Best DFS sites for NBA pick'em and salary cap games

We're taking a look at the best DFS apps for NBA contests, where users can make predictions on player performances for real-money payouts, build daily fantasy basketball lineups, and compete in short-term contests throughout the NBA season. Plus, we're highlighting the best NBA DFS promos available for both new and returning users.

Here is a breakdown of the best DFS apps on the market today and the latest bonus offers available for each app.

How do you play NBA DFS?

There are two main types of NBA DFS games – salary cap contests, and pick 'em contests. Here's how each contest works.

How to play Salary Cap NBA DFS contests

NBA DFS salary cap contests challenge players to build a lineup of NBA players while staying under a set salary cap. Each player is assigned a salary based on recent performance, matchup, and role, and you must balance stars with value plays to maximize scoring potential. 

Points are earned based on real-game statistics like points, rebounds, assists, and steals, with the goal of outscoring other lineups in the contest. Strategy involves targeting players in high-paced games, monitoring injuries, and identifying underpriced players poised to outperform their salary.

How to play Pick 'Em NBA DFS contests

NBA DFS pick 'em contests are a simplified format where players select between two statistical outcomes for each player, such as choosing whether a player will go Over or Under, or Higher or Lower than a projected stat line. Instead of managing a salary cap, you build an entry by combining multiple player picks – typically two to six – to increase payout potential. The more correct picks you make, the higher your winnings, but missing even one can reduce or eliminate your payout. 

Our favorite NBA DFS sites

Read on for reviews of the best NBA DFS apps on the market today.

Underdog Fantasy

The Underdog promo code unlocks several engaging NBA DFS formats, highlighted by its popular Pick 'Em contests where users simply predict whether players will go higher or lower than projected stats like points, rebounds, or assists. Entry fees typically range from $3 to $1,000, giving players flexibility in how much they want to stake. 

The Underdog payout scale is based on the number of picks in an entry – standard Pick 'Ems can return about 3x for two correct picks, 6x for three, 10x for four, and up to 20x for five. Players can also choose "Flex" options that allow a small margin for error while still earning partial payouts. 

In addition to Pick 'Em, Underdog also runs Best Ball contests for NBA fans, where users draft teams that automatically optimize their highest-scoring players each week throughout the season with no lineup management required. Sign up for Underdog here:

Sleeper

The Sleeper promo code grants access to an intuitive "Picks" contest format where you choose whether a player will go More/Less than their projected stat line (points, assists, rebounds, etc.) and link together multiple picks – typically with 2-8 picks – to earn multiplied payouts. 

Additionally, Sleeper features daily draft-style contests for NBA where you build a small roster for a single slate, though the Pick'em style remains its main DFS focus. The standout elements are the dynamic payout multipliers (each pick has its own odds) and the strong social features – like chat, squads, and shared picks – that make the app more community-driven than many other DFS platforms. Sign up for Sleeper:

Boom Fantasy

Boom Fantasy stands out by focusing on Pick 'em-style NBA DFS contests rather than traditional salary-cap lineups. Users make over/under or head-to-head matchup predictions on individual players, such as whether a player will exceed a certain points or rebounds line. 

Contests are divided into risk tiers like "Toss-Ups," "Favorites," and "Longshots," where higher risk means higher payout multipliers, with some formats offering up to 500x returns for perfect picks. Its streamlined mobile interface and quick-result format make it ideal for players who want fast, simple DFS action without complex roster building. Sign up for Boom Fantasy here:

Betr Picks

Betr Picks offers a streamlined DFS experience focused on the "More/Less" pick'em format, where for NBA contests you decide if a player will finish Higher or Lower a specified stat line such as points, rebounds, or assists. Users can link multiple picks, anywhere from 2 to 10, to boost their payout multiplier, with potential payouts reaching up to 1,000x for perfect entries. The app emphasizes simplicity and speed, making it a strong choice for NBA fans who prefer quick, prop-style contests over traditional lineup-building formats. You can also snag the latest Betr promo code. Sign up for Betr here:

Dabble

Dabble offers a streamlined NBA DFS experience centered around Pick 'Em–style contests, where users select whether a player will finish over or under a given stat line such as points, rebounds, or assists. The platform allows entries with 2 to 12 picks, with multipliers increasing significantly the more picks you include—perfect hits can multiply your stake up to 1,000x. 

Its mobile-only design emphasizes social features like sharing, following others' entries, and chatting, making it ideal for players who prefer fast, simple, and interactive stat-based contests over traditional lineup building. Sign up for Dabble here:

FanDuel Picks

FanDuel Picks offers a clean and accessible NBA-focused DFS experience where you pick 3 to 6 players and predict whether each will finish "more" or "less" than a projected stat line (points, rebounds, assists, etc.). Your entry goes into a peer-to-peer contest: you earn points for each correct pick and the top scorers share the prize pool, with potential payouts reaching up to 1,000× your entry fee for a perfect lineup. The simple, stat-based format makes it ideal if you prefer prop-like challenges over full salary-cap roster builds. Sign up for FanDuel Picks here:

Pick6

Pick6 offers a streamlined and engaging alternative to traditional DFS by letting you choose between 2 to 6 player-stat "more/less" picks in a peer-to-peer contest format after you claim your DraftKings Pick6 promo code. For NBA slates you'll find stats like points, assists, rebounds, 3-pointers, blocks, steals, or combined categories such as points + rebounds + assists. Once you lock in your entry across at least two different teams, you compete against other users and cash prizes are awarded based on how many of your picks you get correct, not a fixed payout, but a shared pool that rewards near-perfect performance. Sign up for DraftKings Pick6:

ParlayPlay

The ParlayPlay promo code unlocks a refreshingly simple DFS experience by centering on "pick'em"-style parlays instead of full rosters, making it ideal for players who prefer quick entries and straightforward wins. 

For NBA slates, you select between 2 to 9 players and predict whether each will go "More" or "Less" than a given stat line such as points, rebounds, assists, or combined fantasy points from different teams. All picks in an "All-In" entry must be correct to win, and "Insured" contests allow a smaller payout even if one pick misses, with larger parlays offering higher potential multipliers. Sign up for ParlayPlay now:

Best overall NBA DFS site

After reviewing all of the above mentioned DFS apps, Underdog Fantasy stands out as our pick as the best NBA DFS app because it combines simplicity, strategy, and innovation better than anyone else. Its Pick 'Em contests are fast, intuitive, and offer flexible entry ranges from $3 to $1,000, appealing to both casual players and high-stakes competitors. The payout structure is transparent and rewarding, with options like "Flex" entries that still pay out even if one pick misses. What truly sets Underdog apart, though, is its Best Ball format – a season-long contest where drafted teams automatically optimize lineups each week, eliminating the hassle of daily roster management.