Sky Bet vs Paddy Power: Top Sports Bookies Compared

We have reviewed plenty of exciting sports betting sites here at Top 10 Sports Betting Sites, but some sites have brands so powerful that they grab attention especially quickly. Sky Bet and Paddy Power are two great cases in point. So, how do those sites fare behind the veneer of their brands?

Betting Markets

If the sports that most catch your fancy tend to be those that lead in mainstream popularity, then you will probably be more than happy with what betting markets both sites offer. Football, cricket, basketball and rugby, for example, are catered for whichever site you choose.

However, Paddy Power outclasses its rival in the number of sports on which it allows users to bet. This makes it a more obvious choice for highly discerning betting connoisseurs. Sports featured by Paddy Power but overlooked by Sky Bet include beach volleyball, CrossFit games, sailing and weightlifting.

Paddy Power is also impressive in the variety of wagers that it enables. While the types of possible bets slightly vary between sports, the majority of popular types - including sides, totals, parlays and teasers - are here, as are goal or run lines with some sports, like hockey and basketball.

So, if you'd like to mix up your sports betting exploits, it's hard to look past the broad range of Paddy Power's offerings. Sky Bet, on the other hand, tends to limit its focus to the most popular options.

Winner: Paddy Power

Betting App

Both Sky Bet and Paddy Power give you the option of downloading a mobile app for betting on the move. Both apps are compatible with iPhones, iPads and Android devices and allow you to follow various sports – including football and horse racing – and engage with in-play betting.

On iOS devices that have Touch ID, both apps allow you to swiftly log in by placing a finger on the sensor. However, with Sky Bet's app, it's also possible to deposit literally at a fingertip, as support is included for the payment service Apple Pay.

As for when you want to make withdrawals, Paddy Power seems to have the edge as, with the brand's Cash Card PPlus, you can instantly – and free-of-charge – withdraw your winnings from an ATM. Nonetheless, you would need to apply for that card first.

While there's no doubt that Paddy Power's app is comprehensive, the Sky Bet app is even more so. In fact, it's the highest-rated sports betting app on the UK's iOS App Store, where it has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 at the time of this comparison.

Winner: Sky Bet

Software and Graphics

In many ways, these sites are evenly-matched in the quality of their software. This is because both sites rely on software provided by Orbis Technology. Thankfully, this firm is one of the most respected purveyors of sports book software.

All of this likely helps explain the hitch-free performance of both sites' software - right down to during such simple procedures as toggling between options. It's also a factor behind the enjoyable experience of placing bets live, as live TV streaming is supported by this software.

It is therefore from a graphical perspective that these two sites more noticeably differ. In this respect as well, neither of these online sports betting portals provide what could be deemed a painful experience. Paddy Power goes for a green and white interface that evokes a greater sense of calm.

Sky Bet opts for the more glamorous approach that you would expect from the Sky stable. Hence, it could be a very subjective choice which site edges out the other in graphics and software - but we reckon that Paddy Power better recreates the feel of a bricks-and-mortar betting shop.

Winner: Paddy Power

Payment Methods

When you have your eye on making a deposit, you can use a credit or debit card, PayPal, Skrill or NETELLER whether you are on Sky Bet or Paddy Power.

Paddy Power bettors can also use bank transfers, paysafecard, Cash Card or the previously-mentioned Cash Card PPlus. However, it remains clear that Sky Bet supports the greater variety of payment methods; the site's choice notably includes Laser and Apple Pay.

Thankfully, both sites have comprehensive information about the payment methods that they support – not to mention how these methods can be used. Hence, if you encounter any technical difficulties in making a deposit, it shouldn’t take you too long to resolve them.

If you are eager to learn the choices of payment methods to help yourself decide which of these two sites to choose, we have a small but valuable tip. In these sites' help sections, it's easier to discern the choice available from Paddy Power than what Sky Bet supports.

Nonetheless, the wider range of options with Sky Bet lands it our stronger recommendation when it comes to payment methods.

Winner: Sky Bet

Customer Service

Both sites have informative help sections for when you have a query that has been anticipated already. On the Sky Bet site, you can bring up an article repository by clicking the green "Help & Support" link near the bottom of the homepage.

However, once you have done that, you could find this repository somewhat confusing to navigate. There are links to major categories of support - with titles like "Log in problems", "Banking Query" and "Sky Bet Query". Still, it pales in comparison to what Paddy Power offers with its help section.

To load that, you would scroll down the homepage and click, under "Information", the "Help Centre" link. This loads a section similar to what has just been described as available from Sky Bet; however, Paddy Power's alternative is, in our opinion, easier to get around.

This is due to a more intuitive layout that gives the more essential links greater prominence; the "Top 5 Sports FAQs" box near the top could prove especially useful for you.

Even if you need to reach out to Paddy Power for further help, an email can receive a reply in less than a couple of hours - while the wait for a response can be even shorter if you make a phone call.

Winner: Paddy Power

You can read even more about these sites in our Paddy Power review and Sky Bet review. While this article might have given both inexperienced and veteran sports bettors abundant food for thought, these sites shouldn't be the only ones that you consider sampling. We give you the option of reading through in-depth reviews of many other sports betting sites.