The benefits of having an online bookmaker in your pocket are tremendous. If you’re running late and won’t make it home in time to place your bets before the big football game, you can simply fire up your mobile app if you fancy a flutter. If you’re busy at work and can’t get to the bookie to place your day’s horse racing bets, you can get the same odds and markets on your mobile device. You get the idea - you can bet on sports from just about anywhere, all you need is an internet connection.

What you might not know is that mobile betting apps come in two distinct formats - stand-alone ‘native’ apps and web-based mobile browser apps. Here at Compare.bet, we think having a mobile betting app is the standout option. Let’s take a closer look and find out why.

Why place sports bets on a mobile app?

Safety

Any form of gambling online involves financial transactions so safety and security is of paramount importance to all mobile sports bettors. Industry standard data encryption, state-of-the-art firewalls and numerous other safeguards have been put in place to protect customers online. This applies to all applications, both desktop and mobile. However, with a stand-alone betting app, punters are offered even greater protection through 2FA (2-Factor-Authentication) and certificate pinning, both of which are in place to prevent fraudulent activity. Additionally, both desktop and mobile apps which are available in application stores, such as the Google Play or Apple App Store, must be put through rigorous tests to ensure any bugs or glitches are discovered before it hits the market. This means you should be guaranteed a smooth and safe transition from desktop to mobile when taking your sports bets on the go.

Storage space

When it comes to choosing between a native mobile app and the mobile web equivalent, users must factor in storage space requirements. If you’re low on storage space, you might not be able to download a native betting app. In this scenario, using a mobile web app is your best option.

Push notifications

One of the best features of having a mobile betting app is push notifications. You’ll never miss out on a betting opportunity again as all the best promotions, price boosts and enhanced accumulators will be delivered straight to your phone! Some bookies even offer notifications to keep you updated on scorelines and match results, so if you’re in for a busy day but want to keep an eye on your bets, you’ll always be in the know thanks to push notifications.

Speed

Sports bettors need speed, especially for in-play betting. If you’ve noticed a swing in momentum and see a change in scoreline coming soon, you’ll need to back it quickly. Having a native mobile app on your phone means that bet is just a few taps away. No need to type in the web address, no hassle - the native app wins hands down over its web-based counterpart when it comes to speed.

How do I get started?

You can start placing your bets on a mobile betting app in just a few minutes by following these easy steps:

1. Choose a top online betting site.Take a look through our carefully curated list of the best online betting sites and find the perfect match for you. All the sites on our list are fully licensed and are jam-packed with the best prices, welcome bonuses and promos.
2. Sign up. Once you’ve picked out a favourite, follow the link provided to sign up and become eligible for an exclusive welcome bonus. Creating an account is simple and only takes a few minutes. All you’ll need to do is provide a few personal details.
3. Deposit & claim your welcome bonus.To deposit and claim your welcome offers, simply visit the cashier at your chosen bookie. You’ll find a number of payment methods available such as credit and debit cards, PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. In most instances, once you’ve made your first deposit, you’ll be credited with your welcome bonus almost instantly.
4. Mobile betting app or mobile web? Once you’ve signed up, you can either continue to place your bets on the mobile web, or download a native app from your platforms application store. You’ll usually find this on your phone’s home screen.
5. Play! Whether you’ve opted for the mobile web or a native betting app, you’ll have thousands of betting markets at your fingertips everyday. Your next big win could be just a few taps away!

Our verdict

Now we’ve taken you through the ins and outs of mobile betting apps, you should know enough to make a well-informed decision - native app or mobile web? Whichever option you go for, our list of top mobile sportsbooks has got you covered. Whilst they’re all first-class, each has its own strengths, so it ultimately comes down to which one meets your betting needs. All you need to do is compare and find your perfect match, you’ll be betting on the go in a matter of minutes!