Kalshi fees: what traders need to know for arbitrage
If you searched for "kalshi fees" you want to know how trading costs change the math on event markets. Kalshi is a U.S. CFTC-regulated exchange with its own fee schedule; exact rates can change and I’m not certain of the current live numbers. By contrast, Polymarket uses variable taker fees (0%–1.8% by category) and zero maker fees. For arbitrage, trading costs can make or break a spread — that’s where PolyArb’s performance and $7.62 minimum guaranteed edge matter.
What Kalshi charges (high-level)
Kalshi operates as a regulated derivatives-style exchange in the U.S. and applies trading fees to match its market model. Fees commonly include taker fees and sometimes maker rebates or different tiers by volume; the precise per-trade cents or basis points can change and should be checked on Kalshi's official site. I’m not certain of Kalshi’s exact current fee table, so verify before trading.
If you need an immediate comparison, remember fees reduce realized edge on every round-trip. For short-lived arbitrage opportunities — the margins are often small — a single percentage point or fixed fee per trade can flip a profitable trade into a loser.
How Polymarket’s fees compare
Polymarket’s fee model is public: variable taker fees by category currently range from 0% to 1.8%, and maker fees are zero. Polymarket also sponsors gas via its Relayer, so users do not pay gas for on-chain actions. Those characteristics make tight intra-market arbitrage more practical on Polymarket than on venues with higher or more complex fee schedules.
That said, fees are only one part of execution cost. Latency, slippage, and partial fills matter. PolyArb is built for fast execution (40ms latency vs ~800ms for free bots) and alerts, which helps capture spreads before they evaporate.
Why fees matter for arbitrage
Arbitrage profit equals the raw spread minus all trading costs: taker fees, any per-trade fixed fees, and the expected cost of slippage or partial fills. Markets that look profitable on midpoints can vanish once fees are applied. Additionally, resolution and settlement risks (UMA disputes, timing) are non-fee risks that affect realized returns.
For repeated automated trading, predictable low maker fees or zero maker fees let you use limit-based strategies. For quick cross-leg buys (intra-market), low taker fees and fast execution are essential to lock in the edge.
Where PolyArb fits in
PolyArb is a subscription service built for intra-Polymarket arbitrage. It’s non-custodial, live today, and priced at $99/month. The product emphasizes low latency (40ms) and guarantees a $7.62 minimum edge per trade, with Telegram and Discord alerts to help you act quickly. Those features are designed specifically to overcome fee and latency friction that defeat slow or noisy bots.
If you trade across both regulated venues like Kalshi and decentralised venues like Polymarket, factor in each platform’s fees, access rules, and settlement mechanics before automating. For strictly Polymarket-focused strategies, PolyArb packages execution speed and an edge guarantee to help you capture fleeting spreads.
Start capturing actionable spreads today
Try PolyArb for faster execution, Telegram alerts, and a $7.62 minimum guaranteed edge. Subscribe to the $99/month plan to test it live on Polymarket.
FAQ
- What are Kalshi fees per trade?
- Kalshi uses a fee schedule that typically includes taker fees and may vary by product or account tier. I’m not certain of the exact current rates here — check Kalshi’s official fee page for live numbers.
- Do Polymarket fees make arbitrage impossible?
- Not necessarily. Polymarket’s taker fees range from 0%–1.8% by category and maker fees are zero. Fees reduce margins, but low maker fees and fast execution can keep many intra-market arb opportunities profitable.
- How should I compare Kalshi vs Polymarket costs?
- Compare explicit taker/maker fees, any fixed per-trade charges, and the non-fee costs: latency, slippage, settlement timing, and regulatory access. For Polymarket, remember gas is sponsored by the Relayer and maker fees are zero.
- Will PolyArb help overcome fees?
- PolyArb doesn’t change exchange fees, but it reduces execution latency and provides a $7.62 minimum guaranteed edge per trade, which can offset trading costs and help you capture short-lived spreads on Polymarket.