Scroll vs Arbitrum
Scroll and Arbitrum are both Ethereum layer-2s using ETH gas and ERC-20 — but they use different rollup tech. Here is how they compare for tokens.
Quick comparison
| Scroll | Arbitrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Rollup type | zk-rollup (zkEVM) | Optimistic rollup |
| Token standard | ERC-20 | ERC-20 |
| Gas coin | ETH | ETH |
| Typical fee | < $0.01 | ~$0.02 |
| Withdrawal to L1 | Proof-based | ~7-day challenge |
zk vs optimistic
Scroll is a zk-rollup — it proves transactions cryptographically, so withdrawals to Ethereum finalize without a long challenge window. Arbitrum is an optimistic rollup with a ~7-day challenge period for L1 withdrawals. For day-to-day token use the difference is mostly invisible.
Fees & ecosystem
Scroll is often a touch cheaper; Arbitrum has the larger L2 DeFi ecosystem and liquidity (GMX, Camelot, Uniswap). Both are great, low-fee homes for a new token.
Which should you choose?
Choose Scroll for native zkEVM tech and lowest fees; choose Arbitrum for the deepest L2 liquidity. Launch on either: create on Scroll or create on Arbitrum.
Frequently asked questions
Is a zk-rollup better than optimistic?
Each has trade-offs — zk (Scroll) finalizes withdrawals faster; optimistic (Arbitrum) has a larger ecosystem today. For token launches both work great.
Do both use ETH for gas?
Yes — both Scroll and Arbitrum pay gas in ETH and use the same MetaMask address.
Which has lower fees?
Scroll is often slightly cheaper, but both are a cent or two.
Ready to create your Scroll token?
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