Software · head to head
PancakeSwap vs Uniswap
Uniswap
Software
Swap, earn, and build on the leading decentralized protocol
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: PancakeSwap no custody of user funds, users must manage wallet security; Uniswap high gas fees on Ethereum network during congestion periods
- They diverge on capability: PancakeSwap covers Yield Farming, Uniswap covers Liquidity Pools.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PancakeSwap and Uniswap actually diverge.
| Attribute | PancakeSwap | Uniswap |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism |
| Founded | 2020 | 2018 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 PancakeSwap
- Yield Farming
- Syrup Pools
- Lottery
- NFT Marketplace
- CAKE Token
- BNB Chain
Only in Uniswap
- Liquidity Pools
- NFT Aggregator
- Concentrated Liquidity
- UNI Token
- Multi-chain
- Ios support
- Android support
Both cover
- Token Swaps
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PancakeSwap
- Defi
- Dex
- Bnb Chainnot Uniswap
Uniswap
- Defi
- Dex
- Ammnot PancakeSwap
Both are used for defi, dex, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
PancakeSwap
- No custody of user funds, users must manage wallet security
- Decentralized governance means limited recourse for issues
- Subject to cryptocurrency market volatility and regulatory uncertainty
Uniswap
- High gas fees on Ethereum network during congestion periods
- Slippage can be significant for large trades in low-liquidity pairs
- No order book, making it inefficient for large institutional trades
- Front-running risk on public blockchain transactions
Pricing, plan by plan
PancakeSwap
Free- FreeFree
- Token swaps
- Farming
- Lottery
Uniswap
Free- FreeFree
- Token swaps
- Liquidity provision
- NFT trading
Which should you pick?
Choose PancakeSwap if
- You need yield farming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want syrup pools.
Choose Uniswap if
- You need liquidity pools.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism.
- You also want nft aggregator.
Questions people ask
- Is PancakeSwap or Uniswap better?
- Neither clearly leads. PancakeSwap starts at Free and Uniswap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PancakeSwap or Uniswap?
- PancakeSwap starts at Free and Uniswap at Free.
- Does PancakeSwap or Uniswap run on more platforms?
- PancakeSwap runs on Web. Uniswap runs on Web, Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism.
- Can I use PancakeSwap for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is PancakeSwap best used for?
- PancakeSwap is most often used for defi, dex, bnb chain. Of those, bnb chain is not what Uniswap is typically brought in for.
- What can PancakeSwap do that Uniswap cannot?
- PancakeSwap covers Yield Farming, Syrup Pools, Lottery, NFT Marketplace. Uniswap covers Liquidity Pools, NFT Aggregator, Concentrated Liquidity, UNI Token. Both handle Token Swaps, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
PancakeSwap: What blockchain does PancakeSwap use?
PancakeSwap was launched in September 2020 on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). The platform also integrated trading services with BNB Chain, Base, and Arbitrum One to expand beyond its original network.
SourceUniswap: What are Uniswap's fee tiers?
Uniswap V4 removed fixed fee tiers. Pool creators can set fees from 0% to 100% in 0.0001% increments, with dynamic fees adjustable through smart contract hooks.
SourcePancakeSwap: What wallets does PancakeSwap support?
PancakeSwap supports several wallet options including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, WalletConnect, and Binance Chain Wallet.
SourceUniswap: How does Uniswap determine asset prices?
Uniswap uses an automated market maker (AMM) model with mathematical formulas to set prices based on liquidity pools, not traditional order books.
SourceUniswap: Is Uniswap decentralized?
Yes, Uniswap is a fully decentralized exchange where liquidity providers earn fees pro-rata based on their active liquidity in price ranges.
Source