Softwr

Software · head to head

dYdX vs Gate.io

dYdX logo

dYdX

Software

Decentralized perpetual trading

From
Free
Rated
-
Gate.io logo

Gate.io

Software

Your gateway to crypto

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only dYdX has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: dYdX newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges; Gate.io withdrawal fees are dynamic and fluctuate based on network conditions without advance notice
  • They diverge on capability: dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Gate.io covers Spot Trading.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which dYdX and Gate.io actually diverge.

Attributes where dYdX and Gate.io differ
AttributedYdXGate.io
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20172013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in dYdX

  • Perpetual Contracts
  • Cross Margin
  • Portfolio Margin
  • Governance
  • DYDX Token
  • Cosmos SDK

Only in Gate.io

  • Spot Trading
  • Futures Trading
  • Margin Trading
  • Startup IEO
  • Copy Trading
  • GateChain
  • GT Token
  • Ios support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

dYdX

  • Definot Gate.io
  • Dexnot Gate.io
  • Derivativesnot Gate.io

Gate.io

  • Cryptocurrency spot and futures trading with 3,800+ trading pairsnot dYdX
  • Web3 wallet integration for cross-chain cryptocurrency swapsnot dYdX

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

dYdX

  • Newer platform with smaller liquidity pools compared to centralized exchanges
  • Requires cryptocurrency wallet for trading, adding friction for new users
  • Limited fiat on/off ramps compared to centralized alternatives like Coinbase

Gate.io

  • Withdrawal fees are dynamic and fluctuate based on network conditions without advance notice

Pricing, plan by plan

dYdX

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Perpetual trading
    • Governance
    • Staking

Gate.io

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Gate.io review.

Which should you pick?

Choose dYdX if

  • You need perpetual contracts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want cross margin.

Choose Gate.io if

  • You need spot trading.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want futures trading.

Questions people ask

Is dYdX or Gate.io better?
Neither clearly leads. dYdX starts at Free and Gate.io at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, dYdX or Gate.io?
dYdX has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for dYdX and On request for Gate.io.
Does dYdX or Gate.io run on more platforms?
dYdX runs on Web. Gate.io runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use dYdX for free?
Yes. dYdX has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Gate.io starts at On request.
What is dYdX best used for?
dYdX is most often used for defi, dex, derivatives. Of those, defi and dex are not what Gate.io is typically brought in for.
What can dYdX do that Gate.io cannot?
dYdX covers Perpetual Contracts, Cross Margin, Portfolio Margin, Governance. Gate.io covers Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Margin Trading, Startup IEO. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

dYdX: What type of trading does dYdX specialize in?

dYdX is a decentralized platform for perpetuals and margin trading, allowing professional traders to trade crypto derivatives without expiry dates. Built on ZK-rollup technology, it enables trading 143+ cryptocurrencies with leverage up to 50x on selected contracts.

Source
dYdX: How does dYdX maintain decentralization?

dYdX governance is fully community-driven, meaning token holders decide on protocol upgrades, fee structures, and risk parameters. The platform distributes 100% of its trading fees to stakers.

Source
dYdX: What are dYdX's gas fee advantages?

Built on StarkWare's ZK-rollup technology, dYdX enables trading with near-zero gas fees while users maintain full custody of their assets.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads