Kalshi's trading platform is a clean, user-friendly web and mobile app optimized for prediction market trading. It offers real-time pricing, order books, portfolio management, and seamless banking integration — all without the complexity of crypto wallets.
Platform Overview
Web Platform
- Access: kalshi.com (works on all modern browsers)
- Performance: Fast, responsive, minimal lag
- Design: Clean UI with dark mode support
- Features: Full trading functionality, charts, portfolio tracking
Mobile Apps
- iOS: Available on App Store (iPhone, iPad)
- Android: Available on Google Play
- Features: Same functionality as web, optimized for mobile
- Notifications: Push alerts for price movements and order fills
Trading Features
Market Discovery
- Browse by category: Politics, economics, weather, awards, etc.
- Search functionality: Find specific events or markets
- Trending markets: See what's most active
- Portfolio view: Track your open positions
Order Types
- Market orders: Instant execution at current price
- Limit orders: Set your price and wait for a fill
- Yes/No: Trade either side of any outcome
Order Book
- Live bid and ask prices
- Depth of market (volume at each price level)
- Recent trade history
- Real-time updates (no refresh needed)
Price Charts
- Historical price movements (1H, 24H, 7D, all-time)
- Line charts showing probability over time
- Trading volume overlays
Portfolio Management
Positions Tracking
- View all open positions in one place
- Real-time P&L (profit/loss) for each position
- Sort by market, size, or performance
- One-click exit for liquidating positions
Account Dashboard
- Balance: Available cash, invested capital, total value
- Performance: Overall P&L and ROI
- History: All trades, deposits, withdrawals
- Statements: Download transaction history for taxes
Banking and Deposits
Easy Fiat On/Off-Ramp
- Link bank account: Simple Plaid integration
- ACH deposits: Free, 1-3 day processing
- ACH withdrawals: Free, 1-3 day processing
- No crypto needed: USD only, no wallets or gas fees
Platform Performance
Speed and Reliability
- Uptime: Generally excellent, rare outages
- Latency: Real-time updates with minimal lag
- Order execution: Fast, typically instant for market orders
- Scalability: Handles high volume during major events (election night, etc.)
Known Issues
- Occasional slow load times during extreme volume spikes
- Mobile app can lag slightly on older devices
- Chart granularity limited compared to advanced trading platforms
User Experience
Strengths
- Beginner-friendly: Intuitive design, easy to learn
- No crypto complexity: No wallets, private keys, or gas fees
- Clean aesthetics: Modern, uncluttered interface
- Mobile-optimized: Full functionality on phone
Weaknesses
- Limited charting tools: No advanced technical analysis features
- No customization: Can't customize dashboard or alerts extensively
- Basic order types: No stop-loss, trailing stops, or advanced orders
Platform Comparison
| Feature | Kalshi | Polymarket |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Excellent (fiat, no crypto) | Good (crypto required) |
| Mobile app | Native iOS/Android apps | Mobile web only |
| Charting | Basic | Basic |
| Liquidity display | Order book depth | Order book depth |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
Security Features
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Optional but recommended
- Secure login: Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS)
- KYC verification: Identity verification for all users
- Segregated funds: User funds kept separate from company capital
Bottom Line
Kalshi's trading platform is well-designed, fast, and beginner-friendly. It excels at simplicity and ease of use, especially for users unfamiliar with crypto. However, advanced traders may find charting and order types limited compared to professional trading platforms.
For prediction market trading, Kalshi offers the best user experience for US users who want a regulated, straightforward platform without crypto complexity.