Arbitrum vs Base, what is the difference?

Arbitrum vs Base compares two layer 2 networks that make Ethereum transactions cheaper. Both are optimistic rollups, and both work with ordinary Ethereum wallets and apps. They differ in who runs and upgrades them, how withdrawals are proven and how fees are split. This guide explains those differences without ranking them.

What is the difference between Arbitrum One vs Base?

• Who stands behind it. Arbitrum One is governed by the ArbitrumDAO, where ARB holders vote on upgrades and treasury spending. Base is Coinbase's network, which Coinbase's help page says was built on the OP Stack in collaboration with Optimism.
• Token. ARB is Arbitrum's governance token. Coinbase says it does not currently plan a network token for Base and warns that fake "Base tokens" are a scam risk.
• Upgrades. L2BEAT says Arbitrum's regular upgrades take about 41 days end to end, with a 12-member Security Council able to act at once in emergencies. For Base, it lists a 2 of 2 multisig of Base's coordinator group and its Security Council, with no delay on upgrades.
• Software. Arbitrum runs its own Nitro stack. Base, CoinDesk reported in February 2026, is moving to a single Base-run codebase while staying compatible.

The background is in what is Arbitrum and what is Base.

How do withdrawals and proofs compare?

Moving funds from either network back to Ethereum through the official bridge takes days, because results must be open to challenge first.

On Arbitrum One, an unchallenged result can be confirmed after 6 days and 8 hours, according to L2BEAT. The BoLD dispute system lets anyone challenge.

Base's Azul upgrade, activated in May 2026, added a multiproof system. A proposal can be finalized by a TEE proof, which relies on secure hardware, or by a zero-knowledge proof. L2BEAT lists five days with one proof and one day when both agree. Third-party bridges can be faster but add their own risks, covered in what is a crypto bridge.

How do Base vs Arbitrum fees work?

Both charge in ETH, even when you send stablecoins.

• Base splits the fee into an L2 execution fee, which rises with demand on Base, and an L1 security fee for publishing data to Ethereum. Base says the L1 part is usually the larger. It also sets a minimum L2 base fee of 0.005 gwei.
• Arbitrum shows a single fee. The cost of posting compressed data to Ethereum is converted into extra gas and added to the execution cost.

Real costs move with network activity, so check the estimate your wallet shows.

Arbitrum or Base, what matters when sending funds?

The two are separate networks. A token sent on Base will not arrive in an Arbitrum account unless it is bridged, even though addresses look the same. Exchanges list each network separately, so pick the one your receiving wallet or app supports.