Network
Launch Date
Consensus
Note
Sepolia
Oct 2021
PoW
Like-for-like representation of Ethereum
Görli
Jan 2019
PoA
Proof-of-Authority
Kiln
Mar 2022
PoS
Post-Merge (for ETH2), shadow fork of the mainnet
Kintsugi
Dec 2021
PoS
DEPRECATED, use Kiln; post-Merge (for ETH2)
Ropsten
Nov 2016
PoW
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia; the Merge to happen on Jun 8, 2022
Rinkeby
Apr 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Görli and Görli Faucet
Kovan
Mar 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia or Görli
List of active and deprecated Ethereum testnets, including Kintsugi.
Features
Optimistic rollup 
ZK-rollup 
Proof
Uses fraud proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Uses validity (zero-knowledge) proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Capital efficiency
Requires waiting through a 1-week delay (dispute period) before withdrawing funds. 
Users can withdraw funds immediately because validity proofs provide incontrovertible evidence of the authenticity of off-chain transactions. 
Data compression
Publishes full transaction data as calldata to Ethereum Mainnet, which increases rollup costs. 
Doesn't need to publish transaction data on Ethereum because ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs already guarantee the accuracy of the rollup state. 
EVM compatibility
Uses a simulation of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which allows it to run arbitrary logic and support smart contracts. 
Doesn't widely support EVM computation, although a few EVM-compatible ZK-rollups have appeared. 
Rollup costs
Reduces costs since it publishes minimal data on Ethereum and doesn't have to post proofs for transactions, except in special circumstances. 
Faces higher overhead from costs involved in generating and verifying proofs for every transaction block. ZK proofs require specialized, expensive hardware to create and have high on-chain verification costs. 
Trust assumptions
Doesn't require a trusted setup. 
Requires a trusted setup to work. 
Liveness requirements
Verifiers are needed to keep tabs on the actual rollup state and the one referenced in the state root to detect fraud. 
Users don't need someone to watch the L2 chain to detect fraud. 
Security properties 
Relies on cryptoeconomic incentives to assure users of rollup security. 
Relies on cryptographic guarantees for security. 
Start building
on Alchemy.
Sign up for free
Start building on Optimism.
Sign up for free
Start building on Arbitrum.
Sign up for free
Start building on Ethereum.
Sign up for free
Start building on Polygon.
Sign up for free
Start building on Starknet.
Sign up for free
Start building on Flow.
Sign up for free
kiln faucet
Get free Kiln ETH.
Start building today
Goerli faucet
Get free Goerli ETH.
Start building today
SEPOLIA FAUCET
Get free Sepolia ETH.
Start Building Today
mumbai faucet
Get free Mumbai Matic.
Start building today
rinkeby faucet
Get free Rinkeby
ETH.
Start building today
Start building on Ethereum.
Get started for free
Start building on Ethereum.
Get started for free
Start building on Flow.
Get started for free
Start building on Polygon.
Get started for free
Start building on Starknet.
Get started for free
Start building on Optimism.
Get started for free
Start building on Solana.
Get started for free
Start building on Solana.
Sign up for beta access
Start building on Solana.
Join the waitlist
Arbitrum logo
Start building on Arbitrum.
Get started for free
Build with Alchemy's
Gas Manager & Bundler APIs
Learn
Solidity at
Alchemy
University
Get started today
Build with Alchemy's
Gas Manager & Bundler APIs
curl 
https://release.solana.com/v1.10.32/solana-install-init-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc.exe 
--output 
C:\solana-install-tmp\solana-install-init.exe 
--create-dirs
Choosing a Blockchain
WHY POLYGON ZKEVM

5 Reasons Why You Should Build on Polygon zkEVM

Discover the Deciding Factors that Influence Developers to Build on Polygon's New zkEVM Blockchain
Last Updated:
May 5, 2023
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents

{{building-on-polygon}}

Polygon zkEVM is a layer 2 blockchain that uses zero knowledge technology and validity proofs to increase Ethereum's scalability, reduce gas costs, and give developers a familiar development environment.

The difference between Polygon's Proof-of-Stake blockchain and Polygon zkEVM is that Polygon PoS is an Ethereum Sidechain and Polygon zkEVM is a native L2 rollup that is secured by Ethereum.

What is Polygon and Why Polygon zkEVM?

The Polygon network is designed to provide a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which means that it operates on top of the Ethereum network and allows for decentralized applications (dapps) to run faster and with lower fees. The project gained significant traction in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space in 2020 and 2021, as developers sought to build scalable applications that could handle large transaction volumes. 

Polygon supports rollups as a layer 2 scaling solution. Rollups work by batching multiple transactions together into a single transaction and then submitting this batch to the main blockchain. This significantly reduces the number of transactions that need to be processed on the main chain, which in turn reduces the fees and processing time required for each transaction.

The blockchain industry recognizes two types of rollups: optimistic rollups and zk-rollups. Polygon zkEVM mainnet beta went live on March 27th, 2023.

Going forward, this article will focus on zkEVM rollups; also, ZK rollups and zkEVM will be used interchangeably to refer to Polygon zkEVM. The article will provide an explanation of zero-knowledge proofs later on.

To fully comprehend the concept of a zkEVM, it is essential to have a clear understanding of its constituent parts. At its core, a zkEVM is the fusion of two robust technologies - zero-knowledge proofs, a groundbreaking cryptographic solution, and the EVM, which can be described as a distributed state machine — it facilitates the hashing of smart contract states, creating a value associated with the contract account consistent with the Ethereum network’s consensus mechanism.

Why Developers Choose Polygon for Blockchain Development

The five main reasons why developers choose to deploy applications to Polygon's zkEVM network are Zero-knowledge, EVM equivalence, scalability, cost, and ecosystem.

1. ZK Proof Technology

Zero-knowledge (zk) is a cryptographic protocol that enhances security when generating proofs to validate a statement. The core principle is that a statement can be proven without revealing the information used to derive the solution. For a zero-knowledge proof to be valid, it must adhere to certain rules: the verifier should be convinced if and only if the statement is valid, and should be unconvinced when the statement is false. Moreover, the proof should be verifiable without revealing the statement that is being proved.

To aid in understanding the concept, an analogy will be utilized. In this scenario, two individuals named Alice and Bob each have their own secret numbers. A third party wants to prove to Alice and Bob that they know the sum of their two numbers without revealing either individual number.

The third party can begin by asking Alice and Bob to write their numbers on a piece of paper and place them inside a locked box. They can then request the locked box from Alice and Bob, but not the key to open it. The third party can then approach another friend with a calculator and ask them to add together the two numbers without disclosing what the individual numbers are. The third party can record the sum on a piece of paper.

Afterwards, the third party can provide Alice and Bob with the paper containing the sum and request that they verify if it is correct. Alice and Bob can then use their own numbers and a calculator to check the sum without revealing their individual numbers to each other. If the sum is correct, Alice and Bob will believe that the third party knows the sum of their numbers without having to disclose their individual numbers.

Polygon offers a cutting-edge ZK (Zero-Knowledge) proof solution, which utilizes the power of zero-knowledge proofs to ensure that all transactions happening on the network are valid. Imagine that Alice and Bob's numbers are their assets on the blockchain, and the third party is the blockchain proving to the world that transactions are valid, without revealing who owns what assets.

By leveraging this technology, Polygon enables developers to build decentralized applications that protect user privacy and ensure the integrity of the network.

2. EVM Equivalence

Polygon's zkEVM is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to enhance scalability while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. By using zkEVM, developers and users on Polygon can use the same code, tools, and applications they use on Ethereum but with significantly higher throughput and lower fees.

EVM-equivalence refers to the ability to compile code in the same way as Ethereum, allowing developers to launch their existing Ethereum-based applications on new chains instantly.

As an EVM-Equivalent chain, the Polygon zkEVM is a great choice for developers looking for instant scalability for their existing Ethereum dapps.

3. Scalability

Layer 2 protocols such as Polygon are well-suited for contracts that require frequent transactions, as they can group multiple transactions together for a single validation on the Ethereum mainnet.

Polygon scalability layer
Scalability Layer

To provide an example, imagine a decentralized exchange (DEX) which employs a smart contract to enable users to trade tokens with one another.

In a traditional scenario, every trade would necessitate a separate transaction on the Ethereum network, which can be very slow. However, by utilizing a layer 2 protocol such as Polygon, the DEX can combine numerous trades into a single batch for validation on the Ethereum mainnet. This is the core idea of a "Rollup".

This batch processing approach diminishes the number of required transactions and enables developers to scale their DEX application.

4. Cost

The zkEVM solution offered by Polygon uses a batch processing system. This significantly reduces transaction costs on the Ethereum network. By grouping multiple transactions together into batches, zkEVM is able to reduce the number of transactions required for each operation, which in turn reduces the gas fees associated with each transaction.

This cost-saving measure enables developers to create more affordable and accessible decentralized applications, such as decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces.

5. Ecosystem

The Ethereum developer ecosystem has been built over time with significant investment in resources and energy, and maintaining compatibility with this ecosystem is a major advantage of zkEVM. By leveraging the power of zkEVM, developers are not only scaling the number of transactions per second on the Ethereum network but also building on the strong foundation of a thriving community and ecosystem.

Start Developing on Polygon zkEVM

Polygon zkEVM is regarded as one of the most promising solutions to Ethereum's scalability challenges. With Polygon's dedication to incorporating ZK rollups, the possibility of scaling Ethereum is greatly enhanced. Alchemy is committed to advancing Ethereum's scalability helping developers start building on Polygon zkEVM.

To start building on Polygon, create a free Polygon zkEVM developer account with Alchemy today!

ALCHEMY SUPERNODE - ETHEREUM NODE API

Scale to any size, without any errors

Alchemy Supernode finally makes it possible to scale blockchain applications without all the headaches. Plus, our legendary support will guide you every step of the way.

Get started for free
Supernode footer
Choosing a Blockchain
WHY POLYGON ZKEVM

5 Reasons Why You Should Build on Polygon zkEVM

Discover the Deciding Factors that Influence Developers to Build on Polygon's New zkEVM Blockchain
Last Updated:
May 5, 2023
Last Updated:
April 20, 2023
Don't miss an update
Sign up for our newsletter to get alpha, key insights, and killer resources.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Table of Contents

Talk to an Expert

Learn how Alchemy's blockchain developer tools can help your business succeed in web3!
Valid number
Thank you! An Alchemy expert will be in touch with you shortly!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

{{building-on-polygon}}

Polygon zkEVM is a layer 2 blockchain that uses zero knowledge technology and validity proofs to increase Ethereum's scalability, reduce gas costs, and give developers a familiar development environment.

The difference between Polygon's Proof-of-Stake blockchain and Polygon zkEVM is that Polygon PoS is an Ethereum Sidechain and Polygon zkEVM is a native L2 rollup that is secured by Ethereum.

What is Polygon and Why Polygon zkEVM?

The Polygon network is designed to provide a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which means that it operates on top of the Ethereum network and allows for decentralized applications (dapps) to run faster and with lower fees. The project gained significant traction in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space in 2020 and 2021, as developers sought to build scalable applications that could handle large transaction volumes. 

Polygon supports rollups as a layer 2 scaling solution. Rollups work by batching multiple transactions together into a single transaction and then submitting this batch to the main blockchain. This significantly reduces the number of transactions that need to be processed on the main chain, which in turn reduces the fees and processing time required for each transaction.

The blockchain industry recognizes two types of rollups: optimistic rollups and zk-rollups. Polygon zkEVM mainnet beta went live on March 27th, 2023.

Going forward, this article will focus on zkEVM rollups; also, ZK rollups and zkEVM will be used interchangeably to refer to Polygon zkEVM. The article will provide an explanation of zero-knowledge proofs later on.

To fully comprehend the concept of a zkEVM, it is essential to have a clear understanding of its constituent parts. At its core, a zkEVM is the fusion of two robust technologies - zero-knowledge proofs, a groundbreaking cryptographic solution, and the EVM, which can be described as a distributed state machine — it facilitates the hashing of smart contract states, creating a value associated with the contract account consistent with the Ethereum network’s consensus mechanism.

Why Developers Choose Polygon for Blockchain Development

The five main reasons why developers choose to deploy applications to Polygon's zkEVM network are Zero-knowledge, EVM equivalence, scalability, cost, and ecosystem.

1. ZK Proof Technology

Zero-knowledge (zk) is a cryptographic protocol that enhances security when generating proofs to validate a statement. The core principle is that a statement can be proven without revealing the information used to derive the solution. For a zero-knowledge proof to be valid, it must adhere to certain rules: the verifier should be convinced if and only if the statement is valid, and should be unconvinced when the statement is false. Moreover, the proof should be verifiable without revealing the statement that is being proved.

To aid in understanding the concept, an analogy will be utilized. In this scenario, two individuals named Alice and Bob each have their own secret numbers. A third party wants to prove to Alice and Bob that they know the sum of their two numbers without revealing either individual number.

The third party can begin by asking Alice and Bob to write their numbers on a piece of paper and place them inside a locked box. They can then request the locked box from Alice and Bob, but not the key to open it. The third party can then approach another friend with a calculator and ask them to add together the two numbers without disclosing what the individual numbers are. The third party can record the sum on a piece of paper.

Afterwards, the third party can provide Alice and Bob with the paper containing the sum and request that they verify if it is correct. Alice and Bob can then use their own numbers and a calculator to check the sum without revealing their individual numbers to each other. If the sum is correct, Alice and Bob will believe that the third party knows the sum of their numbers without having to disclose their individual numbers.

Polygon offers a cutting-edge ZK (Zero-Knowledge) proof solution, which utilizes the power of zero-knowledge proofs to ensure that all transactions happening on the network are valid. Imagine that Alice and Bob's numbers are their assets on the blockchain, and the third party is the blockchain proving to the world that transactions are valid, without revealing who owns what assets.

By leveraging this technology, Polygon enables developers to build decentralized applications that protect user privacy and ensure the integrity of the network.

2. EVM Equivalence

Polygon's zkEVM is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to enhance scalability while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. By using zkEVM, developers and users on Polygon can use the same code, tools, and applications they use on Ethereum but with significantly higher throughput and lower fees.

EVM-equivalence refers to the ability to compile code in the same way as Ethereum, allowing developers to launch their existing Ethereum-based applications on new chains instantly.

As an EVM-Equivalent chain, the Polygon zkEVM is a great choice for developers looking for instant scalability for their existing Ethereum dapps.

3. Scalability

Layer 2 protocols such as Polygon are well-suited for contracts that require frequent transactions, as they can group multiple transactions together for a single validation on the Ethereum mainnet.

Polygon scalability layer
Scalability Layer

To provide an example, imagine a decentralized exchange (DEX) which employs a smart contract to enable users to trade tokens with one another.

In a traditional scenario, every trade would necessitate a separate transaction on the Ethereum network, which can be very slow. However, by utilizing a layer 2 protocol such as Polygon, the DEX can combine numerous trades into a single batch for validation on the Ethereum mainnet. This is the core idea of a "Rollup".

This batch processing approach diminishes the number of required transactions and enables developers to scale their DEX application.

4. Cost

The zkEVM solution offered by Polygon uses a batch processing system. This significantly reduces transaction costs on the Ethereum network. By grouping multiple transactions together into batches, zkEVM is able to reduce the number of transactions required for each operation, which in turn reduces the gas fees associated with each transaction.

This cost-saving measure enables developers to create more affordable and accessible decentralized applications, such as decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces.

5. Ecosystem

The Ethereum developer ecosystem has been built over time with significant investment in resources and energy, and maintaining compatibility with this ecosystem is a major advantage of zkEVM. By leveraging the power of zkEVM, developers are not only scaling the number of transactions per second on the Ethereum network but also building on the strong foundation of a thriving community and ecosystem.

Start Developing on Polygon zkEVM

Polygon zkEVM is regarded as one of the most promising solutions to Ethereum's scalability challenges. With Polygon's dedication to incorporating ZK rollups, the possibility of scaling Ethereum is greatly enhanced. Alchemy is committed to advancing Ethereum's scalability helping developers start building on Polygon zkEVM.

To start building on Polygon, create a free Polygon zkEVM developer account with Alchemy today!

Polygon zkEVM is a layer 2 blockchain that uses zero knowledge technology and validity proofs to increase Ethereum's scalability, reduce gas costs, and give developers a familiar development environment.

The difference between Polygon's Proof-of-Stake blockchain and Polygon zkEVM is that Polygon PoS is an Ethereum Sidechain and Polygon zkEVM is a native L2 rollup that is secured by Ethereum.

What is Polygon and Why Polygon zkEVM?

The Polygon network is designed to provide a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which means that it operates on top of the Ethereum network and allows for decentralized applications (dapps) to run faster and with lower fees. The project gained significant traction in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space in 2020 and 2021, as developers sought to build scalable applications that could handle large transaction volumes. 

Polygon supports rollups as a layer 2 scaling solution. Rollups work by batching multiple transactions together into a single transaction and then submitting this batch to the main blockchain. This significantly reduces the number of transactions that need to be processed on the main chain, which in turn reduces the fees and processing time required for each transaction.

The blockchain industry recognizes two types of rollups: optimistic rollups and zk-rollups. Polygon zkEVM mainnet beta went live on March 27th, 2023.

Going forward, this article will focus on zkEVM rollups; also, ZK rollups and zkEVM will be used interchangeably to refer to Polygon zkEVM. The article will provide an explanation of zero-knowledge proofs later on.

To fully comprehend the concept of a zkEVM, it is essential to have a clear understanding of its constituent parts. At its core, a zkEVM is the fusion of two robust technologies - zero-knowledge proofs, a groundbreaking cryptographic solution, and the EVM, which can be described as a distributed state machine — it facilitates the hashing of smart contract states, creating a value associated with the contract account consistent with the Ethereum network’s consensus mechanism.

Why Developers Choose Polygon for Blockchain Development

The five main reasons why developers choose to deploy applications to Polygon's zkEVM network are Zero-knowledge, EVM equivalence, scalability, cost, and ecosystem.

1. ZK Proof Technology

Zero-knowledge (zk) is a cryptographic protocol that enhances security when generating proofs to validate a statement. The core principle is that a statement can be proven without revealing the information used to derive the solution. For a zero-knowledge proof to be valid, it must adhere to certain rules: the verifier should be convinced if and only if the statement is valid, and should be unconvinced when the statement is false. Moreover, the proof should be verifiable without revealing the statement that is being proved.

To aid in understanding the concept, an analogy will be utilized. In this scenario, two individuals named Alice and Bob each have their own secret numbers. A third party wants to prove to Alice and Bob that they know the sum of their two numbers without revealing either individual number.

The third party can begin by asking Alice and Bob to write their numbers on a piece of paper and place them inside a locked box. They can then request the locked box from Alice and Bob, but not the key to open it. The third party can then approach another friend with a calculator and ask them to add together the two numbers without disclosing what the individual numbers are. The third party can record the sum on a piece of paper.

Afterwards, the third party can provide Alice and Bob with the paper containing the sum and request that they verify if it is correct. Alice and Bob can then use their own numbers and a calculator to check the sum without revealing their individual numbers to each other. If the sum is correct, Alice and Bob will believe that the third party knows the sum of their numbers without having to disclose their individual numbers.

Polygon offers a cutting-edge ZK (Zero-Knowledge) proof solution, which utilizes the power of zero-knowledge proofs to ensure that all transactions happening on the network are valid. Imagine that Alice and Bob's numbers are their assets on the blockchain, and the third party is the blockchain proving to the world that transactions are valid, without revealing who owns what assets.

By leveraging this technology, Polygon enables developers to build decentralized applications that protect user privacy and ensure the integrity of the network.

2. EVM Equivalence

Polygon's zkEVM is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to enhance scalability while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. By using zkEVM, developers and users on Polygon can use the same code, tools, and applications they use on Ethereum but with significantly higher throughput and lower fees.

EVM-equivalence refers to the ability to compile code in the same way as Ethereum, allowing developers to launch their existing Ethereum-based applications on new chains instantly.

As an EVM-Equivalent chain, the Polygon zkEVM is a great choice for developers looking for instant scalability for their existing Ethereum dapps.

3. Scalability

Layer 2 protocols such as Polygon are well-suited for contracts that require frequent transactions, as they can group multiple transactions together for a single validation on the Ethereum mainnet.

Polygon scalability layer
Scalability Layer

To provide an example, imagine a decentralized exchange (DEX) which employs a smart contract to enable users to trade tokens with one another.

In a traditional scenario, every trade would necessitate a separate transaction on the Ethereum network, which can be very slow. However, by utilizing a layer 2 protocol such as Polygon, the DEX can combine numerous trades into a single batch for validation on the Ethereum mainnet. This is the core idea of a "Rollup".

This batch processing approach diminishes the number of required transactions and enables developers to scale their DEX application.

4. Cost

The zkEVM solution offered by Polygon uses a batch processing system. This significantly reduces transaction costs on the Ethereum network. By grouping multiple transactions together into batches, zkEVM is able to reduce the number of transactions required for each operation, which in turn reduces the gas fees associated with each transaction.

This cost-saving measure enables developers to create more affordable and accessible decentralized applications, such as decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces.

5. Ecosystem

The Ethereum developer ecosystem has been built over time with significant investment in resources and energy, and maintaining compatibility with this ecosystem is a major advantage of zkEVM. By leveraging the power of zkEVM, developers are not only scaling the number of transactions per second on the Ethereum network but also building on the strong foundation of a thriving community and ecosystem.

Start Developing on Polygon zkEVM

Polygon zkEVM is regarded as one of the most promising solutions to Ethereum's scalability challenges. With Polygon's dedication to incorporating ZK rollups, the possibility of scaling Ethereum is greatly enhanced. Alchemy is committed to advancing Ethereum's scalability helping developers start building on Polygon zkEVM.

To start building on Polygon, create a free Polygon zkEVM developer account with Alchemy today!

{{building-on-polygon}}

Contact Us

Talk to an expert at Alchemy to answer all of your product questions.
Valid number
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Build blockchain magic with Alchemy

Alchemy combines the most powerful web3 developer products and tools with resources, community and legendary support.

Get started for free