OP Stack vs Arbitrum Orbit vs ZK Stack vs Polygon CDK: Choosing a Rollup Framework

If you have decided to launch a rollup, congratulations: you have skipped the hardest part of blockchain engineering. You do not need to write a consensus algorithm or a virtual machine from scratch. Instead, you will pick a rollup framework, an open-source codebase that packages the sequencer, node software, bridge contracts and proof system into something you can configure and deploy.

Four frameworks dominate the EVM rollup world: the OP Stack, Arbitrum Orbit, the ZK Stack and Polygon CDK. Each comes with its own technology, ecosystem and philosophy. This guide explains what each one is, where it shines and how to choose. Frameworks evolve quickly, so treat this as a map, then confirm details in each project’s current documentation before you commit.

OP Stack

The OP Stack is the open-source framework developed by Optimism and used to run OP Mainnet. It is the foundation of the Superchain, a vision of many OP Stack chains sharing standards, upgrades and, increasingly, interoperability. Base, the L2 incubated by Coinbase, is the best-known OP Stack chain, and many other brands and projects have followed.

• Proof system: optimistic, with fault proofs. Withdrawals to Ethereum typically involve a challenge window of about a week.
• Execution: EVM-equivalent, so existing Ethereum contracts and tools work with minimal changes.
• Strengths: huge ecosystem, broad RaaS support, strong network effects through the Superchain, and a modular design that has attracted a lot of developer attention.
• Things to check: what joining the Superchain requires (standards, governance, revenue sharing), and the current state of features like custom gas tokens, which have changed across versions.

Arbitrum Orbit

Arbitrum Orbit lets you launch chains built on Arbitrum Nitro, the same technology that powers Arbitrum One. Orbit chains can settle to Ethereum as L2s or to an Arbitrum chain as L3s.

• Proof system: optimistic, with interactive fraud proofs. Offchain Labs has introduced the BoLD dispute protocol to make validation more permissionless.
• Modes: full Rollup mode posts data to the parent chain; AnyTrust mode relies on a data availability committee for much lower costs, which suits games and high-volume apps.
• Stylus: lets developers write smart contracts in languages like Rust, C and C++ that compile to WebAssembly, alongside normal Solidity contracts.
• Strengths: mature, battle-tested technology; flexible custom gas tokens; strong gaming and DeFi presence.
• Things to check: licensing terms, which can differ depending on where your chain settles, and any revenue share obligations.

ZK Stack

The ZK Stack is the framework behind ZKsync Era and the broader network of ZKsync chains, sometimes referred to as the Elastic Network. It is built around zero-knowledge validity proofs.

• Proof system: validity proofs, so the base layer can verify correctness without a long challenge window.
• Execution: EVM-compatible rather than byte-for-byte EVM-equivalent in some respects, though compatibility has improved over time. Native account abstraction is a standout feature.
• Data options: supports rollup mode as well as validium configurations using alternative data availability, which can appeal to enterprises and privacy-focused deployments.
• Strengths: fast finality on Ethereum, native interoperability ambitions across ZKsync chains, and growing institutional interest.
• Things to check: prover infrastructure requirements and costs, and any differences from standard EVM tooling that affect your contracts.

Polygon CDK

Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK) is a toolkit for launching chains that connect to the AggLayer, Polygon’s interoperability layer designed to unify liquidity and messaging across connected chains.

• Proof system and execution: CDK has evolved significantly. It began with a zkEVM-based approach and has since expanded to support multiple execution clients and configurations, including options based on the OP Stack.
• Strengths: AggLayer connectivity, flexibility in configuration, and Polygon’s long track record with enterprises and brands.
• Things to check: which CDK configuration is currently recommended, what AggLayer integration requires, and how proofs and security guarantees work for the specific setup you choose.

Side-by-side comparison

How to choose: five questions

1. Where is your ecosystem? If your partners are on Base or OP Mainnet, the OP Stack is a natural fit. If they live on Arbitrum, Orbit makes sense. Proximity reduces friction for bridging and integrations.
2. How fast do withdrawals need to be? If users regularly need to move assets back to Ethereum quickly without third-party bridges, ZK-based approaches have an advantage.
3. How sensitive are you to costs? For very high-volume apps, AnyTrust, validium or alternative DA modes can dramatically cut costs, at the price of extra trust assumptions.
4. What do your developers know? EVM-equivalence keeps things familiar. Stylus is compelling if your team writes Rust. Native account abstraction is compelling if smooth onboarding is your top priority.
5. What are the business terms? Read the licenses, revenue share expectations and governance commitments carefully. They differ, and they can change.

Don’t forget RaaS support

Most major Rollups-as-a-Service providers support several of these frameworks, and some specialize. If you plan to use a managed provider, check which frameworks they run in production, how they handle upgrades and whether they bundle explorers, bridges and indexers. A great framework paired with weak operations is still a weak chain.

The bottom line

There is no universally best rollup framework. The OP Stack offers ecosystem breadth and Superchain alignment. Arbitrum Orbit offers maturity, flexibility and Stylus. The ZK Stack offers validity proofs and native account abstraction. Polygon CDK offers AggLayer connectivity and configuration options. Map them against your users, costs and team, and the right board for your wave usually becomes obvious.

Compare frameworks in more depth in Where to Build, find helpful utilities in Tools, or let WaveChains help you launch with the framework that fits.