The core difference lies in what each method measures. Polls capture what people say they believe will happen, while prediction markets reflect what people are willing to bet on. This distinction often leads to different outcomes, especially when public opinion doesn’t align with actual behavior.

Additionally, both systems have limitations. Polls can suffer from response bias and outdated data, while prediction markets may be influenced by low liquidity or large individual trades. In some cases, markets even react to polling data itself, meaning they don’t always provide an independent forecast.