Blockchain · 6 min read

Arbitrum vs Optimism Fees

**Arbitrum** and **Optimism** are leading Ethereum optimistic rollups with low fees but different sequencer design, fraud-proof windows, and app ecosystems.

Step by step

1. Price a typical day

Count swaps, transfers, and bridge txs you actually run.

2. Check app support

Your wallet and protocol may favor one L2.

3. Plan exits

Canonical bridge withdrawal times affect urgency.

Arbitrum vs Optimism

Fees swing with congestion—compare your workflow, not one headline quote.

  • Arbitrum: Deep DeFi; Nitro stack; broad CEX support.
  • Optimism: OP Stack shared with Base; Superchain vision.

Common mistakes

  • Bridging to wrong L2 address
  • Ignoring 7-day canonical withdrawal on some routes

FAQ

Which is cheaper?

Usually similar for simple transfers—complex contracts vary.