Internet Computer DEX: What It Is and How It Compares to Other Decentralized Exchanges

When you hear Internet Computer DEX, a decentralized exchange built on the Internet Computer blockchain that lets users trade crypto without intermediaries. Also known as IC DEX, it’s one of the few DEXs designed to run entirely on-chain with no reliance on external chains or bridges. Unlike Uniswap or SushiSwap, which run on Ethereum or its layer-2s, the Internet Computer DEX operates on a unique blockchain that can host full smart contracts at web speed and low cost. That means trades happen faster, fees are near zero, and you don’t need to juggle multiple wallets or pay gas wars.

What makes the Internet Computer DEX stand out isn’t just speed — it’s how it connects to real-world apps. Many DeFi platforms on other chains struggle with slow confirmations or high fees, but the Internet Computer DEX lets developers build full dApps right on the chain, including frontends that load like regular websites. This creates a smoother experience for users who want to swap tokens, stake, or farm yields without leaving their browser. It’s also closely tied to the ICP token, the native cryptocurrency of the Internet Computer network used for governance, staking, and paying transaction fees. Without ICP, you can’t interact with most DEXs on this chain. And unlike other blockchains where DEXs are third-party apps, the Internet Computer DEX is often built into the core infrastructure — making it more reliable and less prone to outages.

But it’s not perfect. The network is still smaller than Ethereum or Solana, so liquidity is thinner. You won’t find every token here — only the ones that matter to the Internet Computer community. That’s why many users keep a foot in both worlds: using the Internet Computer DEX for fast, cheap swaps of ICP and its native tokens, while turning to larger DEXes for broader markets. Still, for users who care about speed, low fees, and true on-chain apps, it’s one of the few places that actually delivers on those promises.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real reviews and breakdowns of DEXs on the Internet Computer — and the ones that tried to copy it but failed. Some platforms claimed to be fast, but turned out to be dead. Others offered big rewards but vanished overnight. We’ve sorted through the noise to show you what’s still active, what’s worth your time, and what to avoid in 2025. No fluff. Just facts.