Derivatives · Alternatives
The best Defx alternatives in 2026
Defx is described as a perpetual-futures DEX and EVM-compatible Layer 1 for traders seeking leveraged crypto positions. If Defx is not the right fit, these 12 reviewed Derivatives options are the closest matches, ranked by DappsAtlas score. Read our full Defx review
At a glance
Defx vs the alternatives
| dApp | Score | TVL | Chains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not rated yet | $15.0K | 6 | |
| Score 7.4 out of 10 | $665M | 1 | |
| Score 6.1 out of 10 | $7.44M | 1 | |
| Score 6.8 out of 10 | $2.43M | 1 | |
| Score 7.0 out of 10 | $1.28M | 7 | |
| Score 6.0 out of 10 | $8.66M | 1 | |
| Score 7.5 out of 10 | $16.3M | 10 | |
| Score 7.8 out of 10 | — | 1 | |
| Score 7.5 out of 10 | — | 2 | |
| Score 7.2 out of 10 | $23.5M | 19 | |
| Score 7.2 out of 10 | $9.00M | 5 | |
| Score 7.2 out of 10 | — | 1 | |
| Gmx | Score 7.2 out of 10 | — | 2 |
Ranked
Top Defx alternatives
- 1
Jupiter Perpetual Exchange
Derivatives · Solana
Jupiter Perpetual Exchange is a Solana perpetuals venue where liquidity providers take the other side of trades at oracle prices. It has large TVL, but leverage and counterparty risk are real.
ScoreScore 7.4 out of 10TVL $665M−4.6% - 2
BULK
Derivatives · Solana
BULK is a newly listed perpetuals DEX on Solana that markets 20ms blocks, up to 40x leverage and portfolio margining. The design is ambitious, but no audits or fee details are published publicly.
ScoreScore 6.1 out of 10TVL $7.44M−6.9% - 3
Ostium
Derivatives · Arbitrum
Ostium is an Arbitrum-based perpetuals venue for FX, metals, energy, equities and other real-world assets, now pitched to professionals through an API called Gateway. Its volume claims are large, but on-chain TVL is small and leverage is risky.
ScoreScore 6.8 out of 10TVL $2.43M−30.1% - 4
ApeX Pro
Derivatives · Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum +4
ApeX Pro is the earlier version of ApeX's decentralized perpetuals exchange, now presented under ApeX Omni, offering 100+ perp markets with up to 100x leverage and self-custody. Its on-chain TVL is small, so leverage risk and liquidity depth deserve a close look.
ScoreScore 7.0 out of 10TVL $1.28M−1.0% - 5
Antarctic
Derivatives · Arbitrum
Antarctic is a perpetual futures DEX on Arbitrum that describes itself as self-custodial with low fees. Third-party data shows meaningful volume and open interest, but no audits are listed and key details are unpublished.
ScoreScore 6.0 out of 10TVL $8.66M+1.1% - 6
Contango V2
Derivatives · Arbitrum, Ethereum, Base +7
Contango V2 is a DeFi looping protocol that opens leveraged long, short and yield positions on existing lending markets in one transaction. It suits experienced traders who accept liquidation risk.
ScoreScore 7.5 out of 10TVL $16.3M+74.0% - 7
Hyperliquid
Derivatives · Hyperliquid L1
Hyperliquid is a Layer-1 blockchain built around a fully onchain perpetuals and spot exchange. It suits experienced traders who accept derivatives risk, and the main caveat is leverage plus limited published audit and fee detail.
ScoreScore 7.8 out of 10TVL — - 8
Gtrade by Gains Network
Derivatives · Arbitrum, Polygon
Gtrade is a decentralized trading app from Gains Network where you open leveraged long or short positions on crypto, forex, stocks, indices and commodities from your own wallet. It is non-custodial and simple to start, but leverage means a liquidation can cost you your whole collateral.
ScoreScore 7.5 out of 10TVL — - 9
Orderly Bridge
Derivatives · Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain +16
Orderly is shared-orderbook infrastructure that lets builders launch their own perpetual-futures DEX, and traders use those frontends. It is a developer product first, with self-custody, multiple chains and an ORDER token.
ScoreScore 7.2 out of 10TVL $23.5M−9.2% - 10
MUX Perps
Derivatives · Arbitrum, Avalanche, BNB Chain +2
MUX Perps is a decentralized perpetuals trading protocol and aggregator that routes leveraged trades across several liquidity sources, with up to 100x leverage. It suits experienced derivatives traders outside the US, with the usual leverage and smart-contract risks.
ScoreScore 7.2 out of 10TVL $9.00M−1.6% - 11
Drift
Derivatives · Solana
Drift is an on-chain exchange on Solana for leveraged perpetual futures and spot trading. It suits experienced traders, but leverage risk and unpublished fee details deserve attention.
ScoreScore 7.2 out of 10TVL — - 12
Gmx
Derivatives · Arbitrum, Avalanche
GMX is a decentralized exchange for perpetual futures and spot trading, with leverage of up to 50x on assets such as BTC and ETH. It suits experienced self-custody traders, and leverage and smart-contract risk are the main caveats.
ScoreScore 7.2 out of 10TVL —