WhichBookmakerHead to head · Ireland · verified August 2026
Betfair Exchange vs Paddy Power
Betfair Exchange takes it by 0.8 points overall, but Paddy Power still wins specific cases.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Betfair Exchange | Paddy Power |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.8 | 8.0 |
| Typical margin | No margin — a 2–5% commission on net winnings replaces the bookmaker edge | Around 5.5% on major football — you pay for the promotions |
| Licences | UKGC (UK), Irish licence, multiple European licences | UKGC (UK), Irish licence |
| Min. deposit | £5 | £/€5 |
| Sports | 30+ sports; liquidity concentrated in football, horse racing and tennis | 25+ sports, heaviest on football, horse racing and Gaelic games |
| Features | Peer-to-peer exchange, Lay betting, Cash Out, API, Commission tiers | Money-back specials, Bet Builder, Cash Out, Acca insurance |
| Founded | 2000 | 1988 |
| Best for | Best prices, Lay betting, No restrictions | Irish racing, Promotions, Gaelic games |
What the price difference actually costs
Betfair Exchange builds about 3.5% into its prices; Paddy Power about 5.5%. That gap of 2.0 percentage points is not an abstraction — it is money that leaves your account on every settled bet, win or lose.
Indicative cost of the gap
Stake €5,000 across a season and the difference between them is roughly €100 — in Betfair Exchange's favour.
A simplified illustration on total turnover, not a prediction. It ignores which bets you win, because the margin is charged either way — that is precisely the point.
A welcome offer is paid once. This gap is paid every time you bet, which is why we weight price at 30% of the score and most comparison sites do not weight it at all.
Our verdict
Choose Betfair Exchange if you want best prices · lay betting · no restrictions. It comes out ahead on odds, trust, markets, payouts in our scoring, and its licensing position in Ireland is UKGC (UK).
Choose Paddy Power if you want irish racing · promotions · gaelic games. It comes out ahead on platform in our scoring, and its licensing position in Ireland is UKGC (UK).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Betfair Exchange or Paddy Power?
Betfair Exchange scores higher overall (8.8 vs 8.0). Paddy Power can still be the better choice for irish racing.
Is Betfair Exchange safe and licensed?
Betfair Exchange holds these licences: UKGC (UK), Irish licence, multiple European licences. Our trust score for it is 9.2/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.
Is Paddy Power safe and licensed?
Paddy Power holds these licences: UKGC (UK), Irish licence. Our trust score for it is 9.0/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.