Aster vs Lighter: Full Comparison 2026
Detailed comparison of Aster and Lighter perpetual DEXs including trading fees, 24h volume, open interest, supported chains, and airdrop opportunities. Find out which perp exchange is better for your trading needs.
Quick Verdict
Lighter comes out ahead in this comparison with 2 advantages vs 1 for Aster. It has higher trading volume, and lower trading fees. Trading $100K monthly on Lighter saves ~$40 in fees.
Higher Volume
Lighter
Lower Fees
Lighter
More OI
Aster
Active Airdrop
Neither
Side-by-Side Comparison
Real-time metrics from DefiLlama. Green indicates the better value.
| Metric | Aster | Lighter |
|---|---|---|
| 24h Volume | $5.68B | $5.81B |
| Open Interest | $2.73B | $1.50B |
| Maker Fee | 0.005% | 0% |
| Taker Fee | 0.04% | 0% |
| Blockchain | Multi-chain | zkLighter |
| Airdrop Status | Claiming | Completed |
| Order Type | CLOB | CLOB |
Aster Pros & Cons
Lighter Pros & Cons
Trading Cost Comparison
Estimated taker fees for different trade sizes (excluding slippage and funding)
| Trade Size | Aster | Lighter | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $0.40 | $0.00 | $0.40 on Lighter |
| $10,000 | $4.00 | $0.00 | $4.00 on Lighter |
| $50,000 | $20.00 | $0.00 | $20.00 on Lighter |
| $100,000 | $40.00 | $0.00 | $40.00 on Lighter |
Aster vs Lighter: Detailed Analysis
Volume & Liquidity
Lighter leads in 24-hour trading volume with $5.81B, compared to $5.68B for Aster. Higher volume typically means better liquidity, tighter bid-ask spreads, and less slippage on trades. For active traders executing multiple trades daily, this difference can significantly impact overall costs.
Fee Structure
Aster charges 0.005% maker / 0.04% taker fees, while Lighter charges 0% maker / 0% taker fees. For a trader with $100,000 monthly volume, using Lighter would save approximately $40 per month in trading fees alone.
Open Interest
Aster has $2.73B in open interest, versus $1.50B for Lighter. Open interest represents the total value of outstanding derivative contracts that haven't been settled. Higher OI generally indicates more active trading and can provide insights into market sentiment.
Airdrop Opportunities
Neither platform currently has an active airdrop. Aster: Claiming. Lighter: Completed. Check our airdrops page for the latest updates.
Aster vs Lighter FAQ
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
Based on the data, Lighter appears to be the stronger choice overall with advantages in trading volume, lower fees. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs:
- • For lowest fees: Choose Lighter
- • For best liquidity: Choose Lighter
- • For airdrop farming: Neither has an active airdrop
- • For large orders: Choose Lighter for deeper liquidity
Related Perp Comparisons
Learn more about Aster or Lighter
Compare all perp fees · View perp airdrops · Track open interest