Cross-platform arbitrage is the most mathematically rigorous strategy in prediction markets. When the same event is priced differently on Polymarket vs. Kalshi — or on prediction markets vs. sportsbooks — you can lock in guaranteed profit regardless of the outcome. The challenge is execution: finding spreads fast, executing both legs reliably, and accounting for fees on every platform.
This guide ranks the best cross-platform arbitrage bots and tools available in 2026.
For platform-specific arb bots, see Best Arbitrage Bot for Polymarket and Best Arbitrage Bot for Kalshi.
Three Types of Prediction Market Arbitrage
1. Cross-Platform Arb (Polymarket ↔ Kalshi)
The same event priced differently across platforms. Most consistent edge in 2026.
Example: “Will the Fed cut rates in March?”
- Kalshi YES price: 62¢ → Kalshi NO price: 38¢
- Polymarket YES price: $0.57 → Polymarket NO price: $0.43
Buy YES on Polymarket ($0.57) + Buy NO on Kalshi (38¢ = $0.38) = $0.95 total cost. One of them pays $1.00. Guaranteed $0.05 profit (5.3% return) before fees.
2. Prediction Market ↔ Sportsbook Arb
When prediction market odds diverge from sportsbook lines on the same event (common in sports markets).
3. Intra-Platform Arb
Within a single platform — correlated markets diverging, or YES+NO mispricing. Thinnest spreads, highest competition.
Quick Rankings
| Rank | Bot | Price | Platforms | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PolyArb Pro | $149-399/mo | Polymarket + Kalshi | Fastest cross-market detection |
| 2 | CrossMarket Agent | $500 one-time | Polymarket + Kalshi + sportsbooks | Widest platform coverage |
| 3 | ArbScanner | $79-199/mo | Polymarket + Kalshi | Budget-friendly with alerts |
| 4 | SpreadHunter | $299 one-time | Polymarket only | Intra-Polymarket arb |
| 5 | OctoBot (Arb) | Free-$99/mo | Polymarket + limited Kalshi | Open-source flexibility |
How Cross-Platform Arb Works
Price Normalization
The first challenge is comparing prices across platforms with different formats:
def normalize_price(polymarket_price=None, kalshi_price=None):
"""Convert to common 0-1 probability format."""
if polymarket_price is not None:
return polymarket_price # Already 0.00-1.00
if kalshi_price is not None:
return kalshi_price / 100 # Convert cents to 0.00-1.00
Edge Calculation After Fees
A raw spread means nothing without accounting for fees:
def calculate_arb_edge(yes_price_a, no_price_b, fee_a=0.02, fee_b=0.02):
"""Calculate arbitrage edge after platform fees."""
cost_yes = yes_price_a * (1 + fee_a)
cost_no = no_price_b * (1 + fee_b)
total_cost = cost_yes + cost_no
payout = 1.00 # Winner pays $1.00
edge = payout - total_cost
roi = edge / total_cost * 100
return {"edge": edge, "roi_pct": roi, "total_cost": total_cost}
For live arb detection, use the Cross-Market Arb Finder or the Arbitrage Calculator.
Detailed Reviews
1. PolyArb Pro
The fastest cross-platform arb scanner, monitoring Polymarket and Kalshi in real-time via WebSocket feeds.
Strengths:
- Sub-second detection via WebSocket streams on both platforms
- Automatic price normalization and fee-adjusted edge calculation
- Configurable minimum edge thresholds (default: 2% after fees)
- Position limits and risk controls per market
- Dashboard with real-time arb heatmap
Limitations:
- Monthly subscription ($149-399/mo) reduces net profitability on thin spreads
- Requires funded accounts on both platforms
- No sportsbook integration
Best for: Serious cross-market arb traders who want the fastest detection and reliable execution.
2. CrossMarket Agent
The widest platform coverage, scanning Polymarket, Kalshi, and sportsbook odds.
Strengths:
- Three-way arb scanning: Polymarket ↔ Kalshi ↔ sportsbooks
- Uses OddsPapi data for sportsbook integration
- One-time purchase ($500) — no recurring fees
- Self-hosted for maximum control and latency optimization
Limitations:
- Requires technical setup (Python environment, API keys for each platform)
- Sportsbook execution is manual (alerts only) — auto-trade only on Polymarket/Kalshi
- Learning curve for configuration
Best for: Developers who want maximum flexibility and the widest opportunity set.
3. ArbScanner
Mid-tier scanner with good detection and an alert-only mode for manual execution.
Strengths:
- Clean dashboard with visual arb identification
- Alert-only mode (email, Telegram, Discord) for manual traders
- Good documentation and onboarding
- Budget-friendly at $79-199/mo
Limitations:
- Slightly slower than PolyArb Pro on detection
- Limited risk management features compared to premium options
- No sportsbook integration
Best for: Traders who want to verify arbs manually before executing, or who prefer a lower price point.
4. SpreadHunter
Focused on intra-Polymarket arbitrage — correlated market divergence and YES+NO mispricing.
Strengths:
- Deep Polymarket-specific analysis
- Correlation detection between related markets
- One-time purchase ($299)
- Clean codebase for customization
Limitations:
- Polymarket-only — no cross-platform arb
- Intra-market spreads are thin and competitive
- Requires significant capital for thin-spread strategies
Best for: Technical traders focused exclusively on Polymarket who want intra-platform spread capture.
5. OctoBot (Arb Module)
Open-source trading bot with a community-built arbitrage plugin.
Strengths:
- Free base version with open source code
- Active community with regular updates
- Visual configuration interface
- Extensible to other platforms via plugins
Limitations:
- Arb detection is slower than dedicated scanners
- Limited Kalshi integration compared to Polymarket
- Community-maintained — quality varies by plugin
Best for: Developers who want to experiment with arb strategies without upfront cost.
Capital Requirements
| Strategy | Minimum per Platform | Recommended Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform arb | $1,000 | $5,000-10,000 | Capital split across venues |
| Intra-platform arb | $500 | $2,000-5,000 | Thin spreads need volume |
| Sportsbook arb | $1,000 | $5,000+ | Sportsbook limits on arbers |
See Also
- Best Arbitrage Bot for Polymarket — Polymarket-specific arb rankings
- Best Arbitrage Bot for Kalshi — Kalshi-specific arb rankings
- Cross-Market Arbitrage Guide — Strategy deep-dive
- Cross-Market Arb Finder Tool — Live arb scanner
- Arbitrage Calculator — Calculate edge and stake splits
- Prediction Market API Reference — API documentation for both platforms
- Agent Betting Glossary — Key terms defined
- Agent Marketplace — Browse and compare all agents
Rankings updated March 2026. Not financial advice. Built for builders.