Best perp DEX in 2026 by fees, leverage and use case
Compare perp DEXes by fees, leverage, market count, and other use cases. Read the access guides for identity checks and regional limits.
| # | Use case | Ranked by | Current leader | Leader’s value | Venues ranked | Open the ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Perp DEX for Low FeesThe rank uses each venue base taker rate. A VIP tier, a referral discount, or a wide spread can change what you actually pay. | Taker fee | Lighter | 0 bps | 12 | Open ranking |
| 2 | Highest Leverage Perp DEXA high cap is not a recommendation. Leverage limits fall on large positions, and a small adverse move liquidates a large one. | Max leverage | Gains Network | 1000x | 12 | Open guide |
| 3 | Perp DEX With the Most Trading PairsA long market list does not mean deep books. Check depth on the specific pair before you size a position. | Pairs | Aster | 583+ | 12 | Open ranking |
| 4 | Compare Solana perp DEXesThe rank uses editorial liquidity scores for venues that list Solana support. It does not measure current order-book depth or execution speed. | Liquidity score | Orderly Network | 8/10 | 7 | Open guide |
| 5 | Best Perp DEX for BeginnersA simple interface does not lower market risk. Trade a small size until you know how the venue handles liquidation. | Features score | Hyperliquid | 9.5/10 | 12 | Open guide |
| 6 | Compare perp DEX securityAn audit records one review at one point in time. It does not promise that a venue is free of future risk. | Security score | dYdX | 9.2/10 | 12 | Open ranking |
| 7 | Perp DEX With Zero Maker FeesA zero maker rate needs a resting limit order. A market order pays the taker rate instead. | Maker fee | DESK | -1 bps | 10 | Open ranking |
| 8 | Perp Funding Costs and Venue ScoresFunding changes each interval. Read the live rate for your asset before you hold a position through a settlement. | Editorial venue liquidity score | Hyperliquid | 9.5/10 | 12 | Open ranking |
| 9 | Best perp DEX to farm pointsA points program is not a promise of a token. Programs change their rules, and some end with no distribution. | Editorial venue rating | dYdX | 9/10 | 8 | Open ranking |
| 10 | Bitcoin Perp Venue ComparisonDeep BTC books still move on a large order. Compare the cost for your own size, not for the headline rank. | Editorial venue liquidity score | Hyperliquid | 9.5/10 | 12 | Open ranking |
| 11 | Ethereum Perp Venue ComparisonDeep ETH books still move on a large order. Compare the cost for your own size, not for the headline rank. | Editorial venue liquidity score | Hyperliquid | 9.5/10 | 12 | Open ranking |
How we measureSort rules and placement policy
These 11 rankings use venue fees, leverage limits, supported pairs, and editorial scores from the perpetuals registry. We do not take payment for placement. Affiliate links fund the data infrastructure and do not change the sort order.
A venue that is offline or discontinued is removed before each sort runs, so it cannot lead a category. Its review page stays online as a historical record. Each category then lists the venues that carry a value for its metric, up to a cutoff of 12. A venue with no value for a metric is left out, never shown as a zero.
For execution cost including funding-rate carry over your holding period, use the cost comparison tool. For a single round-trip estimate, the fee calculator models every venue.
Access guides
- No-KYC Perp DEX Access Guide
Access rules change. A venue can add identity checks or block a region at any time, so read its current terms.