L2 Fee Comparison
Compare Layer 2 network fees, throughput, TVL, and finality. Find the cheapest and fastest L2 for your needs.
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Cheapest Swap
Manta Pacific
$0.10
Cheapest Transfer
Manta Pacific
$0.05
Highest TVL
Arbitrum One
$3.2B
Fastest TPS
Arbitrum One
40,000+ TPS
Filter & Sort
| Network | Type | Swap | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manta Pacific OP Stack + Celestia | Optimistic | $0.10 | $0.05 |
| Blast Custom | Optimistic | $0.15 | $0.08 |
| Base OP Stack | Optimistic | $0.20 | $0.10 |
| Arbitrum One Nitro | Optimistic | $0.25 | $0.12 |
| Linea Linea zkEVM | ZK | $0.25 | $0.12 |
| Optimism OP Stack | Optimistic | $0.30 | $0.15 |
| Scroll zkEVM | ZK | $0.30 | $0.15 |
| zkSync Era zkSync | ZK | $0.38 | $0.20 |
| Polygon zkEVM Polygon CDK | ZK | $0.45 | $0.25 |
| Starknet Starknet | ZK | $0.50 | $0.25 |
Optimistic vs ZK Rollups
Understanding the two main L2 architectures
Optimistic Rollups
- Generally cheaper gas fees
- Full EVM compatibility
- Mature ecosystem and tooling
- 7-day withdrawal challenge period
- Assumes honesty (fraud proof model)
Examples: Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Blast
ZK Rollups
- Cryptographic validity proofs
- Faster finality (no challenge period)
- Stronger security guarantees
- Higher bridging costs (proof generation)
- Some EVM compatibility gaps
Examples: zkSync, Scroll, Linea, Starknet
How to Choose an L2
The best L2 depends on your use case. For DeFi trading and yield farming, Arbitrum and Base offer the deepest liquidity and lowest fees. For maximum security, ZK rollups like Scroll and Linea provide cryptographic proofs rather than relying on fraud proofs.
Check our Gas Estimator for real-time costs, and the Bridge Comparison tool to find the cheapest way to move assets to your chosen L2. For wallet compatibility, use the Wallet Compatibility Checker.
If you're farming airdrops, our Airdrop Tracker highlights which L2s have upcoming token distributions. Linea and Scroll are top airdrop farming targets in 2026.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Layer 2 is the cheapest?
Manta Pacific and Blast currently offer the lowest swap fees (under $0.15), largely due to alternative data availability layers. Among mainstream L2s, Base and Arbitrum offer the best balance of low fees and deep liquidity. Fees fluctuate with Ethereum gas prices and network congestion.
What is the difference between optimistic and ZK rollups?
Optimistic rollups assume transactions are valid and use a 7-day challenge period for fraud proofs. ZK rollups generate cryptographic proofs that mathematically verify transaction validity. ZK rollups have faster finality but higher bridging costs. Optimistic rollups are currently cheaper for everyday use.
How do L2 fees compare to Ethereum mainnet?
L2 transactions are typically 10–100x cheaper than Ethereum mainnet. A swap that costs $5–$50 on mainnet costs $0.10–$0.50 on most L2s. After EIP-4844 (proto-danksharding), L2 data costs dropped dramatically, making them even more affordable.
Are my funds safe on Layer 2?
L2 networks inherit security from Ethereum to varying degrees. Your funds are secured by Ethereum's validator set. The main risk is sequencer centralization — most L2s have a single sequencer that can censor transactions (temporarily). All major L2s have plans for sequencer decentralization. In the worst case, you can always withdraw back to Ethereum L1.