Cross-chain swap vs bridge: what's the difference?
“Swap” and “bridge” are often used interchangeably, but they solve different problems. The short version: a bridge moves the same asset to another chain, while a cross-chain swap changes the asset and the chain in one step.
What a bridge does
A bridge takes an asset on chain A and gives you a representation of the same asset on chain B — often a wrapped or canonical version. For example, ETH on Ethereum becomes ETH on Arbitrum. You end with the same asset on a different network.
What a cross-chain swap does
A cross-chain swap also changes the token. For example, ETH on Ethereum becomes USDC on Base. Under the hood it may use a bridge plus one or more DEX trades, routed together for the best output — so you don't have to bridge first and swap afterwards.
Which should you use?
Use a bridge when you want the same token on another chain. Use a cross-chain swap when you want a different token on another chain — it saves you the extra manual swap and a second round of fees. AllSwap does both in one flow, so you pick the source and the destination and it figures out the route.
Costs and safety
Both incur a network (gas) cost plus a routing or service fee, shown up front as an all-in rate. A cross-chain swap may cross more venues than a plain bridge, but routing is non-custodial and funds are returned automatically if the swap can't complete.
Frequently asked questions
Is bridging cheaper than a cross-chain swap?
Not necessarily. If you'd bridge and then swap manually, a one-step cross-chain swap often costs about the same — and the quote shows the all-in rate before you commit.
Can I bridge and swap at the same time?
Yes — that is exactly what a cross-chain swap does.