Curve DEX vs Uniswap V3
Uniswap V3 scores 9.49/10 and Curve DEX 8.60/10 in the decentralized exchange ranking, on data collected October 19, 2026. They rank #1 and #2 of 17, and both have 100% of the score measured. They score the same on three of five criteria: value locked, chain reach and speed. Uniswap V3's three published audit links on DefiLlama, against one for Curve, decide the 0.89-point gap; Curve's longer documented track record narrows it. Neither score measures trading fees, the price you'd get on a swap, or safety.
Uniswap V3 scores higher: 9.49/10 against 8.6/10. It leads on 1 of 5 criteria, Curve DEX 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 trusted32% of the scoreLevelCurve DEX9Uniswap V39Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Security audits27% of the scoreUniswap V3 leadsCurve DEX6Uniswap V310Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Track record19% of the scoreCurve DEX leadsCurve DEX10Uniswap V39Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Multi-chain reach13% of the scoreLevelCurve DEX10Uniswap V310Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
Latency9% of the scoreLevelCurve DEX10Uniswap V310Why these marks ↓Hide ↑
What decides the 0.89-point gap
Two criteria differ, and they pull in opposite directions.
- Audits, worth 1.08 to Uniswap V3. DefiLlama carries three published audit links for Uniswap V3 (10/10) and one for Curve DEX (6/10). Curve's one link points to its own audits page, so this is a count of links on DefiLlama, not a claim that Curve has been audited once.
- Track record, worth 0.19 to Curve. Curve's age comes from a documented 2020 launch; because the record gives only the year, it counts from July 1, 2020, which gives 6.3 years and a 10. Uniswap V3's 4.0 years count from its DefiLlama listing, which the methodology treats as a lower bound on true age, and score 9.
Two details matter when reading this:
- Uniswap V3's age is a floor. A different dating source could add the 0.19 points it gives up here and widen its lead.
- The rating covers Uniswap V3 only. Other Uniswap versions are separate products and aren't part of this score. The same applies to the $1.56B value-locked figure.
Uniswap V3 also has more value locked ($1.56B against $1.20B), more chains (44 against 32) and a faster measured front end (40 ms against 182 ms). Each of those differences falls inside the same scoring band, so none of them changes the result.
Different pool designs
The scores don't measure how each exchange prices trades, but the design difference explains why traders use them differently:
- Curve runs Stableswap pools for assets meant to trade near 1:1, such as two dollar stablecoins, and Cryptoswap pools for assets whose relative value moves (Curve: Pools overview).
- Uniswap V3 lets liquidity providers concentrate their liquidity within a chosen price range (Uniswap: Concentrated liquidity).
For background, see Automated market makers, explained.
What isn't measured
- Fees and fee tiers. Not scored. Check the pool's fee tier before you swap.
- Price impact and slippage on your trade. Not scored. Quote the same swap on both. See Liquidity and slippage, explained.
- Exploit history. The security-record criterion has 0% weight for DEXs.
- Audit scope and findings. Only the count of published audit links on DefiLlama is scored. One link can lead to a page that lists several reports.
- Latency. It's measured from one location. Both scored 10, and your experience may differ.
Which fits which trader
The ranking can't tell you which pool gives the better price. Within its evidence:
- You weight audit evidence you can open: Uniswap V3 has three audit links on DefiLlama against Curve's one; Curve's link leads to its own audits page, so read both.
- You weight time survived: Curve DEX has the longer documented record (6.3 against 4.0 years).
- You need a specific network: both are widely deployed (32 and 44 chains on DefiLlama). Confirm the exact pool exists on your chain.
- You're swapping between pegged assets: Curve's Stableswap pools are built for that case. Compare quotes anyway.
- You're also weighing PancakeSwap: see Curve DEX vs PancakeSwap AMM and Uniswap V3 vs PancakeSwap AMM.
The numbers side by side
| Measured | Curve DEX | Uniswap V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Value locked | $1.20B | $1.56B |
| Published audits | 1 | 3 |
| Track record | 6.3 yr | 4.0 yr |
| Chains | 32 | 44 |
| Latency (our probe) | 182 ms | 40 ms |
Where each one falls short
Curve DEX
Security audits: 1 published audit with links (DefiLlama) — read the findings yourself. Audits reduce risk, they do not remove it.
Which to choose
Is Curve better than Uniswap?+
On this ranking's evidence, Uniswap V3 scores 0.89 higher. The reason is audits: three published audit links on DefiLlama against Curve's one. Curve's longer documented track record wins back 0.19. On value locked, reach and speed they score the same.
Is Uniswap safe?+
Uniswap V3 has $1.56B locked, three published audit links on DefiLlama and four-plus years since listing, and it scores 9.49. Those are signs of trust and scrutiny, not a guarantee. Risks such as malicious tokens, phishing front ends and price impact aren't scored. More detail is on the Uniswap V3 rating page.
Which is cheaper to trade on?+
This ranking doesn't measure fees or execution cost. Quote the same trade on both before you swap.