The Matchbook app stands as a leading betting exchange alternative to Betfair, renowned for its low commission rates and highly competitive odds. Its credibility is well-established, holding a 4.8-star rating from 1.6K reviews on the Apple App Store and 4.4 stars from 650 reviews on the Google Play Store.
Matchbook App Review Summary
The Matchbook app is a strong contender in the betting exchange market, perfect for bettors seeking value through better odds and low commission. A key advantage is its commission structure, which charges a flat 2% only on your net profit per market, meaning you don't pay anything on losing bets, a significant value proposition for active traders. Historically, Matchbook has offered rates as low as 1.7% or even 0.85%, cementing its reputation for maximising punter returns.
Available for both iOS and Android, its core exchange functionality is excellent, particularly for major sports like football and horse racing. However, its strengths are tempered by limitations in market variety and notable app performance issues when compared to market leaders.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Value Odds: Often market-leading prices due to the exchange model. | App Performance Bugs: Users report frequent freezing, requiring a force-quit and restart. |
| Low Commission Rates: Typically 2% on net profit, maximising returns. | Limited Market Variety: Fewer sports and in-play markets than major competitors. |
| Fast Withdrawals: Real-world tests confirm very quick processing times (e.g., 35 minutes via Visa). | Clunky App Features: Bet Builder is basic and cash out functionality is not streamlined. |
| Live Streaming: Watch all UK & Irish horse racing and greyhound racing directly in the app. | Inconsistent Liquidity: Liquidity on niche markets can be poor, making it harder to get bets matched. |
How to Download the Matchbook App
The download process for the Matchbook app is straightforward for both major mobile operating systems.
iOS Download
For Apple devices, open the App Store and search for “Matchbook Betting Exchange”. Tap the ‘Get' button to download. The app has a file size of 68.8 MB and requires iOS 15.0 or later to run.
Android Download
For Android devices, navigate to the Google Play Store and find the “Matchbook – Betting Exchange” app. Tap ‘Install' to begin the download. The app has been downloaded over 50,000 times.
Matchbook App User Experience
In our hands-on testing, the Matchbook app's user experience is a tale of two halves: slick design undermined by frustrating performance flaws.
Design and Navigation
The app features a clean, modern, and professional design with a “subtle flat look.” Its colour-coding system is highly intuitive: blue for back bets and pink for lay bets. The layout is straightforward, with simple navigation facilitated by a main menu and persistent bottom tabs for key sections.
However, incorporating user feedback, some find the interface too simplistic. A recent update was also criticised for removing the search function, making it more difficult for users to find specific events.
App Performance
The app's technical performance presents a mixed and often frustrating experience. While generally responsive during active use, our testing confirmed significant bugs reported by users. The most common issue occurs when the app is backgrounded; upon returning, it often freezes completely, forcing the user to manually close and restart it.
Furthermore, we encountered a critical bug that causes a delay in bet submission. This can lead users to tap the submit button again, resulting in accidental duplicate bets being placed.
Login and Security
The app incorporates solid security features. During registration, users are required to set up a security question. For enhanced account protection, two-factor authentication (2FA) is available. The app also supports modern biometric login methods like Face ID and fingerprint scanning, allowing for quick and secure access to your account.
Betslip Functionality
Building a bet is simple: tapping the odds for a selection adds it to the betslip, where you can then choose to back or lay the outcome. The app supports both singles and multiples (accumulators). However, it's important to note a user-reported limitation: you cannot combine certain bet types into a multiple, such as place bets on horses across different races.
Matchbook App Sports Betting Features
Our analysis of the app's core features reveals a platform with powerful exchange mechanics that are occasionally let down by their implementation.
In-Play Betting
The in-play betting experience is a key strength of the Matchbook app. The exchange model creates a dynamic environment where odds constantly refresh based on user activity. The simple back/lay interface is well-suited for fast-paced trading. This is balanced, however, by user complaints that some in-play markets can be suddenly removed mid-game, potentially leaving traders with open positions they cannot close.
Live Streaming
The Matchbook app offers live streaming for every UK and Irish horse race and greyhound race. While a valuable feature, it's important to note the context from user reviews, which suggest this service can be unreliable. Some users have experienced streams that freeze or fail to load entirely.
Bet Builder
The Bet Builder is a recent but basic addition that lacks the depth and variety found in competitors' offerings. It typically provides around ten markets per football match and is missing many popular player-stat options, such as markets for fouls or tackles.
Cash Out
On the Matchbook exchange, cash out is performed by placing an opposing bet to your original wager, which locks in a profit or loss. The implementation of this feature in the app is widely considered clunky. Critically, there is no integrated cash out button located next to the live odds. Instead, users must navigate to the “My Bets” section to manually manage their position, a process that is not streamlined for in-play trading.
Push Notifications
The app supports push notifications, a standard feature for modern betting apps. A user would typically expect alerts for goals, bet settlements, and other status updates. However, the source materials do not detail any specific customisation options for features like odds alerts or flash prices.
Matchbook App Betting Markets
Matchbook's strength lies in popular, high-liquidity markets like Premier League football and UK/Irish horse racing, where it consistently offers excellent odds.
However, its overall range of sports is limited, with sources citing between 11 and 22 available categories. This focus on traditional sports contrasts with competitors like Smarkets or Betfair who are expanding into esports, making Matchbook a specialist platform rather than an all-in-one solution. Coverage for US sports is confined to major leagues like the NFL and NBA. In addition to its exchange, the app also provides access to Colossus Pools and Virtual Sports.
Matchbook App Bonuses and Promotions
New and existing customers can access several offers through the mobile app.
Welcome Offer
New UK customers can sign up with the bonus code NEW30 to claim the primary welcome offer. To qualify, you must place a £10 bet on the Exchange (minimum odds 2.0) AND a £10 bet on a Multiple or Bet Builder (minimum 3 selections, minimum odds 3.0).
Once both qualifying bets have settled, you will receive £30 in free bets. This is credited as three separate £10 tokens: one for the Exchange, one for Multiples, and one for the Bet Builder. Crucially, deposits made via Skrill, Neteller, or PaySafe card are not eligible for this promotion.
While the NEW30 offer is the main promotion, Matchbook frequently runs alternative welcome bonuses, such as deposit matches for their casino (e.g., 100% up to £200), higher-value free bet offers (e.g., Bet £50 Get £50), or free spins. Always check the promotions page upon signing up to see the latest deals available.
App-Exclusive Promotions
Based on our review of the available materials, there are no promotions offered exclusively to users of the mobile app.
Loyalty Rewards
The Matchbook app does not feature a VIP or loyalty programme for rewarding regular players.
Matchbook App Banking
The app provides a reliable and efficient system for managing funds, with options that cater to both casual bettors and those with larger bankrolls.
Deposits
Matchbook supports several convenient deposit methods, all of which are instant and free of charge.
| Method | Min. Deposit | Max. Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | £10 | £50,000 |
| Mastercard | £10 | No Limit |
| Apple Pay | £10 | Not Specified |
| Google Pay | £10 | Not Specified |
| Skrill | £10 | £10,000 |
| Neteller | £10 | Not Specified |
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are processed back to the original funding source. Official processing times are up to 24 hours for e-wallets like Skrill and 1-3 business days for debit cards. In our real-world testing, a Visa withdrawal was completed in just 35 minutes. However, this speed should be tempered by user reports of significant delays caused by account verification checks.
Transaction History
While a full transaction history is available in the app, user feedback suggests that new users may find it difficult to locate and understand the Profit & Loss (P&L) summaries without assistance from the customer support team.
Matchbook App vs Mobile Website
Both the dedicated app and the mobile-optimised website offer near-identical features and betting markets. The primary reason to choose the app is for a more integrated and potentially faster user experience, complete with push notifications. However, this advantage is often compromised by the performance bugs detailed earlier. The mobile website serves as a reliable alternative for users who prefer not to install software or are directly affected by app-specific issues.
Matchbook App Customer Support
Customer support is a standout positive feature for Matchbook. The app provides access to multiple contact methods, including Live Chat, email support ([email protected]), and a phone callback service. Operating hours are extensive, typically running from early morning until late at night (sources vary between 8 am – 1 am and 9 am – 2 am GMT), covering all key betting periods. Overwhelmingly positive user reviews consistently praise the support agents as quick, helpful, and professional.
Matchbook App Troubleshooting
Based on widespread user reports, here are some common problems you may encounter when using the app:
- App Freezing: The app frequently freezes when you switch to another app and then return, requiring you to manually force-quit and restart it.
- Location Errors: Some users report being blocked by a persistent “can't determine your location” error, even when GPS is enabled and functioning correctly.
- Duplicate Bets: A known bug can cause a delay during bet submission. This can lead users to tap the button again, inadvertently placing an unwanted duplicate wager.
- Withdrawal Holds: Withdrawals can be delayed or accounts frozen while the compliance team requests and reviews verification documents, a process some users have found frustrating.
- Live Stream Failures: The live video player for horse racing and greyhounds has been reported to freeze, stutter, or fail to load entirely for some users.
Matchbook App Verdict
The Matchbook app is a powerful tool for value-focused bettors, offering some of the best odds and lowest commissions in the industry. Its slick, user-friendly interface and exceptional customer support are significant strengths that create a positive foundation.
However, this foundation is severely hampered by persistent and frustrating technical bugs that disrupt the user experience, such as frequent freezing and bet submission delays. The app's appeal is further limited by a narrow selection of sports markets and underdeveloped features like the Bet Builder and a clunky cash out process.
Our final recommendation is this: the Matchbook app is best suited for experienced exchange users who primarily bet on major football and horse racing markets. These bettors must be willing to tolerate its significant performance flaws in exchange for the superior value it offers. For those who prioritise a flawless, feature-rich experience, competitors like Betfair remain the gold standard, while Matchbook's own mobile website offers a more stable, albeit less integrated, alternative. Beginners should approach with caution.
Matchbook App FAQs
Yes, the Matchbook app is completely free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Yes, the app provides live streams for all UK and Irish horse racing and greyhound racing events.
This is a widely reported technical issue. The app often freezes when you navigate away and return, requiring you to force-close and reopen it to continue betting.
Matchbook Zero is a feature offering fixed-odds bets on selected football and horse racing markets with 0% commission and no bookmaker margin. However, stakes are limited to £20, and the markets are only available for a limited time (typically within 48 hours of a football match and 1 hour of a horse race).
While the interface is clean, the concept of a betting exchange (backing and laying) and documented app bugs can be challenging for complete beginners. Its excellent customer support can help, but a traditional bookmaker app may be simpler to start with.