Uniswap and SushiSwap are two of the most popular decentralized exchanges (DEXs) in crypto. They look similar on the surface—both use automated market maker (AMM) liquidity pools, both are non-custodial, and both let you trade tokens without a middleman.
But under the hood, they are very different.
If you’re trying to choose the best DEX for swapping tokens, earning yield, or exploring DeFi, this guide breaks down fees, liquidity, rewards, security, token support, speed, and overall user experience.
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What Is Uniswap? (The AMM Pioneer)
Uniswap launched in 2018 and became the blueprint for modern AMMs. It popularized the idea of swapping tokens directly through liquidity pools instead of order books.
Key Features
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Massive liquidity
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Extremely simple interface
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Supports thousands of ERC-20 tokens
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Runs across Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and more
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Strong developer support and frequent updates
Uniswap is the “default DEX” for most DeFi users because it offers fast, reliable trades with deep liquidity.
What Is SushiSwap? (The Community-Driven Uniswap Fork)
SushiSwap started as a fork of Uniswap but evolved into a broader DeFi ecosystem. It not only offers swaps, but also yield farming, lending, staking, and cross-chain capabilities.
Key Features
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Cross-chain swaps on 10+ networks
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Extra yield opportunities through Sushi Farms
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SUSHI staking rewards (xSUSHI)
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Community governance and incentives
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Larger suite of DeFi tools beyond swapping
SushiSwap is known for its community-first culture and multi-chain expansion.
Uniswap vs. SushiSwap: How the Technology Works
Both platforms use automated market makers (AMMs), where users provide liquidity and earn fees. The difference is in how they’ve evolved.
Uniswap Uses:
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Constant product AMM (Uniswap v2)
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Concentrated liquidity (v3) — LPs set price ranges
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Hooks (v4, upcoming) — customizable liquidity strategies
SushiSwap Uses:
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Mostly Uniswap v2-style AMMs
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More traditional liquidity pools without LP price ranges
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Simpler LP mechanics for beginners
Winner:
Uniswap for advanced AMM tech
SushiSwap for easier LP participation
Trading Fees: Which DEX Costs Less?
Uniswap Fees
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Pools use 0.05%, 0.3%, or 1% fee tiers
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Highly liquid pools usually use 0.05% or 0.3%
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No additional token incentives
SushiSwap Fees
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Standard 0.3% fee
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0.05% goes to SUSHI stakers
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0.25% goes to liquidity providers
Winner:
Uniswap for lower fees on many pairs
SushiSwap for sharing fees with token stakers
Liquidity Depth: Who Has More Trading Volume?
Liquidity is crucial for good prices and low slippage.
Uniswap Liquidity
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Consistently the highest of any DEX
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Better prices on most major token pairs
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Typically lower slippage
SushiSwap Liquidity
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Much lower on most tokens
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Sometimes competitive on:
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Long-tail assets
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Cross-chain pools
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Incentivized farms
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Winner: Uniswap (by a wide margin)
Token Availability
Uniswap
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New tokens often launch here first
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Best for long-tail assets
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Huge variety across chains
SushiSwap
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Good coverage, but not as extensive
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Some chains offer unique pools not found on Uniswap
Winner: Uniswap
Rewards & Yield Opportunities
SushiSwap shines when it comes to earning yield.
SushiSwap Yield Options
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Farms with boosted APRs
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SUSHI staking (xSUSHI)
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Higher % of trading fees distributed to the community
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Cross-chain yield opportunities
Uniswap Yield Options
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LP fees only
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Concentrated liquidity can earn higher returns, but requires active management
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No native token rewards
Winner: SushiSwap for passive yield
Uniswap only wins if you are an expert managing concentrated liquidity.
Security Comparison
Both platforms have undergone major audits and are considered safe, but differences exist.
Uniswap Security
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Extremely battle-tested
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Very few security incidents
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Largest developer team
SushiSwap Security
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Mostly secure
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Past issues include:
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Admin key controversies
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Token migration drama
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High-profile smart-contract bug in 2023 (quickly patched)
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Winner: Uniswap
User Experience & Interface
Uniswap UX
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Extremely simple
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Clean and intuitive design
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Great for beginners
SushiSwap UX
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More complex
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Many menus and additional features
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Better for advanced DeFi users
Winner: Depends on your level
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Beginner: Uniswap
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Advanced user: SushiSwap
Speed & Gas Efficiency
Uniswap
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Highly optimized smart contracts
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Faster execution
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Lower gas on most chains
SushiSwap
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Slightly higher gas usage
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Depends heavily on chain and pool
Winner: Uniswap
SushiSwap vs. Uniswap: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Uniswap | SushiSwap |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Fees | 0.05–1% | ~0.3% |
| Liquidity | Very high | Moderate |
| Token Variety | Excellent | Good |
| Yield Farming | Limited (LP fees only) | Excellent |
| Cross-Chain Support | Broad | Very broad |
| Security | Top tier | Good but mixed history |
| UX | Very easy | More advanced |
| Best For | Traders | Yield farmers |
Which Should You Use? Final Recommendation
Use Uniswap if you want:
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Best prices
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Lowest slippage
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Fast trades
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Largest token selection
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Top-tier security
Best for: Everyday swaps, beginners, whales, pros.
Use SushiSwap if you want:
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Yield farming opportunities
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More community-driven rewards
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Strong cross-chain support
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SUSHI staking
Best for: Yield farmers, multi-chain explorers, and active DeFi users.
Final Verdict
Both DEXs are great, but they serve different purposes:
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Uniswap is the best DEX for trading.
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SushiSwap is the best DEX for earning yield and exploring multi-chain DeFi.
Most users benefit from using both, depending on whether they want to swap tokens or farm rewards.
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About the Author: Alex Assoune
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