The best Ethereum L2 networks ranked by TVL, fees, speed, and ecosystem. Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, zkSync, and more compared.
Ethereum L2s went from niche tech to essential infrastructure. After EIP-4844 dropped blob data costs by over 90%, fees on most L2s became negligible. Fractions of a penny for a swap. The question is no longer "should I use an L2" but "which L2 should I use." Each one has a different ecosystem, different backers, and different strengths. Some lead on DeFi depth. Others win on consumer app adoption. A few bet on ZK tech for faster finality. Here is how the top L2 networks compare in 2026.
| # | Name | Best For | Top Pro | Top Con |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbitrum One | DeFi power users who want the deepest liquidity on an L2 | Highest TVL of any L2 | 7-day withdrawal to Ethereum |
| 2 | Base | Consumer AI apps and Coinbase users going on-chain | Coinbase user funnel | Single sequencer (Coinbase) |
| 3 | Optimism | Users who believe in the Superchain multi-chain future | OP Stack adopted across the industry | Smaller TVL than Arbitrum |
| 4 | zkSync Era | Users who want ZK security and faster withdrawal times | ZK-proof security (faster withdrawals) | Smaller DeFi ecosystem |
| 5 | Scroll | Developers who want the most Ethereum-compatible ZK L2 | Closest EVM equivalence among ZK L2s | Smaller ecosystem |
| 6 | Linea | MetaMask users who want seamless L2 onboarding | MetaMask native integration | Newer and smaller |
The largest Ethereum L2 by TVL. Arbitrum hosts the deepest DeFi ecosystem on any L2, with GMX, Camelot, Pendle, and hundreds of other protocols. Optimistic rollup with a 7-day challenge window for withdrawals.
Coinbase built it on the OP Stack and it has taken off. No native token means no sell pressure. Coinbase funnels its 100M+ users directly to Base for on-chain activity. SocialFi, memecoins, and consumer AI thrive here.
The OP Stack powers Base, Zora, Mode, and other chains in the growing Superchain. Optimism has a unique retroactive public goods funding model and strong governance. The Superchain vision is its long play.
The leading ZK rollup for general-purpose smart contracts. ZK proofs mean no 7-day wait for withdrawals. Native account abstraction improves UX. Ecosystem is growing but trails the optimistic rollups.
A zkEVM targeting true bytecode-level EVM compatibility. Existing Solidity code deploys on Scroll with zero changes. Growing steadily with a focus on developer experience and Ethereum alignment.
ConsenSys-built zkEVM L2. Linea benefits from MetaMask integration and ConsenSys ecosystem. Bytecode-compatible with Ethereum. Focused on bridging the MetaMask user base to L2.