Chain ranking
Top dApps on Cardano
92 projects that run on Cardano, ranked by DappsAtlas score and total value locked.
- Listed
- 92
- Reviewed
- 92
- Page
- 1/2
Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain whose consensus is based on the Ouroboros protocol. It uses a layered design that separates the settlement of ADA from the layer that runs smart contracts. It is not EVM-based. Applications use an extended UTXO model and Cardano's own contract tooling, so Ethereum apps cannot be copied over unchanged.
ADA is the native token. People use it to pay transaction fees, to stake and help secure the network, and as the base asset in most Cardano DeFi pools. Fees are paid in ADA and are generally low. For exact current costs, check the app you use or a block explorer.
Cardano's DeFi scene is small and concentrated. At the time of writing its DeFi TVL is about $51.0M across the 72 dApps on our site. The main native names are Minswap DEX, SundaeSwap V3 and Dano Finance for trading, Indigo for synthetic assets, Surf Lending and FluidTokens for lending, and Strike Finance Perpetuals for derivatives. Many other listings are multi-chain exchanges and bridges that support ADA, such as Binance, Bitget, Gate, Coinbase Bridge and Wan Bridge. Their large TVL figures reflect activity across many chains, not Cardano alone.
Cardano dApps at a glance
- Tracked
- 92
- Reviewed
- 92
- Total TVL
- $159B
- Avg. score
- 6.1/10
Largest by TVL
- 1
Binance CEX$127B
- 2
Coinbase Bridge$7.67B
- 3
Bitget$5.93B
- 4
Gate$5.91B
- 5
Bitstamp$4.51B
Highest rated
- 1
- 2
- 3
Coinsquare7.6
- 4
Demeter7.5
- 5
Cardano Epoch Calendar7.5
Looking for an overview? Read the Cardano ecosystem guide.
Ranked by DappsAtlas score, then total value locked. Click a column to re-sort this page. TVL data via DefiLlama.
What runs here
dApp categories on Cardano
- 1Centralized Exchanges2022%
- 2DEXes1820%
- 3Lending67%
- 4Bridge55%
- 5Analytics44%
- 6Staking Pool44%
- 7Infrastructure33%
- 8NFT Marketplaces: General33%
- 9DAO Service Providers22%
- 10Cross Chain Bridge22%
- 11Developer Tools22%
- 12Derivatives22%
- 13Other Gambling22%
- 14Wallets22%
- 15Indexes11%
- 16Real-World Assets11%
- 17CDPs11%
- 18Charity Fundraising11%
Guides
Guides for Cardano and other chains
Blockchain
Cardano vs Solana: Consensus, Speed, Fees and Trade-offs in 2026Cardano and Solana are both proof-of-stake layer-1 blockchains, but they differ in how they reach consensus, how quickly they confirm transactions and how developers build on them. This guide explains those differences and where to check figures that change over time.
Blockchain
Ethereum vs Cardano: How the Two Blockchains CompareEthereum and Cardano are both proof-of-stake smart contract blockchains, but they differ in design history, developer tools, fee models, staking mechanics and ecosystem depth. This guide explains those differences and shows how to check current figures before you choose.
Blockchain
How to Launch a dApp on Cardano in 2026: A Developer GuideCardano dApps are built from validator scripts, off-chain transaction code and a wallet-connected interface. This guide walks through each stage, from the first testnet deployment to a checked mainnet release.
Blockchain
What Is Cardano? A Simple Explanation for 2026Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain with its own token, ADA, and support for smart contracts. This guide explains what it does, how its network stays secure, and what to check before you use it.
DeFi
ADALend on Cardano: Is It the Future of DeFi Lending?ADALend is a lending protocol built on Cardano that has been promoted as the future of DeFi lending. This guide explains what it is, where that claim came from, and how to check its status and risks before you use any lending dApp.
DeFi
ADALend Review 2026: What the Cardano Lending Project OffersADALend was a Cardano lending project that drew attention in 2021 for putting idle assets to work. This guide sets out what the sources confirm, what they leave open, and how to check a lending protocol's current status and risks before depositing funds.
Frequently asked questions
What is ADA used for on Cardano?
ADA is Cardano's native token. It pays transaction fees, can be staked to help secure the network, and is the base asset in most Cardano DeFi pools. Many exchanges and bridges on this page also support ADA.
Is Cardano EVM compatible?
No. Cardano is not built on the EVM and uses its own extended UTXO model with its own smart contract tooling. Ethereum apps need to be rebuilt for Cardano, or you can reach them through a bridge or cross-chain service.
Which Cardano dApps are the biggest by TVL?
Among native Cardano projects on our site, Minswap DEX has the most TVL at about $13.9M at the time of writing. Dano Finance, Indigo, Surf Lending, SundaeSwap V3, FluidTokens and Strike Finance Perpetuals are smaller, each with a few million dollars or less.
How big is Cardano DeFi compared with exchanges?
Cardano's DeFi TVL is about $51.0M at the time of writing, which is small next to the large centralized exchanges listed here. Those exchanges show reserves held across many chains, so their figures are not Cardano DeFi activity.
Can I buy or move ADA through the platforms on this page?
Yes, you can trade ADA on centralized exchanges such as Binance, Bitget, Gate and HTX, and some bridges such as Coinbase Bridge cover Cardano-linked assets. On a centralized exchange the platform holds your funds, so check its custody terms, regulation and whether it serves your country.
Are Cardano dApps risky?
They are higher risk than most. Cardano's DeFi TVL is small, some protocols have thin liquidity, and leveraged products like Strike Finance Perpetuals can lose money fast. Smart contract bugs are always possible, so only use money you can afford to lose and check that a product is legal where you live.
What is the largest dApp on Cardano by TVL?
Binance CEX is the largest dApp on Cardano by total value locked, with $127B across all the chains it supports. It is followed by Coinbase Bridge ($7.67B) and Bitget ($5.93B). TVL figures come from DefiLlama and change daily.
Which dApp on Cardano has the highest DappsAtlas score?
Gate has the highest score at 7.7/10, ahead of Bitget (7.6) and Coinsquare (7.6). Scores weigh security, ease of use, fees and features, and are based only on facts we could verify.
How many dApps are on Cardano?
DappsAtlas tracks 92 dApps on Cardano. Of these, 92 have a full review and 54 report value locked, $159B in total, counting value on every chain they support.
What are the most common types of dApps on Cardano?
Centralized Exchanges (20), DEXes (18) and Lending (6) are the largest categories on Cardano, by number of projects.
Which dApps on Cardano grew the most this week?
What is the average score for dApps on Cardano?
The 65 rated dApps on Cardano average 6.1 out of 10. Of these, 0 score 8 or higher and 6 score below 5.