Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Aave vs Lido
Aave
Lido
Higher score in this comparison
Where Aave and Lido differ
| Compare | AaveReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | LidoReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Supported assets | AUSDC, AUSDT, AWETH, GHO | ETH, StETH, WstETH |
| Lock-up terms | Not confirmed | 1-5 days withdrawal |
Same on both: Custody (Non custodial).
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Key differences
- Lido scores higher overall: 8.6 vs 8.5.
- Supported assets: only Aave offers AUSDC, AUSDT, AWETH.
- Supported assets: only Lido offers ETH, StETH, WstETH.
- Support channels: only Lido offers Community.
Our verdict on each
Aave
Aave suits holders who want a non-custodial earn account and are willing to manage their own wallet key. Custody is non custodial and the asset list is limited to aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH, so it trades breadth for control and sits apart from the custodial platforms most savers use.
Lido
Lido suits ether holders who want to keep their coins staked and still spendable, since custody is non-custodial and the feature set is liquid staking. Withdrawals follow a 1-5 days withdrawal queue, and liquid-staking services make up 28.4% of the earn ranking on HodlCue.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aave | Lido |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 8.4 | 8.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | Aave | Lido |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto staking and earn | 93 of 179 | 89 of 179 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aave | Lido |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Liquid staking |
| Legal entity | Aave Labs | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2020 | 2020 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Pros and cons
Aave
Pros
- Custody is non custodial, so the deposit never leaves the holder's control.
- A short, deliberate asset list of aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH keeps the choice easy to weigh.
- A named operator sits behind the product: Aave Labs, working since 2020.
Cons
- Support runs on a help centre only, so help is written and asynchronous.
- The asset list stops at aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH, so coins outside that set are out of reach.
- Custody is non custodial, which puts key handling and network choice on the holder rather than on a support team.
Lido
Pros
- Custody is non custodial, so the holder keeps control instead of parking coins with an operator.
- Assets covered are ETH, stETH and wstETH, so the product does one thing well rather than spreading thin.
- The feature set is liquid staking, which keeps the staked balance tradable while it works.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre and community, with no phone or live chat channel.
- Exits are not instant: 1-5 days withdrawal applies to every unstaking request.
- The coin list is narrow at ETH, stETH and wstETH, while the earn ranking shows a median of 225 supported coins.
Who each suits
Aave
Who it suits
- Key holders who want to earn on aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH while the deposit stays outside a custodian.
- Users comfortable with protocol mechanics rather than brokerage-style account handling.
- Savers who want a clear counterparty, since the operator is Aave Labs and the project dates from 2020.
Who should look elsewhere
- VaultLeap, for anyone who wants a simpler stablecoin-only earn account, since its assets are USDC.
- bunq Crypto Spain, for holders who want many stakeable networks at once, given its list of TAO, ADA and TIA.
- Bit2Me, for holders of BNB, GRT or KAVA who want their own tokens in an earn product, since its assets are BTC, ETH and B2M.
Lido
Who it suits
- Ether holders who want to stake and still move the coins if they need to.
- Self-custody users who want their own keys rather than a company-held balance.
- Holders who can plan ahead around a 1-5 days withdrawal withdrawal wait.
Who should look elsewhere
- VaultLeap, if a single asset, USDC, is the simpler route to earn.
- Bit2Me, if the point is a spread of coins such as BTC, ETH and B2M.
- bunq Crypto Spain, if the coins held are on its staking list, TAO, ADA and TIA.
Questions about each
Aave
Does Aave hold the deposit, or do I keep the keys?+
Custody is non custodial: the deposit is made from and returned to your own wallet, and no intermediary takes it into its own name. The trade-off is that recovery sits with you, so a lost key or a deposit sent on the wrong network is something the help centre cannot reverse.
Which assets can I earn on?+
The listed assets are aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH. That is a short set built around stablecoin balances, a wrapped ether position and another stablecoin, so choosing Aave means picking a few familiar assets over a long tail of coins.
Lido
What can I stake with Lido?+
Lido covers ETH, stETH and wstETH, so the product is built around ether and its liquid and wrapped forms. The feature is liquid staking, which means a staked balance can still be moved while it works. The coin list is short compared with multi-asset earn products.
Who holds the ether I stake?+
Custody stays with the holder, since the model is non custodial. Assets are not parked in a company account the way a custodial earn product works. Only 7.1% of the earn ranking runs on this basis, so it is the smaller group.
Other options to compare
Aave
Lido