7 min
Yield optimizers automate complex DeFi strategies—compounding rewards, moving between protocols, and maximizing returns. But which optimizer is right for your assets?
This guide compares the major yield optimizers across what matters: returns, fees, security, and supported strategies.
Manual yield farming requires:
Yield optimizers automate all this, typically at a fraction of what you'd pay doing it yourself.
The net effect: higher APY than manual farming, lower gas costs, less time required.
The original yield optimizer. Yearn pioneered the vault concept and remains the most battle-tested protocol.
TVL: $400M+ (varies with market conditions)
yVaults: - Automated yield strategies
Vault Strategies: - Lending optimization (Aave, Compound)
Conservative users prioritizing security over maximum yield. Large deposits on Ethereum mainnet.
Multi-chain yield optimizer with the widest protocol coverage. Beefy focuses on auto-compounding across dozens of chains.
Chains: 20+ including BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Fantom, Optimism
TVL: $300M+ across all chains
Auto-Compounding Vaults: - Simple deposit, automatic compounding
Strategy Types: - LP token staking
Multi-chain farmers wanting auto-compounding across various protocols and chains.
Specialized for Curve and now Frax ecosystems. Convex boosts CRV and CVX rewards beyond what individuals can achieve.
TVL: $2B+ (primarily Curve-related)
Boosted Yields: - Aggregates veCRV voting power
cvxCRV: - Liquid staking for CRV
Frax Integration: - Similar model for FXS
Curve LP stakers and CRV holders wanting maximum Curve ecosystem yields.
For a Curve 3pool position:
| Optimizer | Base APY | Boost | Net APY | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Curve | 2% | 1x | 2% | 0% |
| Yearn | 2% | 2x | 3.6% | 10% |
| Beefy | 2% | 2x | 3.8% | 5.5% |
| Convex | 2% | 2.5x | 4.15% | 17% |
*Hypothetical example—actual rates vary
| Protocol | Audits | Insurance | Track Record | Bug Bounty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearn | 10+ | Available | 4+ years | $200K+ |
| Beefy | 5+ | Limited | 3+ years | $100K |
| Convex | 5+ | Available | 3+ years | $250K |
| Chain | Yearn | Beefy | Convex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arbitrum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Polygon | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| BNB Chain | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Avalanche | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Optimism | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Choose Yearn if: - Security is paramount
Choose Beefy if: - Farming on non-Ethereum chains
Choose Convex if: - Focused on Curve ecosystem
| Asset Type | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Stablecoins | Convex (Curve 3pool) |
| ETH | Yearn or Beefy |
| BTC | Beefy (more options) |
| LP tokens | Beefy (coverage) |
| CRV | Convex (cvxCRV) |
| Risk Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Very Low | Yearn stable vaults |
| Low | Convex stable pools |
| Medium | Beefy blue-chip farms |
| Higher | Beefy newer strategies |
All optimizers add contract risk on top of underlying protocols:
Strategies can lose money:
Optimizers depend on underlying protocols:
What do you have to deposit?
For your specific asset:
Are yield optimizers safe? They add smart contract risk but reduce operational risk. Choose audited protocols with track records.
Do I need to claim rewards? No, that's the point. Optimizers auto-compound for you.
What's the minimum deposit? Technically any amount, but gas costs make small deposits inefficient on Ethereum. L2s and alt-chains work for smaller amounts.
Can I lose money? Yes, through smart contract exploits, impermanent loss, or underlying protocol failures. Yield is not guaranteed.
Which has the highest APY? Varies by strategy and market conditions. Check current rates before depositing. Higher APY often means higher risk.
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