Abstract: In this paper, the properties of carboxymethyl guar gum and polymer-based acidic fracturing fluids were compared, which include the viscosity of base fluid, cross-linking performance, sand-carrying performance and gel breaking performance. The results show that the apparent viscosity and zero shear viscosity of carboxymethyl guar gum base fluid are greater than polymer-based fluid at the same thickener concentration. At the pH value of 5-6, the cross-linking performances of them are better, and the viscosity of carboxymethyl gel is larger. The relationship between gel viscosity and shear rate could be described by Ostwald-Dewaele equation. Then the consistency coefficient of cross-linked gel was calculated. The result shows that the consistency coefficient of carboxymethyl gel is significantly larger than the polymer gel. In terms of sand carrying performance, the polymer gel has a larger elastic modulus, a smaller proppant settling rate, which shows better sand carrying performance. Forgel breaking performance, the residue of polymer gel was lower than that of the carboxymethyl fracturing fluid, which leads less damage to the reservoir.