Polygon zkEVM excels at developer adoption and ecosystem maturity because it leverages the established Polygon PoS bridge and tooling. For example, its integration with the AggLayer aims for seamless interoperability across the Polygon ecosystem, and it has secured significant TVL from protocols like Aave and Uniswap V3. Its use of a custom zk-prover (Plonky2) prioritizes rapid proof generation, though this comes with some trade-offs in decentralization.
LABS
Comparisons
Polygon zkEVM vs Scroll for EVM-Compatible ZK-Rollups
A technical comparison for CTOs and protocol architects evaluating Type 2 ZK-EVMs. We analyze bytecode equivalence, proof generation speed, ecosystem maturity, and cost structure to determine the optimal chain for deploying a complex, multi-chain NFT marketplace.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Battle for EVM-Equivalent Scalability
A technical breakdown of Polygon zkEVM and Scroll, the two leading contenders for full EVM-equivalent zero-knowledge rollups.
Scroll takes a different approach by maximizing bytecode-level EVM equivalence and decentralization. Its strategy involves a community-driven, open-source development process and uses battle-tested components like the EVM circuit from Privacy and Scaling Explorations (PSE). This results in slower initial feature rollout but provides stronger long-term security guarantees and alignment with Ethereum's ethos, as evidenced by its seamless compatibility with hardhat and foundry.
The key trade-off: If your priority is rapid deployment within a mature L2 ecosystem with high throughput, choose Polygon zkEVM. If you prioritize maximal security, bytecode compatibility, and building on a credibly neutral chain, choose Scroll.
tldr-summary
Polygon zkEVM vs Scroll
TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance
A data-driven comparison of two leading EVM-equivalent ZK-Rollups. Choose based on your protocol's priorities for performance, ecosystem, and decentralization.
01
Polygon zkEVM: Production-Ready Performance
Specific advantage: ~50 TPS with sub-10 minute finality via Ethereum L1. This matters for applications requiring high-throughput DeFi and established Polygon PoS bridge compatibility. Leverages the mature Polygon CDK for custom chain deployment.
~50 TPS
Current Throughput
< 10 min
Finality Time
02
Polygon zkEVM: Mature Ecosystem & Tooling
Specific advantage: Direct integration with the $5B+ TVL Polygon ecosystem and tools like Alchemy, The Graph, and Chainlink. This matters for teams that prioritize developer familiarity and need immediate access to liquidity and infrastructure.
03
Scroll: EVM-Equivalence & Decentralization Focus
Specific advantage: Bytecode-level EVM compatibility, minimizing dev tooling friction. This matters for protocols migrating from Ethereum Mainnet with complex smart contracts. Built with a gradual decentralization roadmap for provers and sequencers.
04
Scroll: Native Ethereum Security & Culture
Specific advantage: Deep technical alignment with Ethereum Foundation research (ZK-EVM project). This matters for projects valuing maximal security guarantees and a developer culture closely tied to Ethereum's core ethos and upgrade path.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Polygon zkEVM vs Scroll Feature Comparison
Direct technical and ecosystem comparison for EVM-compatible ZK-Rollup selection.
| Metric / Feature | Polygon zkEVM | Scroll |
|---|---|---|
EVM Opcode Equivalence | ||
Time to Finality (L1) | ~30 min | ~15 min |
Avg. Transaction Cost (L2) | $0.01 - $0.05 | $0.10 - $0.30 |
Native Bridge Security Model | Ethereum + PoS | Ethereum Only |
Mainnet Beta Launch | March 2023 | October 2023 |
Prover System | Plonky2 | Scroll ZK Circuit |
Key Ecosystem Tooling | Polygon CDK, AggLayer | Scroll Portal, Rollup-as-a-Service |
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Polygon zkEVM vs Scroll: Performance & Cost Benchmarks
Direct comparison of EVM-equivalent ZK-Rollups on key technical and economic metrics.
| Metric | Polygon zkEVM | Scroll |
|---|---|---|
EVM Opcode Equivalence | ||
Avg. L2 Tx Cost (ETH Transfer) | $0.01 - $0.05 | $0.02 - $0.10 |
Time to Finality (L1 Confirmed) | ~30-60 min | ~3-4 hours |
Proving System | Plonky2 | zkEVM (Scroll's custom) |
Native Bridge to Ethereum | ||
Native Account Abstraction Support | ||
Mainnet Beta Launch | Mar 2023 | Oct 2023 |
pros-cons-a
ZK-EVM COMPARISON
Polygon zkEVM vs. Scroll: Key Differentiators
A data-driven breakdown of two leading EVM-compatible ZK-Rollups, highlighting architectural trade-offs and optimal use cases.
01
Polygon zkEVM: Production Maturity & Ecosystem
Operational Mainnet Advantage: Launched in March 2023, it has processed 50M+ transactions with established infrastructure from Aave, Uniswap V3, and Balancer. This matters for protocols needing battle-tested security and deep liquidity from day one.
50M+
Mainnet TXs
~$150M
TVL
04
Scroll: Ethereum-Native Security & Culture
Close Ethereum Alignment: Founded and heavily backed by Ethereum Foundation researchers, Scroll prioritizes decentralized proof generation and a conservative, academic approach to upgrades. This matters for projects whose core value proposition is maximizing Ethereum's security and ethos over raw speed-to-market.
Ethereum L1
Data Availability
05
Choose Polygon zkEVM If...
You are building a consumer app that needs:
- Immediate access to a large, mature DeFi/NFT ecosystem.
- Future-proofing for cross-chain liquidity via the AggLayer.
- Aggressive growth supported by Polygon Labs' business development and marketing engine.
06
Choose Scroll If...
Your priorities are:
- Maximum EVM compatibility for a seamless, low-friction migration from Ethereum mainnet.
- Institutional-grade security and a philosophy aligned with Ethereum's decentralization roadmap.
- Willingness to trade some early-stage ecosystem depth for long-term architectural purity.
pros-cons-b
Polygon zkEVM vs. Scroll
Scroll: Pros and Cons
Key strengths and trade-offs at a glance for two leading EVM-compatible ZK-Rollups.
01
Polygon zkEVM: Ecosystem & Tooling
Deep Polygon integration: Direct access to the Polygon PoS ecosystem (e.g., QuickSwap, Aave V3) and mature tooling (Polygon Bridge, AggLayer). This matters for projects seeking immediate liquidity and a familiar developer experience with tools like Hardhat and Foundry.
02
Polygon zkEVM: Aggregation Layer Vision
Unified liquidity via AggLayer: Aims to create a single liquidity pool across all Polygon chains (zkEVM, PoS, CDK chains). This matters for protocols planning a multi-chain future within the Polygon ecosystem, reducing fragmentation.
03
Polygon zkEVM: Trade-off - Centralized Sequencing
Single sequencer model: The chain currently relies on a single, centralized sequencer operated by Polygon Labs. This matters for applications prioritizing maximal decentralization and censorship resistance from day one.
04
Scroll: EVM Equivalence & Security
Bytecode-level EVM compatibility: Scroll's zkEVM executes standard Ethereum bytecode, minimizing integration surprises. Its security relies directly on Ethereum L1 consensus and validity proofs. This matters for protocols requiring the highest guarantee of correctness and minimal dev tool adjustments.
05
Scroll: Decentralized Roadmap
Progressive decentralization: A clear, active roadmap for decentralizing sequencers and provers, with early steps like permissionless proving already live. This matters for teams building with long-term, credibly neutral infrastructure as a priority.
06
Scroll: Trade-off - Nascent Ecosystem
Smaller current DeFi TVL: While growing, its ecosystem (e.g., SyncSwap, Ambient) is less established than Polygon's. This matters for applications that depend on deep, existing liquidity and a wide array of integrated protocols at launch.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
Decision Framework: Choose Based on Your Use Case
Polygon zkEVM for DeFi
Verdict: The established choice for high-value, complex applications. Strengths:
- Highest TVL & Liquidity: Dominant ecosystem with major protocols like Aave, Uniswap V3, and Balancer already deployed. Network effects are powerful.
- Proven Security: Inherits Ethereum's security via battle-tested zk-proofs and a mature, audited codebase.
- Full EVM Equivalence: Seamlessly ports complex smart contracts (e.g., yield optimizers, perpetuals) with minimal refactoring. Consideration: Transaction fees, while low, are typically higher than Scroll's.
Scroll for DeFi
Verdict: The cost-optimized challenger for fee-sensitive, high-volume operations. Strengths:
- Ultra-Low Fees: Consistently lower transaction costs due to efficient proof generation and a leaner tech stack.
- Ethereum-Native Security: Uses canonical Ethereum infrastructure (e.g., Geth) in its node software, maximizing compatibility and minimizing trust assumptions.
- Strong Developer Mindshare: Attracting builders focused on novel, gas-optimized primitives. Consideration: Ecosystem and TVL are growing but currently smaller than Polygon zkEVM's.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Strategic Recommendation
A data-driven conclusion on choosing between Polygon zkEVM and Scroll for your ZK-rollup deployment.
Polygon zkEVM excels at mainstream developer adoption and ecosystem leverage because it prioritizes a seamless, high-fidelity EVM experience. For example, its Type 2 zkEVM equivalence allows developers to deploy existing Solidity contracts from Ethereum, Polygon PoS, and Arbitrum with minimal friction, supported by a mature tooling suite (Hardhat, Foundry, The Graph). This is reflected in its higher TVL and broader DApp integration, making it a lower-risk choice for established teams.
Scroll takes a different approach by prioritizing academic rigor and long-term Ethereum alignment. Its strategy involves building a Type 3 zkEVM from the ground up in close collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation, focusing on security proofs and eventual Type 2 equivalence. This results in a trade-off: a more conservative, slower-to-market feature set but with a strong foundation in cryptographic correctness and a philosophy deeply integrated with Ethereum's roadmap.
The key trade-off is between ecosystem velocity and architectural purity. If your priority is rapid deployment, maximum compatibility, and leveraging an existing Polygon-centric user base, choose Polygon zkEVM. Its performance metrics, like consistently low transaction fees and robust throughput, serve growth-focused applications well. If you prioritize long-term security guarantees, Ethereum-native ethos, and are building a protocol where cryptographic assurance is the primary marketing feature, choose Scroll. Its meticulous development, while currently offering a smaller DApp ecosystem, appeals to projects valuing maximal decentralization and alignment with Ethereum's core principles.
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