Best Betting Apps: UK's Best Bookmaker Apps Ranked – May 2025

More on UK’s Best Betting Apps – April 2025

• Top 10 Betting Apps for UK Bettors Ranked - May 2025
• iOS and Android Ratings for UK’s Best Betting Apps
• This Week’s Best Betting App for Football Betting
• This Week’s Biggest Footballing Action
• Biggest Football Action Taking Place This Month - May 2025
• Testing the UK’s Best Betting Apps: What We Look For
• Ranking the Best Betting Apps by Category
• Meet the Writer - Euan Walsh
• How to Register with a UK Betting App
• Best Betting Apps Summary
• Best Betting Apps FAQs

Top 10 Betting Apps for UK Bettors Ranked

Using data from the UK Bookmaker Awards, we’ve ranked the top 10 football betting apps in the UK.

1. Sky Bet

Sky Bet are among the UK’s standout football betting apps. Upon tapping on the app’s iconic red and white logo, bettors are welcomed by an easily navigable home screen, brilliant odds for upcoming Premier League fixtures, and the day’s featured bets.

Sky Bet’s app–first launched to UK users in 2010–operates smoothly with few lags or lengthy loading times, unlike some of its market competitors' platforms. Despite these benefits, Sky Bet’s accessibility and design are not the only things that make it among the UK’s top-rated football betting apps.

The app’s extensive promotions, featuring daily bonuses, boosted odds, and free-to-play games, including Super 6–a Premier League-based prediction simulation where users can win up to £250,000 for correctly guessing six of the weekend’s score lines–make Sky Bet an engaging and interactive experience.

Punters hoping to try their luck on player or team specials, prop bets, and winning margins will enjoy Sky Bet’s app; there arguably isn’t a competitor on the market which offers a comparable range of specialised football betting options.

Payment on Sky Bet is seamless; placing bets and receiving winnings is a hassle-free experience. Meanwhile, the British bookies’ customer service team–contactable via in-app live chats, social media, telephone, and email–is among the nation’s most responsive and understanding betting support departments.

Bettors looking for smooth design simplicity, unique football offerings, and streamlined functionality will love Sky Bet’s mobile platform.

2. bet365

bet365 is synonymous with British football betting–and with good reason. The gambling company launched its mobile app in 2012 and has since received over 5M downloads on the Google Play store alone. So, what makes bet365 so popular among football bettors?

The app’s unmistakable green and yellow branding assures punters–many of whom have developed long-standing trust with bet365 since its inception in 2000.

bet365’s mobile app is user-friendly–presentations are clear, finding football odds is smooth (Premier League odds appear instantly upon entering the app), and the app loads promptly. Despite bet365’s indisputable functionality, the top-rated app’s design falls short of Sky Bet’s sleekness.

However, a lack of aesthetic refinement is compensated for by bet365’s competitive football odds and wide market selection. A single right swipe on the app takes users away from men’s English football to International, club-level European, and women’s matches, where punters can place bets on the usuals: corners, cards, first-half goals, and more.

The app also possesses live streaming options for several overseas football competitions, as well as for a tonne of other sports, horse racing, golf and tennis included.

bet365’s Bet Builder feature is arguably the best way to take advantage of the app’s wide market selection; users can combine several specialised football bets across matches and leagues to maximise their potential returns.

The Stoke-on-Trent-based bookie consistently offers some of the market’s most competitive betting odds–a feature contributing to bet365’s place as the second most downloaded IOS sports app in the UK.

3. BetMGM

“Get £40 in free bets when you bet £10" are the words that welcome new users upon entering BetMGM’s 4.4-star-rated app—undoubtedly an enticing offer for any football bettor. The generous incentive is explainable: BetMGM, a US firm, entered the UK market in 2023 and is still building its overseas clientele.

Yet, finding a rationale for placing BetMGM among the UK’s best football betting apps is uncomplicated. A short scroll down the app’s home screen takes users to trending bet builders, BetMGM specials, and moneyline bets for Premier League fixtures–the app’s layout is designed perfectly for English football punters, particularly those who enjoy specialised bets.

BetMGM’s football odds are on par with the market’s heavy hitters, too. For example, matches including Newcastle, Spurs, and Wolves–all of whom have sponsorship ties with the US bookies–come with 10% odds boosts. Golden Goals–BetMGM’s take on Sky Bet’s Super 6–offer bettors the opportunity to win £1M for predicting six correct Premier League scores.

The app’s straightforward, accessible design makes BetMGM an alluring platform for novice punters–information is presented clearly, specialised bets are easy to understand, and the user interface is intuitive.

Those seeking assistance for betting issues–problem gambling, betting addiction, and financial strain among more basic queries–are supported by the app’s range of safe gambling tools and highly regarded 24/7 customer service team.

Those looking for live streaming may be directed elsewhere; BetMGM offers limited options to UK users beyond horse racing.

4. Betfred

Betfred–one of the UK’s oldest and most reputable bookies–is equally competitive today as it was during the 1960s. Yet, in some instances, Betfred’s 4.5-rated app feels less smooth than its most prolific market competitors.

The app’s layout–designed with the bookies’ classic blue and white colour wave–feels traditional and stylistically similar to betting websites in the 2010s. Nonetheless, the app is functional–finding odds on the weekend’s most anticipated football fixtures isn’t perplexing, either; Betfred displays Premier League, EFL, and major European divisions on its homepage.

Once bettors select their desired fixtures, Betfred lists a several gambling options, including price boosts, bet builders (the app also has a section for popular bet builders, where punters can view the market’s betting trends on a given fixture), and handicaps, among more niche selections housing headed goals, missed penalties, and comebacks.

Betfred’s payment options are solid: users can place bets with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfers, and even Apple Pay–something not all of its British rivals offer. But punters may be disappointed with their returns; Betfred’s odds are bettered by several market competitors.

5. Unibet

Unibet–the Maltese-based sponsors of Middlesbrough, Glasgow Rangers, and FC Copenhagen–is a strong option for football betting. New punters are welcomed with a generous ‘bet £10 get £40 in bonuses’ offer, and there are numerous football options for users to spend their sign-up offer on.

Niche match events, 3-way handicaps, and corners are offered on obscure fixtures in Thailand’s first division through to the Champions League’s tightest matches, and bettors can explore in-depth markets on player performance, team statistics, and live betting opportunities.

The app’s homepage includes a handy football daily section, allowing bettors to seamlessly swipe through the week’s fixtures day-by-day.

Unibet TV–an independent service powered by the bookie–enables punters to watch bets on several European and international leagues unfold through high-resolution live streams.

PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller withdrawals are accessible within 12 hours–though bettors using bank transfer or debit cards may be forced to wait up to 5 working days. The app’s 24-hour live chat is efficient and customer service teams are contactable through email and phone line for more complex issues.

Despite the app’s streamlined football experience and efficient customer service, load times are inconsistent, navigating various pages on the app can feel puzzling, and text sizes are small.

While Unibet’s market, live streaming, and welcome offer options are plentiful, the app’s interface is insufficient compared to its strongest competitors.

6. TalkSPORT BET

When BetVictor–one of the country’s most popular bookies–and TalkSport–the established voice of sports radio–combine to create a betting brand, the result is a winning combination of market authority, and entertainment.

The app–decorated with TalkSport’s unmistakable yellow and black branding and images of the endearing Scottish broadcaster Ally McCoist beaming on almost every page–is engaging. TalkSPORT BET offers several charitable football welcome offers–the most enticing: “Get up to £40 in football. Bet up to £40 to get yours.”

‘Ally’s Acca,’ a boosted accumulator chosen by McCoist, is a fun feature: the former Rangers striker predicts the weekend’s fixtures on air, and listeners can replicate his tips at boosted odds. The app’s integration of radio and expert opinions creates a platform that feels interactive, trustworthy, and authoritative.

Yet, TalkSPORT BET’s strengths extend beyond its design features and authority. Odds on the app’s approximately 200 betting options on Premier League fixtures are competitive, the Bet Builder facility is outstanding, and live gambling features are abundant, with an animated football manager-esque view of the pitch detailing the ball’s every move.

The app’s built-in customer service team is responsive. More complex issues are resolved through the bookies’ X, Facebook, and email accounts. TalkSPORT BET processes withdrawals promptly; depending on the card used, payouts can be processed in as little as 30 minutes.

TalkSPORT BET is among the IOS and Android store’s top-rated apps, claiming respective 4.8 and 4.6 ratings.

7. Paddy Power

Paddy Power isn’t just the creator of the best football-based satirical adverts on our television screens–the Irish bookie’s betting app is among the market’s best offerings.

Upon entering the app, bettors will instantly be impressed by Paddy Power’s intuitive design. The brand’s famous green and white colours are bright, information is displayed logically, and texts are sized appropriately. Small features, such as the addition of club badges, contribute to the app’s aesthetically pleasing nature and seamless use.

Paddy Power loads instantly, without inducing frustration, the app’s design is exemplary of how a football betting app should look and feel. However, a platform that looks and feels good is meaningless if betting odds are insufficient and market ranges are limited. Fortunately, Paddy Power offers more than an attractive interface.

Betting options on Premier League matches are vast–punters can choose from the bookies 100+ football markets and extensive in-play offers. Paddy Power–in alignment with the bookies' humorous brand reputation–offers odds on unusual football markets, including the colour of a manager’s suit.

The bookies’ request for a bet service is popular as bets span everything from the unconventional to the downright bizarre.

Critics argue better-valued football odds are available elsewhere–on several occasions, such remarks are justifiable. Yet, Paddy Power’s unique offerings, clean displays, and hassle-free experience make it thoroughly enjoyable to use.

8. Coral

The United Kingdom’s 14th most downloaded sport is a football haven for betting fanatics. While the bookies’ displays are more traditional than Paddy Power, the app remains accessible, effortless to use, and filled with statistics to guide gambling decision-making–this is football betting stripped of distractions: pure, data-driven, and easy to navigate.

Coral–a reputable British firm that’s been on the high street since 1961 and launched its mobile app in 2012–intricately details a team and player’s head-to-head record, recent form, and league standings on the top of its football betting pages. It creates the impression that Coral wants its punters to feel well-informed before making betting decisions.

The bookie’s football markets are substantial: users can expect to find all their usual favourites, as well as more niche offerings, including Football Super Series–a free-to-play game where bettors can win up to £50 in free bets by making correct predictions on selected football matches.

Coral’s odds are competitive–many also argue the bookmaker’s odds are more reflective of outcomes than any of its counterparts in the British market. As you’d expect from an established brand, Coral’s customer service is strong. The live chat service has been described as helpful and polite, while responsiveness to social media queries is speedy.

Customers–many of whom have been loyal to the bookmaker for several years–have enjoyed the seamless transition from shop floor to mobile. The app runs smoothly without glaring flaws.

9. LiveScore Bet

“Livescore Bet offers fast, uncomplicated betting for all your accas, pre-match, and in-play bets” reads the UK bookmaker’s IOS app description–it’s challenging to say otherwise.

As implied by its name, LiveScore Bet emphasises in-play betting. When punters are making split-second decisions to respond to the relentlessly changing shape of live matches, they must be able to do so swiftly without inconvenience. Due to the app’s easy interface and fast loading times, bettors can access odds and place deposits in seconds.

The range of in-play betting options, including goalscorers, cards (you know a walking red card when you see one), and corners, is solid, though it lacks uniqueness. However, LiveScore Bet’s value lies more in its fast accessibility than in its market diversification.

In-game stats, line-ups, and match summaries are presented clearly–whether bettors are watching the game in the stadium, on television, or following the app’s thorough updates, they’ll be able to make informed in-game decisions.

Complaints regarding LiveScore Bet’s slow withdrawal times–it can take 1-3 days for debit card payouts–aren’t meritless. Some users feel that for a bookie who earns value on speed, withdrawals could be quicker.

However, the app’s overall strength is hard to discredit: odds are competitive, markets on big football games are vast, it’s easy to use, and the customer service team has a reputation of care and responsiveness. What more could you ask for?

10. Betfair

Betfair–the first bookies to become the shirt sponsors on an English football team–launched their mobile app in 2010, and haven’t looked back since. The bookies’ clean interface is comparable to the market’s most efficient apps: it loads seamlessly, odds on Premier League and European games can be found without scrolling, and the animated match view pages are engaging.

“Get £50 in free multiples when you bet £10 on Sportsbook” is a worthwhile offer for new customers, who’ll access a range of pre-match and in-play football markets at their fingertips. Popular bet builders–Erling Haaland to score, have two or more shots on target, to be fouled, and to commit a foul–are labelled in an interactive manner whereby users can view how many others have wagered on a particular offering.

Once bettors have chosen their bets for the first time, they’ll be met with a deposit limit screen. Responsible gambling is central to Betfair’s philosophy: the app’s implementation of displaying deposit and time limits options before punters lay their bets is commendable, while the bookies’ customer service and commitment to solving user difficulties is strong.

Bettors can withdraw via PayPal, Skrill, and MuchBetter within hours of winning bets, while debit card, Apple Pay, and bank transfers are processed within 2 days. Betfair–as you’d expect of the 12th most downloaded UK sports app–feels trustworthy.

The betting exchange model used by the British firm is assuring for bettors; it's transparent, holds little risk of manipulation, and is market-driven. Betfair’s football odds are competitive, and in many cases, superior to their competitors.

IOS and Android Ratings for the UK’s Best Betting Apps

The Week's Best Betting App for Football Betting - Betfred

Betfred's sports betting app offers a solid platform for both novice and experienced bettors.

The interface is user-friendly, with an intuitive design that makes navigation smooth. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a well-organized homepage showcasing live events, upcoming matches, and popular betting options.

The layout makes it easy to find your preferred sport, whether it’s football, horse racing, or niche sports like darts and snooker.

One of the app's standout features is the live betting section, which provides real-time updates and odds for a variety of events. The in-play experience is seamless, with quick bet placement and fast updates.

Betfred also includes live streaming for certain sports, allowing users to watch events as they bet. This feature sets the app apart from many competitors, as it adds an immersive element to the betting experience.

Betfred’s odds are competitive, and they offer a wide range of betting markets, from standard wagers like match winner to more complex options such as over/under goals and player-specific bets.

The app also supports cash-out functionality, giving users the opportunity to lock in profits or minimize losses before an event concludes.

However, the app does have its downsides. While it works smoothly for the most part, occasional lag or delays in live betting updates can be frustrating.

Additionally, some users have reported issues with the withdrawal process, although this is not a widespread problem.

Overall, Betfred’s app is a reliable option for sports betting enthusiasts. It delivers a wide range of features and options, with only minor issues that don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. Whether you’re an occasional bettor or a regular punter, the app provides a solid and enjoyable betting platform.

This Week's Biggest Footballing Action

The Premier League roars back into action on Friday night as Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge, while Aston Villa play host to Tottenham under the lights at Villa Park.

There’s a pause in league play on Saturday, with domestic focus shifting to Wembley for the FA Cup final. Crystal Palace face a daunting task against favourites Manchester City, who’ll be looking to add yet more silverware to their bulging cabinet.

Sunday brings a full slate of top-flight drama. Everton kick things off early against Southampton, before a packed afternoon schedule takes over.

West Ham meet Nottingham Forest at 2:15, while the 3pm kick-offs see Leicester square up against Ipswich and Brentford entertain Fulham. The day rounds off with a marquee clash at the Emirates as Arsenal host Newcastle in north London.

Over in Italy, the Serie A title race is heading for a thrilling climax. Inter and Napoli are separated by just a single point going into the penultimate weekend.

The Nerazzurri face Lazio at home, while Antonio Conte’s Napoli side travel to Parma. Elsewhere, Roma and Milan lock horns in the capital in what promises to be the standout fixture beyond the title fight.

In Germany and France, the league titles are already in the bag, but Portugal’s Primeira Liga is still hanging in the balance.

Sporting and Benfica are neck and neck on points heading into the final day, with only goal difference separating them. Sporting just need to match or better Benfica’s result to clinch the crown.

Biggest Football Action Taking Place This Month - May 2025

Testing the UK’s Best Betting Apps: What We Look For

Accessing, shortlisting, and concluding the UK’s best betting apps is a meticulous process expanding beyond a cursory browse of various app offerings. To decide the UK’s best betting app, we considered the following criteria:

App Design

The sports betting market is saturated; dozens of new platforms emerge yearly, offering similar odds, market selections, and payout times. Yet, only a handful of betting apps resonate with bettors consistently. So, what separates the standout betting apps from the ones that get lost in the crowd? Design.

To effectively articulate why design is fundamental to a platform’s success, we must define what design is in the context of football betting apps. When we discuss design, we’re referring to the app’s aesthetic presentation, layout, navigation, visual imagery, and interactive animations.

While it’s true that a bettor’s overriding motivation for placing a bet is often the prospect of monetary reward, users also use betting apps to engage with the excitement and entertainment of gambling, which is enhanced by visuals, animations, and interactive features.

Many bettors engage with betting apps beyond gambling itself: our list’s highest-rated platforms included in-depth statistical analysis of Premier League matches, form tables, and individual player game scores, all of which could be useful in non-gambling contexts. It’s these types of features that ensure a user–whether someone who places a sporadic casual bet for their enjoyment or is a seasoned, professional bettor–cultivates a sense of loyalty and trust with a betting app.

Understanding a bettor’s secondary motivations for gambling–entertainment, social connection, mental stimulation, and a sense of control–explains why a well-presented interface is among the most influential factors in determining a betting app’s success.

Sky Bet’s design is hard to dispute; the earlier alluded to familiar branding is reassuring, and a perfect balance between written content, imagery, and blank space is met to maximise readability and navigation, while the app’s interactive features are engaging.

The British bookmakers are not unaccompanied in well-designed betting apps; TalkSPORT BET takes advantage of similar branding opportunities decorating the platform’s logically presented information while finding–and then placing–bets on football fixtures is effortless.

Paddy Power’s colour scheme is alluring. The app–in stark contrast to some of the industry’s less polished platforms–is an enjoyable medium to spend time on. Its aesthetic, almost laid-back nature, creates the impression the Irish bookmaker wants punters to spend time browsing and enjoying the app rather than single-mindedly heading for their intended bet.

App Speed

App speed–the time required for platforms to respond to user input, both when initially entering the app and while navigating its various pages–is among the most significant indicators of accessing a betting app’s success.

With a seemingly endless list of market competitors, a betting app’s speed is often the difference between bettor retention and customer churn. Football gambling–particularly in live in-play contexts and occasions where bettors are seeking entertainment, rather than meticulous odds analysis–is often impulsive, driven by emotion, and in response to patterns noticed during a given game.

The spontaneous nature of football gambling means there’s a necessity for apps to load hastily–after all, in-play matches’ circumstances can change drastically by the second, and an app that loads slowly could prevent a user from placing their bet in time for the outcome to unfold.

The most enjoyable apps across the mobile hemisphere all load rapidly–as users, we’ve become accustomed to instantaneous digital interactions and any delay in our expectations is capable of inducing frustration, rage, and distrust

Paddy Power–listed in our list of the UK’s top 10 betting apps–is one of the market’s best examples of a platform that loads seamlessly. Initial and later loading times are minimal, and the app is easily navigable, meaning a bettor can respond to in-play events in seconds.

Fortunately, lags are infrequent on most of the nation’s most esteemed betting apps. Still, our tests concluded Betfair and BetMGM were among the fastest loaders.

Notifications and Apps

Push notifications from football betting apps inform bettors of odd changes, provide real-time updates on live matches, and offer personalised betting opportunities. When users receive personalised offers–based on their previous gambling behaviours, interested markets, and browsing history, it cultivates an immersive and tailored experience, making the app feel intuitive and engaging.

Personalised offers contribute deeply to user satisfaction and tempt bettors to remain loyal to particular bookies as promotions become more optimised for their interests and behavioural habits.

Yet, despite push notifications constantly appearing mutually beneficial for the bookie and the bettor, there are instances where alerts can be incorrectly implemented and diminish user satisfaction. For example, persistent spammy or overly frequent notifications articulated with aggressive or manipulative language, such as ”Don’t miss out! Bet now before it’s too late!”, create feelings of discontent and distrust among users.

The most successful deployments of push notifications occur when bettors feel bookies are using data to provide personalised offers that add value rather than tempting them to place bets on events they otherwise had no intention of engaging with.

bet365–through a combination of well-timed alerts during live matches of a user’s previously interacted with markets, teams, leagues, promotions, and personalised offers–is arguably the mobile betting’s gold standard of how-to use notifications.

Other bookies are opportunistic of personalised notifications; Betfair offers tailored promotions and alerts customers through well-worded notifications, Unibet–impressively rated at 4.7/5 on the IOS store, provides bettors with welcomed comprehensive updates on live matches along with personalised offers.

In-play Betting

The convenience of mobile platforms–punters are no longer required to hurry to a high street bookie mid-game if a tempting betting opportunity arises–has resulted in new gambling trends. Today, 54% of football bets are placed in play.

Furthermore, research indicates that bettors are more likely to stake a substantial amount in play compared to pre-game, where punters tend to operate more cautiously. So, it’s imperative–both for the app’s success and the user’s betting fulfilment needs–that in-play betting options are plentiful and responsive to the game’s rapidly evolving circumstances.

Football’s most popular in-play betting punts–match outcome, next goal, next card, time of next goal, player to score next, and winning margin–are motivated by the game’s momentum. For example, when Anfield’s crowd begins to roar as Liverpool puts the pressure on during a crucial European encounter, the outcome becomes predictable.

In such instances, betting apps–if they’re to captivate their users–must be reactive and offer real-time betting options that accurately capture the moment’s momentum. One app that’s particularly successful at responding to in-game momentum is LiveScore Bet.

The bookmaker–powered by its parent company, LiveScore, one of football's most established live sports score services–is a market leader at adapting to in-game changes. LiveScore uses its large sample of historic and contemporary data to adjust odds and betting markets based on patterns and developments noticed in play.

bet365’s in-play betting options are significant; bettors can access extensive, and often unique, live gambling options in an app that’s perfectly designed for seamless, real-time wagering. Meanwhile, TalkSPORT BET–among the nation’s most rapidly growing bookmakers–provides an impressive range of mid-game markets and bets can easily be placed in seconds.

Live Streaming

A betting app’s ability to deliver high-resolution, smooth-running live streams of world football’s most popular leagues and cup competition is rapidly growing in importance to bettors. On many occasions, the successful delivery of stats and game analysis isn’t enough, users want to watch the match unfold through live streams.

Live streaming–an event that can be solitary, enjoyed with friends and family or watched on the go–has such significance that many bettors would disregard favourable betting odds if high-quality live streams of their desired fixture were available elsewhere.

It’s a continuation of the idea that online gambling isn’t solely a financially motivated pursuit–bettors participate to enjoy the experience, socialise, and, in the case of live streaming, stay up to date with key football fixtures.

In the United Kingdom, live streaming can feel limited. No bookie has the licensing rights to stream the nation’s various professional men’s domestic league and cup competitions, but opportunities to watch European and International fixtures are rich.

bet365–the UK’s experts in live betting innovation–provides live streams of over 30 football leagues, including Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1, Spain’s La Liga, and Germany’s Bundesliga. The streams–a world apart from their illegal counterparts available elsewhere on the internet–are of comparable video quality to television broadcasts.

Coral’s corresponding offerings of major European divisions along with the United States’ MLS earns the British firm thousands of happy customers annually.

Ranking the Best Apps by Category

Our test intends to provide readers with an understanding of the UK’s best football betting app–but each bettor has criteria for what makes a platform worthwhile. So, what is the best football betting app for each assessment category?

Best Betting Apps for Live Streaming

Globally, football supporters watch leagues and competitions transcending their nation’s borders. But in the United Kingdom–largely due to the undisputed success of the Premier League–supporters have historically been reluctant to get their football fix from overseas competitions. Yet, interest in European leagues is growing.

Bettors eager to follow and wager on Jude Bellingham’s mesmerising moves in Madrid are well catered for at bet365–the bookie’s high-resolution streams of La Liga matches, along with the top divisions in France, Germany, and Italy, make the prestigious agency the best app for live streaming football matches in the United Kingdom.

Coral’s offerings–including access to each of Europe’s major leagues and several popular global divisions–are comparable to bet365’s, but our test concluded the app’s live streaming presentation trailed marginally.

Meanwhile, MGM–despite its American ownership–provides sufficient live streaming options for UK bettors. Those who have placed bets with the bookmaker within the previous 24 hours have access to live streams in several prominent competitions and leagues.

Best Betting Apps for In-Play Betting

Crowning the United Kingdom’s best betting app for in-play wagering is convoluted–several platforms provide strong offerings. But our test uncovered three bookmakers that exceeded our expectations in this area.

The market’s most convincing in-play betting provider is LiveScore BET; upon entering the app, bettors are asked to detail their preferred teams, leagues, and market, helping the live sport specialiser tailor in-game opportunities. The presentation of live commentaries, links to clips shared on social media, match stats, and in-depth analysis of a team’s form is industry-leading and helps punters make informed in-play decisions.

The bookie’s in-play options are strong; A-Z, Popular, Bet Builder, and Goals sections contain dozens of sub-markets, while more niche sections–Cards, Corners, and Period–also possess strong offerings. If you’re watching a match live and wondering whether LiveScore BET has an option for a micro-market that’s caught your attention during the game, the answer is usually yes.

bet365–an app that’s passed many of our test’s varying requirements across several categories–has impressive in-play offerings and ranks as our second-best app for in-play football betting.

In-play match centres are engaging; the app’s interactive pitch detailing the ball’s movements is easy to follow, team and individual player stats are thorough, and the timeline provides a basic overview of the game’s key events.

Live commentary–accessible while bettors are in the process of placing their bets–is available for selected matches, while finding odds on a range of markets is seamless.

TalkSPORT BET sits narrowly behind in third position. The match centre–arguably less visually striking than LiveScore BET and bet365–consists of all the necessary information for punters to gain a quick overview of a match and its momentum.

The Bet Boost section–sitting temptingly in the centre of the screen–is strong; boosted odds are updated by the minute in responsiveness to on-field occurrences.

Best Betting Apps for Usability

Several tested football betting apps are well-crafted in design, easily navigable, and effortless to use; platforms including LiveScore BET, bet365, and Coral have notable design features, induced little navigation confusion, and are unfortunate to miss out on the list’s top three.

Sometimes, less is more, and Sky Bet–despite possessing less specialised market selections, animations, and other additional features than some of its competitors–is the easiest app to use; wagering a football bet is seamless and can be completed in seconds.

The app’s Featured Football section–found a short scroll down the app’s home menu–displays the sport’s most in-demand fixtures and makes betting on them simple.

Finding less anticipated matches–including those in the lower leagues, Europe, and South America–sparks little difficulty. If bettors are searching for a usable app with strong design features and effortless navigation, Sky Bet is the best option.

Paddy Power’s mobile betting platform–the IOS store’s fourth most downloaded app–is fun, user-friendly, and straightforward. The bookie’s bright colours and team logos are enticing, information is displayed logically–finding Premier League fixtures couldn’t be easier–and the platform’s reputable customer service team contributes to a stress-free experience. Paddy Power is undoubtedly among the United Kingdom’s top betting apps for usability.

LiveScore Bet’s dark colour schemes juxtapose the vibrance of Paddy Power and Sky Bet’s apps. But the platform’s general usability and design are comparable to the heavy-hitters–and that’s why it sits in third on our list.

LiveScore Bet’s addition of a search bar is useful; bettors can type their desired team, fixture, or competition into the top right of the app’s homepage to find coveted markets. The platform’s smart design features, general smoothness, easy accessibility of all football fixtures, and simplicity make it usable.

Best Betting Apps for Loading Speed

Loading speed simultaneously impacts the effectiveness of an app’s usability, in-play betting, and live streaming options. Intricate betting concepts, varied in-play markets, various live-streaming options, and alluring design elements have little value if lags and buffers prevent them from appearing instantaneously.

Coral’s mobile platform–a favourite among bettors who’ve responded positively since its launch in 2014–loads rapidly. The app–possessing a traditional-feeling presentation–runs with minimal loading times between screens, few crashes, and consistently high performance.

The app represents a reliable choice for users making quick bets–whether on the go and in a hurry or responding to live matches’ circumstances–due to its fast loading times and simple facade.

Having spent several hours testing the responsiveness of various football betting apps, we concluded Coral is the industry’s fastest.

Sky Bet’s 4.6-star-rated app was among the test’s best performers for speed. Upon initially entering the app, loading times are bare–a trend that continues as bettors search for odds and eventually place bets on football fixtures.

The third fastest-loading app was BetMGM; the platform’s fast response times and smooth transitions between pages make it a strong contender in the market. BetMGM’s interface is clean and intuitive, ensuring that users can place bets swiftly without frustrating delays. While not as rapid as Coral or Sky Bet, BetMGM still offers a competitive edge, particularly with its variety of features and responsive design.

Meet the Writer – Euan Walsh

Euan Walsh–a UK-based freelance writer and journalist–has produced football-based content for several major digital publications, including GiveMeSport, World Soccer Talk, and Goalkeeper.com. The writer’s experience producing opinion-based, news, and feature stories for football media publications–combined with a substantial understanding of the betting landscape cultivated through personal, professional, and academic endeavours–positions Euan to determine high-performing betting applications.

Throughout researching, testing, and writing, Euan delved into critical media theory–learned through his University studies of Culture, Media, and Communication–to question the driving forces, and often subconscious desires and beliefs, that draw punters to place bets. The World Soccer Talk writer used this understanding to establish the most prominent user needs bookmakers must fulfil to produce mobile platforms that resonate, engage, and satisfy bettors.

The final testing stage separated user needs into categories: app speed, usability, live streaming, and in-play betting were determined by the writers through analysis of user behaviour, in-depth research, and extensive testing.

Euan–an avid bettor himself–is entirely objective; he does not have a preferred app or professional partnerships with any mentioned bookmakers.

How to Register with a UK Betting App

For novice punters, betting–with its various jargon phrases–can feel like a complicated territory to enter. Fortunately, registering–and taking advantage of generous sign-up offers–is simple.

Search the app store

All apps tested in our study are available in the respective IOS and Google Play stores. Users must search for their desired app, and results will instantly appear at the top of the page. Alternatively, you can find a list of several apps appearing collectively by browsing the store’s most popular sports app section. Once a selection is made, downloads generally take less than 20 seconds with a sufficient Wi-Fi connection.

Create an account

Once the app is downloaded, you can enter the app and start creating an account. The required information for sign-ups is fairly standardized: full name, location, email address, and date of birth are frequently asked, and you may be requested to provide proof of identity or address verification. Security measures–including two-factor authentication and strong passwords–are then selected.

Claim your sign-up bonus

Many bookmakers offer attractive sign-up offers–the most enticing new customer offer noticed during our research was Betfair’s “Get £50 in free multiples when you bet £10 on Sportsbook” promotion–and taking advantage of them is uncomplicated. After registering, navigate to the promotions or bonus section within the app to claim your offer. You must read the terms and conditions–some bonuses require you to place a qualifying bet or meet a minimum deposit amount. Sign-up offers are advantageous for new users, and investigating potential options is wise.

Deposit your funds

Next, you’ll need to deposit funds into your account. Most betting apps offer a variety of payment methods–credit and debit cards, e-wallets (such as PayPal or Skrill), bank transfers, and sometimes cryptocurrency–choose the best-suited option and enter the required payment details. Deposits are typically instant–withdrawals are not. If you seek speedy withdrawals, you should typically use e-wallets.

Browse available markets and events

Once your account is funded, you can start betting instantaneously. Football’s most popular markets–moneyline bets on the weekend’s Premier League fixtures–are typically accessible on the platform’s home screen. Upon clicking on a fixture, a vast range of markets is offered by most major bookmakers.

Place Your First Bet

When you have chosen your event and bet type, you must select the odds you wish to bet on. This will automatically add the bet to your bet slip. Input the stake you wish to wager and check your potential return. Once everything looks good, hit the "Place Bet" button to confirm your wager. The app will then notify you if your bet has been successfully placed.

Monitor Your Bet and Withdraw Winnings

After placing your bet, you can track the status of your wagers within the app. Most platforms also offer live updates on scores and outcomes in real-time. If you’re lucky enough to win, navigating to the withdrawal section will allow you to cash out your winnings. Make sure to check withdrawal methods, as some may take longer than others to process.

Best Betting Apps Summary

The article’s intention–to analyse and determine the best betting apps for football, considering design, loading time, market selection, and live streaming options among other criteria–was carried out through extensive research, side-by-side app evaluations, hands-on-testing, and understanding the factors that positively affect a user’s betting experience.

The intricacies, details, and visual imagery used in various apps, as well as the consistent fulfilment of user needs such as fast loading times, responsive customer service teams, and navigable interfaces, create the impression that successful betting apps are not just mediums for punters to place bets, they’re platforms whereby users gather information, experience enjoyment rather than adrenaline, and build personal relationships with bookmakers.

Through personalised notifications, alluring design patterns, and interactive animations, the best betting apps create an immersive experience beyond the specialised markets, in-game options, and odds they offer.

Those who successfully integrated this engagement-driven approach–of which there are several–with competitive betting options, were the most highly-rated football betting apps of our test.

bet365–a platform esteemed for its strong European live streaming options, in-play betting system, and overall alluring app interface–is the best example of an app that’s responded to the modern bettor’s evolving needs and maintained competitive odd prices.

Conclusively crowning the Stoke-on-Trent-based bookmaker as the industry’s best mobile offering would be naive; further testing is necessary for a definitive answer. Yet, bet365’s app is undoubtedly among the very best betting platforms on the IOS and Google Play app stores.

LiveScore BET’s app–given it’s still in its introductory phase in the UK market–is a surprise candidate for the best overall football betting app.

The app's visual elements–including an impressive match centre for in-play bets–are among the market’s strongest, loading times are minimal, and odds–both pre-game and in-play–are competitive.

Despite comparative marketing limitations to the industry’s long-standing heavy hitters, LiveScore BET is an app that British punters will unquestionably continue to trust, love, and download in volume.

Sky Bet–simpler and less specialised than competitors–is a clean, fast-running app perfect for bettors desiring a hassle-free gambling experience.

Market selections are vast, the request a bet feature is fun, and the Sky Bet Club rewards loyal customers, similar observations can be made of Coral, TalkSPORT BET, and BetMGM, who’ve each built equally noteworthy mobile platforms.

Paddy Power’s app meets several criteria: visually impressive, easy to use, and fast loading times, yet criticisms of the bookmaker’s market selection and odds value can, on occasion, be justifiable.

Best Betting App FAQs

What betting app is the easiest to use?

Several betting apps scored highly on usability; Sky Bet, Coral, and TalkSPORT BET all included a sizable range of odds, yet navigating through them was seamless. The simple design elements the trio integrate enable easy navigation, lag times are minimal, and depositing and withdrawing winnings is simple. Novice bettors–or those who rarely use IOS and Google Play apps–will enjoy the minimalism of these platforms.

What is the best betting app?

Our tests indicated that bet365’s range of benefits–European live streaming, strong design elements, varying and competitive markets, and responsive customer service teams–made the platform the best all-round betting experience. Other apps–including Paddy Power, BetMGM, and Betfair–had their merits, but fell short of bet365’s overall feel.

Which betting platform has the best app store reviews?

Sky Bet and bet365’s impressive cumulative ratings of 9/10 across the IOS and on Google Play stores make them the top-rated apps in our test. Other apps–Betfair, Coral, and LiveScore BET–trailed shortly behind.

Which betting app is best for in-play updates?

LiveScore BET’s game updates are unmatched. Bettors can access a range of team and player data, social media discussions, and aesthetic line-up displays before making their decisions. bet365’s radio feature–available for select Premier League and Champions League football matches–is a noteworthy addition.

Can you turn off push notifications from betting apps?

While push notifications–alerting users of goal updates, odd slashes, and personalised offers–are useful for many, some bettors find them irritating. Notifications can be switched off in-app on most platforms, other apps may require users to turn off updates in their phone’s settings.

Can you live-stream Premier League matches in the UK?

No bookies in the UK have live-streaming rights to Premier League games at the moment.