Sites like PokerStars have upped their game in recent years, and now have some of the most advanced poker software, weekly tournaments with guarantees of $300,000+, cash games from $0.01/$0.02 to $1,000/$2,000, and generous rewards without the old-school grind.
If you’re looking for PokerStars alternatives, there’s a good chance you want wider access in the US, which is another reason offshore poker sites are rising to the top. Whatever your reason, it’s a smart time to check out the competition.
Best PokerStars Alternatives
In This Guide
- Best PokerStars Alternatives
- Sites Like PokerStars: Video Review
- Why Use a PokerStars Alternative?
- PokerStars Moves to FanDuel
- Rake at Sites Like PokerStars
- Poker Tournaments at PokerStars Alternatives
- Player Traffic: PokerStars vs Sites Like PokerStars
- How to Switch From PokerStars
- Sites Like Poker Stars FAQs
Sites Like PokerStars: Video Review
To help you decide where you want to play your poker, check out our video review to HUD-free poker sites that are similar to PokerStars.
Why Use a PokerStars Alternative?
While PokerStars remains a major player in online poker, growing dissatisfaction has led more players to look for sites like PokerStars for a different experience.
This largely stems from:
- An increase in tougher competition
- A disliked rewards system
- Poor rakeback
- Lack of modernization, such as not using cryptocurrency for payments
If you’ve been playing at PokerStars for a while, you’ve probably noticed the shift. The games have gotten tougher, the rewards feel like less of a reward, and the platform seems more focused on its casino offering than on poker itself.
If you just want to sit down, enjoy a game, and feel like you have a fair shot at winning, it’s hard to justify staying. The best PokerStars alternatives have taken note, offering softer games, better value, and a poker-first experience.
PokerStars Moves to FanDuel
In March 2026, PokerStars announced it would be moving its platform to FanDuel, meaning US players now need to create an account on FanDuel to access PokerStars.
On the plus side, this could lead to improved liquidity. But it’s another big move for Stars after selling to Amaya in 2014, which led to a raft of changes and turned some fans away.
This latest migration to FanDuel will once again rub some players the wrong way – especially casual players who try to log in and then learn that they need to create a whole new account. Or anyone who already has a banned account at FanDuel, and is therefore now locked out of PokerStars.
It’s another reason that now is the perfect time to experiment with PokerStars alternatives.
Rake at Sites Like PokerStars
One key area that you look for when choosing where to gamble your hard-earned cash is the rake. A generous rakeback system goes a long way to keeping things sweet.
PokerStars Rake Increases
PokerStars increased rake several times, causing a bit of a stir. In April 2024, they raised rake in micro-stakes cash games and Kick-Off tournaments, leaving many wondering whether to stick with PokerStars or switch to alternatives.
For example, the rake in $0.01/$0.02 games went from 3.5% to 5%, and the rake in $0.02/$0.05 games increased from 4.15% to 5%. These increases significantly impacted regular players, especially in lower-stakes games and tournaments.
Daniel Negreanu, a former PokerStars ambassador, defended the higher rake, claiming it was beneficial for the poker ecosystem. His stance led to a public feud with Doug Polk, who criticized him in a viral video, escalating the rivalry.
Rakeback at PokerStars Competitors
Many of the best PokerStars alternatives offer generous rakeback deals to reward loyal players. CoinPoker stands out with a combination of 15% flat rakeback, paid in real time, plus an additional $1.5M in weekly CoinRewards.
It’s especially rare to receive your rake as you play, like you do at CoinPoker. Most sites pay out rakeback once per week or month, while some lock it into a more complex VIP rewards program.
Poker Tournaments at PokerStars Alternatives
PokerStars has been a major player in online poker for years, hosting iconic MTTs like the Sunday Million, but sites such as CoinPoker are now stepping in with huge guarantees of $100,000-$250,000 or more on Sundays to rival them.
ACR Poker has one of the most coveted annual tournaments around: The Venom. This is a series of high-stakes, guaranteed-prize-pool poker tournaments that culminate in the $12.5M NLH and $2M PLO events.
Even sites like BCPoker are clawing part of the market away, as low-stakes players look for PokerStars alternatives with softer games that are more winnable. And more enjoyable.
There are plenty of big tournaments to choose from across all of the best PokerStars alternatives. Here are some of the big hitters:
| Tournament Name | Guarantee | Buy-in | Poker Site |
| WCOOP | $80M | $109 | PokerStars |
| The Venom Main Event | $12.5M+ | $2,650 | ACR Poker |
| Cash Game World Championship | N/A | $0 – $2,650 | CoinPoker |
| The $200K GTD | $200,000 | $162 | Ignition Poker |
Player Traffic: PokerStars vs Sites Like PokerStars
PokerStars still receives a lot of traffic to its site on a daily and weekly basis. In fact, it remains at the top of the leaderboard across both the US and the UK poker sites.
But the PokerStars alternatives we have mentioned are catching up fast. With their innovative promotions and user-friendly services, people from around the world are choosing to play at poker rooms like PokerStars, ACR Poker, and BetOnline.
Many of our recommended PokerStars alternatives are part of top poker networks. Ignition is on PaiWangLuo, ACR on the Winning Poker Network, and CoinPoker runs its own network. Each offers steady traffic and real-money action around the clock.
Cash Game Traffic
Traffic at PokerStars is high, but other sites, like CoinPoker, are catching up. The Cash Game World Championship illustrates this: hundreds of players took part in first-ever event, and the winner played more than 40,000 hands.
Tournament Traffic
The tournament traffic at PokerStars is certainly on the larger side, especially with their perennially popular weekly Sunday Majors. Sites like PokerStars, such as ACR Poker with the Venom series, are rivalling the traffic numbers, though.
BetOnline Poker now offers over $3 million in guaranteed tournaments, showcasing its rise in popularity. Like other PokerStars alternatives, these sites let players satellite into big events for low or even no buy-ins.
How to Switch From PokerStars
Switching is straightforward, but there are a few things worth doing before you close your account and move to one of the best sites like PokerStars:
- Clear your balance: Withdraw any remaining funds before you do anything else. Processing times vary so factor that in before deactivating
- Redeem your Stars Rewards: Any chests or points you have sitting there won’t transfer anywhere, so cash them out or use them up
- Check for active bonuses: If you’re mid-way through a bonus or promotion, decide whether it’s worth completing before you leave
- Save your hand history: If you use tracking software, export your hand history from the PokerStars client before closing your account. You won’t be able to access it afterwards
- Pick your next site: Have your account set up at one of the top PokerStars alternatives and funded before you walk away so there’s no downtime at the tables
Once you’re ready, account closure is handled through PokerStars support. Note that if you’re migrating to FanDuel as part of the platform move, your account details should transfer, but it’s worth double checking your balance and rewards carry over correctly. When that’s sorted, sites like PokerStars such as ACR Poker and CoinPoker are ready to go whenever you are.
