Lido vs Aave V3
Lido scores 8.83/10 and Aave V3 scores 8.72/10 in the DeFi protocols ranking, on data collected October 19, 2026. They are #1 and #2 of 15, and both have 100% of the score measured. They tie on value locked and audits. Lido's longer track record outweighs Aave V3's wider chain reach. The scores compare public evidence, not safety, yields or fees. Lido and Aave V3 are also different products: a liquid staking protocol and a lending market.
Lido scores higher: 8.83/10 against 8.72/10. It leads on 1 of 4 criteria, Aave V3 on 1.
Criterion by criterion
Same category, same weights, heaviest criterion first. Open a row for each side’s reasoning and evidence.
Scale of value trusted37% of the scoreLevelLido10Aave V310Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Security audits26% of the scoreLevelLido6Aave V36Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Track record24% of the scoreLido leadsLido10Aave V39Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Multi-chain reach13% of the scoreAave V3 leadsLido9Aave V310Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
What decides the 0.11-point gap
Two criteria are level, so the result comes down to the other two:
- Track record favors Lido by one point. At 24% weight, that's worth 0.24 points.
- Chain reach favors Aave V3 by one point. At 13% weight, that's worth 0.13 points.
The net is 0.11 in Lido's favor, the whole gap. Lido's $6.49B lead in value locked earns it nothing extra, because both protocols are already at the top of a log-scale band.
Aave V3's age is measured from its DefiLlama listing, which the methodology treats as a floor on true age, so its 4.6 years may understate how long it has run. If the listing date moved earlier, the track-record gap could close and the order could flip. Treat the 0.11 points as a narrow margin, not a clear verdict.
Different products, same category
The DeFi protocols ranking is a blue-chip bucket that mixes product types. DefiLlama files Lido under "Liquid Staking" and Aave V3 under "Lending".
- Lido issues stETH when you stake ETH. Your exposure is to Ethereum validator performance, Lido's contracts and stETH's market price.
- Aave V3 is a lending market where you supply assets to earn interest or borrow against collateral. Your exposure is to its contracts, oracle prices, liquidations and borrower demand.
They aren't substitutes, and many users hold a liquid staking token and use a lending market at the same time. For like-for-like comparisons, see Lido in the liquid staking ranking, where it scores 8.73 and ranks #2, and Aave V3 in the lending ranking, where it scores 8.54 and ranks #1. Each category uses its own weights, so those scores don't carry over.
Coverage and data quality
- Both are 100% measured, so no weight was shifted between criteria and the comparison is like for like.
- Lido's five chains include Solana, Moonbeam and Moonriver, where Lido's staking products were sunset (Lido governance forum; The Block). The reach criterion counts DefiLlama listings, not active deployments.
- The audit criterion counts published audit links on DefiLlama. Both have one, which scores 6. That's a count of links, not of audits, and not a judgment on audit quality.
What this comparison doesn't measure
- Fees and yields. Lido's staking fee and Aave's supply and borrow rates aren't scored. Check them at the source and in the Lido company profile.
- Exploit and incident history. The security-record criterion has 0% weight in this category.
- Status pages. Aave V3 shows "Operational" and Lido shows "Not published", but status transparency isn't scored for on-chain protocols.
- Product risks. stETH market discounts, slashing, oracle failures and liquidations aren't scored.
- App experience, support and availability in your country. Not scored.
Which fits which reader
- You want to stake ETH and keep a liquid token: Aave V3 doesn't do this, so the relevant comparison is Lido against other liquid staking protocols, such as Lido vs Rocket Pool.
- You want to lend or borrow: Lido doesn't do this. Compare Aave V3 with other lending markets, such as Aave V3 vs Morpho Blue.
- You weigh survival time most: Lido has the longer measured record (5.8 against 4.6 years).
- You need a protocol on a specific network: Aave V3 has the wider footprint (21 chains). Confirm your network is still supported before you deposit.
The numbers side by side
| Measured | Lido | Aave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Value locked | $23.55B | $17.06B |
| Published audits | 1 | 1 |
| Track record | 5.8 yr | 4.6 yr |
| Chains | 5 | 21 |
Where each one falls short
Lido
Security audits: 1 published audit with links (DefiLlama) — read the findings yourself. Audits reduce risk, they do not remove it.
Aave V3
Security audits: 1 published audit with links (DefiLlama) — read the findings yourself. Audits reduce risk, they do not remove it.
Which to choose
Is Lido better than Aave?+
On this ranking's evidence, Lido scores 0.11 points higher (8.83 against 8.72), almost entirely because of its longer measured track record. The two do different jobs, though, so "better" depends on whether you need staking or lending.
Does a higher score mean Lido is safer than Aave V3?+
No. The scores measure value locked, audits, age and reach. Neither score covers exploit history, contract quality or market risk.
Why does Aave V3 have a different score in the lending ranking?+
Lending uses different weights and a different peer set. Aave V3 scores 8.54 and ranks #1 there.