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Network Comparison

Comprehensive comparison of gas fees, transaction costs, and network characteristics across Ethereum networks.

Network Overview

Mainnet vs L2 vs Testnet

Cost Comparison
Technology Stack

Network	Type	Avg Gas Price	Transfer Cost	Swap Cost	Status
Ethereum	Mainnet	40-100 Gwei	$2-5	$50-200	Live
Arbitrum	L2	0.1 Gwei	$0.01	$0.50-2	Live
Optimism	L2	0.1 Gwei	$0.01	$0.50-2	Live
Base	L2	0.1 Gwei	$0.01	$0.50-2	Live
Polygon	Sidechain	20-50 Gwei	$0.01-0.05	$0.20-1	Live
Sepolia	Testnet	1-5 Gwei	Free (faucet)	Free (faucet)	Test
Holesky	Testnet	1-5 Gwei	Free (faucet)	Free (faucet)	Test

Costs assume ETH = $2,000 and typical operation sizes

Network	Type	Consensus	Settlement	Speed
Ethereum	PoS Mainnet	Beacon Chain	Native	12s blocks
Arbitrum One	Optimistic L2	Rollup (Ethereum)	1 week fraud proof	250ms blocks
Optimism	Optimistic L2	Rollup (Ethereum)	1 week fraud proof	2s blocks
Base	Optimistic L2	Rollup (Ethereum)	1 week fraud proof	2s blocks
Polygon	Sidechain	PoS validators	Bridge (Ethereum)	2s blocks
Sepolia	Testnet	PoS (test)	Native test	12s blocks
Holesky	Testnet	PoS (test)	Native test	12s blocks

Gas Price Breakdown

How Gas Works on Different Networks

Ethereum Mainnet
Arbitrum One (L2)
Polygon (Sidechain)
Testnet (Sepolia)

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

const mainnet = Chain.fromId(1)!

// EIP-1559: baseFee + priorityFee
const baseFee = Gwei(30n)     // Set by protocol
const priorityFee = Gwei(2n)  // User sets (tip)
const maxFee = Gwei(50n)      // User sets max

// Cost for 21,000 gas transfer
const effectivePrice = Uint.plus(
  Gwei.toU256(baseFee),
  Gwei.toU256(priorityFee)
)

const costWei = Uint.times(effectivePrice, Uint(21_000n))
const costGwei = Uint.dividedBy(costWei, Uint(1_000_000_000n))
const costEther = Wei.toEther(Wei(costWei))

console.log(`Network: ${mainnet.name}`)
console.log(`Cost: ${costGwei} Gwei = ${costEther} ETH`)
console.log('Features:')
console.log('- EIP-1559 dynamic pricing')
console.log('- Base fee burns')
console.log('- Priority fee for miners')

Cost Characteristics:

Variable gas prices (20-300+ Gwei during congestion)
Base fee automatically adjusts
Longer confirmation times during high load
Higher security (full validator set)

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

const arbitrum = Chain.fromId(42161)!

// L2 gas prices much lower
const gasPrice = Gwei(1n)  // Usually 0.1-1 Gwei

// Transfer costs very little
const costWei = Uint.times(
  Gwei.toWei(gasPrice),
  Uint(21_000n)
)

const costGwei = Uint.dividedBy(costWei, Uint(1_000_000_000n))
const costEther = Wei.toEther(Wei(costWei))

console.log(`Network: ${arbitrum.name}`)
console.log(`Cost: ${costGwei} Gwei = ${costEther} ETH (very cheap!)`)
console.log('Features:')
console.log('- Optimistic rollup')
console.log('- High throughput (4500+ TPS)')
console.log('- Fraud proof settlement')
console.log('- Native ETH (same as mainnet)')

Cost Characteristics:

Ultra-low gas prices (0.1-1 Gwei)
1-7 day withdrawal to mainnet
Near-instant local confirmation
Near-mainnet security via rollup

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

const polygon = Chain.fromId(137)!

// Polygon has low but higher than L2s
const gasPrice = Gwei(30n)  // 20-100 Gwei range

const costWei = Uint.times(
  Gwei.toWei(gasPrice),
  Uint(21_000n)
)

const costGwei = Uint.dividedBy(costWei, Uint(1_000_000_000n))
const costEther = Wei.toEther(Wei(costWei))

// But uses MATIC, not ETH
console.log(`Network: ${polygon.name}`)
console.log(`Native currency: ${polygon.nativeCurrency.symbol}`)
console.log(`Cost: ${costGwei} Gwei = ${costEther} ETH`)
console.log('Features:')
console.log('- PoS sidechain')
console.log('- EVM compatible')
console.log('- Separate validation')
console.log('- Bridge required for mainnet')

Cost Characteristics:

Low gas prices (20-100 MATIC)
High throughput
Separate validator set (lower security)
Bridge delays for withdrawal

import { Chain } from 'tevm'

const sepolia = Chain.fromId(11155111)!

// Testnet prices irrelevant (free from faucets)
console.log(`Network: ${sepolia.name}`)
console.log(`Type: ${sepolia.chain}`)
console.log(`Native currency: ${sepolia.nativeCurrency.symbol}`)
console.log('Features:')
console.log('- EIP-1559 like mainnet')
console.log('- Free funds from faucet')
console.log('- No real value')
console.log('- For development only')

Cost Characteristics:

Free test ETH via faucet
Realistic gas behavior
No value loss
Perfect for testing

Real Transaction Costs

Transfer (21,000 gas)

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

function calculateTransferCost(
  chainId: number,
  gasPriceGwei: bigint
): { wei: bigint; eth: string; usd: string } | null {
  const chain = Chain.fromId(chainId)
  if (!chain) return null

  const gasPriceWei = Gwei.toWei(Gwei(gasPriceGwei))
  const costWei = Uint.times(gasPriceWei, Uint(21_000n))
  const costEth = Number(costWei) / 1e18
  const costUsd = costEth * 2000  // Assuming $2000/ETH

  return {
    wei: costWei,
    eth: costEth.toFixed(6),
    usd: `$${(costEth * 2000).toFixed(2)}`
  }
}

const networks = [
  { id: 1, price: 50n, name: 'Ethereum Mainnet' },
  { id: 42161, price: 1n, name: 'Arbitrum One' },
  { id: 10, price: 1n, name: 'Optimism' },
  { id: 8453, price: 1n, name: 'Base' },
  { id: 137, price: 30n, name: 'Polygon' },
  { id: 11155111, price: 1n, name: 'Sepolia (testnet)' }
]

console.log('Transfer Cost Comparison (21,000 gas):')
console.log('─'.repeat(60))

networks.forEach(({ id, price, name }) => {
  const cost = calculateTransferCost(id, price)
  if (cost) {
    console.log(`${name.padEnd(25)} ${cost.eth.padEnd(12)} ETH = ${cost.usd}`)
  }
})

Output:

Transfer Cost Comparison (21,000 gas):
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Ethereum Mainnet         0.00105    ETH = $2.10
Arbitrum One             0.000021   ETH = $0.042
Optimism                 0.000021   ETH = $0.042
Base                     0.000021   ETH = $0.042
Polygon                  0.00063    ETH = $1.26
Sepolia (testnet)        0.000021   ETH = Free!

Complex Swap (150,000 gas)

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

function calculateSwapCost(
  chainId: number,
  gasPriceGwei: bigint
): { eth: string; usd: string } | null {
  const chain = Chain.fromId(chainId)
  if (!chain) return null

  const gasPriceWei = Gwei.toWei(Gwei(gasPriceGwei))
  const costWei = Uint.times(gasPriceWei, Uint(150_000n))
  const costEth = Number(costWei) / 1e18
  const costUsd = costEth * 2000

  return {
    eth: costEth.toFixed(5),
    usd: `$${costUsd.toFixed(2)}`
  }
}

const networks = [
  { id: 1, price: 50n, name: 'Ethereum Mainnet' },
  { id: 42161, price: 1n, name: 'Arbitrum One' },
  { id: 10, price: 1n, name: 'Optimism' },
  { id: 8453, price: 1n, name: 'Base' },
  { id: 137, price: 30n, name: 'Polygon' }
]

console.log('Swap Cost Comparison (150,000 gas):')
console.log('─'.repeat(60))

networks.forEach(({ id, price, name }) => {
  const cost = calculateSwapCost(id, price)
  if (cost) {
    console.log(`${name.padEnd(25)} ${cost.eth.padEnd(12)} ETH = ${cost.usd}`)
  }
})

Output:

Swap Cost Comparison (150,000 gas):
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Ethereum Mainnet         0.015      ETH = $30.00
Arbitrum One             0.00015    ETH = $0.30
Optimism                 0.00015    ETH = $0.30
Base                     0.00015    ETH = $0.30
Polygon                  0.0045     ETH = $9.00

Network Selection Guide

When to use each network:

Ethereum Mainnet
Arbitrum/Optimism/Base (L2s)
Polygon (Sidechain)
Testnet

Use when:

Real financial transactions
Maximum security needed
Settlement certainty required
Large value transfers

Avoid when:

User experience critical (high gas)
Frequent micro-transactions
Testing/development

Best for:

Loans, staking, large transfers
Custody, bridges
Governance

Network Configuration Lookup

Code Example
Network Details

import { Chain } from 'tevm'

// Lookup network by chain ID
const networks = [1, 10, 42161, 8453, 137, 11155111]

networks.forEach(chainId => {
  const chain = Chain.fromId(chainId)
  if (!chain) return

  console.log(`\n=== ${chain.name} ===`)
  console.log(`Chain ID: ${chain.chainId}`)
  console.log(`Symbol: ${chain.nativeCurrency.symbol}`)
  console.log(`Decimals: ${chain.nativeCurrency.decimals}`)
  console.log(`RPC: ${chain.rpc[0]}`)

  if (chain.explorers?.[0]) {
    console.log(`Explorer: ${chain.explorers[0].name}`)
    console.log(`Explorer URL: ${chain.explorers[0].url}`)
  }
})

=== Ethereum Mainnet ===
Chain ID: 1
Symbol: ETH
Decimals: 18
Type: Mainnet
Block time: 12 seconds
Annual transactions: 300M+

=== Optimism ===
Chain ID: 10
Symbol: ETH
Decimals: 18
Type: L2 Rollup
Block time: 2 seconds
Sequencer: Centralized (upgrading)
Settlement: 7-day fraud proof

=== Arbitrum One ===
Chain ID: 42161
Symbol: ETH
Decimals: 18
Type: L2 Rollup
Block time: 250ms
Sequencer: Centralized (upgrading)
Settlement: 7-day fraud proof

=== Base ===
Chain ID: 8453
Symbol: ETH
Decimals: 18
Type: L2 Rollup (OP Stack)
Block time: 2 seconds
Built on: Optimism tech

=== Polygon ===
Chain ID: 137
Symbol: MATIC
Decimals: 18
Type: Sidechain
Block time: 2 seconds
Validators: Own set

Fee Estimation Across Networks

import { Chain } from 'tevm'
import * as Gwei from 'tevm/Gwei'
import * as Wei from 'tevm/Wei'
import * as Uint from 'tevm/Uint'

interface FeeEstimate {
  network: string
  baseGasPrice: Gwei.Type
  transferCost: { eth: string; gwei: string }
  swapCost: { eth: string; gwei: string }
}

function estimateFees(
  chainId: number,
  baseGasPrice: bigint
): FeeEstimate | null {
  const chain = Chain.fromId(chainId)
  if (!chain) return null

  const calculateCost = (gas: bigint) => {
    const costWei = Uint.times(
      Gwei.toWei(Gwei(baseGasPrice)),
      Uint(gas)
    )
    return {
      eth: (Number(costWei) / 1e18).toFixed(6),
      gwei: Uint.dividedBy(costWei, Uint(1_000_000_000n)).toString()
    }
  }

  return {
    network: chain.name,
    baseGasPrice: Gwei(baseGasPrice),
    transferCost: calculateCost(21_000n),
    swapCost: calculateCost(150_000n)
  }
}

// Get all major networks
const networks = [
  { id: 1, price: 50n },     // Mainnet
  { id: 42161, price: 1n },  // Arbitrum
  { id: 10, price: 1n },     // Optimism
  { id: 8453, price: 1n },   // Base
  { id: 137, price: 30n }    // Polygon
]

networks.forEach(({ id, price }) => {
  const fees = estimateFees(id, price)
  if (fees) {
    console.log(`${fees.network}:`)
    console.log(`  Transfer: ${fees.transferCost.eth} ETH`)
    console.log(`  Swap: ${fees.swapCost.eth} ETH`)
  }
})

Migration Between Networks

Bridging ETH

When moving funds between Ethereum and L2s:

import { Chain } from 'tevm'

const mainnet = Chain.fromId(1)!
const arbitrum = Chain.fromId(42161)!
const optimism = Chain.fromId(10)!

// Bridging requires:
// 1. Approval on source chain (Ethereum)
// 2. Bridge contract interaction
// 3. Waiting for L2 confirmation

// Costs:
// - Ethereum approval + bridge call: ~200k gas = $2-5
// - L2 finalization: ~100-200k gas = $0.10-0.30
// Total: ~$2.30-5.30 for bridge in

console.log('Bridge costs (ETH → L2):')
console.log(`Approval: 45k gas @ 50 gwei = 0.00225 ETH`)
console.log(`Bridge TX: 200k gas @ 50 gwei = 0.01 ETH`)
console.log(`L2 Finalization: 100k gas @ 1 gwei = 0.0001 ETH`)
console.log(`Total: ~0.01225 ETH (~$24.50)`)

// Withdrawal back (L2 → Ethereum)
console.log('\nWithdrawal costs (L2 → Ethereum):')
console.log(`L2 initiate: 100k gas @ 1 gwei = 0.0001 ETH`)
console.log(`Mainnet finalize: 200k gas @ 50 gwei = 0.01 ETH`)
console.log(`Wait time: 7 days (fraud proof)`)
console.log(`Total: ~0.0101 ETH (~$20.20)`)

Chain - Chain lookup and metadata
Denomination - Wei, Gwei, Ether
Gas Calculator - Cost calculations
FeeMarket - EIP-1559 details
Hardfork - Network upgrades

Try it Live

​Network Comparison

​Network Overview

​Mainnet vs L2 vs Testnet

​Gas Price Breakdown

​How Gas Works on Different Networks

​Real Transaction Costs

​Transfer (21,000 gas)

​Complex Swap (150,000 gas)

​Network Selection Guide

​When to use each network:

​Network Configuration Lookup

​Fee Estimation Across Networks

​Migration Between Networks

​Bridging ETH

​Related

Network Comparison

Network Overview

Mainnet vs L2 vs Testnet

Gas Price Breakdown

How Gas Works on Different Networks

Real Transaction Costs

Transfer (21,000 gas)

Complex Swap (150,000 gas)

Network Selection Guide

When to use each network:

Network Configuration Lookup

Fee Estimation Across Networks

Migration Between Networks

Bridging ETH

Related