The Smarkets app provides a technology-focused betting exchange, not a traditional sportsbook, built on the principle of low commission rates. This review explores a platform that polarises users, reflected in its excellent 4.8-star Apple App Store rating versus a more troubled 3.0 stars on Google Play.
Smarkets App Review Summary
The Smarkets app is a modern, technology-focused betting exchange platform designed for traders and savvy punters seeking better value. Available for both iOS and Android, it operates on a peer-to-peer model where users bet against each other. Its key differentiators are a low standard commission of 2% on net winnings and the powerful ‘Trade Out' feature for managing positions in-play.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Industry-Low Commission: A standard 2% rate on net winnings offers superior long-term value compared to traditional bookmaker margins. | Reported Performance Issues: Numerous user reviews across all platforms cite frequent lagging, freezing, timeout errors, and crashes that hinder the betting experience. |
| Modern and Intuitive UI: The app is widely praised for its clean, slick, and easy-to-navigate design that feels high-end. | Withdrawal and Verification Problems: A significant number of users report frustratingly slow withdrawal times and complex, prolonged verification processes. |
| Powerful Trading Features: It includes ‘Trade Out' functionality for cashing out, live charts to monitor price movements, and an order book view for informed trading. | Lower Liquidity on Niche Markets: While major events are well-covered, less money is available on obscure sports compared to its main rival, Betfair. |
| Secure and Quick Login: The app supports fingerprint login and two-factor authentication for fast and secure account access. | Few Ongoing Promotions: The business model prioritises offering consistent value through low commission rather than providing regular bonuses for existing users. |
How to Download the Smarkets App
Downloading the Smarkets app is a straightforward process on both major mobile operating systems.
iOS Download Guide
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Search icon in the bottom right corner.
- Type “Smarkets Betting Exchange” into the search bar.
- Select the correct app from the results and tap Get.
- Confirm the download using your Apple ID password, Face ID, or Touch ID.
Android Download Guide
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Use the search bar at the top to search for “Smarkets – Betting Exchange”.
- Tap on the official app from Smarkets Limited.
- Press the Install button to begin the download.
System Requirements
The Smarkets app for Apple devices requires iOS 13.4 or later and has a file size of approximately 88.5 MB. While specific compatibility details for Android versions are not detailed, the app is available on the Google Play Store for modern devices.
Smarkets App User Experience
While the app's design is almost universally praised for its modern aesthetic, its real-world performance is a significant point of contention among its user base.
Slick Design vs. Cluttered Navigation
The app features a modern black, green, and white colour scheme that is easy on the eyes. Most user reviews praise the interface as clean, slick, and intuitive, giving it a high-end feel with thumb-friendly navigation. However, a minority of users find the interface cluttered compared to competitors, particularly Betfair.
A Tale of Two Performances: Speed vs. Stability
The app presents a conflicting performance profile. Many users describe it as “quick” and “slick,” aligning with the company's technology-first focus. This is starkly contrasted by a large volume of complaints on the Google Play Store, App Store, and Trustpilot. Users report constant lagging, freezing, timeout errors, random disconnections, and general unresponsiveness. These issues are frequently mentioned as occurring even on new phones, suggesting they are inherent to the app rather than being device-specific problems.
Login, Security, and Peace of Mind
The app prioritises secure and convenient access. It offers fingerprint login for quick entry and supports two-factor authentication (2FA), adding an essential layer of security to protect your account and funds.
Building a Bet on the Smarkets App Betslip
The betslip allows users to both back an outcome (betting on it to happen) and lay an outcome (betting on it not to happen). Punters can build accumulators and, uniquely, have the ability to lay accumulators. One notable user complaint is that the betslip is not saved if you navigate to another part of the app, such as the deposit screen. This can be frustrating, especially when constructing a complex multiple bet.
Smarkets App Sports Betting Features
The app's features are designed around its exchange model, providing tools that cater more to serious traders than casual punters.
In-Play Betting and Trading
The in-play experience is a core strength. The app features a detailed in-play match centre with rapid notifications for top-level football. Live odds shift constantly based on real-time market sentiment, allowing users to actively trade positions throughout an event to lock in profit or cut losses.
Watching the Action: Live Streaming
Live streaming is available but is limited to select horse racing (covering over 60 UK and Irish racecourses) and greyhound events. While the stream quality is very good, this feature is not available for football or other major sports.
Constructing Your Wager: The Bet Builder
The Bet Builder feature is available on eligible events, identified by a green “BB” icon. The app offers an “instant Bet Builder” which provides a pre-selected accumulator that you can then accept, ignore, or modify to your liking. For horse racing, a “Same Race Accas” feature is also available.
Taking Control with Trade Out and Cash Out
Smarkets refers to its cash-out function as ‘Trade Out'. This is a one-click feature that automatically calculates and places the opposing bet required to lock in a profit or mitigate a loss based on live market prices. Both full and partial cash out options are available, giving traders excellent control over their positions.
Staying Informed with Push Notifications
The app's push notification system allows users to receive alerts on the status of their bets, such as when a bet is matched or settled. Users can also opt-in for other updates like flash prices.
Smarkets App Betting Markets
The app offers a wide range of markets on over 20 different sports, with particular depth in key areas.
- Football: This is a primary strength. Liquidity is excellent for major European competitions like the Premier League and Champions League, with between 150-200 markets available for top-tier matches.
- Horse Racing: The platform provides comprehensive coverage of all UK and Irish race meetings.
- Other Sports: Popular sports such as tennis, cricket, golf, and major American sports like the NFL and NBA are well-represented.
- Niche & Novelty Markets: Smarkets has built a strong reputation for its Politics markets, offering deep liquidity on major elections. It also covers current affairs and entertainment specials, such as betting on the next James Bond.
Smarkets App Bonuses and Promotions
Smarkets' strategy focuses on delivering long-term value through its low commission structure rather than offering a constant stream of short-term bonuses.
The 0% Commission Welcome Offer
The main Smarket welcome offer for new UK customers is 0% commission for 60 days on net winnings.
Key terms include:
- You must use the promo code COMMFREE during registration.
- A minimum first deposit of £10 is required.
- The qualifying deposit must be made via Debit Card or Instant Banking.
- Deposits made using Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, or virtual/prepaid cards are excluded from this offer.
- Alternative Offer: New users can instead opt for a £20 cash refund on losses by using the promo code SMK20.
App-Exclusive Promotions
The source materials do not mention any ongoing promotions that are exclusive to the app. The focus remains on the welcome offer and the standard low commission rate.
Loyalty and Rewards Programmes
Smarkets does not offer a loyalty programme or a free bet club for existing customers.
Smarkets App Banking: Deposits and Withdrawals
The app provides a solid range of payment options, but user feedback on withdrawal speed and processes is highly mixed.
Making a Deposit
Deposits are free and instant. Remember that e-wallets are not eligible for the welcome bonus.
| Method | Minimum Deposit | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard/Maestro) | £10 | Eligible for welcome offer |
| Instant Bank Transfer | £10 | Eligible for welcome offer |
| Trustly | £10 | Eligible for welcome offer |
| PayPal | £25 | Not eligible for welcome offer |
| Skrill | £10 | Not eligible for welcome offer |
| Neteller | £10 | Not eligible for welcome offer |
Requesting a Withdrawal
Withdrawals are also free of charge, with processing times varying by method.
| Method | Minimum Withdrawal | Stated Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard/etc.) | £10 | 1-6 business days |
| Instant Bank Transfer | £10 | Approx. 12 hours |
| Trustly | £10 | 1-2 business days |
| PayPal | £20 | 1-2 business days |
| Skrill | £10 | 1-2 business days |
| Neteller | £10 | 1-2 business days |
| Bank Transfer | £20 | 5-10 business days |
It is important to note the numerous user complaints on Trustpilot and other review sites regarding slow withdrawals, difficulties removing expired cards, and prolonged verification processes that can significantly delay access to funds.
Viewing Transaction History
Users can easily review their full betting and transaction history within the account section of the app. This is a standard feature that helps with bankroll management.
Smarkets App vs Mobile Website
Smarkets offers both a full-featured website and dedicated mobile apps, whereas its sister sportsbook brand, SBK, is app-only. The Smarkets app provides a more optimised, mobile-first experience with added benefits like fingerprint login and push notifications. For betting on the go, the app is the superior choice over using the mobile browser.
Getting Help on the Smarkets App
Customer support options are comprehensive, but user feedback is highly polarised.
- Available contact methods include Live Chat, Email ([email protected]), Twitter (@SmarketsTech), and Phone (+44 207 617 7413).
- There is conflicting information on availability. While the App Store page mentions 24/7 live chat, other sources report specific operating hours of 09:00 – 00:00 GMT.
- User feedback is mixed. Many reviews praise the support team for being quick, polite, and genuinely helpful. However, this is contrasted by a significant number of negative reviews that criticise support for being slow, unhelpful, and inefficient, particularly when dealing with verification and withdrawal issues.
Common Smarkets App Problems and Fixes
Based on user reviews, here are some of the most common issues encountered when using the Smarkets app, along with potential fixes.
- App Freezing or Crashing: This is a frequently reported complaint where the app becomes unresponsive.
- Fix: Ensure you are running the latest version of the app and your phone's operating system. A standard force-close and restart of the app can often resolve temporary freezes.
- Lag and Slow Performance: Users often report that the app is sluggish, which is especially problematic during fast-moving in-play betting.
- Fix: Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network rather than relying on mobile data, especially for in-play trading. Close other background apps to free up device resources.
- Timeout and Connection Errors: Frequent “reconnecting” messages and timeout errors can interrupt the betting process.
- Fix: Check your internet connection is stable. If using Wi-Fi, try restarting your router. Sometimes these errors can be temporary server-side issues, so waiting a few moments can help.
- Bet Placement Glitches: Some users have experienced issues where bets are not placed correctly, are placed twice, or the app freezes during placement.
- Fix: Before attempting to place the bet again, check your “My Bets” or account history to confirm if the wager was registered. This prevents accidental duplicate bets.
- Withdrawal Delays: This is a major point of frustration for many users, often linked to verification checks.
- Fix: To minimise delays, ensure your account is fully verified by submitting any requested documents well in advance of your first withdrawal. Proactively contact support if a withdrawal is taking longer than the stated timeframe.
Our Verdict on the Smarkets App
The Smarkets app is a powerful tool designed for a specific type of user: the experienced punter, dedicated trader, and matched bettor who values superior odds and low fees above all else. Its entire philosophy is built around providing long-term value rather than short-term gimmicks.
The app's greatest strengths are its industry-low 2% standard commission, a generous 0% introductory offer, and a slick, modern user interface. For major markets like Premier League football and UK politics, the liquidity is excellent, making it a first-rate platform for serious trading. The ‘Trade Out' feature and live charts are genuinely useful tools for managing positions.
However, these strengths are undermined by significant and widely reported weaknesses. The persistent performance bugs including lagging, freezing, and crashing are a major drawback that can make in-play trading a frustrating gamble in itself. This is compounded by numerous user reports of slow withdrawals and arduous verification processes. The lack of ongoing bonuses will also disappoint punters accustomed to free bets and loyalty schemes.
Ultimately, if your priority is maximising long-term returns through better odds and you can tolerate potential technical frustrations, the Smarkets app is a highly recommended platform. If you prefer a stream of promotions and demand a consistently bug-free experience, you might be better served elsewhere. The stark contrast between its iOS (4.8) and Android (3.0) ratings tells a story in itself, advising potential users to proceed with this knowledge in mind.
Smarkets App FAQs
Yes, the app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Live streaming is available, but it is limited to select UK and Irish horse racing and greyhound events. It is not available for sports like football or tennis.
While some users find the app slick and quick, a significant number of reviews report performance issues like lagging, freezing, and high battery usage, which can make the app feel slow.
Yes, the App Store listing confirms that the Smarkets app is compatible with the iPad.
No, Smarkets is a peer-to-peer betting exchange. You bet against other users, not against the house, which allows you to both back and lay outcomes.