bookies, not only in the UK but globally.
The variety of bet365 odds for European football tournaments and leagues such as Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga is superb with an excellent range of derivative and exotic markets.
If you are a tennis fan, you’ll not be disappointed with the daily coverage of the annual tennis calendar. The variety of odds offered by bet365 is impressive, and you’ll find all the traditional handicaps and winners plus an assortment of derivatives.
Betfair
The odds at Betfair very much depends on whether you use the traditional betting site or the betting exchange – and both have advantages and disadvantages. If you use the betting site, then you will have access to all of the features on offer and will use the site as a regular punter. However, the odds, in this case, aren’t quite as favourable as Bet365. If you use the betting exchange service, you will generally get better odds, but it all depends on who is making the bets and how popular the market is.
The Better Option
If you compare the standard betting site odds, not including the betting exchange, then, on the whole, Bet365 generally offers the better odds. However, if you look, you can find fantastic odds on the Betfair betting exchange.
Winner: Bet365
Live Betting & Streaming
No bet365 v Betfair showdown would be complete without delving into the in-play betting and live streaming options.
Bet365
While bet365 boasts incredible in-play betting odds and an extensive list of markets, it falls short in the live streaming section.
There are currently only five bet365 live streaming options available – all of which are football games. Although this might be music to the ears of footie fans, it leaves other sports lovers with much to be desired.
Betfair
At the time of compiling this comparison between bet365 and Betfair, the latter had no less than 26 sports available for live streaming and betting.
Each event is aired live from the Betfair website with easy access. You can place bets while the game is on, and it opens the door for a fun and interactive betting exchange between friends or other punters.
All you have to do to watch a live sports event is to place your bet. There is no additional charge for Betfair live streaming except for specific horse and greyhound races.
The Better Option
It is easy to award this victory to Betfair with 26 sports available to live stream and various in-play betting options. Bet365 has a way to go to catch up with the competition here.
Winner: Betfair
Mobile Betting App
The advent of technology has brought about a new era of sports betting. Mobile apps have become the norm, but which bookmaker has the best one?
Bet365
The bet365 mobile app is the complete betting solution for people on the move. It offers all the standard features, sports events and betting markets without losing functionality. It’s light years ahead of any competing online bookies, not only Betfair.
The perfect app is user-friendly, retains the website’s features, and works seamlessly – bet365 ticks all of these boxes. There’s nothing more frustrating than limited functionality where you battle to find a sports event or place a bet.
The mobile app also needs to be reliable, without interruptions during a live stream or crucial in-play betting moment.
The bet365 mobile app will exceed your expectations. With its simplistic design and intuitive features, navigation is effortless. The download takes a matter of seconds to install on almost any smartphone or tablet.
You’ll have the entire spectrum of betting markets, including all pre-match and the in-play wagering options at your fingertips. You can place, confirm and follow bets on a variety of sports and leagues from a diverse, yet uncomplicated menu.
Betfair
Although Betfair is the largest sports betting site for UK punters, the Betfair mobile app is not as intuitive as bet365’s one. It is available for download on any smartphone, but it is somewhat different from its desktop counterpart.
It loses some of its functionality, and for serious punters, this could be a bit of a letdown. You can still place bets on every available market for both in play and pre-game odds. Making deposits and withdrawals are also relatively quick and easy.
If you can get past the entirely different look and set up compared to the desktop version, it still offers an excellent betting experience. However, much like the website, the mobile app is also filled to the brim with information and pop up offers.
The Better Option
Betfair’s desktop site is very good, so it’s a shame that the app doesn’t quite live up to our expectations – unlike the very impressive bet365 offering. The bet365 app makes sports betting a breeze, and that is why it wins this round.
Winner: Bet365
Our Final Verdict: Winner Betfair
The final verdict in our comparison between bet365 and Betfair is a very slight victory for the latter. Both online bookies do a marvelous job of bringing the best of the sports betting industry directly to your screen, but Betfair edges it for the strength of its overall offer.
bet365 and Betfair offer individual features tailored to your needs, and they both excel in various specialised fields. If you prefer using your mobile, then bet365 is your first choice, and if you enjoy the interactive betting exchange, then opt for Betfair.
In all fairness, you should try both bookies and get the best of both worlds, but for the sake of this comparison, it’s Betfair by a nose.
