Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
SimpleSwap vs Synthetix
SimpleSwap
Higher score in this comparison
Synthetix
Where SimpleSwap and Synthetix differ
| Compare | SimpleSwapReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | SynthetixReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.2% | 0.05%Lower |
| Coins listed | 2,800Higher | 10 |
| Withdrawal fee | No separate withdrawal fee; network fee set by the blockchain | Per-asset withdrawal fee, deducted from the amount received, plus Ethereum Mainnet gas paid in ETH by the wallet |
| Derivatives | No | YesHas it |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank, Apple pay | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0.02% |
Same on both: Exchange type (Dex).
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Key differences
- Taker fee is lower at Synthetix: 0.05% vs 0.2%.
- Coins listed is higher at SimpleSwap: 2,800 vs 10.
- Derivatives: only Synthetix.
- Support channels: only SimpleSwap offers Email, Community.
Our verdict on each
SimpleSwap
SimpleSwap suits buyers who want a self-custody swap across a long coin list, with a taker fee of 0.2% and no separate withdrawal charge. It sits in the small minority of decentralised venues on the market, so keys and coins stay with the wallet rather than a platform balance.
Synthetix
Synthetix suits traders who want derivatives alongside spot in a self-custody venue, and who are content with a focused basket rather than a long list. The market covers 10 coins, so control and trading scope matter more here than breadth, and the account is yours, not the exchange's.
Score breakdown
| Area | SimpleSwap | Synthetix |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Taker fee of 0.2% is close to the 0.2% site median, and no separate withdrawal fee applies. | 9.4HigherA taker fee of 0.05% and a maker fee of 0.02%, ranked 27 of 118 on taker fee. |
| Offer | 9.5HigherCoin list of 2,800, self-custody and fiat deposits covering card, bank and apple pay make the offer unusually broad. | 8.8Derivatives are traded here, but the list holds 10 coins and support runs on chat and help centre. |
| Trust | 8.7 | 8.7 |
How they place
| Ranking | SimpleSwap | Synthetix |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 115 of 297 | 117 of 297 |
| Decentralised exchanges | 8 of 31 | 9 of 31 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SimpleSwap | Synthetix |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Molon Labe Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Panama |
| Founded | 2018 | 2018 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SimpleSwap | Synthetix | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.2%above the median | 0.05%below the median | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 2,800highest quarter | 10lowest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0.02%below the median | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
SimpleSwap
Pros
- A coin list of 2,800 puts SimpleSwap at 5 of 172 brands on our ranking.
- A taker fee of 0.2% per swap, below the 0.55% upper quartile across the site.
- No separate withdrawal fee, so the network fee set by the blockchain is the only cost of taking coins out.
Cons
- ActivTrades lists 0% as its taker fee, so SimpleSwap's 0.2% is the costlier of the two for frequent traders.
- Derivatives are not offered, which leaves the venue with spot swaps only.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, so a stuck swap is handled in writing.
Synthetix
Pros
- Trading runs in self custody, so the keys stay with you: self custody.
- Spot and derivatives sit in the same decentralised venue: dex.
- A maker fee of 0.02% is lower than the taker fee of 0.05%.
Cons
- Only 10 coins are listed, against a site median of 62.
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone desk listed.
- Withdrawals cost a per-asset fee taken out of the amount received, plus Ethereum Mainnet gas paid in ETH by your own wallet.
Who each suits
SimpleSwap
Who it suits
- Traders who want a long tail of coins without holding a balance on the exchange.
- Self-custody users who already have a wallet and want a straightforward swap interface.
- Readers paying in by card or bank transfer who want coins delivered to their own wallet.
Who should look elsewhere
- Fee-first active traders, who may find a lower taker charge at ActivTrades, listed at 0%.
- People who want a shorter, tidier coin list, such as Bitpanda users, whose list starts at from 650.
- bunq users who prefer a provider that shows a crypto fee range of 0.25% to 1.99% rather than a single rate.
Synthetix
Who it suits
- Traders with a self-custody wallet who want derivatives in the same venue.
- People who trade a focused basket of major assets rather than following new listings.
- Cost minded traders, with a maker fee of 0.02% against a taker fee of 0.05%.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bitpanda, if breadth is the priority: from 650 coins against 10 here.
- ActivTrades, if a taker fee of 0% outweighs holding your own keys.
- bunq, if taker fees of 0.25% to 1.99% suit you better than 0.05%.
Current offers
Synthetix
Current offer
Bonus
Snaxpot weekly rewards program
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
SimpleSwap
What does a swap cost on SimpleSwap?+
The taker fee is 0.2% per swap. Across the site the median is 0.2% and the upper quartile is 0.55%, so the rate is close to typical and well under the priciest end. There is no separate withdrawal fee either, since the network fee set by the blockchain is the only cost of taking coins out.
Does SimpleSwap hold my coins?+
Custody here is self-custody, so a swap settles to a wallet you control rather than a balance on the platform. SimpleSwap runs as a dex, which suits readers who would rather hold keys directly than rely on a platform account to look after them.
Synthetix
What does it cost to trade on Synthetix?+
A taker fee of 0.05% applies to trades, and a maker fee of 0.02% is lower for order flow that adds liquidity. The site median taker fee is 0.2%, so the venue sits at the cheaper end of the range for regular trading.
How many coins can I trade?+
The venue lists 10 coins, well under the site median of 62. That makes it a place for a focused basket rather than for following new listings, so readers who want breadth should look further down the list.
Other options to compare
SimpleSwap
Synthetix