Executive Summary
- 0x API delivers superior adjusted prices in 70% of cases compared to 1inch, Dex Ag, Paraswap, and Uniswap. Adjusted prices reflect the final amount received after transaction fees.
- 0x API 1.0 leads in gas efficiency, offering a custom-optimized architecture that often provides lower costs than accessing Uniswap directly.
- Not all aggregators are equal—performance varies significantly in pricing accuracy, gas usage, revert rates, and response times.
- The best quoted price doesn’t always mean the best adjusted price. Hidden costs (like gas fees) can make seemingly good deals less favorable.
- 0x API and Matcha (powered by 0x API) enable DeFi developers and traders to access the best prices across all DEX liquidity sources effortlessly.
The Rise of DEX Aggregators
With over $4 billion distributed across 15+ liquidity sources, DeFi liquidity has become increasingly fragmented. Aggregators solve this by sourcing the best prices, accounting for 9.6% of total DEX volume in Q3. However, misconceptions persist—many users mistake quoted prices for final settlement prices, leading to unexpected outcomes. This analysis clarifies how to objectively evaluate aggregator performance.
Key Performance Metrics
- Accuracy: Settlement price should match the quoted price. Positive slippage (favoring the user) is ideal.
- Low Cost: Minimize gas usage to ensure optimal adjusted prices.
- Low Revert Rate: Protect users from failed transactions and wasted gas fees.
👉 Discover how 0x API outperforms competitors
Methodology
We simulated 11,995 trades across 20 token pairs (values: $100–$1M) using a custom Geth node tool. Metrics tracked:
- Quoted vs. actual prices
- Adjusted prices (post-fees)
- Gas costs and revert rates
- Response times
Findings
Adjusted Price Win Rates
- 0x API wins 72% of the time vs. competitors.
- For small trades (<$5K), Uniswap occasionally wins due to lower fees.
- For large trades, aggregators like 1inch become competitive by splitting orders across sources.
| Aggregator | Win Rate (%) | Avg. Gas Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0x API | 72 | $6.43 |
| 1inch | 14 | $13.58 |
| Uniswap | 18 | $3.93 |
Accuracy Matters
- 0x API shows positive slippage: Users often receive better prices than quoted.
- 1inch has negative slippage: Settlements are less favorable than quotes.
Gas Efficiency
- 0x API’s optimized contract accesses Uniswap liquidity 3.7% cheaper than Uniswap’s default router.
- Other aggregators (e.g., Paraswap) cost 2–3x more with minimal value-add.
Revert Rates & Response Times
- Lowest reverts: 0x API (0.21% vs. Paraswap’s 11.9%).
- Fastest response: 0x API (1.5 seconds; 1inch takes 4 seconds).
FAQ
Q: Why does the best quote not always yield the best adjusted price?
A: Like airline tickets, hidden fees (gas costs) can make seemingly good deals expensive. Aggregators must optimize for total cost, not just initial quotes.
Q: How does 0x API reduce costs for small trades?
A: Its smart order routing minimizes gas usage, even when accessing single sources like Uniswap.
Q: What’s the advantage of lower revert rates?
A: Fewer failed transactions mean users avoid paying gas fees for unusable trades.
👉 Explore 0x API’s advantages for your project
Conclusion
For DeFi developers and traders, 0x API balances accuracy, cost, and reliability, delivering superior adjusted prices 70% of the time. Transitioning from other aggregators to 0x API-powered solutions like Matcha can save users $7–$17 per sub-$10K trade.
Ready to optimize your trades? Try Matcha or integrate 0x API into your project today.
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