The 30-second version
- Both are paddle sports, but they’re quite different. Pickleball uses an open, badminton-sized court, a plastic ball, and a solid paddle. Padel is played on an enclosed court with walls you can play off, using a depressurized tennis ball.
- Pickleball rules North America; padel dominates Europe (especially Spain).
- Padel is always doubles; pickleball is singles or doubles.
- Pickleball is generally the easier and cheaper to start — you just need a paddle and any court.
They look similar from a distance — small courts, paddles, a bouncy ball — but pickleball and padel are genuinely different sports with different feels, equipment, and geographies. Here’s how they stack up.
The court
This is the biggest difference. Pickleball is played on an open, badminton-sized court (20 × 44 ft) with a low net — no walls. Padel is played on a larger, fully enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls (about 20 × 10 meters) that are part of the game — the ball can bounce off them, keeping rallies alive much longer, like squash. That walled court is why padel needs dedicated, purpose-built facilities.
The ball and paddle
Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball (like a wiffle ball) and a solid, flat paddle. Padel uses a depressurized tennis ball (softer than a regular tennis ball) and a solid, perforated paddle with holes and a wrist strap. Padel’s ball bounces higher and faster; pickleball’s is slower and easier to control.
Format and scoring
Padel is almost always played as doubles — four players, enclosed court. Pickleball can be singles or doubles. Padel uses tennis-style scoring (15, 30, 40, games, sets), while pickleball uses its own rally-to-11, serve-only scoring. Pickleball’s scoring is quirky but its serve (underhand) is far easier for beginners than padel’s.
Where each sport is popular
Geography is destiny here. Pickleball is king in North America — over 36 million Americans have played, and it’s the fastest-growing US sport. Padel dominates Europe and Latin America, with Spain as its heartland (millions of players) and fast growth across the UK and Middle East. Padel is growing in the US too, but from a much smaller base, and it requires those expensive walled courts.
Which is easier to start?
Pickleball, by a wide margin. You need only a paddle and any flat court (or a portable net), the underhand serve is simple, and the slow ball is forgiving. Padel requires access to a purpose-built enclosed court, which are still scarce in most of the US, and the wall play adds a learning curve. For most people in North America, pickleball is the easier, cheaper, more available choice.
Which should you play?
If you’re in North America and want a social, low-cost, easy-to-learn sport with courts everywhere, pickleball is the obvious pick. If you have access to a padel club and love longer, squash-like rallies off the walls, padel is a blast. Plenty of players enjoy both — the paddle skills transfer, even though the games feel different.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between pickleball and padel?
The court. Pickleball uses an open, badminton-sized court with no walls; padel is played on an enclosed court with glass and mesh walls that are part of the game, like squash. They also use different balls — plastic for pickleball, a depressurized tennis ball for padel.
Is pickleball or padel easier to learn?
Pickleball is generally easier and cheaper to start. It needs only a paddle and any flat court, the underhand serve is beginner-friendly, and the slow plastic ball is forgiving. Padel requires a purpose-built walled court and adds wall play to learn.
Which is more popular, pickleball or padel?
It depends on where you are. Pickleball dominates North America and is the fastest-growing US sport, while padel dominates Europe and Latin America, with Spain as its stronghold. Both are growing fast globally.
Can I use a pickleball paddle for padel?
No — they’re different. Padel paddles are thicker, have a wrist strap, and are designed for a pressurized ball and wall play. Pickleball paddles are flat and thin, made for a light plastic ball. Use the right paddle for each sport.
Is padel coming to the US?
Yes — padel is growing in the US, with new clubs opening in major cities. But it’s still far behind pickleball in courts and players because it requires expensive enclosed courts, whereas pickleball can be played on any flat surface.
New to paddle sports?
If pickleball is your pick, start with our complete beginner’s guide, find a place to play in the court directory, and grab the right gear with the Paddle Finder.