Starknet Mainnet excels at immediate network effects and security by leveraging the shared liquidity and battle-tested security of the Ethereum L1. For example, deploying on Mainnet instantly plugs your dApp into an ecosystem with over $1.3B in TVL (as of Q4 2024) and a user base familiar with wallets like Argent and Braavos. This eliminates the cold-start problem and provides robust censorship resistance via Ethereum's decentralized validator set.
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Comparisons
Starknet Appchain vs Starknet Mainnet: Launch Time
A technical analysis for CTOs and founders comparing the time-to-market, control, and cost trade-offs between deploying a custom Starknet Appchain versus launching on the shared Starknet Mainnet.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Starknet Deployment Dilemma
Choosing between a Starknet Appchain and Starknet Mainnet is a foundational decision that dictates your protocol's performance, sovereignty, and time-to-market.
A Starknet Appchain (L3) takes a radically different approach by offering a sovereign, customizable execution environment. This results in a critical trade-off: you gain full control over sequencer fees, upgrade timings, and gas token (e.g., using your own token for gas) but must bootstrap your own validator set and liquidity. The primary advantage is performance; an isolated Appchain can achieve sub-second finality and thousands of TPS, unconstrained by Mainnet's shared block space.
The key trade-off: If your priority is speed-to-launch, shared security, and existing liquidity, choose Starknet Mainnet. If you prioritize maximal performance, custom economics, and technical sovereignty and are prepared to bootstrap a new chain, choose a Starknet Appchain built with stacks like Madara or Cartridge.
tldr-summary
Starknet Appchain vs. Starknet Mainnet
TL;DR: Key Differentiators for Launch
A direct comparison of launch considerations based on sovereignty, performance, and ecosystem access.
01
Appchain: Sovereign Performance
Full control over transaction ordering and fees: You set the gas token (e.g., USDC, ETH) and sequencer priority. This matters for high-frequency DeFi or gaming apps needing predictable, low-cost user experiences. Enables custom fee markets and MEV strategies.
02
Appchain: Tailored Throughput
Dedicated block space with no external competition. Achieve 100+ TPS consistently without being impacted by traffic from protocols like dYdX or Ekubo on the mainnet. This matters for scaling a single application to millions of users with guaranteed performance SLAs.
03
Mainnet: Instant Liquidity & Composability
Immediate access to $1.3B+ TVL and native assets. Launch directly within the existing DeFi ecosystem (JediSwap, Nostra, zkLend). This matters for protocols whose core value depends on interoperability, like lending markets or yield aggregators that need existing pools.
04
Mainnet: Shared Security & Proven Network
Leverage the battle-tened security of Starknet's L1 settlement. Benefit from the cumulative value secured by Ethereum and the established validator set. This matters for asset-heavy protocols (bridges, custodial services) where security is the primary non-negotiable.
STARKNET APPCHAIN VS STARKNET MAINNET
Launch Time Feature Matrix: Appchain vs Mainnet
Direct comparison of deployment and operational metrics for Starknet's shared mainnet versus dedicated appchains.
| Metric | Starknet Appchain | Starknet Mainnet |
|---|---|---|
Time to Production Launch | < 1 hour | N/A (Already Live) |
Transaction Throughput (Peak) | Custom (e.g., 1,000+ TPS) | ~100 TPS |
Avg. Transaction Cost | $0.001 - $0.01 | $0.10 - $0.50 |
Sequencer Control | ||
Custom Fee Token / Model | ||
Requires Validator Set / Prover | ||
Native L1 Security Inheritance |
pros-cons-a
PROS AND CONS
Starknet Appchain vs. Starknet Mainnet: Launch Time
A data-driven comparison of deployment speed and time-to-market for protocol launches. Starknet Appchains offer sovereignty, while the Mainnet provides instant network effects.
01
Starknet Appchain Pro: Rapid, Customizable Deployment
Full control over the sequencer and upgrade path eliminates dependency on Mainnet governance. This allows for immediate deployment of custom Cairo contracts and fee tokens, bypassing the Mainnet's multi-week approval cycles. Critical for protocols like dYdX v4 or Sorare that require deterministic performance and bespoke economics.
~1-2 weeks
Deployment Time
02
Starknet Appchain Con: Bootstrapping Network Security
Requires establishing a new validator set and economic security from scratch. You must attract and incentivize sequencer operators (e.g., via Espresso or Madara) and provers, which adds significant lead time and operational overhead before mainnet launch. This is a major hurdle for teams without existing validator communities.
2-6+ months
Security Ramp-Up
03
Starknet Mainnet Pro: Instant Composability & Users
Launch directly into an existing ecosystem with 1.3M+ accounts and $130M+ TVL. Immediate access to liquidity pools (Ekubo, JediSwap), wallets (Braavos, Argent), and users. Your protocol can integrate with zkLend (lending) or Nostra (stablecoins) on day one, accelerating user acquisition.
$130M+
Existing TVL
1.3M+
Active Accounts
04
Starknet Mainnet Con: Congestion & Shared Resources
Performance is subject to Mainnet-wide traffic spikes. During high activity, your users compete for block space, facing variable fees (currently ~$0.05-$0.50 per tx) and potential latency. You have zero control over the upgrade schedule or fee market, which can delay critical optimizations.
~$0.05-$0.50
Variable TX Fee
Shared
Sequencer
pros-cons-b
STARKNET MAINNET vs. STARKNET APPCHAIN
Starknet Mainnet: Pros and Cons for Launch
Key strengths and trade-offs for launching your protocol. Starknet Mainnet offers a mature ecosystem, while a Starknet Appchain provides sovereignty and customization.
01
Starknet Mainnet: Network Effects
Immediate access to liquidity and users: Tap into $1.3B+ TVL, 1M+ accounts, and established DeFi protocols like Ekubo, Nostra, and zkLend. This matters for applications where composability and user acquisition speed are critical.
$1.3B+
TVL
1M+
Accounts
02
Starknet Mainnet: Security & Provenance
Leverages Ethereum's finality: Inherits security from Ethereum's $500B+ consensus layer via validity proofs. The Cairo VM and prover are battle-tested with 2+ years of mainnet operation. This matters for high-value financial applications where security is non-negotiable.
03
Starknet Appchain: Customizability
Full control over the stack: Customize sequencer logic, fee token (e.g., use your own token), gas pricing, and upgrade schedules without governance delays. This matters for games or enterprise applications needing specific throughput rules or economic models.
04
Starknet Appchain: Performance & Cost
Predictable, dedicated resources: Avoid mainnet congestion and fee spikes. Achieve sub-second block times and set your own fee market. This matters for high-frequency trading or social apps where user experience depends on low, consistent latency and cost.
< 1 sec
Block Time
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
Decision Guide: When to Choose Which
Starknet Appchain for DeFi
Verdict: The strategic choice for sovereignty and custom economics. Strengths: Full control over sequencer fees and MEV capture (e.g., via Madara). Ability to implement custom gas token (like USDC), subsidize user transactions, and deploy protocol-specific upgrades without network-wide governance. Essential for high-frequency AMMs or order-book DEXs requiring predictable, ultra-low latency. Key Trade-off: You inherit the security and operational burden of running validator nodes. Requires a team to manage infrastructure and bootstrap initial liquidity.
Starknet Mainnet for DeFi
Verdict: The optimal launchpad for maximum composability and shared security. Strengths: Instant access to Starknet's native TVL, users, and established primitives like Ekubo, Nostra, and zkLend. Leverages the battle-tested Starknet OS and Cairo 1.0 toolchain. Ideal for novel DeFi applications (e.g., structured products, options) that thrive on network effects and don't require bespoke chain parameters. Key Trade-off: Subject to mainnet congestion and shared fee market. Cannot customize core economic parameters or sequencer logic.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Strategic Recommendation
Choosing between a Starknet Appchain and the Starknet Mainnet is a strategic decision that hinges on your project's specific requirements for sovereignty, performance, and time-to-market.
Starknet Appchains excel at providing dedicated, customizable infrastructure because they offer full sovereignty over the sequencer, fee token, and governance. For example, an appchain can achieve sub-second finality and 10,000+ TPS by optimizing its Cairo VM and data availability layer for a single application, bypassing the shared congestion of a public L2. This model is proven by dYdX's successful migration to its own Cosmos-based chain for ultimate performance control.
Starknet Mainnet takes a different approach by offering a secure, shared settlement layer with deep, composable liquidity. This results in a trade-off: you inherit battle-tested security from Ethereum and instant access to a thriving ecosystem (e.g., protocols like Ekubo, Nostra, and zkLend), but you must compete for block space, leading to variable fees and latency during peak demand. Its TVL, often exceeding $100M, is a testament to this network effect.
The key trade-off: If your priority is uncompromising performance, custom economics, or regulatory compliance, choose a Starknet Appchain. If you prioritize rapid launch, maximum composability, and leveraging an existing user base, choose the Starknet Mainnet. For CTOs, the decision matrix is clear: build a sovereign chain for a flagship product requiring deterministic performance; deploy on the mainnet for a DeFi primitive that thrives on interconnected liquidity.
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