Novig vs Kalshi: Sports Trading Fees and Features Compared (2026)

Last reviewed: November 3, 2026

A $50 pregame NFL position can cost $50 on Novig and $51.75 on Kalshi at the same 50¢ contract price. Both let users set their own prices and trade against other participants. Novig covers only sports and charges no fees on pregame straight trades, while Kalshi lists a much broader range of prediction markets.

Novig vs Kalshi at a glance

How Novig and Kalshi compare

Novig charges no fees on pregame straight trades

Both platforms are peer-to-peer prediction markets, meaning users trade contracts against other participants instead of accepting odds from a sportsbook.

Kalshi charges a variable fee when users take existing orders, with the standard rate determined by the contract price and number of contracts purchased. Fees are highest near 50¢ per contract and decrease toward either end of the price range. Kalshi also charges maker fees on certain markets, including NFL game contracts. These fees apply when a resting order is eventually filled, although many other Kalshi markets allow fee-free maker trading.

Novig charges no fees on pregame straight trades, whether you're accepting an existing quote or posting your own price. Maker fills remain fee-free across all trade types. Taker fees apply to live straight trades and most futures, while parlay fees are included in the quoted price.

What does a $50 NFL position pay on Novig vs Kalshi?

Suppose the same pregame NFL game winner is available at 50¢ per contract on both markets. You buy 100 contracts, which settle for $100 if the selection wins.

On Novig, the position costs $50 without any trading fee. A winning trade returns $100, leaving $50 in profit.

On Kalshi, taking an existing order at the same price carries a $1.75 trading fee under its standard schedule. The total cost rises to $51.75, leaving $48.25 in profit after a win. Posting a maker order on Kalshi's designated NFL game market reduces the trading fee to approximately $0.44, leaving $49.56 in profit if the order fills and wins.

At identical prices, Novig preserves the full $50 profit, saving $1.75 compared with a Kalshi taker and $0.44 compared with a Kalshi maker in this example. Actual contract prices can outweigh those savings. A Kalshi contract offered a few cents cheaper could produce a better return despite its trading fee, so compare the full order cost and potential payout.

Limit orders and early exits on Novig and Kalshi

Novig and Kalshi both allow users to accept available market prices or post limit orders at their preferred price. Orders only execute when another participant is willing to trade on those terms.

Both also let users sell eligible contracts before settlement. A position can close for more or less than its original cost, depending on how the market has moved and what buyers are willing to pay.

Novig also provides automatic early payouts when opposing positions establish a guaranteed minimum return. That guaranteed amount is credited immediately, with any remaining payout settled after the event.

Kalshi offers an optional Auto Sell feature, allowing users to set a target price for selling a position automatically when the market reaches it. The order can fill partially or remain open if there isn't enough liquidity.

Novig offers fee-free maker trades and cash credits

Novig charges no maker fees, including on live trades and futures. Eligible traders can also earn cash credits when their resting orders are filled by fee-paying takers. Makers earn a base cash credit at the time of the trade on qualifying in-game live fills and eligible futures fills. Makers who enroll and meet Novig's order standards can earn an additional credit on live fills in major leagues, paid monthly.

Kalshi has its own liquidity incentives, with rewards available for qualifying orders in selected markets. Its Liquidity Incentive Program considers order size and proximity to reference prices, allowing eligible resting orders to earn rewards even without being filled. The program is open to most U.S. members and is scheduled to run through January 1, 2027.

Novig's maker credits are tied directly to completed trades and collected fees, while Kalshi's programs use market-specific qualification rules.

Sports markets, parlays, and other predictions

Novig focuses on sports, covering game winners, spreads, totals, player props, futures, and parlays across major American leagues, with additional markets for tennis, golf, MMA, and select soccer leagues. Kalshi covers many of the same core sports markets alongside a much larger catalog of non-sports predictions. Users can trade on political events, economic indicators, weather, entertainment, and other outcomes. Kalshi also offers specialized sports contracts beyond traditional betting lines.

Both prediction markets support combinations of outcomes, with different quoting systems. Novig parlays combine two or more selections, with the platform checking available liquidity providers and returning a quoted price that already includes applicable fees. Every leg must win for the parlay to pay out. Kalshi's Combos use a request-for-quote system. Users submit their desired combination, and other market participants can respond with a price. The combination only becomes tradable when an executable quote is available, with fees determined by Kalshi's applicable schedule.

For users trading primarily game lines and player props, both prediction markets cover them. Kalshi's wider catalog is more useful for traders who also want exposure to non-sports events.

Availability, regulation, and promotions

Novig operates through Ludlow Exchange, a contract market designated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). It is available in 46 states plus D.C., excluding Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Ohio, for eligible users aged 21 or older.

Kalshi is also federally regulated by the CFTC, with its own designated contract market and clearinghouse. Users can generally open accounts at age 18, and Kalshi supports eligible customers in select international jurisdictions. Trading access varies by location and contract type.

New-user promotions

Novig currently offers $50 in Trade Credits after a qualifying deposit of $10 or more, with no trade required to receive the credits. They're issued in five $10 increments, each expiring after 30 days and subject to restrictions on eligible trades.

Kalshi offers signup and referral incentives, although the amounts and qualifying conditions vary by promotion. Some offers require deposits or trading activity before credits can be claimed. Novig publishes a single deposit requirement; Kalshi's terms differ from account to account.

Which is better for sports trading, Novig or Kalshi?

Novig has a clear cost advantage on pregame straight trades, with no maker or taker fees and additional rewards for eligible liquidity providers. Its sports-focused prediction market offers the core trading features users need, including limit orders, player props, parlays, and early position sales.

Kalshi offers a broader range of prediction markets and additional trading tools, making it appealing for users interested in sports alongside politics, economics, and other events.

For users primarily trading sports, Novig's fee-free pregame markets and maker incentives make it a strong choice. Check the current contract prices on Novig to see how much you could save on your next trade.

Novig vs Kalshi FAQ

Is Novig cheaper than Kalshi for sports trading?

Novig charges no fees on pregame straight trades or maker orders, while Kalshi generally charges taker fees and has maker fees on certain sports markets. Novig charges fees on some live trades, futures, and parlays, so the cheaper option depends on the market, contract price, and order type.

Does Kalshi charge maker fees on sports markets?

Yes, on designated markets including NFL game contracts. Kalshi's maker fees follow a price-based formula, with 100 NFL contracts at 50¢ carrying approximately $0.44 in maker fees. Many other Kalshi markets have no maker fee. Novig currently charges no maker fees across its trade types.

Does Novig offer the same sports markets as Kalshi?

Both platforms cover major sports markets, including winners, spreads, totals, player props, and futures. Kalshi also offers specialized sports contracts and a large selection of non-sports predictions. Novig concentrates on sports and offers market-priced parlays.

Can you sell positions early on Novig and Kalshi?

Yes. Both prediction markets let users sell eligible positions before settlement at available market prices. Novig also credits guaranteed proceeds from certain hedged trades automatically, while Kalshi offers optional Auto Sell targets.

Sources

1. Novig: Fees on Novig
2. Novig: Maker Credit Program
3. Novig: Make Orders vs. Take Orders
4. Novig: Straight Trades vs. Parlays
5. Novig: Early Payouts
6. Novig: How Selling a Position Works
7. Novig: Eligibility & Legality
8. Novig: New Member Deposit Program Terms
9. Kalshi: Official Fee Schedule
10. Kalshi: Trading Fees
11. Kalshi: Limit Orders
12. Kalshi: Combos
13. Kalshi: Auto Sell
14. Kalshi: Liquidity Incentive Program
15. Kalshi: Account Eligibility
16. Kalshi: Referral Program