> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.swap.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.swap.io/swapping/swap-basics.md).
# Swap Basics
> 🆕 **What’s new:** Swap.io now sources quotes from **multiple aggregators** (including Jupiter) and our **own CLMM pools** to pick the best available rate.
***
### 🔄 How swaps work
1. **Quote search (multi-aggregator):**\
Swap.io requests quotes from **several route finders** (e.g., Jupiter and other integrated aggregators/RFQ sources) *at the same time*.
2. **Best-route selection:**\
We compare effective output (after LP fees & expected price impact) and pick the **best executable route**. Routes can be **single-hop** or **multi-hop** across different AMMs.
3. **Atomic execution on Solana:**\
When you click **Swap**, your wallet sends one transaction that executes the chosen route atomically (it either all succeeds or fails).
4. **Auto re-quote on changes:**\
If market conditions shift or a route becomes invalid, we refresh the quote and try the next-best option.
> ⚠️ Different aggregators use different algorithms and face different **transaction size/compute limits** on Solana. In some pairs a single LP route wins; in others a multi-hop path does. That’s why checking multiple sources can improve your final rate.
***
#### 🧩 Liquidity Sources We Route Through
Swap.io is a **DEX aggregator of aggregators**, combining quotes from multiple independent routing engines and 80+ liquidity protocols across Solana.
Currently, Swap.io fetches and compares quotes from **five major sources**:
* **Dflow** — intent-based RFQ system for large or protected trades
* **Jupiter** — Solana’s primary aggregator
* **Hashflow** — cross-chain RFQ network with bridgeless swaps
* **OKX DEX** — institutional-grade liquidity aggregator with Solana support
* **Autobahn (Swap.io version)** — a maintained fork of the public Autobahn router, extended to support **Swap.io CLMM pools** and additional Solana liquidity sources
From these sources, Swap.io aggregates **the best available quote** and presents it to the user by default.
You can also **expand the quote view** in the app to see **all available routes** and their respective rates from each aggregator.
Behind the scenes, this unified routing approach allows Swap.io to tap into virtually **every major liquidity venue on Solana**, including AMMs and order books such as:
* **Raydium** (CLMM, CP, Stable, LaunchLab)
* **Orca** (V1 & V2)
* **Meteora** (DLMM, DAMM v2, DBC, Vault, Virtual Curve)
* **Phoenix** and **OpenBook** (on-chain order books)
* **Whirlpool**, **Lifinity**, **Pump.fun AMM**, **PancakeSwap (Solana)**, and many others
> 💡 In practice, **any pair with active liquidity on Solana** is supported through at least one of these routes.
> The **route preview** in the Swap.io app shows exactly which protocols and tokens were used for your specific swap.
***
### 💸 Fees & Pricing
#### 🔹 What your quote includes
Your quoted output already accounts for everything along the selected route, including:
* LP / AMM trading fees on each hop
* expected price impact from liquidity depth and path composition
* any aggregator-side overheads relevant to execution
* **Swap.io platform fee (when applicable)**
We do not itemize per-pool fees in the UI. Instead, you see the **final amount you’ll receive**, net of all costs.
💡 This design focuses on clarity: **you know what you’re getting, not just what you’re paying.**
If execution exceeds the quoted amount, a small **performance share** may apply to the additional output (learn more).
#### 🔹 Swap.io platform fees
Swap.io applies small protocol fees depending on the category of assets being swapped.
| Pair Category | Swap.io Fee |
| ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------- |
| Stable ↔ Stable (USDC, USDT, USDS) | **0%** |
| SOL ↔ Stable | **0.01%** |
| SOL ↔ LSTs (mSOL, jitoSOL, bSOL) | **0%** |
| Stable ↔ LSTs (mSOL, jitoSOL, bSOL) | **0.05%** |
| SOL / Stable ↔ Jupiter Ecosystem (JUP, JLP, jlUSDC, jlUSDT…) | **0%** |
| SOL / Stable ↔ DeFi tokens (RAY, PYTH, ORCA…) | **0.05%** |
| SOL / Stable ↔ Meme tokens (BONK, WIF, TRUMP…) | **0.05%** |
These fees are **included directly in the quote you see before confirming the swap.**
#### 🔹 How we choose routes
Swap.io compares liquidity across **multiple routing engines** to find the best possible execution.
We use our own router **Autobahn**, and also query other major aggregators such as **Jupiter, OKX DEX, DFlow**, and others. Quotes from these sources are compared and the route with the **highest expected output** is selected.
Each router may use different pools, routing logic, and hop strategies. By comparing them in parallel, Swap.io can often find better execution than relying on a single router.
Fees are only one factor among many considered during routing, including:
* liquidity depth
* hop count
* price impact
* fill probability
* execution success rate
The goal is always to **maximize the final amount you receive.**
#### 🔹 Solana network fees
You normally need a small amount of **SOL** in your wallet to submit transactions.
Network fees are typically **fractions of a cent**, though during congestion priority or compute fees may apply.
Many swap pairs on Swap.io also support **gasless transactions**.\
In these cases, Swap.io covers the SOL transaction cost and instead takes a **small fee in the output token** to cover the gas.
You can learn more about how this works here:\
⚠️ The first time you use a new token, Solana may create an **Associated Token Account (ATA)** for your wallet (a tiny one-time rent-exempt cost). This is **network behavior, not a Swap.io fee.**
***
### ⚖️ Slippage explained
**Slippage** is the difference between the price you expected and the final execution price. It happens due to volatility and liquidity depth.
* **Auto (recommended):** We compute a dynamic tolerance based on pair volatility, recent fills, and route depth.
* **0.1%:** Use for deep, stable pairs.
* **0.5%:** Use for more volatile or thinner pairs.
* **Custom:** Set your own tolerance if you know the market.
If execution cannot fit within your tolerance, the transaction **fails** (your funds stay put), protecting you from unexpected price impact.
> 💁 Lower slippage = safer but more failures in fast markets. Higher slippage = more fills but more price movement risk. Pick what matches your intent.
***
***
### 🧠 Why multiple aggregators?
* **Different algorithms, different winners:** Some find better **single-hop** routes; others excel at **multi-hop** paths.
* **Chain limits matter:** Solana transaction/compute limits cap maximum “hops,” so not all algorithms explore the same space.
* **Market fragmentation:** A single LP can occasionally beat complex paths; checking more sources reduces the chance you miss that better price.
Bottom line: asking **several** smart routers then choosing the best **executable** quote improves your expected output.
***
### ✅ Summary
* Swap.io searches **multiple aggregators + our CLMM** and executes the **best available route**.
* You’ll need a small amount of **SOL** for network fees.
* **Slippage controls** protect you against unexpected price movement.
* **Protocol fees** depend on which pools are used and are shown upfront.
* **Swap.io adds no platform fee.**
> **🕓 Today:** Solana-focused. **Coming next:** broader-chain integrations via our routing stack while keeping the same “best-route, no platform fee” experience.
***
### 🔒 Transparency & safety (at a glance)
* **Route preview**: See which protocols are used before you confirm.
* **Atomic execution**: Your swap either completes as quoted (within tolerance) or fails safely.
* **Our CLMM pools**: Optimized for long-tail assets with competitive fees and deep routing support.
For audits, security details, and risk notes, see [**Security & Audits**](/liquidity-clmm/swap.io-liquidity-clmm.md) in the docs.
---
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