📊 Comparison: Security, Speed, and Costs
Deep dive into trade-offs between optimistic and ZK rollups
Compare the two dominant rollup approaches
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0 / 5 completed📊 Head-to-Head Comparison
Both rollup types excel in different areas. The right choice depends on your specific priorities: speed, security guarantees, cost, or EVM compatibility.
🎮 Interactive Metric Comparison
Select a metric to see detailed comparison and winner analysis.
Withdrawal Speed
ZK rollups win decisively - instant finality means immediate withdrawals. Optimistic rollups require 7-day challenge period.
💰 Cost Calculator
Compare operating costs for different transaction volumes. Adjust slider to see crossover point.
Optimistic Rollup Costs
ZK Rollup Costs
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🎯 When to Use Which?
Choose Optimistic If:
- ✓You need full EVM equivalence for easy migration
- ✓7-day withdrawal delay is acceptable for your use case
- ✓You want lower operating costs and simpler architecture
- ✓Building DeFi or gaming where instant withdrawals aren't critical
Choose ZK If:
- ✓Instant finality is critical (fast withdrawals)
- ✓You need strongest security guarantees (cryptographic proofs)
- ✓Privacy features are important for your application
- ✓Building payments, CEX off-ramps, or high-frequency trading
🔮 Future Outlook
The gap is closing: ZK technology is rapidly improving. Proof generation times are decreasing, costs are falling, and EVM compatibility is advancing.
Hybrid approaches: Some rollups are exploring hybrid models combining optimistic execution with ZK proofs for best of both worlds.
Long-term trend: Many believe ZK rollups will eventually dominate once technical challenges are solved, but optimistic rollups remain viable for years.