Uniswap vs SushiSwap: Which DEX Is Right for You in 2025?
16 October 2025
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When you want to swap crypto without a middleman, you don’t need a bank. You just need a decentralized exchange - or DEX. Two names come up again and again: Uniswap and SushiSwap. Both let you trade tokens directly from your wallet. Both use the same basic tech. But that’s where the similarities end. In 2025, choosing between them isn’t about which is ‘better.’ It’s about what you want to get out of your trading experience.
How They Work - Same Core, Different Goals
Both Uniswap and SushiSwap run on automated market makers (AMMs). That means there are no order books. Instead, pools of tokens sit in smart contracts, and prices shift based on supply and demand. If you trade ETH for USDC, the system adjusts the ratio in the pool automatically. Simple, right? Uniswap launched in 2018 and basically invented this model. It became the default DEX for Ethereum users. SushiSwap came along in 2020 as a fork - a copy - of Uniswap’s code. But instead of just copying, it added something new: rewards. SushiSwap wanted to lure users away by giving them tokens just for using the platform. That’s the first big difference: Uniswap is a trading tool. SushiSwap is a rewards engine wrapped in a trading tool.Liquidity and Volume - The Numbers Don’t Lie
By late 2025, Uniswap holds about $4 billion in locked-up assets (TVL). SushiSwap? Around $400 million. That’s a ten-to-one gap. Daily trading volume tells the same story: Uniswap sees $1-2 billion a day. SushiSwap? $50-150 million. Why does this matter? Liquidity = smoother trades. If you’re swapping a big amount of a popular token like ETH or USDC, Uniswap will give you a better price with less slippage. SushiSwap can still handle it, but you’ll feel the difference on larger trades. For small swaps or testing new tokens, SushiSwap works fine. But if you’re moving serious money, Uniswap is the safer bet.Fees - Who Gets Paid?
Uniswap V3 lets you pick fee tiers: 0.05%, 0.3%, or 1%. Stablecoin pairs (like USDC/DAI) use 0.05% to keep trading cheap. Riskier tokens use 0.3% or 1%. All of that fee goes straight to liquidity providers. SushiSwap sticks with a flat 0.3% fee. But here’s the twist: 0.25% goes to liquidity providers. The other 0.05% goes to people who stake SUSHI tokens. That’s the xSUSHI system. If you hold and stake SUSHI, you earn a cut of every trade on the platform. That’s not just a bonus - it’s income. You’re literally paid to be a long-term supporter. Uniswap’s UNI token? It’s only for voting. No staking rewards. No passive income. Just governance. SushiSwap’s SUSHI token? It’s both a vote and a paycheck.
Which One Pays You More?
If you’re a liquidity provider, SushiSwap’s Onsen Program gives you extra SUSHI tokens on top of trading fees. It’s especially aggressive with new tokens. Want to add liquidity to a fresh project? You’ll get boosted rewards. That’s why yield farmers flock here. It’s not just about trading - it’s about farming. Uniswap doesn’t do this. You get trading fees. That’s it. No extra tokens. No incentives. If you’re happy with just the fee split and don’t care about earning more tokens, Uniswap is clean and simple. But here’s the catch: SushiSwap’s rewards aren’t guaranteed. Token prices can drop. Rewards can shrink. You might earn 10% APY one month and 2% the next. Uniswap’s returns are more predictable - just the fees. No surprises.Multi-Chain Support - The Future Is Everywhere
Uniswap operates on Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and BNB Chain. Solid. But it’s focused on the biggest networks. SushiSwap? It’s on 14+ chains, including Avalanche, Fantom, Harmony, and Moonbeam. If you’re using a less popular chain, SushiSwap is likely your only DEX option. For users who jump between chains to chase lower fees or faster transactions, SushiSwap is the flexible choice. Uniswap’s strength is depth. SushiSwap’s strength is breadth. If you’re only on Ethereum or Polygon, Uniswap is fine. If you’re hopping across chains, SushiSwap gives you one place to do it all.
Interface and Learning Curve
Uniswap’s interface is simple. Connect your wallet. Pick tokens. Swap. Done. The mobile app works smoothly. It’s designed for people who just want to trade. SushiSwap? It’s cluttered. There’s staking, farming, limit orders, lending, cross-chain bridges - all in one place. It’s powerful, but overwhelming for beginners. You need to understand impermanent loss, reward cycles, and how to bridge tokens between chains. If you’re new to DeFi, you’ll spend more time figuring out how to use it than actually trading. That’s why experts recommend starting with Uniswap. Learn the basics. Get comfortable with wallets and slippage. Then, if you want to earn more, switch to SushiSwap. It’s not that SushiSwap is harder - it’s just more.Who Should Use Which?
Use Uniswap if:- You’re new to decentralized trading
- You want fast, cheap swaps with minimal fuss
- You trade large amounts and need deep liquidity
- You prefer predictability over extra rewards
- You’re mostly on Ethereum, Polygon, or Arbitrum
- You’re already comfortable with DeFi basics
- You want to earn extra tokens just for providing liquidity
- You trade across multiple blockchains
- You enjoy yield farming and staking
- You believe in long-term token incentives over pure trading
What’s Next?
Uniswap is adding NFT marketplaces and refining its concentrated liquidity tools. It’s doubling down on being the most reliable place to trade. SushiSwap is building out lending, limit orders, and more farming options. It’s trying to become a full DeFi hub - not just a DEX. Neither is going away. Uniswap has the volume. SushiSwap has the innovation. One isn’t replacing the other. They’re serving different people. If you’re still unsure, try both. Swap $10 on Uniswap. Then swap $10 on SushiSwap. See which one feels right. Your experience will tell you more than any article ever could.Is SushiSwap safer than Uniswap?
Both platforms use audited smart contracts and have been live for years with no major exploits. Uniswap has a longer track record, which gives some users more confidence. But SushiSwap’s code is based on Uniswap’s, so the core security is nearly identical. Neither is riskier than the other - the real risk comes from how you use them. Always check token addresses, avoid unknown projects, and never share your private key.
Can I stake UNI like I can stake SUSHI?
No. UNI is purely a governance token. You can vote on proposals, but you can’t stake it to earn rewards. SUSHI, on the other hand, can be staked as xSUSHI to earn 0.05% of every trade fee on the platform. That’s a key difference in economic design - SushiSwap pays its users, Uniswap doesn’t.
Which one has lower fees for stablecoin swaps?
Uniswap wins here. On Uniswap V3, you can choose a 0.05% fee tier for stablecoin pairs like USDC/DAI. SushiSwap charges a flat 0.3% on all trades. That makes Uniswap significantly cheaper for swapping stablecoins - especially if you’re doing frequent, small trades.
Do I need to use a wallet with both?
Yes. Both platforms require a Web3 wallet like MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Phantom. You connect your wallet directly - no sign-ups, no accounts. That’s the point of decentralized exchanges. You control your funds. Just make sure you’re on the official website (uniswap.org or sushi.com) to avoid phishing scams.
Which DEX is better for beginners?
Uniswap. Its interface is clean, intuitive, and focused on one thing: swapping tokens. SushiSwap has too many features - staking, farming, limit orders - that can confuse someone just learning how DEXs work. Start with Uniswap. Master the basics. Then explore SushiSwap when you’re ready for more.
Can I use SushiSwap on mobile?
Yes. SushiSwap works through mobile wallets like MetaMask and Coinbase Wallet. You can access it via browser on your phone, and the interface is fully responsive. It’s not as polished as Uniswap’s dedicated app, but it works. For full mobile convenience, Uniswap’s app still has the edge.
Are there better alternatives to both?
Yes - but not necessarily better for you. PancakeSwap is popular on BNB Chain. Curve excels at stablecoin swaps. Trader Joe offers strong rewards on Avalanche. But if you’re looking for broad token support, deep liquidity, and reliability, Uniswap and SushiSwap remain the top two choices for most users in 2025.
Bruce Bynum
November 1, 2025 AT 05:51Just tried swapping $20 on both - Uniswap was faster, SushiSwap felt like a game. Both work, but Uniswap’s the coffee, SushiSwap’s the energy drink. Pick your vibe.
Masechaba Setona
November 1, 2025 AT 09:24Uniswap is a corporate front. SushiSwap? That’s the real DeFi rebellion. They’re paying you to rebel. The system wants you to think it’s just a swap tool. But it’s a trap. They’re harvesting your attention. 🤔
Kymberley Sant
November 2, 2025 AT 15:27who even uses sushi swap? its like trying to cook with a toaster. uniswap just works. i dont need 12 tabs open to swap eth for usdc 😭
Edgerton Trowbridge
November 4, 2025 AT 06:56It is important to recognize that the architectural divergence between these two platforms reflects fundamentally different economic philosophies. Uniswap prioritizes transactional efficiency and network stability, while SushiSwap introduces a dynamic incentive layer designed to align user behavior with protocol growth. This is not merely a feature difference - it is a paradigm shift.
Matthew Affrunti
November 6, 2025 AT 06:22Start with Uniswap. It’s clean. Learn how to swap, how gas works, how slippage bites. Then go to SushiSwap when you’re ready to farm. No rush. DeFi’s a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll thank yourself later.