Ethereum’s rapid growth has propelled Layer-2 solutions to the forefront of blockchain scalability discussions. These Layer-2 networks offer users faster transactions and dramatically reduced fees compared to Ethereum’s congested mainnet. However, the gas fee landscape across these networks remains complex and ever-changing. For active Ethereum users—retail traders and investors alike—understanding which Layer-2 saves the most gas without sacrificing liquidity, security, or user experience is critical.
This article presents a comprehensive, data-driven comparison of leading Layer-2 networks as of mid-2025, focusing on fees across common transaction scenarios. We delve into the architectural nuances, protocol upgrades, and economic factors influencing gas costs, culminating in actionable guidance tailored to various use cases. Whether you transfer ETH, swap tokens, lend on DeFi, or mint NFTs, this analysis reveals precisely where your gas savings lie.
Overview of Leading Layer-2 Networks (Mid-2025)
The Layer-2 space is dominated by a handful of networks that differ in design, security models, and ecosystem maturity. Six networks stand out: Optimism, Arbitrum One, zkSync Era, StarkNet, Base (Coinbase’s rollup), and Polygon zkEVM.
Optimism
Optimism is an Optimistic Rollup that assumes transactions are valid until disputed during a seven-day fraud-proof window. This model allows low sequencing costs—about 0.9 gwei per Layer-2 gas unit—and benefits from recent Ethereum upgrades that cut on-chain posting costs in half by transitioning from raw calldata to compressed blob data. This optimization has reduced fees for simple ETH transfers to roughly nine cents, making it an affordable Layer-2 option. Optimism’s ecosystem is robust, with around $6 billion in total value locked (TVL) and integrations with major DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Synthetix, and Aave. Its open-source OP Stack fosters interoperability and serves as the foundation for Coinbase’s Base network.
Arbitrum One
Arbitrum One is another prominent Optimistic Rollup known for its large TVL—exceeding $12 billion as of early 2025—making it the largest Layer-2 network by value secured. Its fraud-proof system and batch submission every few minutes maintain both security and transaction timeliness. Like Optimism, Arbitrum has adopted blob-based calldata posting, resulting in a 50% reduction in on-chain fees. Its ecosystem includes Curve, Balancer, Aave, and major NFT marketplaces, processing millions of transactions monthly. Key upgrades such as Stylus and TimeBoost optimize contract execution and block timing to reduce gas consumption and improve throughput.
zkSync Era
zkSync Era operates as an EVM-compatible zero-knowledge rollup (ZK-Rollup) using succinct proofs (SNARKs) to validate batches instantly, eliminating withdrawal delays inherent in Optimistic Rollups. With transaction proofs compressed into around 3,800 blob bytes, zkSync Era boasts the lowest gas fees for simple ETH transfers at approximately seven cents. Its TVL hovers near $6.5 billion, supported by incentives like recent airdrops that subsidized gas for new users. zkSync also introduces a hybrid model called zkPorter, enabling microtransactions for under one cent via off-chain data availability without compromising security.
StarkNet
Built on STARK proofs, StarkNet provides quantum-resistant cryptographic guarantees with rapid finality. While offering higher security, its larger proof sizes make gas fees substantially higher—nearly 20 cents for ETH sends and over 50 cents for token transfers. StarkNet’s TVL, at around $629 million, is the largest among ZK-Rollups but substantially smaller than Optimism or Arbitrum. It focuses on complex DeFi and NFT applications, utilizing the Cairo VM for scalable smart contract execution and recently introducing distributed sequencer architecture to enhance censorship resistance.
Base (Coinbase Rollup)
Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network built on the OP Stack, utilizes a proprietary data availability layer (EigenDA) to post batched data efficiently. It offers fees comparable to Optimism with ETH transfers around ten cents and token swaps near twenty cents. Base benefits from Coinbase’s large user base, with over 1.5 million monthly active users and growing liquidity. Its integration with the Coinbase NFT marketplace drives significant minting activity, while retail-friendly features like “First Bridge Free” promotions enhance user onboarding and reduce gas costs temporarily.
Polygon zkEVM
Polygon zkEVM is a ZK-Rollup designed for full EVM equivalence, allowing direct porting of Ethereum smart contracts. Although this eases developer migration, its current PLONK-based proof system generates larger proofs, resulting in higher fees—about 19 cents for ETH sends and $2.75 for token swaps. Its TVL stands near $1.2 billion and continues growing, particularly in NFT gaming. Planned upgrades, including the Multiverse zkVM and EIP-4844 integration, aim to reduce these fees substantially by late 2025.
Current Fee Benchmark (Mid-2025)
To quantify gas savings across these Layer-2 networks, we examine average fees in U.S. dollars for five transaction types common to active Ethereum users:
- ETH Transfers (0.1 ETH)
- ERC-20 Token Transfers (1,000 USDC)
- Token Swaps (0.1 ETH to USDC via Uniswap v3)
- Complex DeFi Transactions (Aave V3 deposit and borrow)
- NFT Minting and Transfers
The fee data reflects network conditions between May 20 and June 1, 2025, with an assumed ETH price of $2,600.
ETH Transfers
The simplest transaction, sending 0.1 ETH from one account to another, costs the least on zkSync Era at approximately seven cents. Optimism, Arbitrum One, and Base are close behind, with fees near nine to ten cents. StarkNet and Polygon zkEVM command higher fees due to their larger proof sizes, with costs around 19 cents.
ERC-20 Token Transfers
Transferring 1,000 USDC requires additional calldata, and zkSync Era again offers the lowest fees, estimated at nine cents. Optimism charges about 18 cents, Arbitrum One 27 cents, and StarkNet 57 cents. Polygon zkEVM’s fees are significantly higher at $2.75.
Token Swaps
Swapping 0.1 ETH for USDC via Uniswap v3 costs about 18 cents on both zkSync Era and Optimism, 20 cents on Base, and 27 cents on Arbitrum One. StarkNet users pay approximately 57 cents, while Polygon zkEVM’s high fees remain at $2.75.
Complex DeFi Transactions
Depositing 0.1 ETH and borrowing an equivalent USDC amount on Aave V3 costs 18 cents on zkSync Era, 30 cents on Optimism, 35 cents on Base, and 40 cents on Arbitrum One. StarkNet users pay up to 85 cents, with Polygon zkEVM fees exceeding $3.50.
NFT Minting and Transfers
Minting a minimal ERC-721 NFT costs about 15 cents on zkSync Era, 25 cents on Optimism, 30 cents on Base, and 35 cents on Arbitrum One. StarkNet and Polygon zkEVM remain more expensive, charging 75 cents and $3.00 respectively for minting.
Scenario-Based Fee Test Results
Each network demonstrates strengths depending on the transaction type:
- zkSync Era is consistently the cheapest, particularly for simple transfers, token swaps, and NFT-related activities.
- Optimism provides balanced fees and benefits from a mature ecosystem with deep liquidity.
- Arbitrum One excels in liquidity-heavy environments but carries moderately higher fees.
- Base offers slightly higher fees but integrates well with Coinbase’s user base and infrastructure.
- StarkNet trades lower throughput and higher fees for enhanced security and fast finality.
- Polygon zkEVM currently has the highest fees but aims to reduce them through upcoming upgrades.
Analysis: Why Fees Differ
Four key factors influence these fee disparities: rollup type and data compression, Ethereum’s recent upgrades (EIP-4844 and Pectra), sequencer designs and congestion management, and ecosystem incentives.
Rollup Types and Data Compression
Optimistic Rollups post raw or blob calldata and rely on fraud proofs, avoiding continuous proof generation but requiring a challenge period for withdrawals. ZK-Rollups generate cryptographic proofs for every batch, offering instant finality but at the cost of heavier off-chain computation.
Post-EIP-4844, all rollups benefit from a new blob transaction format that reduces on-chain data costs by up to 90%. SNARK-based rollups like zkSync Era compress transaction data to approximately 3,800 bytes per batch, while STARK-based solutions like StarkNet produce larger proofs of about 8,000 bytes.
Impact of Ethereum Upgrades
EIP-4844 introduced blob transactions that significantly lower on-chain posting fees. The Pectra upgrade increased the number of blobs per block, expanding Layer-2 capacity and lowering marginal costs further. These improvements have driven average fees down across all rollups, with some networks using only a fraction of the available blob capacity, suggesting room for scaling.
Sequencer Design and Congestion Dynamics
Sequencers process Layer-2 transactions before committing data to Ethereum. Centralized sequencers in networks like Optimism and Arbitrum batch aggressively, offering high throughput but sometimes causing fee spikes during peak periods. Distributed sequencers, such as StarkNet’s multi-node setup, improve censorship resistance and throughput but can lead to larger proof sizes and higher fees.
Ecosystem Activity and Incentives
Liquidity, TVL, and incentives play pivotal roles in fee structures. Networks with higher liquidity like Arbitrum One can justify higher fees due to lower slippage on large trades. Airdrops and gas subsidy programs temporarily reduce user fees, attracting new users and increasing transaction volume. Retail-focused initiatives such as Coinbase’s “First Bridge Free” promotion enhance onboarding and fee competitiveness on Base.
Security Trade-offs and Trust Models
ZK-Rollups offer mathematical proof-based security and instant withdrawals, attracting users who prioritize these features despite slightly higher fees. Optimistic Rollups, while cheaper in some respects, require users to endure a withdrawal challenge period unless they pay extra for faster exits.
User Guidance: Choosing the Right Layer-2
Simple ETH Transfers
For cost-efficient ETH transfers, zkSync Era is the clear leader, offering fees around seven cents and near-instant finality. Users needing immediate withdrawals benefit from zkSync’s cryptographic guarantees, while Optimistic Rollups may require a seven-day wait or additional fees for fast exits.
Frequent Token Swaps and DeFi Activity
Active traders will find Optimism and zkSync Era offering the best balance of fees (approximately 18 cents per swap) and liquidity. Optimism’s larger ecosystem may benefit large trades with lower slippage, while zkSync provides faster finality, crucial for arbitrage and time-sensitive operations.
High-Volume NFT Activity
For minting and transferring NFTs, zkSync Era’s low fees (15 cents to mint, 9 cents to transfer) make it ideal for artists and collectors. Optimism and Base offer slightly higher fees but benefit from more mature marketplaces and user bases.
Complex Multistep DeFi Interactions
Deposits and borrows on Aave V3 cost the least on zkSync Era (18 cents), with Optimism as a close runner-up. Higher fees on StarkNet and Polygon zkEVM reflect their respective proof complexities and early-stage optimizations.
Withdrawal Delays and Bridge Considerations
Users requiring urgent withdrawals should favor ZK-Rollups like zkSync Era or StarkNet. Those willing to wait can utilize Optimistic Rollups, which offer lower base fees but enforce a week-long withdrawal delay.
Liquidity Depth and Slippage Impact
Arbitrum One’s deep liquidity makes it suitable for large trades despite moderately higher fees. Optimism and zkSync Era provide adequate liquidity for mid-sized trades, while small traders benefit most from low fees on zkSync Era and Optimism.
Ecosystem and User Experience
Base offers exceptional onboarding through Coinbase integration, simplifying bridging and wallet use. Optimism and Arbitrum One support the broadest range of dApps, while zkSync Era’s ecosystem is growing rapidly. StarkNet caters to high-security applications, and Polygon zkEVM is expanding its developer base.
Future Outlook: Upcoming Improvements & Competitors
Continued EIP-4844 and Pectra-Driven Fee Reductions
EIP-4844 (Proto-Danksharding) has reshaped L2 economics by allowing rollups to post data in “blobs” at 4 gwei/byte instead of the prior 16 gwei/byte calldata rate, reducing on-chain data costs by up to 90%. As of June 2025, rollups like Arbitrum and Optimism are already paying near $0.09 for a 0.1 ETH send compared to $0.18 pre-Dencun.
Blob Capacity Expansion (Pectra Q2 2025) doubled per-block blob capacity from 3 to 9, meaning daily blob usage across rollups increased by 20.8% while still leaving over 30% spare capacity, driving “blobs” to nearly zero marginal cost and pushing L2 posting fees down by 50% on average.
Ultra-Light Blob Optimizations: As Ethereum core developers explore “Ultra-Light” enhancements post-Pectra, on-chain blob processing could drop from 4 gwei/byte to as low as 1–2 gwei/byte by late 2025, targeting sub-$0.05 fees for simple ETH transfers on major rollups.
Optimistic Rollup Roadmaps
Arbitrum One plans upgrades like Stylus and TimeBoost to reduce gas consumption and increase throughput, aiming for fees near $0.05 per ETH send by late 2025. Optimism intends to decentralize sequencers and improve batch processing for similar fee reductions. Base focuses on EigenDA scaling and retail onboarding incentives to maintain low fees during surges.
ZK-Rollup Roadmaps
zkSync Era aims to implement Prover3 and expand zkPorter capabilities to lower fees for both large and micro transactions. StarkNet targets proof size reductions and cross-chain functionality. Polygon zkEVM plans Multiverse zkVM and full EIP-4844 integration to significantly cut fees. Scroll and Linea, new entrants, promise sub-cent fees and high throughput through advanced proof systems.
New Entrants & Cross-L2 Interoperability
Scroll and Linea are set to pressure existing rollups on fees and performance. Cross-chain bridge aggregators and interoperability standards will further reduce costs and improve user experience across networks.
High-Level Projections: Year-End 2025
By the end of 2025, typical fees could drop to $0.02–$0.04 for ETH sends on zkSync Era, Scroll, and Linea; $0.04–$0.06 on Optimism and Arbitrum; and $0.10–$0.12 on StarkNet. Token swaps and complex DeFi actions will see proportional reductions, making Layer-2 transactions increasingly accessible.
Final Thought
Layer-2 networks have transformed the Ethereum experience, offering dramatically reduced gas fees and faster transactions. As of mid-2025, zkSync Era leads in cost efficiency across most transaction types, with Optimism and Arbitrum One offering strong alternatives especially for users prioritizing liquidity.
Security considerations and withdrawal times influence network choice, with ZK-Rollups providing instant finality at a modest fee premium. Base offers excellent retail access, and StarkNet serves specialized high-security use cases despite higher costs. Polygon zkEVM is maturing, with upgrades poised to improve its competitiveness.
The gas savings race is dynamic; upcoming network enhancements and new competitors like Scroll and Linea will continue pushing fees lower. Active Ethereum users should monitor real-time fees, assess liquidity needs, and select Layer-2 networks that align with their priorities to maximize value in an evolving landscape.
