Side-by-side comparison of two perpetual futures exchanges — updated in real time.
ApeX and Gains Network serve different trader types: ApeX provides a curated StarkEx orderbook for crypto perps, while Gains Network offers the widest asset selection with forex and stocks across three chains.
ApeX operates on StarkEx (Ethereum L2) with 40 crypto markets, 30x leverage, 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker fees, accepting USDC and USDT. Gains Network runs across Arbitrum, Polygon, and Base with 290 markets spanning crypto, forex, stocks, commodities, and indices, up to 1000x leverage on forex, and a flat 0.05% for both maker and taker. Gains Network offers dramatically more markets (290 vs 40) and higher leverage across all asset types. ApeX's lower maker fee (0.02% vs 0.05%) benefits limit order traders on crypto pairs. ApeX's StarkEx infrastructure provides ZK-proof security, while Gains Network relies on its battle-tested smart contracts across three EVM chains. Gains Network has operated since October 2021 with over $130B in cumulative volume. ApeX launched in November 2022 with StarkEx's proven infrastructure. Gains Network's GNS token was fair-launched with no VC funding and uses deflationary buyback-and-burn. ApeX's APEX token (23% community) has a trade-to-earn distribution model. Gains Network's multi-chain deployment provides more access options.
Choose ApeX for lower maker fees on crypto perps, USDT collateral support, and StarkEx ZK-proof security. Choose Gains Network for 7x more markets, forex/stocks/commodities trading, multi-chain deployment, and up to 1000x leverage on forex.
